Animal Health Officer (One Health Programme)

Organizational Setting

The Joint FAO/WHO Centre (Codex Food Standards and Zoonotic Diseases (CJWZ) coordinates and provides support to FAO’s priority programme (PPA) actions to promote the One Health approach in FAO’s programmes and Divisions, and through the coordinated actions with the Tripartite and UNEP at global, regional and country scales. It co-leads the One Health priority programme with the Office for Emergencies and Resilience (OER) and the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA). Together with the Animal Health Service (NSAH) in NSA and with OER, CJWZ supports implementation of the One Health approach for better health security through prevention, preparedness and response, working with and through regional and country offices to promote effective One Health platforms with a focus on the risk management of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.

Reporting Lines The Animal Health Officer (One Health Programme) reports to the Senior Animal Health Officer, CJWZ, under the overall guidance of the Chief, CJWZ. S/he works in close collaboration with the Senior Animal Health Officer, Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), the Emergency Prevention System for Animal Health (EMPRES) team, the Global Programme Support team (OERGD) in the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER), and ECTAD team members at global, regional and country levels.

Technical Focus Veterinary Public Health (VPH), Animal health systems and services, transboundary and emerging diseases, One Health workforce and capacity development, surveillance and risk assessment for zoonotic infections

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework

Key Functions • Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Divisional committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies; • Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services; • Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise; • Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects; • Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools; • Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings; • Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

Specific Functions • Leads the development of an implementation strategy for the Global Plan of Action for One Health (GPA-OH), and assists as needed in the finalization of the GPA-OH; • Supports and guide the country level pilot studies to better define how the GPA-OH could be integrated into country priority frameworks and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and works with regional offices of the Tripartite and UNEP to identify a strategic approach to integration the GPA and PPA into country development and investment planning; • Supports the follow-up to the One Health intelligence scoping study (OHISS), working closely with the Head of the EMPRES-AH and ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator to develop and negotiate joint concepts and proposals, with a focus on the greater integration of health information at community and national scales; • Leads the strategy development for One Health workforce capacity development, with a focus on better coordination of epidemiology training programmes and the roll-out of training management systems at national level, working with EMPRES, EuFMD, ECTAD, EMC and other units at global and regional level; • Acts as FAO focal point for assigned areas for international coordination, such as GSPN or GHSA; • Acts as headquarters focal point for One Health workforce development matters; • Supports coordination of the FAO/OIE/WHO tripartite and UNEP activities agreed by the Annual Executive Meeting; • Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine/science/public health and a postgraduate in public health or epidemiology/preventive medicine, or other related specialty • Seven years of relevant experience in the implementation and improvement of public health through official veterinary services • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable • Extent and relevance of experience in international animal health (regulatory and developmental) programmes • Extent and relevance of experience in prevention and control of animal diseases, in particular in policy development for community level primary animal health services and programmes related to public health • Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition • Extent and relevance of experience in “One Health” workforce development, including field epidemiology training programmes • Ability to mobilize resources • A postgraduate in public health or epidemiology/preventive medicine is considered a strong asset