Organizational Setting

The concept for establishing the Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Eradication Programme (PPR-GEP) was approved by the 24th Session of Committee on Agriculture (COAG), the 150th Session of the Council and by the 39th FAO Conference. In March 2016, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) established a Joint PPR GEP Secretariat based in FAO headquarters in Rome. The main role of the Secretariat is to provide overall strategic coordinated direction, as well as to advise on, or develop, cost-effective control methodologies, tools, guides and guidelines, training materials and network support for the implementation of the programme at regional and countries levels. Communication and advocacy will also be part of the Secretariat roles. In 2024, the second session of the COAG Sub-comminty on livestock approved a policy paper on “mainstreaming gender, youth, Indigenous Peoples and people in vulnerable situations to support sustainable livestock transformation”. The incumbent will be part of the Secretariat and the NSA gender team.

The scope of this Call for Expressions of Interest is to find qualified affiliate workforce to support PPR GEP Secretariat in the below functional area.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the Director Animal Production and Health Division and direct supervision of the FAO PPR Secretary and divisional gender focal point.

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will focus on providing required technical support to the implementation of the PPR control strategy and small ruminant production at the global, regional and national levels.

Tasks and responsibilities

Category C (Socio-economics and Gender Specialist)

•    Identify socio-economic factors along the value chain which pose a challenge or provide an entry or risk amplification points for possible interventions
•    Assist collecting data and analyze socio-economic impact of small ruminant value chain and PPR
•    Carry out economic analysis of livestock production and marketing systems of products of animal origin
•    Review UN international years thematic (e.g pastoralism and Camelidae) to prepare a note for the possible international year of Sheep and Goat
•    Review gender and livestock literature including capacity building curricular and manuals from sister’s institutions as well as the gender and livestock compendium of good practices and turn it into the training manual for mainstreaming gender and youth into the sustainable livestock transformation
•    Liaise with partners institutions (under close supervision) to prepare the online courses using the “framework for gender responsive livestock development”
•    Assess the contribution of small ruminants to household food sources and household income to national economy of selected countries
•    Identify strengths and weaknesses impacting small ruminant production, job creation and access to market in selected countries,
•    Assist to organize gender and socio-economic events
•    Carry out other duties as needed.

Category C (PPR GEP Specialist)

•    Assist in the organization of PPR GEP events and meetings (including virtual, hybrid and in-person workshops/meetings).
•    Assist in the management of data and online resources for the PPR GEP and Secretariat activities (e.g. databases of National coordinators and GREN members, national strategic plan repositories, E-GREN platform).
•    Assist (under close supervision) in communication activities, including liaising with other NSAH communication colleagues to keep PPR webpage in internet and intranet sites updated.
•    Assist in establishing PMAT database and analysing PMAT questionnaire.
•    Carry out preliminary epidemiological analysis to assess the distribution of PPR and other small ruminants diseases,
•    Develop training/workshops modules and assist in guidelines/tools/manuals production and implementation.
•    Summarize the epidemiological situation of PPR in selected countries.
•    Review secretariat documents and other PPR GEP literature to up-date epidemiological information.
•    Assist in the preparation of briefing notes, invitation letters and presentations when required.
•    Carry out other duties as requested.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
•    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

Category B (PPR GEP Expert)

•    Regularly review countries’ current epidemiological situation of PPR and associated risk factors, and assist countries in the identification of their episystems and formulation and implementation of their PPR National Strategic Plans, surveillance strategies, and dossier preparation.
•    Carry out capacity building on aspect of surveillance systems and small ruminant diseases management including wildlife.
•    Assist countries on formulation and implementation of their PPR emergency response/contingency plans.
•    Establish jointly with FAO decentralized offices regular and consistent dialogue communication with the Veterinary Services, Regional Economic Communities, and other stakeholders for reviewing the risk-based control and emergency preparedness plans.
•    Prepare a policy brief on the impact of PPR and small ruminant diseases into wildlife and/or biodiversity.
•    Depending on PPR status (endemic/free) of countries, review countries’ current epidemiological situation of PPR through PMAT and associated risk factors to prepare dossier for PPR accreditation.
•    Provide logistical support to the PPR Secretariat activities including liaising with the Advisory Committee and GREN members (with emphasis on wildlife and atypical species thematic groups) and organize PPR GEP events and provide technical support (10 days).
•    Provide tailored guidance and training to countries to complete the PMAT and assess their progress along the stepwise approach.
•    Develop training workshops/modules and assist in guidelines/tools/manuals production and implementation.
•    Participate in the organisation of PPR GEP Secretariat events.
•    Undertake other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    For Category B, Advanced university degree in on any of the following epidemiology, microbiology, diagnostics, vaccinology, emergency disease management or related field in transboundary animal diseases is required and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is desirable.
•    For Category C, a bachelor’s degree on any of the following: gender, sociology, anthropology, psychology, epidemiology, microbiology, diagnostics, vaccinology, emergency disease management or related field in transboundary animal diseases is required and masters of Veterinary Medicine degree is desirable.
•    At least five years’ related work experience for Category B and at least 2 years’ related work experience for category C.
•    Working knowledge of one of the FAO languages: Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements