Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with the Regional Programme Leader (RPL), departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Regional and Country Teams are dedicated to working with governments in preventing and controlling emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases by working closely with national and international stakeholders in the animal production and health sector. The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through ECTAD, which is currently implementing several projects in various countries in Asia.

The purpose of the Regional Call is to attract expertise for Consultancy as they become available in ECTAD’s area of work. The Regional Call will create a roster of applicants that will be used to identify candidates for these assignments, at regional or country level in the region. Depending on the task to be undertaken, the appointment will be on a short-term contract, lasting from several days up to 11 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The incumbents will report to the Team Leader of the assignment.

Technical Focus

The ECTAD unit is seeking to recruit individuals under a regional roster for the following consultancy profiles, aligned with FAO’s mandate, priorities, strategic framework, and the SDGs. The incumbents will provide policy-level technical support to address challenges related to transboundary animal diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and zoonotic diseases in the region.

The consultancy roster will cover the following profiles:

Technical Policy Specialist (One Health)
Technical Policy Specialist (Animal Health)
Technical Policy Specialist (Public Health)

The technical focus areas across these profiles may include:

• Animal/public health national policy
• Pandemic preparedness and response
• One Health approach
• Epidemiology
• Disease surveillance
• Animal/Public Health economics and financing
• Antimicrobial resistance

Tasks and responsibilities

The general tasks and responsibilities across all profiles include but not limited to the following elements:

• Serve as a liaison between FAO and relevant national authorities, including Ministries of Agriculture and Health, and regional partners.
• Provide technical and policy advice on emerging animal, public health, and zoonotic disease threats at the human–animal–environment interface.
• Contribute to the development of regional and cross-sectoral policy papers, guidelines, and strategic frameworks.
• Support the design and strengthening of integrated surveillance, early warning, and information-sharing systems.
• Foster collaboration with national, regional, and international stakeholders.
• Contribute to progress reporting and other project-related documentation.

The specific assigned tasks and responsibilities related to Technical Policy Specialist (One Health) can include the following elements:

• Provide policy advice on the analysis of evidence on the links between human, animal, and ecosystem health, and contribute to foresight on emerging health threats.
• Advocate and implement the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health for comprehensive disease prevention and control.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to foster interdisciplinary partnerships and establish joint surveillance systems to monitor and assess disease prevalence and spread.
• Develop cross-sectoral policies and guidelines that align with One Health principles and conduct training programs to build capacity among professionals and communities.
• Provide advice on the impacts of food systems and ecological and environmental factors on zoonotic disease emergence and spillover events.
• Contribute to the One Health research agenda setting and provide recommendations on specific issues and future directions.

The assigned tasks and responsibilities related to Technical Policy Specialist (Animal Health) can include the following elements:

• Support the development, revision, and implementation of evidence-based animal health policies, strategies, guidelines, and best practices to reduce the risk of zoonoses and transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
• Strengthen coordination and communication mechanisms between central and sub-national animal health authorities, including the identification of focal points and clarification of roles and responsibilities through appropriate TORs.
• Promote and support multi-sectoral collaboration and advocacy for animal health and One Health approaches, including engagement with human health, wildlife, private sector, and academic stakeholders.
• Support capacity development and technical implementation, including the development and application of SOPs related to animal movement, biosecurity, and disease control, as well as the design and delivery of targeted training programmes.
• Provide technical support for project implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including tracking progress, identifying gaps, and supporting disease control interventions for priority zoonotic diseases.

The assigned tasks and responsibilities related to Technical Policy Specialist (Public Health) can include the following elements:

• Serve as a liaison with national public health authorities, health partners, and other stakeholders, and support coordination and implementation of project activities through relevant focal points.
• Provide technical inputs to public health surveillance, early warning systems, and regional strategic planning, ensuring public health considerations are adequately integrated into project activities.
• Conduct analytical and technical work related to strengthening public health preparedness and response, including options for establishing or supporting regional centres of excellence for surveillance and early warning.
• Support integrated public health surveillance and pandemic preparedness initiatives through a One Health approach, fostering collaboration among public health, animal health, and environmental stakeholders.
• Analyze public health risks, needs, and capacities across project target countries and contribute to the identification of priority interventions and operational course corrections.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on public health aspects of One Health, including surveillance, disease control, and International Health Regulations (IHR) compliance, and support the development of guidelines, SOPs, and technical documents.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Veterinary sciences, Biomedical sciences, Animal health Economics or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization; Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• For Level B: at least five years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following fields: One Health, animal health, public health, epidemiology, disease surveillance, zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases, pandemic preparedness and response, or related policy and programme areas.
• For Level A: at least ten years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following fields: One Health, animal health, public health, epidemiology, disease surveillance, zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases, pandemic preparedness and response, or related policy and programme areas.
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, desirably in field locations
• Extent and relevance of experience in a technical area of assignment
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support at local, national, or regional levels.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge in the implementation of international instruments related to pertinent field of expertise.
• Extent and relevance of professional experience in project and/or programme formulation and implementation
• Familiarity with and understanding the work of international organisations, regional entities, and national governments.
• Ability to support resource mobilization efforts.
• Ability to organize and conduct technical meetings, conferences, and workshops when applicable