National EPPR Project Coordinator at FAO

Application Deadline: May, 14/2024

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 a special focus on identified zoonotic diseases 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 the 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's 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 the implementation of the project activities 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 the call for proposals from the pandemic fund.

• Perform any other related duties as may be required.

Job Requirments

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

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 of project implementation

• Extent of knowledge and experience in working with various stakeholders, including UN, Government, NGOs, private sector, academics, and others

• Extent of experience in doing similar work/ assignment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)

• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/  

• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ 

•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

How to Apply

•  To apply, visit the recruitment website of FAO online by using THIS LINK. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, and complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills

• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information that may be pertinent to the employment qualifications

• Incomplete applications will not be considered

• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application

• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile

• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

• If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT