National PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' (FAO) Sub-regional Office for the Pacific (SAP) is a subsidiary of FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok. FAO SAP is directly mandated and responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and directly implementing strategies with Pacific member countries to address sub-regional agriculture, food, nutrition and rural development priorities. FAO SAP covers 14 member countries in the Pacific: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

This position falls under the livestock component of the Better Production Module of FAO SAP and supports implementation of Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCPs) in the livestock and animal health portfolio, including:
•    TCP/SAP/4104: Strengthening Capacity for PPR Freedom in Pacific Island Countries
The National PPR Specialist will support the effective implementation of this TCP.

Reporting Lines

The National PPR Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and the direct supervision of the Livestock and Animal Health Officer. The incumbent will undertake the duties below under TCP/SAP/4104.

Technical Focus

Provide technical and operational support for the effective implementation of TCP/SAP/4104, focused on strengthening national capacity for PPR surveillance, control, and progress toward WOAH-recognized PPR-free status, in coordination with the FAO SAP Livestock and Animal Health Officer and the project's International PPR Expert.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Conduct a desk review and situation analysis of the country's small ruminant population, movement patterns, and existing animal health surveillance and reporting systems relevant to PPR.
•    Contribute to organizing as well as attending the regional Capacity Building Training on Surveillance and PPR Disease Control Strategies.
•    Assist FAO officers or consultants in providing technical support and inputs to the Ministry responsible for animal health to review and strengthen existing PPR surveillance and reporting arrangements, including community-based surveillance approaches, and support improvements in the flow and timely sharing of surveillance information from the field level to the national level.
•    Support the collection of blood samples for laboratory testing where relevant to national surveillance activities and liaise with regional reference laboratories on sample submission and results.
•    Support the delivery of training for farmers and livestock/veterinary staff on PPR and small ruminant biosecurity through in-country training of trainers.
•    Assist FAO Officers or Consultants in providing technical inputs and support for the development and dissemination of PPR awareness, advocacy, and communication materials, and support FAO and the relevant national authorities in organizing and delivering at least one PPR awareness and sensitization activity for small-ruminant value-chain actors.
•    Provide technical support on strengthening key prerequisites relevant to the eventual WOAH recognition of PPR-free status, including traceability, surveillance evidence, diagnostic preparedness, and contingency planning, while supporting the Ministry and FAO with technical inputs that may inform future national documentation and dossier preparation.
•    Support FAO Officers or Consultants in maintaining regular technical communication with the FAO SAP Livestock and Animal Health Officer and the Project’s International PPR Expert; provide technical updates on assigned activities; and participate in FAO-led project coordination, monitoring, and reporting processes, as required.
•    Prepare progress updates, and a final consultancy report documenting activities undertaken, findings, and recommendations for the country of assignment.
•    Perform other related technical duties as may be reasonably requested by FAO within the scope of the assignment.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 
  
•    University degree in agriculture, livestock production, animal science or a related field.  
•    One year of relevant experience in animal health, veterinary services, livestock production, or disease surveillance, preferably within the Pacific region. 
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of any of the respective five countries (Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Cook Islands) or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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