Animal Health Officer (AMR, Endemic Zoonotic Disease and One Health)

Organizational Setting

The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It hosts technical networks in areas of animal health, genetics, feed and animal husbandry and provides analysis, policy dialogue (including intergovernmental bodies) and technical assistance. It also supports emergency responses, mostly in animal health.

FAO supports Members to build and implement effective collaborative One Health strategies and capacities, simultaneously addressing the health of people, animals, plants and the environment. One Health in agrifood systems transformation is a key Priority Programme Area, and part of FAO's Strategic Framework (2022-2031). The One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW) under the Animal Production and Health Division leads and coordinates the prevention and control of endemic and emerging transboundary animal diseases and health threats that emerge at the animal-human-environment interface including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The One Health coordination and AMR Cluster coordinates and implements work across different FAO divisions to mainstream One Health and AMR in FAO activities, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. Externally, this cluster streamlines FAO collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as the Quadripartite to address health threats at the human-animal-plant-environment interface and to promote health and sustainable development.

The position is located in the Animal Health and Production Division, One Health and Disease Control Group, One Health Coordination and AMR Cluster (NSAH-CJW), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Health Officer (AMR, Endemic Zoonotic Disease and One Health) reports to the Senior Animal Health Officer, Head of the One Health Coordination and AMR Cluster.

Technical Focus

Support One Health management and coordination, capacity development.

Key Results

Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project / meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Supports the integration of gender equality and women's empowerment in FAO's work including the disaggregation of data by sex and age where appropriate.
• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems.
• Updates databases and web pages.
• Participates in multidisciplinary project/work teams.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars etc.
• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Supports the coordination of the One Health Technical Working Group (OHTWG) secretariat, including organizing, participating in, and facilitating OHTWG meetings as requested.
• Supports data collection, situational analysis, surveillance, and capacity development related to the prevention, control and advocacy of endemic zoonotic diseases (e.g., rabies, zoonotic TB) and economically important production diseases (e.g., parasitic and bacterial diseases).
• Supports the formulation and implementation of projects on AMR, endemic zoonotic diseases and One Health in agrifood systems.
• Drafts or coordinates the development of publications and other technical content related to AMR, endemic zoonotic diseases, veterinary public health and economically important production diseases.
• Plans, organizes and participates in technical meetings, expert consultations and seminars or relevant events.
• Collects data and information, conducts literature reviews as needed to support the development of technical guidelines and products.
• Supports the implementation of the FAO AMR Action Plan and National Action Plans and contributes to reducing the need for antimicrobials on farms for sustainable agrifood systems transformation (e.g., through RENOFARM and the FAO Progressive Management Pathway for Antimicrobial Resistance FAO-PMP-AMR).
• Collects data and information and contributes to literature reviews as needed to support the development of technical guidelines, products, and training materials.
• Supports coordination with external partners, including activities related to the Global One Health Quadripartite Secretariat.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine and an advanced university degree in one of the following fields\: epidemiology, microbiology, public health; or related subjects relevant to the work of AMR and One Health.
• Three years of relevant experience in animal health and/or One Health.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official 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.
• Familiarity with gender issues as needed.
• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting and analysing technical information and data.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in animal disease surveillance and/or risk management programmes and in infectious disease management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical work on matters related to animal health, antimicrobial resistance, One Health.