Organizational Setting

To improve the capacity of the animal health sector to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats and its contribution to national and global health security, and to help beneficiary governments comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005 obligations, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting the roll out of project, entitled “Strengthen National One Health Programme for prevention and control of priority zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India” under its Global Health Security Program (GHSP) in India. The overall objective of the GHSP to be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in India. The project emphasises on strengthening animal health systems in India to reduce the risks and impacts of zoonoses, emerging disease threats, AMR and biothreats through a One Health and inclusive approach.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision and guidance of FAO Representative in India, direct supervision of the ECTAD in India Country Team Leader (CTL), in close collaboration and consultation with Assistant FAOR (Programme), in close collaboration with the ECTAD Regional Manager in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (ECTAD RAP), other international and national specialists, governmental counterparts, implementation partners and the project’s other technical specialists, the incumbent will undertake the duties as given below.

Technical Focus

Experience in epidemiology, zoonoses and /or One Health programmes implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide assistance in technical management to the ECTAD-India team activities.
•    Assist in preparation of workshop concept notes and proceedings, including technical briefing documents, as required.
•    Support in review of national epidemiology capacity and assist in developing ISAVET, FTP-WEBE, OH joint training and CAHWs training curriculum and implementation of capacity-building activities.
•    Assessment of epidemiological methods for disease surveillance to identify hazards.
•    Assist in addressing Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs);
•    Assist the ECTAD-India team in facilitating workshops and training sessions in India in collaboration with international and national specialists.
•    Provide technical assistance in the preparation of all reports of Global Health Security Programme (GHSP), Pandemic Fund, and  Fleming Fund projects and any other ECTAD programme(s) as per the need;
•    Assist in Public health / zoonotic surveillance, field investigation, early warning system and disease control, research evaluation and policy development.
•    Assist in mainstreaming a One Health (OH) approach in the ECTAD-India programme in line with national and regional OH
priorities; Actively implement workplan activities of GHSP, Pandemic Fund and Fleming Fund and other ECTAD projects.
•    Assist in collating data and help in facilitating access to data and information pertinent to emerging and zoonotic disease threats including avian influenza.
•    Assist in surveillance data integration of EID and zoonoses.
•    Assist by providing technical support in development of workplan of GHSP, Pandemic Fund, Fleming Fund and other projects including implementation of activities.
•    Participate and provide inputs to annual project planning activities.
•    Contribute to FAO and donor reports
•    Perform other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•    Postgraduate degree of an accredited university or similar institution of higher education in veterinary microbiology and/or animal health sciences, or related field.
•    At least seven years (7) of relevant experience.
•    Fluency in spoken and written Hindi and English.
•    National of India.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Proficiency in MS Office.
•    Willingness and ability to travel to remote, rural locations.
•    Team player
•    Familiarity and experience in program management of emergency or One Health projects.
•    Experience of engaging with diverse stakeholders, from livestock owners to ministerial staff.
•    Relevant experience working for internationally funded projects
•    Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams and to handle stress

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION