Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Project Assistant

Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

Reporting Lines

The Project Assistant reports directly to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and to the National AMR Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict. The Philippines has been one of the target countries of the project “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-east Asia in the global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach” (GCP/GLO/710/UK) which ended on the 31 December 2022. Phase II of the project, entitled “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and South-East Asia to generate data-for-action to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach” (GCP/GLO/1092/UK), started on 1st October 2022 and will end on 31st March 2025.

The phase 2 project has been designed to build on achievements of the initial project (GCP/GLO/710/UK) and will follow a similar approach of focusing the resources and activities at regional and country level targeting the same 12 countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Vietnam here in the Asia and Pacific region.

The main goal of this project is to increase and improve AMR data generation/analysis for evidence-based decision making within the food and agriculture sector. This will be achieved through the following outputs:

1) Strengthening AMR laboratory & surveillance capacities, AMR data management infrastructures of the food & agriculture sector and enable AMR surveillance data collection, analysis and information sharing; 2) Enabling improved antimicrobial use practices and good farming practices to reduce AMR use and possible AMR transmission along food and agriculture value chains; 3) Supporting an economic evaluation of AMR use in the food & agriculture sectors for evidence-based decision making; 4) Enhancing antimicrobial policies and governance to minimize the role of sub-standard & falsified (SF) antimicrobials in food & agriculture production systems; and 5) Supporting country owned processes & collaborative initiatives for implementation of multi-sectoral One Health AMR National Action Plans (NAPs).

Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Assistant shall perform the following responsibilities:

• Assist the National AMR Project Coordinator by closely working with the AMR group (Animal Health and Welfare Division, Veterinary Laboratory Division, Feeds Standards Division,etc) in the Bureau of Animal Industry as well as other national authorities responsible for the control of AMR within the Department of Agriculture; • Assist in the preparations to conduct the meetings of the Philippines Inter-Agency Committee on AMR (ICAMR) as well as conducting follow through activities; • Liaise with regional field units and local government units, the central laboratory, private sector partners for smooth implementation of AMU and AMR activities; • Assist in the implementation and data collation from the Philippines AMR surveillance plan; • Assist in the preparation and implementation of AMR advocacy and awareness, farm level AMR/AMU data generation, the AMR National Action Plan and the Progressive management pathway (PMP-AMR), and other relevant technical areas and activities; • Take part in relevant meetings on AMR/AMU, residue monitoring and other relevant meetings including those implemented by WHO, OIE and ASEAN and prepare short updates on meeting outcomes to brief the national AMR Project Coordinator; • Communicate with and maintain current AMR partnerships and pursue new partnerships and collaborations on AMR issues in the Philippines, as opportunities arise; • Monitor progress against the work plan by tracking activities and targets with quarterly reviews and revisions; • Contribute to the preparation of project reports, briefs and various correspondence and ensure final reports/updates are shared with FAO RAP & FAO HQ Fleming Fund teams; • Prepare routine correspondence and administrative reports required by FAO and concerned government agencies, and ensure the proper distribution of such correspondence & reports to concerned individuals & agencies; • Ensure that all administrative and financial matters/transactions concerning the project are conducted in accordance with FAO guidelines, in collaboration with the Administrative Assistant; • Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO Representative.

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate must have an university degree in animal science • At least 3 years of work experience related to the implementing projects on animal health • Working knowledge of English and Tagalog • A national of Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds • Strong understanding of United Nations and FAO’s work • Experience working for a development and/or humanitarian organization

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.