Animal Health Officer (One Health)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO 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 environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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. The One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW) under the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) 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).

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 FAO Animal Health and Production Division, One Health and AMR Cluster, coordinates and implement 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 One Health and Disease Control Group, One Health Coordination Unit (NSAH-CJW) of the Animal Health and Production Division (NSA), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Health Officer (One Health) reports to the Chief, One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH/CJW), Animal Production and Health Division (NSA).

Technical Focus

One Health planning, management and coordination, capacity development support and advocacy.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives, One Health domain and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

•                          Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
•                          Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
•                          Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
•                          Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
•                          Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing 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 international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
•                          Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
  
   

Specific Functions

•                      Provides technical coordination support to the FAO One Health Technical Working Group Secretariat, contributing to cross-divisional collaboration and supporting engagement with Regional and Country Offices to advance One Health implementation in agrifood systems at global, regional and country levels.
•                      Serves as a technical focal point supporting FAO engagement with the Quadripartite Secretariat, contributing to FAO's technical inputs and coordination within the Quadripartite collaboration (FAO, UNEP, WHO, WOAH) and supporting coherent FAO contributions to joint One Health priorities, frameworks and governance processes.
•                      Contributes to the development, refinement and application of One Health tools and methodologies, including mapping, harmonization, piloting and periodic updates, in alignment with FAO's One Health in Agrifood Systems Framework and other relevant frameworks, such as the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action.
•                      Supports collaboration, advocacy and knowledge generation and sharing initiatives, including the One Health High-Level Expert Panel, One Health Knowledge Nexus and Virtual Learning Center, by contributing technical inputs and facilitating coordination with partners.
•                      Provides technical support for capacity development for national One Health implementation, including the four 'Cs' (coordination, collaboration, communication and capacities), with a focus on strengthening governance mechanisms and supporting the development and implementation of National One Health Action Plans.
•                      Supports and contributes to the day-to-day coordination of One Health activities within the branch, across divisions and with partners, under the guidance of senior management.
•                      Provides technical inputs and supports on the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases, zoonoses of One Health relevance, and selected production diseases, within the context of the One Health in Agrifood Systems Framework and the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action.
•                      Supports the technical preparation and organization of high-level events, including major FAO corporate events, Quadripartite Executive Annual Meetings and global One Health fora, and contributes to substantive discussions, background materials and follow-up actions as required.
•                      Drafts and contributes to high-quality technical, policy and advocacy materials, including concept notes, technical briefs, analyses, agreements, action documents and presentations, ensuring clarity, scientific soundness and alignment with FAO One Health priorities.
•                      Contributes to resource mobilization activities, including the development of project proposals, support to donor engagement processes, and identification of opportunities to strengthen FAO's One Health work in agrifood systems.
•                      Formulates and implements projects, specifically in the areas of One Health in Agrifood system implementation.
•                      Provides global technical coordination of projects and supports to regional and country offices for the delivery of One Health activities as needed.

         CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•                         Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent or above) in biology, life science and  veterinary medicine.
•                         Seven years of relevant experience in advancing One Health in Agrifood system, promoting multisectoral collaboration and working closely with international organizations, and national institutes.
•                         Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Chinese, French, Spanish, Arabic,  Russian).
  
   

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.
•             Extend and relevance of experience in multisectoral collaboration for One Health, including the Quadripartite collaboration.
•             Ability to lead or coordinate cross organizational working groups on One Health activities.
•             Demonstrated knowledge and experience on FAO's One Health in Agrifood System framework and other relevant One Health Frameworks.
•             Experience in coordinating and leading programmes/initiatives across other UN agencies.
•             Extensive experience in supporting senior management on One Health relevant activities.
•             Demonstrated experience in knowledge, development and/or implementation of One Health relevant tools for disease prevention and control.
•             Extent and relevance of experience in prevention and control of animal diseases under the One Health approach.
•             Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation and implementation.
•             Extensive (and relevance of) experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents for Governing Body meetings as well as in organizing meetings and workshops at headquarters, regional- and country-level.
•             Understanding of FAO policies and programmes, including FAO governing bodies and intergovernmental processes.

Ability to edit and write clearly and concisely technical content for publications by Digital and AI tools.