National Veterinary Laboratory Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) under the Global Health Security Programme (GHSP) initiative, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting the Government of Mozambique to meet its International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) obligations. Subsequently, FAO is recruiting a National Consultant to develop national veterinary Laboratory strategy. The position is based in the ECTAD office of the FAO Representation in Maputo, Mozambique. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through ECTAD, is dedicated to working with the national government in the country in preventing and controlling emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of public health importance and AMR.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer/ ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator (NSAH), the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Mozambique and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader in Mozambique, and technical backstopping of the ECTAD regional laboratory expert for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), the incumbent shall develop a national veterinary laboratory strategy for the Government of Mozambique in support to establishing and strengthening of the National Laboratory System for the delivery of veterinary services through a One Health approach.
This responsibility shall be discharged in close collaboration with the Central Veterinary Laboratory (LCV), Directorate of Animal Science (DCA) of the Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), Directorate of Livestock Development (DNDP), the National Directorate of Biosafety (DNSAB) in the Ministry of Agriculture and rural development (MADER).

Technical Focus

Implementation of the " Supporting the Global Health Security Agenda to address zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and animal health in Mozambique” project (OSRO/GLO/137/USA).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop inception report for national veterinary laboratory strategy development, including outlining the government approved procedures for strategy development in the country.
• Conduct a review of existing national laboratory policies and guidelines for all relevant sectors – public health, veterinary, fisheries, environment, chemicals, water, human and livestock feeds.
• Outline the national processes and procedures for developing a national strategy for approval by the government (inception report)
• Develop a national veterinary laboratory strategy which will address\:
o Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS);
o Laboratory sample transport and referral system;
o Laboratory supplies and commodity management system;
o Collaboration between veterinary and public health laboratories;
o Private veterinary laboratory licensing and supervision mechanism;
o Veterinary lab infrastructure development and maintenance.
o Laboratory management (Global Lab Leadership Programme)
• Undertake any other assignments as may be requested by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory Science or related field from recognized university.
• Minimum of four years of relevant experience in public / private service or academic/research setting on animal health laboratory service provision.
• Working knowledge of English and Portuguese.
• National of Mozambique or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive experience in veterinary laboratories and animal health workforce development within in public service on laboratory service provision in various disciplines within the sector.
• Proven track record in developing HRD strategies and training programmes.
• Ability to develop comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Excellent technical report writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with One Health approaches

Selection Criteria

• Experience in the development of a country’s strategy will be an added advantage.
• Experience with work in animal health laboratory is desirable.
• Experience in animal health strategy development and veterinary service delivery in Mozambique.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) knowledge will be another added advantaged.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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.
• 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/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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