Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist and support national governments to develop policies, strategies and programmes and projects to accelerate the implementation and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in the area of FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims at addressing national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, and to help in developing the agricultural, fisheries, livestock, and forestry sectors, and to using their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner, in line with FAO’s mandate and Strategic Objectives.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will operate under the overall guidance of the FAO Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), and works under the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Liberia and the direct technical supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader, and in close collaboration with the ECTAD regional team for West and Central Africa and the ECTAD Liberia team.

Technical Focus

The national project coordinator will contribute to the implementation of ECTAD Global Health Security (GHS) programme West and Central Africa – Supporting the Global health Security (GHS) program to address Zoonotic Disease and Animal Health in Liberia. He/She will support ECTAD initiatives in Liberia to build sustainable animal health and laboratory systems and One Health capacities to mitigate risks and threats caused by emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, endemic zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Tasks and responsibilities

Within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD) under the reporting lines highlighted above, the incumbent will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

•    Advise the CTL on technical decision making and allocation of required resources for efficient implementation of the USAID supported GHS country programme and other ECTAD projects
•    Support the CTL in planning and management of the ECTAD country team and technical and human resources needs in coordination with the FAOR in Liberia and the ECTAD Manager for West and Central Africa.
•    Under the guidance and with support of the FAOR and the CTL, liaise with the Government of Liberia, development partners, multi-lateral agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in all matters related to high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease (rEIDs) prevention and control programme and related activities.
•    Support in the coordination and implementation of all ECTAD activities and provide backstopping to the scheduled technical officers; this includes taking direct responsibility for implementation of some of the GHS Action packages
•    Support the coordination and participate in technical intersectoral meetings under the One Health framework with the major partners of the GHS programme
•    In close collaboration with the CTL and the Manager of ECTAD in West and Central Africa, advise the beneficiary government of Liberia on any technical and policy matters related to high impact zoonotic, non-zoonotic transboundary animal diseases and Animal health service in general.
•    Contribute in the preparation of appropriate country strategies and programme for the management of rEIDs and other endemic Zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease, in close collaboration with the beneficiary government in line with the national policies, strategies and priorities, the FAO’s Strategic Objectives, and the UNDAP II framework.
•    Assist in

o    the preparation of project work plans, timely provision of inputs, organization of workshops, training programme, and liaison with responsible officers at national and sub-national levels for smooth coordination and delivery of FAO-implemented projects under the GHS programme.
o    the smooth integration of the GHS programme activities and programme staff into the programmatic and administrative operations of the FAO Representation in Liberia; and contribute towards the development and implementation of the FAO country programme (CPF)
o    maintaining links with the established national networks on diagnosis and epidemiology to exchange and share technical information particularly related to priority and high impact animal diseases
o    strengthening collaboration with the MOA and the One health platform and other strategic OH partners in Liberia
o    the preparation and review briefs upon request from the FAOR and the CTL
o    Support the overall implementation of OH Program Priority Area (PPA) under the FAO strategic framework 2022-31 in ECTAD Liberia

•    With the advice and support of the FAOR and CTL assist resource mobilization efforts, leveraging existing funds, to expand animal health related projects that are identified as priorities by the government of the country of assignment.
•    Support Communication and visibility initiatives on activities being implemented by ECTAD and FAO in general in Liberia
•    Lead and support M&E activities as it relates to ECTAD activities in Liberia
•    Conduct regular field missions in the country to monitor and ensure smooth implementation of the rEIDs related activities.
•    Contribute in the preparation of timely reports as required by the government, FAO and donors.
•    Contribute in providing regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation in the country as well as immediate notification to relevant FAO and other International and regional bodies of any significant epidemiological events
•    Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the FAOR and the CTL
•    Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•    University degree in the animal resource area (veterinary science, epidemiology, food safety or related fields (Masters/PhD is advantage).
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in animal health/animal resource and/or public health/One Health.
•    At least 5 years relevant experience in project implementation and/or management including M&E.
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of Liberia

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.
•    Demonstrated experience in programme and project management, advocacy and outreach, and resource mobilization is desired.
•    Familiarity with FAO systems and Programme policies will be considered an asset.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION