Animal Health Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards of accountability. They advocate for policies, provide technical assistance, and mobilize resources to support agrifood systems transformation, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of better production, nutrition, environment, and life.

Job Overview:
The Animal Health Specialist position is integral to the FAO's project aimed at improving the Caribbean region's preparedness and response to emerging health threats. This role focuses on enhancing surveillance and diagnostics for veterinary and zoonotic pathogens, as well as strengthening the human resource capacity of veterinary services in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The specialist will work closely with government counterparts and FAO teams to implement regional and national initiatives that address complex animal health challenges, including zoonotic diseases and pandemic preparedness. The position requires a strong emphasis on One Health coordination, project management, and capacity development, ensuring that animal health governance is effectively addressed in the Caribbean context. The specialist will also be responsible for maintaining communication with country teams, conducting assessments, and providing technical support to various stakeholders involved in animal health initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Animal Health Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: providing technical coordination and support for the 'Strengthening Pandemic Prevention and Control in Eastern Caribbean Countries' project; collaborating with HQ and decentralized offices on animal health activities; maintaining communication with country teams for timely technical advice; conducting assessments and delivering training on zoonoses and animal health topics; developing and reviewing technical documents and training materials; preparing administrative documents and overseeing consultants; coordinating field-level project activities and budget tracking; supporting planning and implementation of work plans; organizing project meetings and preparing reports; contributing to progress reports for donors; providing technical support for assessments and project deliverables; promoting knowledge sharing at meetings; participating in partner coordination meetings; supporting resource mobilization efforts; assessing veterinary services and health information systems; providing guidance on early warning systems; coordinating training activities; and contributing to publications on disease information systems and risk assessment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Animal Health, One Health, Animal Health Surveillance, Public Health, emergency management, or other relevant livestock sciences. Alternatively, an undergraduate degree with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in surveillance, animal disease diagnostics, zoonotic disease surveillance, policy dialogue, and partnership building related to animal and public health. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields related to animal health or public health. Candidates with an undergraduate degree may still qualify if they have additional relevant professional experience. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of animal health, zoonotic diseases, and public health systems, particularly in the Caribbean context.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in areas such as animal disease diagnostics, zoonotic disease surveillance, and emergency management. Experience working in the Caribbean or Small Island Developing States is considered an asset, as it provides valuable insights into the regional challenges and dynamics of animal health and public health systems. Practical experience in project coordination, work planning, and stakeholder engagement is also essential for success in this role.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a project that will be implemented over a period of three years, focusing on strengthening veterinary services and pandemic preparedness in the Caribbean. The role may involve travel within the region and requires a commitment to collaboration with government counterparts and other partners. The FAO emphasizes the importance of compliance with its standards and guidelines, ensuring that all communication materials and project activities align with FAO policies. Candidates are encouraged to apply, particularly Caribbean residents, as the organization seeks to enhance local capacity and expertise in addressing animal health challenges.