Animal Health Officer (AMR Surveillance and Public Health)

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Position Title: Animal Health Officer (AMR Surveillance and Public Health)
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various aspects of food and agriculture, including sustainable development, environmental sustainability, and the integration of scientific and technical expertise into policy advice. FAO's mission is to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, and to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Job Overview:
The Animal Health Officer (AMR Surveillance and Public Health) position is crucial for the planning, management, and coordination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance efforts within the FAO. This role involves providing comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the development and implementation of programs that align with FAO's strategic objectives. The officer will lead multi-disciplinary teams, participate in international technical policy discussions, and develop frameworks for monitoring and reporting on AMR trends. The position also requires collaboration with various FAO divisions and external organizations to promote One Health strategies that address health threats at the human-animal-plant-environment interface. The officer will oversee the delivery of AMR surveillance initiatives and ensure effective communication and advocacy for best practices in AMR management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead components of multi-disciplinary teams and participate in Organization-wide committees and working groups.
• Develop technical, analytical, and monitoring frameworks to support program implementation.
• Conduct research and data collection to support the development of technical standards and policy proposals.
• Provide technical assistance and solutions to decentralized offices and field projects.
• Collaborate on capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member nations.
• Advocate for international cooperation and best practices at intergovernmental meetings.
• Participate in resource mobilization activities in line with FAO's strategic framework.
• Oversee the delivery of AMR surveillance and ensure regular reporting to related projects and governing bodies.
• Lead the technical development and implementation of the International FAO AMR Monitoring System (InFARM). 1
• Coordinate the maintenance and implementation of the FAO Assessment Tool for Laboratories and AMR Surveillance Systems (ATLASS). 1
• Supervise the InFARM team and ensure interoperability of AMR data management tools. 1
• Support cross-cutting efforts to minimize and contain AMR in agrifood systems. 1
• Draft and review technical publications related to AMR.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine, veterinary epidemiology, or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in infectious disease and/or AMR management, including surveillance and monitoring.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (level B).
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical development of IT solutions for evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience in the collection and analysis of surveillance data on infectious diseases and/or AMR.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in veterinary medicine and veterinary epidemiology or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of animal health and the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the field of infectious disease management and antimicrobial resistance. This experience should include work in surveillance and monitoring, as well as involvement in projects related to AMR. Experience in field positions and in multiple locations is desirable, as it provides a broader perspective on the challenges faced in different contexts.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement for intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the organization and with member nations.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at FAO headquarters. It is a full-time role that may involve international collaboration and travel. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team focused on addressing global health threats related to antimicrobial resistance and will have opportunities for professional development and capacity building within the organization.