Animal Health Officer

Organizational SettingThe Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It hosts technical networks in areas of animal health, genetics, feed and animal husbandry and provides analysis, policy dialogue (including intergovernmental bodies) and technical assistance. It also supports emergency responses, mostly in animal health. FAO supports Members to build and implement effective collaborative One Health strategies and capacities, simultaneously addressing the health of people, animals, plants and the environment. One Health in agrifood systems transformation is a key Priority Programme Area, and part of FAO's Strategic Framework **********).The One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW) under the Animal Production and Health Division leads and coordinates the prevention and control of endemic and emerging transboundary animal diseases and health threats that emerge at the animal-human-environment interface including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).Vaccines are critical tools for controlling transboundary animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They enable rapid response, and effective prevention of the priority infectious diseases. The Laboratory capacity development, Reference Centres and Vaccine Cluster in NSAH-CJW coordinates activities across FAO and supports Members in strengthening laboratory capacity development and ensuring procurement of quality vaccines. In addition, the cluster aims to improve vaccine production capacities in the member countries.The position is located in the Animal Health and Production Division, One Health and Disease Control Group, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.Reporting LinesThe Animal Health Officer (Vaccine and Quality Assurance) reports to the Senior Animal Health Officer, who is the Head of the Lab and Vaccine Cluster.Technical FocusThe Animal Health Officer (Vaccine and Quality Assurance) will support veterinary vaccine procurement/quality assurance activities as well as improvement of vaccine production capacities within the One Health Programme Priority Area of FAO (including priority transboundary, emerging zoonotic diseases and AMR) with a special focus on vaccine and quality assurance.Key ResultsResearch, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.Key FunctionsResearches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other centres/divisions/offices and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.Specific FunctionsAssists with vaccine procurement upon request from FAO Members and development of the FAO vaccine registration system.Supports vaccine quality compliance with international standards.Harmonizes guidelines for cold chain management and vaccine distribution.Contributes to build the capacity of veterinary services in vaccine handling and administration.Supports development of vaccine production capacities in the member countries.Contributes to the harmonization of vaccine registration requirements in the member countries in coordination with the regional economic communities and international organizations (World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) and others).Contributes to research and innovation for new or improved vaccines in collaboration with FAO Reference Centers and other partners.Supports the designation and renewal of FAO Reference Centers for animal diseases.CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum RequirementsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in veterinary drug/ vaccine, veterinary medicine and an advanced university degree in veterinary epidemiology or related field .Five years of relevant experience in vaccine management or quality control, vaccine research, vaccine strategy development, including regulatory aspects, standard settingWorking knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).CompetenciesResults FocusTeamworkCommunicationBuilding Effective RelationshipsKnowledge Sharing and Continuous ImprovementTechnical/Functional SkillsWork experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in animal vaccine quality control and/or vaccine production capacities development programmes or relevant programmes at national, regional or global level.Extent and relevance of experience in the development and management of technical projects in relation to animal vaccine quality control and/or vaccine production capacities development and relevant animal lab.Depth of familiarity with relevant vaccine standard, and experience in development of vaccine programme for infectious disease management at country, reginal or global level.Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of relevant technical/project proposals for sustainability improvement in livestock sector.Ability to analyse complex related to animal health, vaccination and lab diagnostic issues from an expert point of view.