Specialist in Animal Health

Job Posting Organization:
The Animal Production and Health department of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provides technical assistance on animal health across Europe and Central Asia. Established to strengthen veterinary systems, the department focuses on developing strategies to address health threats, ensuring safe trade, and promoting food safety. The FAO operates in multiple countries, leveraging a team of consultants and personal service agreement (PSA.SBS) experts to enhance its capabilities in various technical areas.

Job Overview:
The Specialist in Animal Health will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges posed by Peste de petits ruminants (PPR), a significant transboundary disease affecting small ruminants. This position involves collaboration with national teams and veterinary authorities to develop and implement strategies aimed at achieving country freedom status for PPR from the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH). The Specialist will be expected to provide technical assistance, review existing frameworks, and ensure compliance with international standards, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of livestock health and trade in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing technical assistance in the development of the PPR Contingency Plan and National Control Strategy in selected countries.
• Reviewing legal, institutional, and technical frameworks related to PPR prevention and control.
• Evaluating existing PPR surveillance protocols to ensure compliance with WOAH standards.
• Designing epidemiologically sound serosurveillance protocols where necessary.
• Assisting national laboratories in establishing testing schemes and interpreting results.
• Supporting national authorities in meeting WOAH technical requirements for official country freedom.
• Conducting missions to assess progress and preparedness for applications for country freedom.
• Writing comprehensive reports following missions to guide successful dossier preparation.
• Performing other related duties as required to support the overall objectives of the department.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Veterinary Medicine or a relevant discipline recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU) or UNESC. For those with a bachelor's degree, an additional two years of relevant professional experience is required. A minimum of 10 years of experience in PPR control programs is essential, particularly in assisting countries to comply with WOAH technical requirements for achieving official country freedom. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in Veterinary Medicine or a related field. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, it is necessary to have two additional years of relevant professional experience. The degree must be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU) or UNESC, ensuring that candidates have a solid foundation in veterinary science and related disciplines.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of experience specifically in PPR control programs. This experience should include a strong focus on assisting countries in meeting WOAH technical requirements to achieve official country freedom. Additionally, experience working in various locations, particularly in Central Asia and the Caucasus, is desirable, as is experience in providing technical support at local, national, or regional levels.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with local teams and authorities.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role is expected to involve a significant amount of collaboration with international organizations, regional entities, and national governments. Candidates should be prepared for potential travel to selected countries for missions and assessments. The position is likely to be full-time, with a focus on achieving specific outcomes related to animal health and trade.