Foot and Mouth Disease Technical Specialist and EuFMD Programme Specialist, Rome FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Closing date: Sunday, 30 December 2018

Foot and Mouth Disease Technical Specialist 
and EuFMD Programme Specialist, 
Rome 
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 
Closing date: Sunday, 30 December 2018

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Foot and Mouth Disease Technical Specialist and EuFMD Programme Specialist 

Job Posting

: 09/Jul/2018

Closure Date

: 31/Dec/2018, 6:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: AGAH

Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Italy-Rome

Duration: Up to 11 months on a WAE basis (with possibility of renewal)

Post Number: N/A

CCOG Code: N/A

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants

in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries

are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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Organizational Setting   The European Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease (EuFMD) is an Article XIV body responsible to its Member States and donors to deliver an extensive work programme on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) emergency preparedness, response and control, to its 38 Member States, to a further 20 European neighbourhood countries, and to other regions through its arrangement with FAO decentralized offices. The strategy is decided by the Member States every two years, revised programming occurs every six months after Executive Committee Sessions and in relation to disease emergencies. The programme is arranged in three Pillars with 16 workplan components. Technical input as well as operational delivery is entirely managed by the Commission Secretariat. Full details are available in the EuFMD work programme. The programme involves considerable travel for its professional staff and consultants, often of a complex nature. The Training /Capacity Building programme is globally recognized and its growth in delivery to additional regions of Asia and Africa is foreseen in the workplan for the 2017-19. The EuFMD plays a significant role in the animal health part of FAO’s programme to increase resilience of livelihoods to food and agriculture threats and crises (SO5).     FAO International Consultant and Call purpose   The Organization frequently engages specialists to work on short-term projects as international consultants. The functions of a consultant are results-oriented and normally involve analysing complex issues, directing seminars or training courses, preparing documents for conferences and meetings, or writing reports on matters within their area of expertise. An international consultant is engaged by the Organization to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work, which would be short-term by nature. The assignment may involve full-time or part-time functions similar to those of staff members. The assignment can be up to 11 months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.   The purpose of this call is to attract talents to populate rosters for the following profiles:   Technical Specialists:   FMD Laboratory Epidemio-Surveillance and/or Vaccinologist; FMD Risk Management/Management Specialist (Surveillance, Prevention, Progressive Control, programs, evaluation of preparedness systems); FMD quantitative risk assessor (Modelling for emergency preparedness); Veterinary education specialist (e-learning and online training programmes).   Programme Specialists:   EuFMD Programme Specialist; Finance Specialist; E-learning Specialist.     Reporting Lines   Technical Specialist reports directly to the EuFMD Executive Secretary. Programme Specialists report directly to the Chief Operations and Finance Officer and to the EuFMD Executive Secretary for functional and policy guidance.       Technical Focus   Support to delivery of donor funded work programmes of the EuFMD Commission at global, regional sub-regional and country level.   The EuFMD workplan develops in three Pillars: Pillar I – Improve – Improve readiness for FMD crisis management by Member States Pillar II – Reduce – Reduce the risk to EuFMD Member Countries from European neighbourhood Pillar III – Promote – Improved uptake of the global strategy for progressive control of FMD   The EuFMD provides on-line and face-to-face courses and, considering the level of the progression along the FMD Progressive Control Pathway (PCP), identifies specific needs in the regions and the opportunities of making the best use of national and international expertise to assess the effectiveness of Risk Based Strategic Plans (RBSP), improve disease risk information and assist in the design, implementation and evaluation of risk based surveillance and risk based control measures.     Tasks and responsibilities (Technical Specialist)   The consultant will provide support to the implementation of the EuFMD work programme at global, regional sub-regional and country level, including but not limited to the surge support for managing the changing priorities following disease emergencies and changes in programme decided by the Executive Committee and the major donors.   The key functions will be as following (tasks will be assigned according to the specific profile):   Support the Pillar supervisor by managing or assisting the implementation of component work plans, including, undertaking missions to advise on FMD management, the development and delivery of workshops and training courses under the component, ensuring activities and inputs are provided on time and supervising the work of other national and international consultants. Support the Pillar supervisor through the data analysis of activities, surveys and information gathered, in order to prioritise activities in relation to the FMD risk and the global situation; Provide expert guidance to the Secretariat and where required, the EuFMD member states, relating to prevention, preparedness  and response to FMD threats; Support the implementation of the work programme under one or more of the three Pillars, providing guidance or inputs to improve the activities that relate to emergency preparedness, and provide technical backstopping to field projects as required, and plan and participate in missions relating to the work programme or on an emergency basis; Support capacity building of official veterinary services for prevention and control of FMD through support to development or delivery of  online training as an expert trainer;  Take an active role in international advocacy for the preparedness for FMD incursions, and for progressive control of FMD in non-free countries, increasing visibility of the PCP and other relevant tools and approaches; Manage or Supervise the EC work programme at a Pillar or Component level, if required; Lead the European neighbourhood FMD Risk Reduction work programme, if required; Provide expert training and capacity building support if required; Lead the development of the overall Eufmd e-learning programme; Undertake other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the Secretariat.     Tasks and responsibilities (Programme Specialist)   The consultant/PSA will provide support to the implementation of the EuFMD work programme at global, regional sub-regional and country level, this includes but it is not limited to the surge support for managing the changing priorities following disease emergencies and changes in programme decided by the Executive and the major donors.   The key functions will be as following (tasks will be assigned according to the specific profile):   Participate in project teams, collaborate in project formulation and delivery planning, by providing administrative support to ongoing projects. Provide management and supervision of the planning and implementation of the human resources for missions and activities. Ensure the process of recruitment is implemented in a timely manner, co-ordinated and communicated with the EuFMD team, Component Managers, consultants and correspondence with relevant FAO offices; Assist in mission and meetings formulation and planning, and provide administrative support related, but not limited to, the organization of the EuFMD meetings in FAO headquarters and in the field, representing EuFMD during these meetings as required, providing logistical management as required; Plan, organize and report for arrangements of the upcoming meetings, workshops and missions planned under the EC programme, ensuring communication with FAO headquarters, decentralized and regional offices to inform them of EuFMD activities in good time; Support all aspects of the organization of the 2018 Open Session of the EuFMD Standing Technical Committee, an international Session attended by over 250 observers; Participate in project operational planning, including but not limited to: planning delivery and tracking completion of the EC Programme activities calendar and processing of tasks in the system for reporting their completion; technical and administrative support to finalize Letters of Agreement, contracts and Purchase Orders requested by Component Managers for research and other services with external service providers; assist in implementing the yearly plan for Procurement, Letter of Agreement and Framework agreement;   Assist in planning and developing EuFMD Projects. Support workplan development and implementation by evaluating related economical and financial impact also monitoring and updating of the EuFMD project status in FAO Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS). Financial reporting to be provided; Produce and implement feasibility studies, graphics and statistics using FPMIS tools to analyse EuFMD Projects; Administer e-learning activities, managing the EuFMD e-Learning website in direct liaison with international experts; Supervise and train other staff members involved in logistical management of e-learning activities. Manage all technical issues relating to e-learning website and assist website users with issues related to its usage; Assist the Training officer and the Communications and Networks officer with content creation and implementation of e-Learning and real-time training courses and webinars (including: collecting, collating, editing documents and presentations); Provide information on EuFMD activities to FAO HQ, decentralized and regional offices in a timely manner and ensuring FAO and AGA regulations adheres to protocol; Undertake field missions, as needed; Perform other duties, if required.     CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING   Minimum Requirements (Technical Specialist):   For Consultants: Advanced university degree in a discipline of veterinary medicine related to epidemiology, diagnosis or control of infectious diseases or related field; At least one year of relevant work experience would be required for junior level assignments; Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese or Russian.   For PSAs: University degree in a discipline of veterinary medicine related to epidemiology, diagnosis or control of infectious diseases or related field; At least one year of relevant work experience would be required for junior level assignments; Working knowledge of English.   For Veterinary education Specialist (for Consultant or PSA); At least five years of experience in veterinary education and training, including a high level of technical and managerial experience in the development and delivery of e-learning. For FMD Laboratory Epidemio-Surveillance (for Consultant or PSA): At least seven years of post-graduate, relevant experience.     Additional Selection Criteria   Post-graduate qualification in epidemiology or in a discipline relevant to the management of FMD, and/or experience in working in the official veterinary services is preferable (for Specialist in the Epidemiology, Laboratory Surveillance, Prevention and Control of FMD; Specialist on the Epidemiology, Risk based Surveillance, Prevention and Control of FMD (Russian language); FMD Laboratory Epidemio-Surveillance; FMD Laboratory Epidemio-Surveillance and Vaccinologist; Significant national (in official veterinary service) or international experience in management and contingency planning for highly contagious animal diseases (for FMD Management Specialist (National and international programmes); For Senior position: At least twelve years of post-graduate, relevant experience;Knowledge of Portuguese, Bulgarian, Turkish, Bosnian, Serbian, Kiswahili, Italian or working knowledge of the national language if focusing on a specific national or regional activity will be considered an asset; Familiarity with liaising with FAO central and decentralized offices as well as the knowledge of protocol procedures will be considered an asset.    Strong communication skills in English.   Minimum Requirements (Programme Specialist):   For Consultants: Advanced university degree in Economy/Administration/International Cooperation/International Relations/Foreign Languages or related field; At least two  years of relevant experience; Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese or Russian.   For PSAs: University Degree or Technical specialization or equivalent in Tourism Management,  Foreign languages or related field; At least two year of relevant work experience in public administration, communications, international affairs or international meetings management; Working knowledge of English.

 

 

 

 

Additional Selection Criteria

 

• One to three years of relevant experience in public or private sectors relating to programming, planning and technical co-operation in food and agriculture, particularly in the delivery of technical missions and assistance to countries in the European region and European neighbourhood will be considered an asset;
• Working knowledge of Italian for the organization and development of the EuFMD Open Session 2018 will be considered an asset;
• Familiarity with liaising with FAO central and decentralized offices as well as the knowledge of protocol procedures will be considered an asset.  
• Strong communication skills in English.

 

FAO Core Competencies:   Results Focus Teamwork Communication Building Effective Relationships Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement   Technical/Functional Skills:   Extensive and relevant experience at international level in programming field missions and operations. Demonstrated experience in planning and management of major international scientific conferences in countries/venues not served by national UN offices. Extensive knowledge and experience of working with national and international animal health agencies dealing with epidemic disease management; strong understanding of the working relationships and factors affecting co-operation in formulating and delivery of activities. Experience in response management and co-ordination of operational support to disease emergency response.

 

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 Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

 
HOW TO APPLY

To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

Vacancies will be removed from the recruitment portal at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org