Pandemic Preparedness Veterinary Specialist
Organizational Context
The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) leads FAO's response to regional priorities in food security, agriculture, and rural development. REU ensures a multidisciplinary approach, supports policy dialogue, strengthens partnerships, and oversees FAO programmes and projects in the region. This position supports the "MAKE-READY" project, funded by the Pandemic Fund, which aims to enhance capacities for preventing, detecting, and responding to zoonotic disease threats through a One Health approach, thereby improving pandemic preparedness.
Job Purpose
The Pandemic Preparedness Veterinary Specialist will provide technical expertise and advice in animal health, veterinary services, zoonotic disease prevention and control, and One Health to support FAO's project activities. This role is part of establishing a roster of international experts to implement the "MAKE-READY" project in North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo. Specialists will be engaged on an as-needed basis for specific assignments, contributing their competencies collaboratively with other roster members and the FAO project team to ensure comprehensive expertise is available for the project's success.
Responsibilities
Provide expert advice on One Health, veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, emergency preparedness, disease response, and farm biosecurity. Contribute to or lead capacity-building events and develop training materials on veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), delivered both face-to-face and virtually. Review and develop national strategy documents, including control, surveillance, or vaccination plans. Support the development and technical review of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines. Design, implement, and evaluate simulation exercises. Undertake any other relevant tasks as requested by the LTO, National Team Leader, and Project Manager.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience is required in areas such as animal health, veterinary services, One Health, zoonotic disease prevention and control, public health preparedness, or agricultural development programmes. This experience should align with the advanced university degree or be supplemented by additional years for those with a bachelor's degree.
Skills
Key competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement. The role requires the ability to provide technical expertise and advice in animal health, veterinary services, zoonotic disease prevention, and One Health.