Programme Officer (Animal Health)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. FAO has 194 Member Nations and works in more than 130 countries worldwide, including Malawi, where the Organization has operated since 1986. FAO Malawi supports the Government to identify, plan and implement priority activities aligned to national short- and long-term development aspirations.
FAO assistance is guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF), which has three interrelated priority areas:
1. Agriculture and food system transformation.
2. Sustainable natural resources and the environment and
3. Improved resilience and emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
The incumbent's work will primarily contribute to CPF priority area (3).
FAO Malawi is working with the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD), the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF under the approved third call of the Pandemic Fund for Malawi. The project is titled "Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response through the One Health Approach in Malawi (SP3ROHAM)". FAO is one of the Implementing Entities and will work with designated delivery partners. The project aims to strengthen national systems to prevent, detect and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats through improved surveillance, laboratory systems and capacity development. It is expected to be implemented from August 2026 to 2029.
The project focuses on three key areas:

• Surveillance and early warning systems: Development and enhancement of systems that can promptly detect potential pandemic threats.
• Laboratory systems: Strengthening laboratory capacity to diagnose priority pathogens and respond effectively to outbreaks.
• Capacity development: Strengthening the skills and competencies of national institutions and personnel to better prepare for and manage One Health emergencies.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Malawi, Lilongwe.
 

Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer (Animal Health) reports to the FAO Representative and is under the direct technical supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme), with technical guidance from the Lead Technical Officer in the Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) and the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF). The incumbent works in close collaboration with relevant technical and operational colleagues within the FAO Representation, with the Pandemic Fund teams in RAF and the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) at FAO Headquarters.

Technical Focus
The Programme Officer (Animal Health) coordinates the formulation and implementation of livestock and animal health initiatives, including the FAO’s component of the Pandemic Fund project in Malawi. S/he provides technical support for the implementation of animal health and livestock development portfolio, and support resource mobilization.

Key Results
Research, technical analysis, and office management related services to support the delivery of programmes, products, and services at regional level and globally in coordination with other Regional Offices.

Key Functions

• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and contributes to the introduction of corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties in particular other regions; ensures follow-up actions.
• Contributes to policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Assists with outreach and communication-related activities; reviews and contributes to the development of learning materials, conducts training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

Specific Functions

• Leads and supervises the implementation of animal health and livestock development projects, including FAO's component of the Pandemic Fund project in Malawi. 
• Provides guidance and support to project personnel and partners in the implementation of project activities related to surveillance, laboratory systems and capacity development. 
• Develops and oversees project workplans, ensuring timely delivery of activities in compliance with FAO procedures and national priorities. 
• Coordinates with government counterparts, implementing entities and delivery partners to support effective project implementation, monitoring and reporting. 
• Monitors project budgets and resources, ensuring compliance with organizational and donor requirements. 
• Supports the design and delivery of training and capacity development activities and promotes knowledge sharing and lessons learned. 
• Contributes to One Health initiatives and promotes collaboration among relevant stakeholders at national and regional levels.
• Prepares technical, operational and progress reports and contributes to communication, coordination and stakeholder engagement activities. 
• Organizes and participates in missions, workshops, meetings and evaluation activities related to programme implementation. 
• Supports FAO Malawi's broader portfolio in animal health, animal production, resilience and One Health, including providing technical advice on transboundary animal diseases (TADs), zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
   

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Veterinary Medicine or related fields.
• Five years of relevant experience in managing and implementing animal disease control programmes, preferably in developing countries, including leading teams and partnerships.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language of the Organization (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 activities, policy advice and analysis related to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, and the monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Relevance and extent of experience working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.