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. Subsequently, FAO is recruiting a National Consultant to develop national veterinary Laboratory 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 laboratory expert for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), the incumbent shall develop a national veterinary laboratory strategy for the Government of Mozambique in support to establishing and strengthening of the National Laboratory System for the delivery of veterinary services through a One Health approach.
This responsibility shall be discharged in close collaboration with the Central Veterinary Laboratory (LCV), Directorate of Animal Science (DCA) of the Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), 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

•    Develop inception report for national veterinary laboratory strategy development, including outlining the government approved procedures for strategy development in the country.
•    Conduct a review of existing national laboratory policies and guidelines for all relevant sectors – public health, veterinary, fisheries, environment, chemicals, water, human and livestock feeds.
•    Outline the national processes and procedures for developing a national strategy for approval by the government (inception report)
•    Develop a national veterinary laboratory strategy which will address:
o    Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS);
o    Laboratory sample transport and referral system;
o    Laboratory supplies and commodity management system;
o    Collaboration between veterinary and public health laboratories;
o    Private veterinary laboratory licensing and supervision mechanism;
o    Veterinary lab infrastructure development and maintenance.
o    Laboratory management (Global Lab Leadership Programme)
•    Undertake any other assignments as may be requested by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University Degree in Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory Science or related field from recognized university.
•    Minimum of four years of relevant experience in public / private service or academic/research setting on animal health laboratory service provision.
•    Working knowledge of English and Portuguese.
•    National of Mozambique or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extensive experience in veterinary laboratories and animal health workforce development within in public service on laboratory service provision in various disciplines within the sector.
•    Proven track record in developing HRD strategies and training programmes.
•    Ability to develop comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
•    Excellent technical report writing and communication skills
•    Familiarity with One Health approaches

Selection Criteria

•    Experience in the development of a country’s strategy will be an added advantage.
•    Experience with work in animal health laboratory is desirable.
•    Experience in animal health strategy development and veterinary service delivery in Mozambique.
•    Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
•    Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) knowledge will be another added advantaged.