Animal Health Specialist

Rinderpest was the first animal disease to be globally eradicated. Since the declaration of the eradication in 2011, FAO has established a rinderpest secretariat with assistance from a joint advisory committee (JAC) to safeguard the global freedom through a biodefense strategy. The strategy includes establishment of high biocontainment rinderpest holding facilities (RHFs), safe removal of remaining virus stocks from laboratories, development of a global action plan, establishment of vaccine reserves, awareness raising among the stakeholders, and building capability and capacity for non-infectious diagnostic tools. The technical consultant will join the rinderpest secretariat and participate in implementation of the strategy.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Animal Health Service (AGAH)/Chief Veterinary Officer – FAO (CVO), and the supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer of AGAH, the incumbent will focus on providing required technical support to AGAH post-rinderpest activities and support to the rinderpest FAO co-Secretariat.

The incumbent will focus on providing required technical support to AGAH post-rinderpest activities and support to the rinderpest FAO co-Secretariat

• Assist the FAO secretariat in all activities related to rinderpest post-eradication and other transboundary animal diseases for livestock (including but not limited to FMD, PPR);
  
  
• Develop a global rinderpest vaccine virus seed bank for manufacturing vaccines in the case of an emergency, and vaccine stockpile for regional and global emergency including logistical framework for it is activation and deployment;
  
  
• Contribute to the efforts of virus destruction and sequestration and decontamination of laboratories\:

• Coordinate the development of awareness raising and communication material on transboundary animal diseases and rinderpest among farmers, laypeople, veterinarians and academia. This will include development of e-Learning modules, webinars and videos;
  
  
• Assist in the organization of regional table top simulation exercises and workshops with stakeholders;

• Participate in the evaluation of FAO-OIE rinderpest holding facilities through providing technical review of dossiers, preparation and coordination for deployment of expert teams and needs for laboratory supplies and equipment;
  
  
• Assist in the organization and coordination of JAC meetings, specifically in the preparation of agenda, meeting minutes, reports, follow-up on action items, press releases, newsletters etc.;
  
  
• Lead the activity on the development of project proposals for resource mobilization towards building capability and capacity for non-infectious diagnostic tools, expanding the rinderpest vaccine reserves, others as required;

• Represent the FAO at international/inter-governmental meetings in particular for the advocacy and campaign for rinderpest virus destruction and sequestration;
  
  
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Advanced university degree (for COF.REG) / University degree (for PSA.SBS) in microbiology, diagnostics, vaccinology, emergency disease management or related field in transboundary animal diseases is required and doctor of veterinary medicine degree is desirable
• At least three year experience in field of transboundary animal diseases
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the FAO languages; Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian. Applicant should fulfil the language requirement to be considered for this position.