Animal Health Consultant

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 over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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 Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SFW) is responsible for developing, promoting, and implementing FAO agreed strategies to help countries and sub-regional organizations address food security, nutrition, agriculture, and rural development priorities in West Africa. The office has a multidisciplinary team of technical experts who provide support to the 15 member countries of ECOWAS in their fight against poverty and the promotion of food and nutritional security. The FAO is committed to promoting environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and economically viable best practices in livestock production, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Animal Health Consultant position is integral to the Animal Health and Production Unit of FAO SFW, focusing on enhancing animal health systems, particularly in the prevention and control of transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases. The consultant will work under the supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for West Africa and the FAO Representative for Senegal, collaborating closely with various FAO staff and partners. The role involves supporting the implementation and monitoring of the SFW Animal Health and Production programme, which encompasses a wide range of areas including transboundary animal diseases, zoonotic diseases, sustainable livestock transformation, and the One Health approach. The consultant will also contribute to the development of policies, strategies, and knowledge products aimed at improving biosecurity and prevention practices, thereby addressing pandemic threats through a One Health approach. This position requires a proactive approach to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration and the development of frameworks for wildlife surveillance and disease risk monitoring.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Animal Health Consultant will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including: contributing to the planning, development, and implementation of programmes and projects aligned with the priorities of the SFW; supporting the overall implementation and monitoring of the Animal Health and Production programme; assisting in responding to technical assistance requests from countries; collaborating with the FAO Animal Production and Health Division to implement and evaluate tools related to disease prevention; serving as a focal point for surveillance capacity building and regional animal health networking; enhancing One Health multi-sectoral collaboration; developing wildlife surveillance frameworks; preparing work plans and organizing workshops; providing technical expertise for virtual learning courses; supporting the development of policies and guidelines; collecting and reviewing data on zoonotic diseases; guiding short-term consultants; and performing other related duties as requested.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in veterinary medicine, veterinary science, or related fields. They should have relevant experience in animal health, infectious disease management, and the implementation of animal health and One Health programmes. Specifically, candidates should have at least 1 year of experience for Category C, 5 years for Category B, or 10 years for Category A. A working knowledge of French and limited knowledge of English is required for this position. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in veterinary medicine, veterinary science, or fields related to animal health. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of animal health systems and the challenges associated with transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases.

Experience:
The level of experience required varies by category: at least 1 year for Category C, 5 years for Category B, and 10 years for Category A. Candidates should have relevant experience in animal health, infectious disease management, and the management and implementation of animal health and One Health programmes. Experience in transboundary animal or zoonotic disease prevention and control, as well as antimicrobial resistance and early warning systems, is also essential.

Languages:
A working knowledge of French is mandatory, while limited knowledge of English is also required for this assignment. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of working in diverse regions and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve limited supervisory functions and participation in recruitment panels. The role is likely to be full-time and may require international collaboration. Specific details regarding contract duration, compensation, and benefits are not provided in the job description but are typically aligned with FAO standards.