National One Health/Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assists member countries in the sustainable development of the livestock sector and in optimizing its contribution to nutrition, food security, public health safeguard and rural poverty reduction, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It provides a coordination role and hosts technical networks in the areas of, animal health, genetics, animal husbandry, feed, support to emergency preparedness and response. The Division facilitates policy dialogue (incl. intergovernmental bodies), manages knowledge and provides information, analysis and technical assistance for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to produce safe animal products more efficiently and more responsibly.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Global health Security Agenda (GHS) programs granted funding to FAO to support Africa to address the problem of emerging and re-emerging high impact zoonosis. FAO is focussing on developing capacity around supporting selected countries to address priority zoonosis. Although FAO work contributes to all action GHSA packages, its support is focussing on 5 actions packages namely Zoonotic diseases, national laboratory system, Biosafety & Biosecurity, Antimicrobial resistance and Workforce Development.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Liberia, the technical Leadership of the ECTAD Country team leader, supported by the FAO International Laboratory/AMR focal point and regional One Health expert, and in collaboration with the Chief Veterinary officer and the national One Health Coordinator, provide on-site technical and organizational development support to the existing coordination agencies/mechanisms (NOHPs) to strengthen multi-sectorial and multidisciplinary collaboration on animal disease and zoonosis in coordination with relevant national/ international health agencies and key stakeholders.

Technical Focus

Within the framework of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), the FAO country office in Liberia is implementing the GHSA/GHSP activities to improve the surveillance system for animal diseases/zoonosis, laboratory diagnosis, and reduce risk behaviours through appropriate measures. These efforts should improve capacity for prevention, detection and response to priority zoonotic diseases, but also put in place a system for improving real time bio-surveillance system in high risk areas. The National One Health/Antimicrobial Resistance (OH/AMR) Specialist will primarily contribute to implementation of activities related to One Health and AMR the action package.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The incumbent will undertake the following:

• Provide advisory and technical support to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the One Health platform and affiliated institutions and Directorate of Veterinary Services on all matters pertaining to One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the Food and Agriculture sector and work collaboratively to maximise efficiencies and cooperation; • Under the guidance of the International AMR expert, support the Implementation of AMR surveillance strategy in the food and agriculture sector, zoonotic disease outbreak investigation and response, preparation of technical materials, presentations and timely reports; • Facilitate liaison with the One Health Platform coordination unit, relevant Government officials, technical development partners, multi-lateral agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector on aa continuous basis in all matters related to AMR and priority zoonotic diseases and to high impact emerging and re-emerging infectious and transboundary animal diseases; • Assist in the preparation of project work plans, timely provision of inputs, organization of workshops, implementation of training programmes, and liaison with responsible officers at national and sub-national levels for smooth coordination and delivery of AMR and OH activities under the GHSA/GHSP programme and the DTRA project. • Support the roll out of the OHMT and other relevant IT tools and data collation and analysis on One health and AMR issues at national and sub-national level in Liberia; • Support and contribute to the preparation of project proposals, work plans, progress reports, Letter of Agreements (LoAs) and contracts relevant to OH and AMR as may be required; • In collaboration with the relevant focal points in MoA, OHP and MOH (Epidemiology, AMR, Laboratory, etc) develop a monitoring and evaluation plan for GHSA/GHSP, AMR and other relevant partner projects, follow up implementation and update the MOA, OHP and ECTAD management on regular basis; • Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned by the ECTAD Team Leader and/or CVO and OHP Coordinator.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Microbiology, Food safety, Public Health, Epidemiology, Veterinary medicine, Animal health or any other relevant field. • Must have over 5 years of working experience in Public Health/Animal Health, One Health Platform activities in Liberia, food safety, Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance surveillance and testing activities in Liberia. • Must have proven record of knowledge of the Public health, Animal health systems, food safety and AMR value chains in Liberia. • Working knowledge of English with technical report writing skills. • Liberian Citizen

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive knowledge on Public health epidemiology(surveys, tools and investigations) and disease control of priority zoonotic diseases; • Extensive knowledge of the main aspects of prevention and control of high impact emerging and re- emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic as well as transboundary animal diseases; • Extensive experience in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of surveillance networks of animal diseases; • Working knowledge of MS office and relevant IT tools and software; • Experience in systematic document review and analysis; • Structuring and drafting skills to make information accessible and meaningful to expected users; • Working knowledge of MS office and relevant IT tools and software; • Excellent communication, networking, written and presentation skills; • Familiarity with United Nations System and/or FAO’s programming mechanisms.

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.