Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is the specialized agency of the United Nations for food, nutrition, agriculture, and forestry. FAO’s global vision is for a world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contribute to improving the living standards of all, especially the poorest, in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives.

The mission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to work to eradicate hunger and promote global food security together with balanced and complete nutrition. Our mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

Our three main goals are the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate, and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

The FAO Representation in Ethiopia provides technical assistance to the Government of Ethiopia in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related sectors. The government of Ethiopia through the Ministries of Agriculture (MoA) and Ministry of Health (MoH) is implementing a World Bank Funded project “Ethio-Pandemic Multi-Sectoral Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (EPPR)”. FAO is one of three Implementing Entities (IP) for the project. World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are the other two EPPR IPs. The project is being implemented using the One Health (OH) approach in alignment with the country’s One Health Framework. The EPPR project aims to enhance the country’s capacity for pandemic prevention, detection and response. Overall, the project aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance response capabilities to public health emergencies, ultimately promoting the well-being and resilience of communities. The project is being implemented throughout the country with special focus on identified zoonotic disease and AMR hot spots and runs from January 2024 to December 2026.

Reporting Lines

The National EPPR Project Coordinator works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Ethiopia, and the direct supervision of the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases Country Team Leader (ECTAD-CTL) in collaboration with the EPPR project Lead Technical Officer (LTO).

Technical Focus

The National project coordinator will lead implementation of the animal health components of the three EPPR project pillars namely surveillance, laboratory and workforce. The bulk of the project activities will be contracted out to Implementing Partners (IPS) through Letters of Agreement (LoA) in line FAO procurement procedures. Procurement of goods and services required to support field activities will be handled directly by FAO. The National project coordinator technical focus areas are: (a) preparation of project procurement plan in liaison with the procurement unit and diligently follow up its implementation; (b) Lead the identification of project IPs, processing IP contracts and monitoring contract implementation; (c) Participate in country project coordination meetings, events as FAO project focal point; (d) Write and submit EPPR project reports as required.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent, through his/her work, will contribute to implementation of the project activities among which include:

•    Prepare detailed EPPR project annual work plans in consultation with other IEs, relevant government entities and key stakeholders and make necessary arrangements for successful implementation of the plans and submit to ECTAD Team Leader and EPPR LTO.
•    Prepare EPPR project procurement, travel, and short-term consultant recruitment plans in line with FAO country office administrative requirements.
•    Develop specifications for goods and services required for executing EPPR project activities.
•    Lead formulation of EPPR project Implementing Partner (IP) contracts.
•    Provide EPPR project leadership and ensure timely accomplishment of set milestones and targets.
•    Manage/supervise EPPR project personnel, material and financial resources for efficient and timely deployment and utilization.
•    Supervise and monitor activities of EPPR project consultants and IPs regularly and give feedback to ECTAD Team Leader and EPPR LTO, including recommended corrective measures where needed.
•    Ensure that EPPR project activities are implemented and managed as per FAO’s internal and donor guidelines and procedures.
•    Identify and act on project implementation constraints including budget performance if any that need timely resolutions and corrective actions.
•    Escalate critical issues related to EPPR project implementation such as delays, gaps, risks, and major changes to the attention of the ECTAD team leader and EPPR LTO to initiate actions for timely resolution.
•    Collaborate and build effective and innovative synergies with the other EPPR IEs and stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation of project activities and attainment of project results using the One Health approach.
•    Coordinate timely preparation and submission of EPPR project reports to the ECTAD CTL and EPPR LTO in line with outlined EPPR project reporting requirements.
•    Contribute to future / successor EPPR project formulation, in consultation with other partners in response to call for proposals from the pandemic fund.
•    Perform any other related duties as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced university degree in animal health or related field.
•    At least 7 years of professional experience in Animal Health programme management.
•    Working knowledge of English and Amharic.
•    National of Ethiopia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Experience with donor relations will be considered an asset.
•    Familiarity with FAO’s work in Ethiopia and African region will be considered an asset.
•    Demonstrated experience in working with government partners, UN Agencies and other stakeholders dealing with health-related matters. Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on animal health and production
•    Extent of experience and knowledge on project implementation
•    Extent of knowledge and experiences in working with various stakeholders, including UN, Government, NGOs, private sector, academics, and others
•    Extent of experience in doing similar work/ assignment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION