One Health Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, 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 help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the USAID- funded project “Enhancing the One Health approach in Kyrgyzstan and its capacity to control zoonotic diseases”. Project objective is to support capacity building for prevention, early detection, and response to animal and public health threats, particularly zoonosis in Kyrgyzstan. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to build sustainable animal health systems and One Health capacities to mitigate risks and threats caused by emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, endemic zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Reporting Lines

The Specialist provides support to the project under the general supervision of the FAO Representative for Kyrgyzstan and in close collaboration and direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer and technical guidance of the Program Manager/Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Public Health Coordination, Zoonotic diseases, Surveillance, Wildlife, Laboratory Services.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, professionals, and international organizations, to establish effective coordination mechanisms for One Health. • Conduct a One Health kick-off workshop, and organize and conduct a National Forum on One Health. • Support the organization and conduct Sim Ex based for rapid response team. • Facilitation workshops on the findings of laboratory system assessment, on discussion of a road map and reports between animal health and public health laboratories, on recommendations for improvement of the disease reporting system. • Review the studies and assessments on various topics related to One Health, including developing/reviewing One Health strategies and Frameworks at the national level. • Epidemiological analysis, risk assessment and forecasting of health threats on zoonotic infections requiring One Health interventions. • Adapting existing information systems to improve collection of OH data and information sharing within and across relevant sectors. • Develop and implement integrated and progressive One health and biosecurity management approaches for evidence-based risk management along value chains. • Support the coordinated implementation policies, strategies for progressive risk management at national level, and the strengthening of institutional capacities for progress in international OH and sanitary standards. • Support integrated of the interagency One Health surveillance on health threats, including AMR and zoonotic diseases. • Support the development of the national technical guidelines/tools/products on One Health. • Providing support to strengthen FAO’s capacities/ tools, design and implementation of One Health monitoring and evaluation system in food and agriculture. • Contributing to implementation of One Health related projects in coordination with other stakeholders within and outside FAO. • Support the identification of the One Health core competencies required for Veterinary Services and other relevant sectors at national and field levels. • Support activities to improve national capacity to apply an extended One Health approach for risk management at interfaces and along value chains. • Design/develop the training curricula based on the required core competencies for relevant levels and support the delivery and monitoring of progress in OH competencies through digital/blended and field-based training methods, prepare, organize, participate in and provide technical support for the One Health training/workshops. • Contribute to extending of One Health approach to engage relevant sectors and disciplines including animal health, wildlife, environment, public, academia, research, and private sectors at global, regional, and national levels. • Support the One Health Technical issues and support the coordination with internal and external partners on One Health- related activities. • Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and other relevant documentation as required by the project, highlighting findings, recommendations, and progress. • Make regular field visits to the project sites as necessary. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Post-graduate qualification veterinary medicine/science, epidemiology, public health, risk assessment, or in a discipline relevant to the management of One Health programs, and/or One Health experience in working in the official veterinary services/international organizations is preferable. • At least 5 years of experience in working on human/animal health related matters with multi-disciplinary teams from animal and public health sectors; familiarity with liaising with FAO central, regional and decentralized offices as well as the knowledge of rulemaking procedures will be considered an asset. • Working knowledge of Russian and Kyrgyz, English is an asset • National of the Kyrgyz Republic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional skills

• Excellent communication and inter-personnel skills. • Proven leadership skills demonstrated ability to promote new approaches and new practices. • Knowledge on the UN system is an asset. • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• 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.