Technical Specialist in Animal Health

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with the Regional Programme Leader (RPL), departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with 
region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The Asia and Pacific region is home to nearly 60% of the global human population, the largest global poultry and swine populations, millions of farmed wildlife, an increasing regional demand for livestock-based protein, and a hotspot for transboundary diseases and zoonotic disease spill over including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the Asia and Pacific region hosts a wide diversity of livestock production systems ranging from small holders to intensive commercial production systems, and is connected to local, regional and global food systems and value chains. With the ongoing Triple Planetary Crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution), more than 70 million small holders in the Southeast Asia region alone who depend on livestock for their livelihood, income, food and nutrition security, and the variable national infrastructure and capacity to support safe livestock-based food production, technical interventions are crucial to support better production, better nutrition, a better environment and better lives. The Animal Health and Production Module (AHP) at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific delivers programming that improves and increases efficiency of livestock production, enables sustainable climate smart livestock production, promotes responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials, increases preparedness, prevention, response and recovery from transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases, and expands One Health to include the wildlife and environment sectors. This work requires close coordination with other technical modules/experts within FAO and FAO RAP, strategic partners, and most importantly, harmonization among regular program initiatives and the country program delivery arm of the AHP module. The AHP module is currently responsible for the delivery of nearly 100 projects valued at over 200 million dollars with 30% of the program supported through the Pandemic Fund.

The purpose of the Regional Call is to attract expertise for the Consultant and Personal Services Assignments (PSA) as they become available under the Animal Health and Production Module at RAP. The Regional Call will create a roster of Applicants that will be used to identify candidates for these assignments, at regional or country level in the region. Depending on the task to be undertaken, the appointment will be on a short-term contract, lasting from several days up to 11 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to and work under the overall guidance of the Regional Coordinator/Regional Manager of the One Health in Agrifood Systems Programme (RAP). Technical oversight will be provided by the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer. Administrative guidance will be provided by the Liaison and Operations Officer (Budget Holder). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Livestock Development Officer, as well as other relevant technical officers within the Animal Health and Production Module. Close coordination will also be required with FAO regional and country office teams, partners, and stakeholders, as relevant to the assignment.

Technical Focus

Below is a list of areas that will be covered by the Technical Specialist in Animal Health roster:
-    Disease prevention and control in major Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs), Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) and zoonotic diseases present in the region (e.g. Avian Influenza [AI], African Swine Fever [ASF], Foot and Mouth Disease [FMD], Peste des Petits Ruminants [PPR], etc.)
-    Disease Surveillance
-    Epidemiology
-    Laboratory
-    Animal Health Economics
-    One Health approach
-    Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Health
-    Monitoring and Evaluation (animal health related)
-    Programme/Project Management and Operations (animal health related)
-    Report writing (animal health related)

Tasks and responsibilities

The assigned tasks and responsibilities related to the various profiles include but are not limited to the following elements:

•    Support the design and implementation of projects and programmes carried out by AHP in the Asian Region.
•    Provide technical support into the design and implementation of disease prevention and control programmes.
•    Provide technical advice and expertise and strengthen country preparedness and response to animal health related emergencies at all levels.
•    Enhance country public and private sector capacities and partnerships.
•    Facilitate knowledge management, capacity building and dissemination of information in the required areas at country and regional level.
•    Coordinate with relevant partners at various levels in the implementation of specific tasks.
•    Design and support the organization of events relevant to the various programmes and projects.

Technical Specialist – Disease Prevention & Control

•    Provide technical support to the design and implementation of programmes addressing TADs, EIDs and zoonotic diseases.
•    Support preparedness, prevention, response and recovery activities related to disease outbreaks in the region.
•    Assist governments and partners in strengthening national capacities for early detection, reporting and response to animal disease emergencies.
•    Contribute to the development of technical guidelines, operational strategies and risk mitigation plans.
•    Facilitate coordination among regional partners, national veterinary services and relevant stakeholders.
•    Support capacity development initiatives and technical training related to disease control and biosecurity measures.

Technical Specialist in Disease Surveillance

•    Support the design and implementation of surveillance systems for TADs, EIDs and zoonotic diseases.
•    Collect, analyse and interpret surveillance data to support early warning and rapid response mechanisms.
•    Contribute to the development of surveillance guidelines, protocols and reporting tools.
•    Collaborate with epidemiologists, laboratories and veterinary authorities to strengthen integrated surveillance systems 
•    Support capacity building initiatives for national and regional surveillance teams. 
•    Prepare surveillance reports and technical briefs to inform programme planning and response actions.

Technical Specialist in Epidemiology

•    Conduct epidemiological analyses and risk assessments related to TADs, EIDs and zoonotic diseases.
•    Analyse disease data to identify trends, patterns and potential hotspots for disease emergence or spread.
•    Support the development and implementation of epidemiological surveillance systems.
•    Contribute to outbreak investigations and provide evidence-based recommendations for disease control measures.
•    Collaborate with laboratory and surveillance teams to integrate epidemiological data into disease monitoring systems.
•    Prepare technical reports and analytical summaries to inform programme implementation and policy decisions.

Laboratory Technical Specialist

•    Support laboratory diagnostics and confirmatory testing related to priority animal diseases in the region.
•    Assist in strengthening laboratory capacity for the detection and characterization of animal pathogens.
•    Collaborate with epidemiology and surveillance teams to support disease monitoring and outbreak investigation.
•    Contribute to the development and implementation of laboratory quality assurance and biosafety standards.
•    Provide technical guidance and training to national laboratory personnel.
•    Support laboratory data management and reporting to inform disease control strategies.

Technical Specialist in Animal Health Economics

•    Conduct economic analyses related to animal health interventions, disease control strategies and livestock value chains.
•    Assess the socio-economic impacts of TADs, EIDs and zoonotic diseases on livestock production and livelihoods.
•    Support cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis of disease prevention and control programmes.
•    Contribute to policy analysis and recommendations related to animal health investments.
•    Support the design and implementation of socio-economic studies and impact assessments.
•    Prepare analytical reports and technical documentation to inform programme and policy decisions.

Technical Specialist in One Health Approach

•    Promote the integration of human, animal and environmental health approaches in disease prevention and control programmes.
•    Support the development and implementation of cross-sectoral strategies and policies aligned with One Health principles.
•    Facilitate coordination and collaboration among veterinary, public health and environmental stakeholders.
•    Contribute to the design and implementation of joint surveillance and response systems.
•    Support capacity development initiatives and training related to One Health practices.
•    Assist in knowledge sharing, advocacy and awareness-raising activities on One Health approaches.

Technical Specialist Antimicrobial Resistance (Animal Health)

•    Support the implementation of surveillance systems to monitor antimicrobial use and resistance patterns in animal populations.
•    Contribute to the development and implementation of guidelines promoting responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock production.
•    Conduct analysis and research related to antimicrobial resistance trends in the region.
•    Support awareness-raising and training initiatives targeting veterinarians, producers and stakeholders.
•    Collaborate with One Health partners to integrate AMR considerations into disease prevention strategies.
•    Prepare technical reports and documentation related to AMR activities.

Technical Specialist in Monitoring and Evaluation (Animal Health related)

•    Support the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for animal health programmes and projects.
•    Develop indicators, data collection tools and reporting systems to track programme performance.
•    Analyse project data to assess progress, outcomes and impact.
•    Contribute to mid-term reviews, evaluations and lessons-learned exercises.
•    Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports and analytical summaries for programme management.
•    Support capacity development activities related to monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems

Technical Specialist – Programme, Coordination & Operations (Animal Health)

•    Support the planning, coordination and implementation of animal health programmes and projects.
•    Assist in the preparation of project workplans, budgets and implementation schedules.
•    Monitor project implementation and track progress against expected outputs and results.
•    Facilitate coordination with country offices, technical teams and implementing partners.
•    Support administrative and operational processes related to project implementation.
•    Prepare progress reports, briefing notes and programme documentation.

Technical Specialist in Report Writing (Animal Health related)

•    Draft technical reports, programme updates and analytical summaries related to animal health initiatives.
•    Compile and synthesize technical inputs from multidisciplinary teams into coherent reports.
•    Prepare policy briefs, concept notes and technical documentation.
•    Support the development of publications and knowledge products related to animal health programmes.
•    Ensure consistency, clarity and quality of written materials in line with FAO standards.
•    Assist in documenting lessons learned and best practices from programme implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    For Consultants: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in veterinary sciences, epidemiology, public health, biomedical sciences, microbiology, economics, environmental sciences, and development-related disciplines, depending on the technical/programme/operations area of assignment. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•    For PSA.SBS: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in veterinary sciences, epidemiology, public health, biomedical sciences, microbiology, economics, environmental sciences, and development-related disciplines, depending on the technical/programme/operations area of assignment
•    At least 1 year for Category C, 5 years for Category B, and 10 years for Category A of relevant experience in animal health, veterinary services, livestock development, disease prevention and control, transboundary animal diseases (TADs), zoonoses, epidemiology, disease surveillance, laboratory systems, One Health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), animal health economics, monitoring and evaluation, programme/project management, operations support, capacity development, or technical report writing related to animal health and production.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO [link removed] and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ [link removed]. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings [link removed]. 

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp [link removed]

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