National AMR Coordinator

Organizational Setting

FAO’s overarching role in antimicrobial resistance is to support the food and agriculture sector to address this global threat in a manner that reduces the use of antimicrobials in the sector to minimize its contribution to AMR and promote responsible use of antimicrobials in the context of sustainable food production systems and ongoing efforts to address food and nutrition security. In this context FAO supports the development of global guidance and facilitates regional and national initiatives to develop and implement National Action Plans on AMR and integrate measures to address AMR into food and agriculture production and food safety systems. FAO works closely with its quadripartite partners, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to promote a One Health approach to addressing AMR at all levels. The tasks of this position will support the implementation of a project on “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and South-East Asia to generate data-for-action to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach” and collaboration with WOAH, WHO and UNEP where relevant to support addressing AMR in a One Health manner.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision and responsibility of the FAOR in Zimbabwe. The Assistant FAO Representative for Programme (AFAOR-P) will supervise the incumbent administratively while the Livestock Development Officer of the FAO Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa (SFS), the project Lead Technical Officer will provide technical supervision. The incumbent will work with the Budget Holder (CVO) in Rome, Italy, and the global project (GCP/GLO/1092/UK) and regional team in Africa.

Technical Focus

Zimbabwe has been one of the target countries of the project “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-east Asia in the global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach” (GCP/GLO/710/UK) which ended on the 31st December 2022. The new phase II project, entitled “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and South-East Asia to generate data-for-action to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach” (GCP/GLO/1092/UK) started on 1st October 2022 and will end on 31st March 2025. The new project has been designed building on what was achieved through the GCP/GLO/710/UK project and will follow the same approach of focusing the resources and activities at regional and country level targeting the same 12 countries, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lao PDR, Philippines, Sudan, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The main outcome from this project is increased and improved data generation (AMR specific and sensitive), their analysis, sharing, and utilization for evidence-based decision making within the food and agriculture sector, and will be achieved through the following outputs\: (1)Strengthen laboratory and surveillance capacities and related data management infrastructures of the food and agriculture sector to generate, collect, and share data on AMR, AMC, and antimicrobial residues, and actively contribute to integrated AMR surveillance; (2)Antimicrobial use practices and good practices that reduce AMR transmission along the food chain promoted in food and agriculture; 3) Evidence based AMR economic argument in the food and agriculture sectors developed and documented to support decision making; 4) Antimicrobial policies and governance enhanced to minimize the role of sub-standard and falsified (SF) antimicrobials in food and agriculture and 5) Country owned processes and collaborative initiatives for implementation of multi-sectoral One Health AMR National Action Plans (NAPs) supported.

The National AMR Coordinator will be a member of the coordinating unit for animal production and health (CUFAPH) within SFS. S/He will provide technical support for the coordination and implementation of the AMR projects and other One Health (OH) related issues to the FAO Zimbabwe Office.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Serves as the FAO national Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) coordinator and ensure coordination between FAO-Zimbabwe office and relevant government Ministries as well as other partners;
• Leads the overall coordination, planning, implementation and reporting for the AMR Fleming Fund 3 project in the Zimbabwe;
• Develops a work plans & project activities in partnership with the One Health Secretariat and ensure that the work plan aligns with the document, the FAO Zimbabwe Country Programming Framework and the FAO Action Plan on AMR (2021-2025);
• Leads the coordination and implementation of the AMR Fleming Fund project activities, including advocacy initiatives, based on agreed work plan in close coordination with Government counterparts, and other implementing partners;
• Ensures that the FF3 Zimbabwean program includes development and rolling out of data generation interventions at the farm level using the Farmer Field Schools approach and the harmonized data collection tools developed by the regional team;
• Monitors progress & expenditures against the AMR Fleming Fund work plan by tracking activities & targets with periodic review and revisions;
• Prepares Zimbabwe AMR activity updates and provide presentations or contributions to regional AMR initiatives, as needed;
• Supports FAO/WOAH/WHO/UNEP quadripartite coordination on AMR at national level through liaison and coordination with technical counterparts in WHO, WOAH and UNEP on the implementation of the projects.
• Reviews and provide technical input into the development of both FAO and quadripartite (FAO/WHO/WOAH/UNEP) tools and documents related to AMR.
• Participates in and contribute to the National AMR core group and technical working groups meetings and workshops.
• Provides technical support on AMR related activities and support harmonization among AMR projects being delivered at national level including the FF3, Fleming Fund Country grant and the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) projects;
• As a member of CUFAPH, assist in ensuring a programmatic approach in supporting technical areas Animal Production and Health with a special focus on One Healthy, which included prevention and control (zoonoses & TADs), and support the One Health flagship Program at the subregion;
• Develops case studies and technical or other relevant documents to facilitate and disseminate project actions and impacts.
• Supports the identification of gaps and the development of good practices to reduce the need for antimicrobial use in different value chains (foods of animal and plant origin) and their adaptation to local situations.
• Supports the development of information and communication products to raise awareness on AMR, particularly on good practices;
• Works closely with the wider project team to ensure effective communication on upcoming events, issues, activities;
• Carries out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Veterinary Medicine or related field.
• At least 5 years of work experience related to implementation of projects on animal health with special focus on AMR, AMU and One Health.
• A National of Zimbabwe.
• Working Knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial use and one health
• Extent and relevance of experience in project management
• Ability to engage and deal with stakeholders at national and sub-national levels
• Language requirement\: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds
• Strong understanding of United Nations and FAO’s work
• Candidates with postgraduate degree in fields related to epidemiology, veterinary public health and similar areas of speciality will have advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION