Biosecurity and Biosafety (BS&S) Expert

Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is a technical hub of the organization covering 15 countries in Southern Africa. It is located in Harare, Zimbabwe. The principal function of the Subregional Office is the overall identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities based on the needs of the member countries in the sub region. It does so by ensuring a multi-disciplinary approach to agriculture programmes based on the FAO strategic objectives. The coordination unit for animal production and health is part of the multidisciplinary team involved in planning and implementing activities related to capacity building for disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, Transboundary Animal Disease prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, most of these by using a One Health approach among many other related fields in livestock development.

The incumbent will work for the DTRA-funded grant entitled “One Health Operationalization and Biosafety and Biosecurity (BS&S) in Africa”, which is aimed at strengthening the biosafety and biosecurity capacities in diagnostic veterinary laboratories across Africa.

Reporting Lines

Within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), the functional and administrative supervision of the Coordinator of the Southern Africa (SFS), the direct supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Animal Production and Health Officer in close coordination with the FAO/SFE Senior Animal Health Officer, and in coordination with the relevant FAO technical staff at global, regional and country level, the incumbent will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participate in and contribute to relevant meetings, workshops and training events organized by FAO, DTRA, and other partners;
• Facilitate the preparation of inputs for the monthly coordination call conferences with DTRA;
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of project work plan
• Participate in the review, design and implementation of activities for mapping dangerous pathogens and toxins, bio-risk assessments and bio-risk management training activities;
• Facilitate the relationship with AU institutions, RECs and other relevant national and international partners;
• Contribute to the development of regular technical reports, and to the maintenance of the database on project deliverables;
• In close collaboration with the FAO HQ expert, AU-PANVAC, and relevant partners, coordinate the development of guidelines/framework for transportation of infectious substances
• Perform other related tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification (preferably PhD) in veterinary/medical virology, bacteriology or related fields of studies
• 10 years relevant experience, UN experience is an added advantage.
• Proven track record of publication of research outputs in reputable international scientific journals, or others
• Zimbabwe national or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in laboratory biosecurity and biosafety, the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops
• Ability to effectively communicate, computing skills and use of various email systems.
• A cooperative spirit, flexibility and openness to work in an international environment needed. Tact, courtesy and a high level of trustworthiness are essential personal attributes; approach to work assignments; analytical ability, accuracy and consistency

Selection Criteria

• Academic qualifications;
• Extent and relevance of work experience
• Proficiency in oral and written English and/or French
• Interpersonal skills.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of laboratory biosecurity;
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing guidelines, training materials, policy instruments;
• Familiarity to work with UN agencies, Government and other partners;
• Relevance of experience with project development and managements is an asset;
• Ability to work under pressure and willingness to travel frequently in and outside Ethiopia;
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English;
• Quality of both oral and written communication skills;