FAO: Animal Health Workforce Development Specialist

Overview

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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position is located in the Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Health Workforce Development Specialist, under the overall supervision and guidance of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, direct supervision of the National Program Coordinator of the Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) in the Philippines, in close collaboration with the ECTAD Regional Manager in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (FAO RAP ECTAD), HQ and RAP Pandemic Fund Coordinators (GCP/PHI/082/PAF), and DTRA Regional Project Coordinator (OSRO/RAS/404/USA).

Technical Focus

Support the implementation of the Resilient Philippines Project (Pandemic Fund) GCP/GLO/082/PAF and other related projects under FAO ECTAD in the Philippines.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and implementation of epidemiology and other workforce development-related activities under the Pandemic Fund Project and DTRA project, in coordination with HQ and RAP experts and networks.
• In close coordination with RAP and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), lead coordination in the crafting of the Workforce Development Plan for the Animal Health Sector;
• Liaise with the government partners and stakeholders and provide support in the crafting of the plan, focusing on the strengths and gaps in the country’s epidemiology capacity and workforce;
• Support the BAI (and other relevant agencies of the Department of Agriculture) in establishing and/or strengthening of the country’s epidemiology and workforce capacity following IHR-JEE, SPAR, PVS, and EMT recommendations.
• Advocate at national and subnational/local level epidemiology and workforce capacity building, drawing on IHR-JEE, SPAR, PVS, and EMT results, to support decision-making by governments, particularly on matters of policy development and resource allocation.
• Lead in the development and conduct of programs and activities to strengthen and sustain the epidemiology and workforce capacity of the animal and environment health sector in the country (in the context of One Health);
• In close coordination with ECTAD RAP/PH and BAI, support the development of national epidemiology capacity building programmes and ensure active participation of the national veterinary epidemiology units to the capacity building programmes;
• In close coordination with BAI, lead and/or assist in the review and updating of the Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (AVET) Program module or curriculum, and/or adoption of the Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians in the Philippines, as well as community animal health worker Trainings;
• In close coordination with BAI and Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), plan, lead and organize meetings and workshops to support strengthening capacities and networking at national, subnational, and local levels;
• Promote use of other platforms for epidemiology and workforce capacity building such as the FAO Virtual Learning Centre (VLC);
• Develop concept notes and activity report based on an agreed template;
• Serve as a resource person in workshops, trainings, meetings, and other related activities;
• Establish database for animal health workers (veterinarians, veterinary para-professionals, deputized LGU field personnel, and community animal health workers, among others);
• In close coordination with BAI and Philippine College of Veterinary Epidemiology (PCVE), conduct multisectoral consultation and/or conference to highlight workforce development outputs and/or epidemiology-related researches.
• In close coordination with HQ and RAP, establish and/or maintain linkages with designated WOAH/FAO Reference/Collaborating Centers on Veterinary Epidemiology to ensure knowledge, technology and trouble-shooting support is made available to member countries.
• Coordinate and strengthen linkages and networks between field epidemiologists, animal health workers, veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories across the animal health and human health sectors, under the One Health approach.
• In close coordination with FAO RAP and PH ECTAD and National communications Staff, draft communication materials for press release, opinion editorials, feature articles and social media post related to surveillance of emerging infectious diseases, pandemic threats, antimicrobial resistance, transboundary animal diseases.
• The incumbent will also perform other related duties, as requested.

FAO Standards and Guidelines

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
  FAO Strategic Framework :
• FAO social media policy and guidelines:
• Social Media Branding Guidelines:
• FAOSTYLE(
• FAO terminology
• FAO Names Of Countries
• Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Veterinary Epidemiology/animal health/public health or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in animal health surveillance and the use of OH approaches in disease informatics.
• Working knowledge of English (C) is required.
• National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Conversant with epidemiological tools for data collection, validation and analysis.
• Professional experience in veterinary epidemiology.
• Experience in conducting AH disease surveillance.
• Experience with OH initiatives.
• Demonstrated evidence of skills in data analysis and use of various online platforms.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and good interpersonal skills.
• Good computer skills as well as ability to use epidemiological tools.

Selection Criteria

• Based on requirements, competencies, and skills.

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website:
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements

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