JOB OPPORTUNITY

National Field Surveillance Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include Programme Priority Areas (PPAs such as better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind. FAO mobilizes high level national and international technical expertise to build capacity of institutions and human resources. It also helps to bring in modern and innovative technologies and formulate conducive policies in countries through piloting, adapting and scaling up of successful global practices to achieve sustainable agri-food systems transformation. The FAO also embraces the One Health approach with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. This approach also contributes to advancing global health security and the Sustainable Development Goals. FAO’s work in the field of animal health takes a broader approach in addressing technical, policy and institutional issues. FAO develops and implements policies and programmes related to the establishment of best practices in the prevention and control of priority diseases, which threaten animal production, public health and trade through its international and regional networks, projects and by disseminating practical information and knowledge. FAO programs are guided by United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027). A Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023-2027 which is the shared priorities between the Government of Nepal (GoN) and FAO regarding FAO’s technical assistance over a five-year entail in achieving sustainable agri-food systems transformation and inclusive socio-economic development. Specifically, the project aligns with the CPF Outcome 3: Sustainable Natural Resources Management, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and management. Global Health Security Programme (GHSP), a strategic partnership to strengthen the Government of Nepal’s capacity to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to emerging infectious diseases. The project will be implemented through “One Health,” a collaborative, transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interdependence among the health of ecosystems, wildlife and domestic animals, and humans and will strengthen the national veterinary services to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious diseases, zoonoses, and AMR by increasing the technical capacity of veterinary officials, and one health stakeholders, as well as by addressing gaps within the country’s animal health systems focusing on PZDs and AMR.

The National Field Surveillance Specialist will work for the project entitled “Immediate technical assistance for animal health systems to address emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in Nepal”, under the Global Health Security Programme (GHSP).

Reporting Lines

The Field Surveillance Specialist will directly report monthly/regular activities to the Team Leader of the project. The incumbent will submit regular training and end-of-assignment report to Team Leader who will in turn submit these reports to FAO Country Office. The FAO CO will share the end-of-assignment report further to the Lead Technical Officer to obtain technical clearance.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support in the implementation of the project activities in the field level to strengthen veterinary epidemiology and laboratory capacities, to enhance surveillance and early detection of zoonotic influenza and other priority zoonotic diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance capacity of the Department of Livestock Services.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAOR Nepal, direct supervision of the project leam leader, and the technical guidance of the Regional Manager, FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease (ECTAD) of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) as well as close coordination with the Government counterparts and other OH partners/stakeholders, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

Assist the Team Leader in the implementation of the project work plans (WP);
Contribute to the preparation of the project work plan and implementation plan;
Support in the design and implementation of training events as per the project work plan;
Support in the organization of events, such as meeting, workshop, conference and seminars as per the project work plan;
Ensure the smooth implementation of surveillance related activities included in the work plan at the field level; Support to develop a repository of commercial poultry and livestock farms within the project areas;
Support to conduct farmers level biosecurity and rational use of antimicrobials training at the field level;
Support to conduct school and community level awareness programs on zoonotic diseases including Rabies and AMR;
Support to organize sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting training in coordination with veterinary laboratories;
Support the veterinary laboratory to collect epidemiological reports from the provincial and local levels;
Provide technical assistance to the local levels in improving the epidemiological capacity and coordination with veterinary laboratories;
Liaise with Provincial Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries Development as needed to organize project specific trainings, events and workshops;
Support in the compilation and analysis of project and surveillance data, and
Carry out other duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor for the successful implementation of the project.
Submission of an end-of-assignment report

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant subjects that include Veterinary Science, One Health, Infectious Diseases.
At least one year of proven experience in the subject.
Working knowledge in English and Nepali.
National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Experience and knowledge on the veterinary epidemiology and animal disease surveillance.
Experience in the preparation, editing, and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
Good command of the use of computer software such as Microsoft Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint
Knowledge and expertise on computer programming and application development, is an asset.
Organization of trainings at the field level on related subjects such as biosecurity and rational use of antimicrobials

Selection Criteria

Extent of technical and practical experience in the field of surveillance and delivery of trainings
Communication, writing and presentation skills in English and Nepali.
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, and result oriented
High degree of team ethics, well-organized, result focused and dynamic personality.
Previous experience of working with UN agencies and Government services will be an asset.
Master’s degree in relevant subject would be an advantage.

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 http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities 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.

Application deadline: Wednesday 27 Mar 2024