National Animal Health Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa and coordinates FAO's work in the Pacific region, which includes 13 member countries and one associate member. The organization focuses on developing, overseeing, and implementing programs and projects that address food security, nutrition, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the Pacific Islands. FAO operates in multiple countries, working closely with national stakeholders to prevent and control emerging infectious diseases, particularly in the animal health sector.

Job Overview:
The National Animal Health Assistant position is designed to provide comprehensive support, technical assistance, and operational help in the implementation of the Strengthening Animal Health Systems in Southeast Asia and the Pacific for a Healthy and Resilient Region Project (OSRO/RAS/412/AUL). This project aims to enhance animal health systems to mitigate the risks and impacts of zoonoses, emerging disease threats, and biothreats through a One Health approach. The role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including national governments, development partners, and non-governmental organizations, to ensure effective coordination and implementation of activities related to the prevention and control of high-impact transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and emerging and re-emerging diseases (EIDs). The position requires a proactive approach to support project initiatives, facilitate knowledge management, and assist in the preparation of communication materials to promote the project's visibility and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Animal Health Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: supporting senior colleagues in coordination and liaison activities with national governments and development partners; assisting the Project Coordinator with day-to-day implementation tasks such as activity planning and monitoring; organizing meetings and workshops, including drafting concept notes and preparing presentations; providing support for project initiatives related to One Health and zoonoses; preparing timely reports for stakeholders; offering administrative and operational support for project implementation; participating in field missions to monitor and coordinate project activities; facilitating knowledge management and information sharing among team members; assisting in the preparation of communication materials; and ensuring compliance with FAO standards and guidelines in all communications and project documentation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Veterinary Science, Animal Health, Animal Production, Biological Sciences, Public Health, One Health, Management, International Relations, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in project management or related project support is required, preferably in areas related to animal health, veterinary public health, zoonoses, and transboundary animal diseases. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and familiarity with the official languages of Fiji is considered an asset. Candidates must also be nationals of Fiji or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in fields such as Veterinary Science, Animal Health, Animal Production, Biological Sciences, Public Health, One Health, Management, International Relations, or a related discipline. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of animal health systems and the challenges associated with zoonotic diseases and public health.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in project management or related support roles. Candidates should have experience specifically related to animal health, veterinary public health, zoonoses, and transboundary animal diseases. Experience in coordinating with government agencies, international organizations, and development partners is highly valued, as is familiarity with multi-stakeholder coordination and implementation environments.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having proficiency in the official languages of Fiji is considered an asset, as it may facilitate better communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and is based in Suva, Fiji. The role involves working closely with various stakeholders in the animal health sector and may require participation in field missions. Candidates should be prepared to engage in a dynamic work environment that emphasizes collaboration and knowledge sharing. The FAO offers a supportive work culture that values results, teamwork, communication, and building effective relationships. Compensation and benefits details are typically provided during the recruitment process.