Organizational Setting

The FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) under the Global Health Security Programme (GHSP) initiative, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting the Government of Mozambique to meet its International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) obligations. The Frontline In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) is implemented through the Human Resources Action Package of the IHR 2005 in collaboration with the Directorate of Livestock Development (DNDP) at national level and the provincial departments of agriculture (DPAP) at sub national levels. FAO, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER), and partners, successfully completed the training of two cohorts of ISAVET, while cohort III is ongoing.

To ensure availability of regular and routine competency-based training programmes for all professions, cadres in the animal health and related sectors both at national and intermediate levels, a stakeholder consultation was conducted to inform country’s position and vision for sustainable ISAVET implementation. Among the key recommendations made was to immediately embark on the development of the ISAVET implementation strategy. Subsequently, FAO is recruiting a National Consultant to develop the ISAVET Implementation Strategy.   The position is based in the ECTAD office of the FAO Representation in Maputo, Mozambique. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through ECTAD, is dedicated to working with the national government in the country in preventing and controlling emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of public health importance and AMR.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer/ ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator (NSAH), the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Mozambique and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader in Mozambique, and technical backstopping of the ECTAD regional team for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), the incumbent will support the development of ISAVET Implementation Strategy.

This responsibility shall be discharged in close collaboration with the Veterinary Services (VS), Directorate of Livestock Development (DNDP), the National Directorate of Biosafety (DNSAB) in the Ministry of Agriculture and rural development (MADER)

Technical Focus

Implementation of the ” Supporting the Global Health Security Agenda to address zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and animal health in Mozambique” project (OSRO/GLO/137/USA).

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent for ISAVET Strategy will undertake the following tasks:
•    Develop inception report for ISAVET strategy development, including outlining the government approved procedures for strategy development in the country.
•    Draft a sustainable ISAVET implementation strategy based on the National Action Plan for Health Security (PASS) and aligned to the human resource development policy for the public service.
•    Develop a draft concept note (and agenda) for the national validation workshop.
•    Facilitate the national validation workshop with key and priority stakeholders.
•     Provide a final ISAVET Implementation strategy incorporating the outcomes of the national validation workshop. A comprehensive strategy document ready for field epidemiology implementation with clear Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

The consultancy will employ a multi-faceted approach and methodology, including:

•    Document Review: Analysis of existing policies, assessments, and training programmes.
•    Stakeholders’ Consultations: Engagement with relevant stakeholders through key informant and expert opinion interviews, mainly at the headquarters.
•    Validation workshops: Conducting validation workshop with very clear recommendations on finalization of the strategy.
•    Collaborative Planning: Align the strategy with national and international standards on strategy development.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine, epidemiology, or related field from recognized university/college
•    A minimum of 05 years of relevant experience in in livestock and field epidemiology training program coordination and strategy development
•    Working knowledge of English. Portuguese would be considered as an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extensive experience in veterinary epidemiology and animal health workforce development within in public service on animal health service provision in various disciplines within the sector.
•    Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) knowledge will be an added advantaged.
•    Proven track record in developing HRD strategies and training programmes.
•    Strong stakeholder analysis and engagement and facilitation skills.
•    Ability to develop comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
•    Excellent technical report writing and communication skills
•    Familiarity with One Health approaches