Organizational Setting                                                                                                                                                                                          
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems—for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO’s commitment to sustainable livestock systems is integral to achieving its strategic objectives and operational priorities.            
The tasks associated with this consultancy will be carried out within the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) under the One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW). The Branch is currently implementing a wide range of programmes and projects across multiple countries and regions. In this context, NSAH-CJW leads several key areas of FAO’s animal health and One Health programmes. These include the Emergency Prevention Programme for Animal Health (EMPRES-AH), the Reference Centres Programme, and activities related to programme management, coordination, resource mobilization and partnership development.

FAO International Consultant and Call Purpose                                                                                                                                                 
A consultant or Personal Services Agreement (PSA) subscriber is engaged by the Organization to provide specialized expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of specific tasks or assignments of a short-term nature. Assignments may involve full-time or part-time functions.                             The purpose of this Call for Expressions of Interest is to identify suitably qualified and experienced consultants and/or PSA subscribers to populate a roster of technical experts in Animal Health, One Health and programme support.
Selected candidates may be involved in more than one thematic area and may be invited to undertake short-term assignments ranging from a few days or weeks to a maximum duration of 11 months. Extensions may be considered based on satisfactory performance and subject to the availability of resources and organizational needs.

Reporting Lines                                                                                                                                                                                                     
The consultant or PSA subscriber will report to the Senior Animal Health Officer or Animal Health Officer, under the overall guidance of the Chief of the One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW).

Technical Focus                                                                                                                                                                                              
Provide technical and analytical support to the activities of the One Health and Disease Control Branch within the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) of FAO. This includes contributing to the implementation of FAO’s animal health and One Health agenda, particularly activities under the Emergency Prevention System for Animal Health (EMPRES-AH).

Tasks and Responsibilities                                                                                                                                                                                   
The following are generic functions for which candidates are sought. Specific duties will be defined in detailed Terms of Reference depending on the assignment, profile orientation and the selected candidates’ expertise.
FAO Reference Centres – Technical Support and Coordination: 
•     Support the management and coordination of FAO Reference Centres, including gap analysis, strategic planning, monitoring of activities and preparation of reports and knowledge products.
•     Organize meetings, consultations and technical events, and liaise with FAO technical officers, governments, partners and relevant international organizations.
Risk Assessment, Surveillance, Disease Intelligence and Early Warning
•     Support risk assessment and epidemiological activities, including geospatial analysis, risk modelling, value chain studies and simulation exercises.
•     Contribute to disease intelligence, early warning, risk modelling and forecasting, and support the implementation and application of digital data collection and evaluation tools (e.g. EMA-i , EpiCollect, SET), including analytical support using GIS, statistics and machine learning techniques.
•     Provide technical support for disease prevention and emergency preparedness, including the application of FAO early warning and biosecurity tools.
Capacity Development and Technical Backstopping
•     Support epidemiological and surveillance capacity development across countries and regions, including strategy development, training and guidance on surveillance tools and information systems.
•     Support training on early warning and digital surveillance systems, including EMA-i , EMPRES-i , AfyaData, and Decision Support Tools for Avian Influenza and Rift Valley Fever.
•     Contribute to veterinary laboratory capacity development under a One Health approach, including diagnostics, quality assurance, biosafety/biosecurity, laboratory networking and surge capacity.
•     Support the development of technical guidelines, tools and training materials, including e-learning resources.
Policy, Partnerships and Reporting
•     Support the development of technical and advocacy materials and compile evidence to support policy dialogue and resource mobilization related to transboundary animal diseases.
•     Engage with governments, industry, academia and partners to inform priorities and strengthen partnerships.
•     Contribute to planning and reporting processes, including action plans and consultancy reports.
•     Perform other related duties as required to support FAO programme objectives.
 

Candidates will be assessed against the following - Minimum Requirements (Depending on the Profile)

For Consultants

Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a discipline relevant to the duties listed or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.

•     At least 1 year (Category C), 5 years (Category B), or 10 years (Category A) of relevant experience in areas such as:
        o    disease surveillance and early warning
        o    disease intelligence and epidemiology
        o    laboratory capacity development
        o    One Health programmes
        o    analysis of livestock-related data and statistics
        o    governance, knowledge sharing, training and strategy development
•     Experience working with international and/or regional organizations or institutions.
•     Experience in monitoring and evaluation.
•     Proficiency in English or French (Level C). Working knowledge of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For PSA Subscribers

•     University degree or technical specialization in a discipline relevant to FAO’s Programme of Work.
•     At least 1 year (Category C), 5 years (Category B), or 10 years (Category A) of relevant experience in areas such as:
        o    animal health and One Health programmes
        o    programme support and coordination
        o    project design, budget planning and management
        o    monitoring and evaluation
        o    communication, awareness and behaviour change
•     Proficiency in English or French (Level C). Knowledge of another FAO language is considered an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical / Functional Skills

For Consultants

•     Extensive experience across multiple countries or technical areas, demonstrating adaptability to diverse operational contexts.
•     Strong technical and analytical expertise in epidemiology, early warning systems, risk assessment, disease modelling and forecasting, geospatial analysis and data interpretation.
•     Experience in planning, monitoring, reporting and coordination of multi-stakeholder initiatives.
•     Ability to contribute to policy dialogue, advocacy and resource mobilization, including preparation of technical briefs and partnership proposals.
•     Experience in training, capacity development and knowledge transfer, including facilitation of workshops and technical consultations.
•     Familiarity with FAO policies, procedures and programme implementation is an asset.

For PSA Subscribers

•     Relevant technical experience in epidemiology, surveillance, data management and early warning tools supporting animal health programmes.
•     Experience working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
•     Practical experience in data analysis, reporting and preparation of technical documentation.
•     Ability to support the organization of meetings, workshops and knowledge-sharing events.
•     Familiarity with FAO corporate tools and procedures is an advantage.