National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Project Coordinator

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

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:

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

Tasks and responsibilities

The National AMR Project Coordinator reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and works under the day-to-day technical guidance of the AMR Fleming Fund (GCP/GLO/1092/UK) RAP Regional Coordinator, in close consultation with Philippines Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease (ECTAD) Team Leader and other FAO colleagues working on AMR, and in collaboration other relevant stakeholders and partners, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

• Serve as the national Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) focal point and ensure coordination between FAO-RAP, FAO-Philippines and the Bureau of Animal Industry;

• Lead the overall coordination, planning, implementation and reporting for the AMR Fleming Fund 3 project in the Philippines;

• Develop an AMR Fleming Fund work plan in close coordination with Government counterparts, AMR technical officers in RAP and HQ, and other implementing partners taking into consideration, AMR advocacy and awareness, farm level AMR/AMU data generation, the AMR National Action Plan and the Progressive management pathway (PMP-AMR), or other relevant technical areas;

• Lead the coordination and implementation of the AMR Fleming Fund project activities in the Philippines, in close coordination with the Regional Fleming Fund program;

• Review and finalize the AMR surveillance plan, Drug residue work plan, reports on Veterinary Formulary and Good Animal Husbandry Practices for the Philippines;

• Liaise with regional field units and local government units, the central laboratory, private sector partners for smooth implementation of AMU and AMR activities in the Philippines;

• Monitor progress & expenditures against the AMR Fleming Fund work plan by tracking activities & targets with periodic review and revisions;

• Participate in national and regional meetings of the Philippines Inter-Agency Committee on AMR (ICAMR), multi-stakeholder meetings related to Antimicrobial Use (AMU), AMR and residue monitoring on behalf of FAO, and FAO regional AMR program coordination meetings, and other relevant AMR, food safety, animal health and One Health events;

• Prepare Philippines AMR activity updates and provide presentations or contributions to regional AMR initiatives, as needed; • Provide technical support on AMR related activities and support harmonization among FAO and partner implemented AMR projects being delivered at national level and in the region including, aligned with the RAP Regional AMR Strategy; • Assist in ensuring a programmatic approach in supporting technical areas and Expanding OH beyond animal & public health stakeholders) being implemented by the RAP Animal Health and Production Module (AHP) and One Heath Regional Program Priority Area; • Prepare web articles and support reporting against RAP’s One Health, livestock, animal health and production indicators, results and activities linked to the 2022-2023 biennial work plan, and the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action; • Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Advanced university degree in Animal Science, Animal Production or other relevant field; • At least 5 years of relevant work experience related to the implementing projects on animal health, AMR, food safety or similar technical areas; • Working knowledge (C) of English; • 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.