Animal Health Specialist – AMR, Zoonoses and EID

Organizational Setting

To improve the capacity of the animal health sector to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats and its contribution to national and global health security, and to help beneficiary governments comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005 obligations, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting the roll out of project, entitled “Strengthen National One Health Programme for prevention and control of priority zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India” under its Global Health Security Program (GHSP) in India. The five-year GHSP informs the regional Statement of Work (SOW) for the Asia and the Pacific region as approved by USAID. The overall objective of the GHSP to be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Asia and the Pacific, is to strengthen animal health systems in Asia to reduce the risks and impacts of zoonoses, emerging disease threats, AMR and biothreats through a One Health and inclusive approach. The FAO GHSP will achieve the overall objective in Asia and the Pacific through the following specific objectives.

• Enhance national and regional One Health coordination and multi-sectoral collaboration among stakeholders. • Improve the multidisciplinary workforce and institutional capacity to address animal and public health threats, including AMR-related issues. • Enhance animal health capabilities for preparedness and response to public health threats, including AMR-related issues. • Promote, support and advocate for evidence-based policies that support the adoption of veterinary public health and biosecurity practices along the livestock value chain.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision and guidance of FAO Representative in India, direct supervision of the ECTAD in India Country Team Leader (CTL), in close collaboration and consultation with Assistant FAOR (Programme), in close collaboration with the ECTAD Regional Manager in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (ECTAD RAP), other international consultants and national specialists, governmental counterparts, implementation partners and the project’s other technical specialists, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Technical Focus

• Managing EID or AMR or One Health programmes and development projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the ECTAD programme in India activities to enhance national animal health capabilities for preparedness and response to public health threats, including EID and AMR-related issues. • Act as a point of liaison between the FAO Regional Office of Asia Pacific and FAO ECTAD India on o AMR/AMU surveillance/studies and data analysis; and o Emerging infectious diseases (EID), transboundary animal diseases (TAD), zoonoses and related One Health issues. • Provide technical inputs on coordination and communication for smooth collaboration for the implementation of AMU/AMR activities and EID/zoonosis activities, including, o with Central and State Government, laboratory and private sector partners; and o for stakeholders' awareness of prudent and appropriate use of antimicrobials and AMR health risks. • Provide technical input on implementation and data analysis on AMU/AMR monitoring and surveillance, including, o Technical inputs to Assessment Tools for Laboratory AMR Surveillance System (ATLASS) and Global Laboratory AMR Surveillance System (GLASS); o Act as focal point for AMR Surveillance and AMR laboratory testing new technology (e.g. automated Sensititre system for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and Bio-informatics analysis of Nanopore viral and bacterial DNA sequencing); o Provide technical support to the Indian Network for Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (ICAR - INFAAR) on AMR and AMU; • Provide technical inputs on advocacy and support trainings for relevant stakeholders (GOI, private sector/industry) for compliance with regulations/policies on AMU/AMR and for awareness, prevention and control of EID; • Coordinate with the Government stakeholders (DAHD, NCDC, ICAR and state government departments) and other stakeholders (WHO, UNEP, WOAH and other NGOs) for implementation of all Global Health Security Programme (GHSP) activities; • Participate and provide inputs to annual project planning activities; • Contribute to FAO and donor reports; • Perform other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Indian national. • Graduate of an accredited university or similar institution of higher education in livestock and/or animal health sciences, or related field. • At least seven years of relevant experience. • Working knowledge of spoken and written Hindi and English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity and experience in program management of emergency or One Health projects. • Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, from livestock owners to ministerial staff. • Extent of relevant experience with internationally funded projects. • Proficiency in MS Office. • Willingness and ability to travel to remote, rural locations. • Team player

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• 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/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.