APHCA Policy & Liaison Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of focused, multi-disciplinary projects and programmes. It identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, and promotes the value and deliverables of the FAO’s New Strategic Framework within the context and outputs of work to help our Members achieve Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all – leaving no one behind.

The visibility of FAO’s successes in delivering its good public works within the framework of the abovementioned “Four Betters” is critical to the benefit of our Members and our resource partners. The Regional Office aims to raise visibility of its supporting role for regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, in its own right, and through the development, facilitation and emergence of regional Partnerships, to support capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development across the region.

At the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the Animal Health and Production Module is supporting delivery of the One Health Program Priority Area and the Regional Food Systems Transformation Initiative. Technical emphasis is placed on: 1) Improved Sustainable livestock production, good husbandry & farming practices including supporting the Animal Production and Health Commission for Asia and Pacific (APHCA): 2) Improved risk management, prevention and control of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR); 3) Prevention and control of zoonotic diseases (emerging, endemic & food-borne) & transboundary animal diseases; and 4) Expanding One Health beyond animal & public health stakeholders, to be inclusive of the forestry, wildlife, natural resource management & environment sectors.

The post is located in the Regional Office for Asia-Pacific.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under supervision of the Senior Animal Health and Production Officer (and APHCA Secretary) in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), in close consultation with the Livestock Development Officer, and in consultation with team members of the Animal Health and Production Module.

Technical Focus

Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project / meeting services, products and services, Technical support and policy advocacy, Program coordination and strategy Governance and financial management to support APHCA programme projects

Tasks and responsibilities

Program coordination and strategy • Support the Animal Production and Health Commission for Asia and the Pacific (APHCA) Secretariat to oversee, coordinate, and technically lead and manage the Commission, delivery of the APHCA work plan, and relevant animal production & health module initiatives • In coordination with Member Countries, identify key priorities and initiatives, and develop a 5-year work plan for the Commission, including a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress • Identify opportunities for collaboration and synergies among APHCA initiatives, the Animal Health & Production Module at FAO RAP, the FAO RAP environment and climate finance task force, and other relevant regional partners (NGOs, private sector, civil society), activities and programs • Ensure alignment between APHCA and other committees, including the livestock sub-committee of COAG, and build synergies with NSA clusters and technical programs including, but not limited to Sustainable Animal Production, Feed, and Genetics Group (NSAP), Livestock Innovation, Climate and Post-harvesting Solutions Group (NSAL), and One Health and Disease Control Group (NSAH/CJW)

Governance and financial management • Lead the review of the APHCA work programme and strategic direction in coordination with Member Countries under the supervision of the APHCA Secretary. • Facilitate the preparation of a revised APHCA Work programme and working procedures to be submitted to the FAO Conference on Agriculture • Prepare the APHCA Annual Finance Committee Report and in collaboration with the APHCA Budget Holder, track and follow up with member countries regarding annual dues

Program Implementation & Technical support • Oversee and manage the implementation of the Annual APHCA workplan and budget • Collaborate or lead the development of training tools and materials and the organization of APHCA workshops/seminars, etc. • Produce technical information, gather and analyse data to support the delivery of APHCA and the Animal Health & Production Module Programs and projects • Provide technical advice and policy assistance to Decentralized Offices (Sub-regional and country) & support, backstop and implement livestock production, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), animal health, One Health, and sustainable livestock transformation projects in the Asia and Pacific Region

Communication, outreach, and engagement • Manage & support communication with the Executive Committee and member countries, including advocating for policies that support sustainable livestock production & transformation • Prepare and facilitate APHCA meetings, including the annual Executive Committee and Business sessions, quarterly Executive Committee meetings, and ad hoc meetings • Oversee and lead communication and outreach efforts to publicize key achievements and raise awareness about the work of the Commission • Encourage & seek opportunities to identify new FAO member countries to join APHCA

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in livestock production, animal science, veterinary medicine, agriculture development, environmental sciences, agricultural development, sustainable production, international relations or policy with specialization or related field • Five years of relevant experience in livestock policy, livestock sector development, agriculture or sustainability resource management policy, analysis or formulation • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian. Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish for PSAs.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience with Commission, International Treaties or other policy level programs • Work experience in more than one geographical location, and with different stakeholders, different nationalities and cultures is desirable • Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on sustainable, climate smart, efficient livestock production techniques • Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of policies for sustainability livestock transformation or related fields including safe farming practices, biosecurity, safe use& appropriate use of antimicrobials, small-holder production, farmer-field schools, etc. • Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of livestock sector policies, management and techniques to improve livestock production to make it more sustainable, efficient, climate smart and safe; • Ability to analyse complex livestock policy issues from the perspectives of different stakeholders and countries