Organizational Setting 

FAO’s Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa (RAF). The office provides technical assistance and support to governments and country offices in the sub-region developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition while using their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Southern Africa (SFS) and the guidance of the Director of the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate at the SADC Secretariat, the Animal Health Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the STOSAR II Regional Project Coordinator and technical supervision of FAO Livestock Development Officer. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall coordination, management, and organisation of all project activities for the animal disease sector in Component 2 of the Action at regional level and national levels. The Animal Health Specialist will also provide the technical support for the development/revamping of the Livestock Information Management System (LIMS), piloting of e-Veterinary Certification, Commodity based trade and market access in general. These activities will be executed in close consultation with the SADC Livestock Officer, as well as respective partners in the relevant Ministries.

Technical Focus

Livestock production and health with particular focus on overall management and direction on all aspects of the project implementation on transboundary animal diseases section of Component 2 of the STOSAR II project namely, (ii) improving access to markets through domestication of regional animal diseases strategies developed during STOSAR I and implementation at country level, including enhancing capacities to address sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) requirements for international trade, as well as, revamping of the LIMS, piloting of e-Veterinary Certification and Commodity based trade, while ensuring deadlines and milestones are achieved.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide the overall management and direction on all aspects of the project implementation on transboundary animal diseases section of Component 2 of the project namely, (ii) improving access to markets through implementation of animal disease management strategies at the regional level; and in SADC countries ensuring deadlines/milestones are achieved
•    Support domestication of regional strategies for prevention/control/ eradication of trans-boundary animal diseases, namely, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that were developed under STOSAR I, working closely with national veterinary services and the Livestock Technical Committee.
•    Organize and coordinate the implementation of domesticated trans-boundary animal diseases management strategies at national and regional levels in line with international standards and guidelines for animal health, phytosanitary measures and the WTO – SPS agreement;  in accordance with international strategies and programmes, such as the FAO/OIE Global FMD Control Strategy and the FAO/OIE PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (GCES) and counterpart PPR Eradication Programme (2017 – 2021); including the recent Global strategy for the prevention and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza (2024-2033).
•    Support and facilitate activities aimed at the strengthening management capacities of priority animal diseases’ (FMD, PPR, and HPAI), including the implementation of surveillance and early warning systems at the regional and national levels
•    Support the development, testing and implementation of innovative approaches to risk management of trade related animal disease by developing appropriate regional guidelines and tools, organizing workshops, stakeholder consultations and seminars to obtain input from a cross section of stakeholders and experts.
•    Support and implement advocacy initiatives to promote uptake and acceptance of the developed innovative approaches to risk management of trade related animal diseases at national, regional and international levels.
•    Support SADC Livestock Technical Committee to perform its statutory functions in relation to SADC Member States and international standard setting bodies
•    Provide technical inputs for the development or revamping of LIMS and assist in its implementation.
•    Support the implementation of e-Veterinary Certification pilot project in selected countries.
•    Provide technical support for updating Commodity Based Trade guidelines.
•    Carry out awareness campaigns to inform livestock value chain actors of SPS regulations and promote adherence/compliance to SPS regulations.
•    Support identification and collaboration with complementary initiatives (projects, programmes) including collaboration with Centres of Excellence in priority thematic areas (e.g., priority TADs, laboratory quality management systems, SPS, etc.).
•    Support equipment and accreditation of animal health laboratories so that they can perform required services efficiently and up to the set standard.
•    Ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues into the animal health component of the project, including’ Gender, HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Governance, sustainability etc.
•    Facilitate the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework for Component 2 of the project with support from the key project stakeholders and target beneficiaries including ensuring timely reports production and clearance.
•    Monitor potential risks that could constrain project implementation and take timely mitigating action.
•    Support, guide and supervise short-term consultants in areas of animal production and health reviewing their technical reports and suggesting for clearance when the reports meet the required technical standards.
•    Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University degree in Veterinary medicine, Veterinary science, or animal health related fields.
•    At least 10 years practical and active experience of working with International and Regional Institutions and implementing development projects of a regional nature in the fields of agriculture and animal health in developing countries.
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience of development work related to animal health in Southern Africa will be an added advantage.
•    Strong administrative and organizational skills,
•    Computer literacy
•    Good English technical report writing skills.
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work
•    Extent and relevance of experience in animal health
•    Familiarity with Southern Africa Region

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements