Country Team Leader

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• 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

Organizational Setting

The Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) is responsible for ensuring FAO’s efforts to support countries and partners in preparing for and effectively responding to food and agricultural threats and crises. It is responsible for coordinating the development and maintenance of corporate tools and standards to enable Decentralized Offices to assist member countries to prepare for, and respond to emergencies. OER ensures humanitarian policy coordination and knowledge, liaison with the InterAgency Standing Committee (IASC) as well as with humanitarian resource partners, co-leadership with World Food Programme (WFP) of the global Food Security Cluster (FSC), organizational preparedness, surge capacity and response to large-scale emergencies. OER supports food and nutrition security assessment and early warning activities related to emergency and humanitarian analysis and responses. OER plays a major role in the development and leadership of the Organization’s programme to increase the resilience of livelihoods to food and agriculture threats and crises.

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region, in line with the FAO Strategic Framework. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with centres/divisions/offices at headquarters and other UN agencies, and stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the private sector, and develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships and supports capacity development and resources mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.

The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out by jointly SEC and REU in close coordination with the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries and regions. The consultant will closely work with the LTO / Senior Animal Health Officer situated in REU , SEC, ECTAD (NSAH) and OER to support various aspects of the FAO animal health and One Health programme, including the Global Health Security (GHS) Programme, in line with the One Health programme priority area of FAO.

Reporting Lines

The Country Team Leader works under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia, direct supervision and policy and technical guidance of the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO)/Senior Animal Health and Production Officer, technical guidance of the Senior Animal Health Officer ECTAD/ Global Programme Coordinator (NSAH), in line with programme management guidance from the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Operations Coordinator (OER), the operational guidance from SEC Project Implementing Unit, functional guidance of the Regional Representative of FAO on managerial/administrative issues and regional priorities, the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Country Representative, the technical backstopping and supervision of the LTO/Senior Animal Health Officer in coordination with ECTAD Regional Manager and in collaboration with the relevant Animal Production and Health officers and One Health officers in Head Quarters’ level.

Technical Focus

Management of the REU/ECTAD country team, technical and management leadership and guidance, and advisory services to the FAOR on animal health and One Health issues.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Liaise with the national Government, development partners, multi-lateral agencies and national and international nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector in all matters related to high-impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease (rEIDs) prevention and control programmes, under the guidance and with support of the Senior Animal Health Officer (LTO) and in coordination with the FAOR;
• Advise the FAOR and beneficiary government on technical and policy matters related to high impact zoonoses in close collaboration with the regional Senior Animal Production and Health Officer;
• Prepare, when required, country strategies and programmes for the management rEIDs in close collaboration with the beneficiary government, and in line with the country priority framework (CPF), the UN sustainable development goal corporate framework (UNSDCF), the FAO’s Program priority areas (PPAs), and the UNDAP II framework;
• Contribute towards the development and implementation of the FAO country programme and ensure smooth integration of The project activities within the FAO’s broader country programme under the FAO Representation;
• Supervise and coordinate the preparation of project work plans, timely provision of inputs, implementation of planned activities, and liaison with responsible officers at national and sub-national levels for smooth coordination and delivery of the FAO-implemented project;
• When necessary, actively engage in resource mobilization efforts including preparation of concept notes and project proposals to expand animal health and livestock sector development related projects that are identified as priorities by the government, with the advice and support of the FAOR and leveraging existing funds;
• Maintain links with the established national networks on diagnosis and epidemiology to exchange and share technical information particularly related to priority and high impact zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases;
• Provide leadership, supervision and managerial support to the REU/ ECTAD country team members;
• Support One Health capacity and platforms through enhancing collaboration and coordination with the public health, wildlife, environment, education, and other relevant sectors with respect to zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance/use (AMR/U) using existing and new tools and guidelines;
• Conduct regular field missions in the country to monitor and ensure smooth implementation of project activities;
• Coordinate emergency preparedness and rapid response activities in the country in close collaboration with thethe Project LTO;
• Provide technical support for the publication of inputs generated from the country project activities;
• Provide regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation in the country; and provide immediate notification to GLEWS of any significant epidemiological events through direct communication with the project LTO;
• Coordinate preparation of country reports and briefs as required by the government, FAO and donors and submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in veterinary science. Relevant post-graduate qualification in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (both zoonotic and non-zoonotic), veterinary epidemiology, diagnostics or related fields would be an asset;
• At least 5 years (Category B) and 12 years (Category A) of relevant experience in the management and implementation of infectious disease control programmes preferably in developing countries including leading and managing teams and partnerships;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of Farsi would be an asset.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field position is desirable;
• Extent and relevance of experience at international level;
• Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and projects at international level;
• Ability to write briefs and reports according to donors requirements;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Familiarity with the FAO policies, programmes and systems is desirable.

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

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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