Senior Animal Health Officer(Regional Manager ECTAD, West and Central Africa)

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Application deadline 11 months ago: Friday 7 Apr 2023 at 21:59 UTC

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Organizational Setting The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. The tasks envisaged for this position are to be carried out within the framework of FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), a joint platform between the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) and the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER). The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines The Senior Animal Health Officer reports to the Regional Programme Leader (RPL RAF) and works under the functional guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa (ADG/RR RAF) and on managerial/administrative issues and regional priorities, and under the technical guidance of the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)/Chief, Animal Health Service (NSAH) and the technical backstopping and supervision of the ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator (NSAH). He/she will work in collaboration with the Head of the Emergency Prevention System for Animal Health (EMPRES-AH), the Head of the FAO Emergency Management Centre (EMC), the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Budget Holder (OER), the Joint Zoonotic Diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Center (CJWZ) Officers and the Animal Production and Health Officers of the Regional, Subregional and Country Offices.

Technical Focus Provide overall guidance, supervision and technical leadership to all the ECTAD country teams in the subregions in West and Central Africa on transboundary animal disease threats.

Key Results Develop ECTAD regional results framework and action plans on animal health threats in conjunction with RAF animal health, One Health and AMR Officers, EMPRES-AH and EMC staff, and ensure alignment and synergy with the FAO’s relevant goals (Betters) and priority programme areas (PPAs), with NSAH and CJWZ long term vision, Decentralized Offices and FAO’s strategic international and regional partners.

Key Functions • Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams; leads, coordinates and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies. • Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies. • Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks. • Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services. • Provides technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes. • Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning and on-line tools. • Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders. • Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions • Leads the decentralized unit of ECTAD (NSA/OER) in coordinating and monitoring of different portfolios of ECTAD projects at subregional and country levels related to transboundary animal diseases, zoonotic and AMR threats. • Provides overall coordination and managerial leadership of ECTAD units in West and Central Africa regions, coordinating and delivering the donor funded animal health/One Health programmes/projects related to high impact transboundary zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases and AMR threats. • Supports/coordinates the development of national and regional strategies and plans on prevention and control of priority animal diseases in close cooperation with the Animal Production and Health Officers from the Decentralized Offices and their relevant work in partnership with African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU IBAR) and Regional Economic Communities, and the international donor community and multilateral agencies. • Leads the process of monitoring closely the progress of coordination mechanisms being put in place in target countries to address the emerging and existing animal disease threats to assist the ADG/RR RAF, the RPL and the Subregional Coordinators (SRCs) for Central and West Africa, and liaises regularly with other UN and international agencies, regional organizations and developmental partners to ensure timely delivery and relevant participation of FAO in the process. • Leads the process of generating, collating and analysing key information on transboundary animal diseases/emerging pandemic threats and provide advice on technical, policy and other strategic socio-political issues of importance to the Organization. • Maintains frequent contacts and share information with Livestock information Sector Analysis and Policy (NSAL), Animal Production and Genetics Service (NSAG), Joint Zoonotic and AMR Center (CJWZ), Emergency Management Centre (EMC), Emergency Prevention system (EMPRES) and Food Safety unit. • Maintains strong linkages with Directors/Chiefs of the Livestock Department and Veterinary Services of the Member Nationsin the region, facilitated by FAO representations, and provides technical and policy advice to the governments on matters related to their national Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs)/Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) control programmes in line with FAO, and other joint strategies with international partners (e.g. FAO/WOAH, FAO/WHO, FAO/IAEA and FAO/WOAH/WHO), or international standards. • Ensures dissemination of information through the appropriate channels within FAO to ensure that the whole Organization conveys a harmonized message on transboundary animal diseases/emerging health threats of animal origin (including liaison activities with WHO, WOAH, UNEP and UNICEF). • Coordinates the design and finalization of regional programmes and project proposals following the FAO Project Cycle and in consultation with regional and international bodies (e.g. AU-IBAR, WOAH); contributes to the design and development of national projects; participates in the implementation of the FAO monitoring system for such projects. • Undertakes missions and field visits, including leading the EMC rapid deployment teams as and when necessary. • Coordinates and leads the process of generating high quality communication material, including presentations, technical briefs, press briefs and releases, speeches for high level management, high quality reports and public information material to enhance the visibility of ECTAD's work in West and Central Africa. • Identifies emerging issues and initiates activities related to high impact transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases and AMR in the region. • Leads the regional efforts to mobilize additional resources to support health interventions for the prevention, response and control of high impact threats of animal origin. • Represents the Chief, NSAH in the region, when requested. • Performs other related duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in veterinary science or in relevant fields of study. • Ten years of relevant experience in The management and implementation of TADs/re-emerging infectious diseases (rEIDs) control programmes. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and French.

Competencies • Results Focus • Leading, Engaging and Empowering • Communication • Partnering and Advocating • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement • Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions; • Extent and relevant of experience of the livestock and animal health sector with good understanding of the prevention and control of TADs/rEIDs; • Demonstrated experience in applying international standards related to animal health, commerce and trade; • Extent and relevance of experience in preparing technical briefs, reports, presentations, and project proposals; • Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition; • Extent and relevance of experience in management of emergency and developmental programmes; • Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of programmes related to animal health in development organizations; • Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources; • A PhD is considered an asset.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: fao.org