Senior VPP Consultant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations.  With presently 194 member states, and working in more than 130 countries worldwide, including South Africa. 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.

The main of the FAO Country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
FAO Country Office activities include the design and implementation of country-specific field programs, liaison with local donors' representatives and active outreach activities related to FAO initiatives.

The FAO Country Office in South Africa is working with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development WHO and UNICEF in the approved second call on Pandemic Fund for South Africa in the project entitled “Building a Resilient Future: Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response in South Africa through a One Health Approach”. The project is led by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. FAO, WHO and UNICEF are the Implementing Entities who are going to work with designated delivery partners in the project. The Project aims at strengthening national health systems to effectively respond to pandemics through improved surveillance, laboratory systems, and capacity building.  It will focus on enhancing pandemic preparedness and will be implemented during 2025 to 2027.

The project is centered around three key areas of focus which are: 
•     Surveillance and Early Warning Systems: Development and enhancement of systems that can promptly detect potential pandemic threats. 
•     Laboratory Systems: Strengthening laboratory capacity to diagnose and respond to emerging pathogens effectively. 
•     Capacity Development: Building the skills and competencies of local institutions and personnel to better prepare for and manage one health emergencies

The FAO country office in South Africa implemented the Empowering Veterinary Paraprofessional Entrepreneurs project (“VPP Project”) from 2022–2026 to strengthen the capacity of Animal Health Technicians (AHTs) to deliver quality primary animal healthcare while establishing sustainable private practices. The project supported AHTs through entrepreneurship training, business coaching, and partnerships that enhanced their contribution to livestock health, rural livelihoods, and disease surveillance.

Building on this foundation, the Pandemic Fund Project provides a strategic opportunity to extend and scale the VPP Project outcomes by positioning the already trained AHT entrepreneurs as frontline contributors to zoonotic disease prevention and early warning systems. The project will provide a range of needs-based support that will supporting the AHT entrepreneurs to establish sustainable Primary Animal Healthcare businesses directly serving the needs of livestock farmers. Specifically, the project will provide tailored starter kits, needs-based training, and structured mentoring support from veterinarians and business coaches. The project will also maintain and build upon the strategic partnerships developed under the VPP project to address key challenges in the business environment for effective service delivery by AHTs.

Reporting Lines

Under the joint supervision of the FAO Representative in South Africa through the AFAOR Programmes and technical guidance of the Project Coordinator, National Project Specialist, LTOs for the Southern Africa (SFS) and Headquarters and with the Task Team, the Senior VPP Consultant will undertake the below tasks.

Technical focus

The incumbent will provide high-level strategic expertise in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the AHT component of the Pandemic Fund Project called “Building a Resilient Future: Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response in South Africa through a One Health Approach”.

Tasks and responsibilities
 

•     Provide expert technical input to the AHT project coordinator and wider Pandemic Fund Project team on the design of activities, project implementation, reporting and knowledge sharing, with a particular focus on:
o    legal and regulatory compliance;
o    facility location and site suitability;
o    infrastructure, equipment and layout requirements;
o    business establishment, community liaison and marketing.
•     Lead activities to build upon and sustain funding opportunities and collaborative arrangements that will support AHTs to establish and sustain their primary animal healthcare clinics. This will include leading strategic engagement with provincial departments and private sector stakeholders.
•     Lead activities to identify and engage with complementary service delivery models, including initiatives such as Unjani Clinics, to explore future collaboration opportunities for AHTs in business.
•     In collaboration with the AHT project coordinator and with business coaches, develop a targeted and needs-based coaching and training programme and associated tools to monitor AHT progress and coaching implementation.
•     Participate in and contribute to relevant workshops, webinars, and training initiatives as part of the coaching and training programme, with a focus on providing training on the areas of expertise listed above.
•     Provide technical guidance to the AHT project coordinator with the design of the programme to procure starter kits, including on equipment needs and appropriate specification.
•     Provide ongoing remote and on-site technical support and progress monitoring of AHTs and their businesses. 
•     Lead engagement with the South African Veterinary Council and other key stakeholders with the objective of raising awareness of the importance of AHT-led businesses and improving collaboration between veterinarians and AHTs.
•     Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, communication and knowledge sharing products as mutually agreed.
•     Perform any other tasks mutually agreed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO  specialising in veterinary studies at a higher degree. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.(Agreed)
•     A minimum of 5 years working experience in animal health discipline 
•     Working knowledge (level C) in English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Very good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards
•     Very good knowledge of corporate computerized financial systems and administrative procedures and policies
•     Very good knowledge of the organizational structure

Selection Criteria

•     Knowledge of key stakeholders in animal health related field
•     Excellent communication and report writing skills
•     Competency in technical and administrative work
•     Strong project management skills, with experience in computerized financial/travel/human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies
•     Proficiency in data analysis and the use of project management software