Veterinary Paraprofessional Project (VPP) Coordinator

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 project titled “Building the Resilient Future: Strengthening Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response through One Health Approach Pandemic” was approved during the second call in South Africa. The project is led by the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development as the National Agencies while FAO, WHO and UNICEF are the Implementing Entities to work with their designated delivery partners to deliver the project in the country. The Project is an initiative aimed 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 2026 to 2028.
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 support 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, National Project Specialist, Lead Technical Officer (LTO) for the Southern Africa (SFS) and Headquarters and the Project Task Team, the incumbent will undertake the tasks below.

Technical focus

A VPP Project Coordinator is being sought to assist the project team, on the VPP component of the Pandemic Fund in timely reporting in accordance with the project’s objectives and framework during implementation of the project. The VPP Project Coordinator will coordinate the implementation of all activities focused on strengthening the capacities of AHTs as part of the Pandemic Fund Project

Tasks and responsibilities

The VPP Project Coordinator will undertake the following tasks:

• Coordinate the design, implementation and monitoring of all activities under the AHT component of the Pandemic Fund project, ensuring timely delivery of each activity within the assigned budget, appropriately escalating any risks or delays to the Pandemic Fund management.
• Coordinate the regular assessment and updating of support needs of trained AHT beneficiaries.
• Coordinate the development of a targeted and needs-based coaching and training programme and associated tools to monitor AHT progress and coaching implementation, working in collaboration with the AHT senior project advisor and with business coaches.
• Coordinate monthly progress monitoring of AHTs and their businesses by the business coaches and the AHT senior project advisor.
• Lead the design, implementation and evaluation of the programme to procure starter kits for AHTs, including by identifying appropriate procurement processes that comply with FAO procedures and regulations, by conducting needs assessment, designing appropriate qualification criteria, procuring and distributing starter kits.
• Oversee planning and coordination of workshops, training sessions, stakeholder meetings and field visits, including logistics, scheduling, materials and participant management.
• 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 agribusiness skills.
• Support integration of AHT activities into broader animal health systems, particularly through strengthening national capacity for disease prevention and control, particularly in surveillance, early detection and reporting of zoonotic and transboundary diseases.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the AHT components of the Pandemic Fund project according to overall project framework.
• Prepare high-quality project reports, workplans and supporting documentation in line with FAO and donor requirements, ensuring documents meet quality, accuracy and compliance standards prior to submission.
• Develop communication and knowledge sharing products, including documenting best practices and success stories.
• Perform any other tasks as mutually agreed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture.
• A minimum of 5 years working experience in animal health discipline
• Working knowledge in English (level C)
• National of South Africa

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
• 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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION