Project Officer (Control of African Trypanosomosis)

Organizational Setting

The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes sustainable livestock transformation towards greater efficiency, inclusiveness and resilience. NSA integrates scientific and technical expertise and policy advice in the areas of animal production and animal health. It facilitates policy dialogue through intergovernmental bodies and multi-stakeholders partnerships, generates knowledge and provides information, analysis and technical assistance for the sustainable development of the livestock sector and the optimization of its contribution to the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The position is located in the One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH/CJW) of the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. In particular, the position is located within the Programme Against African Trypanosomosis (PAAT).

Reporting Lines

The Project Officer (Control of African Trypanosomosis) reports to the Animal Health Officer responsible for PAAT and is under the overall supervision of the Director, NSA.

Technical Focus

The Project Officer (Control of African Trypanosomosis) will manage the project “Disease intelligence - modelling for progressive control of animal trypanosomosis in Africa (DIMCAT)” and support all FAO activities implemented within PAAT.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical-related issues on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and projects and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Oversees the updating of databases and web pages.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Manages the recruitment of, and provides guidance and technical coordination to, DIMCAT project consultants.
• Manages the DIMCAT Letters of Agreement (LoA) and provides guidance to the service providers.
• Prepares project technical reports and supports the preparation of financial reports.
• Conducts training activities for animal trypanosomosis (AT)-endemic countries, including in-person and virtual training.
• Develops technical and scientific publications to disseminate project results.
• Guides the development of an eLearning course for self-paced learning.
• Provides technical input for project communication activities (social media, web site, etc.).
• Ensures completion of FAO activities with the project “Controlling and progressively Minimizing the Burden of Animal Trypanosomosis (COMBAT)”.
• Supports the management of the PAAT programme and promotes collaboration and joint activities with members of the Secretariat of PAAT [i.e. World Health Organization (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)].
• Supports the management of FAO Reference Centres for animal health, with a focus on Reference Centres for vectors and vector-borne diseases in Africa.
• Develops concept notes and project proposals for resource mobilization, with a focus on African trypanosomosis.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in sustainable agriculture (including livestock), veterinary medicine, environmental science, biological science or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.