Summary
Date Posted: Friday, July 21 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Organizational Setting
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
• FAO in line with the joint Tripartite One Health Action plan has developed “The FAO Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2021–2025: Supporting innovation and resilience in food and agriculture sectors as guide to its mandate on antimicrobial resistance”.
• The support is based on the guidelines as provided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF). The current Zambia CPF has four priority areas: (1) Improve production and productivity of crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry; (2) Sustainable management of the natural resource base and Increasing Resilience and Uptake of Climate Smart Agriculture; (3) Enhance food security and nutrition status; and (4) Improved market access and sanitary measures. FAO-Zambia is currently supporting governments and other stakeholders in Zambia to mitigate AMR through two main projects: USAID funded Global Health Security programme and UKAID Fleming Fund. The two projects are aligned to the FAO action plan as well as the Zambia National Action Plan for AMR.
• The incumbent’s tasks will mainly contribute to the first priority area of the CPF.
• The position is located in the FAO Representation in Lusaka, Zambia.
• Reporting Lines
• Within the framework of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), the National Professional Officer (Anti-Microbial Resistance Coordinator) reports to the Chief Technical Adviser/ECTAD Country Team Leader at FAO Zambia under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative and the technical supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator, Animal Health Branch (NSAH) in line with programme management guidance from the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Budget Holder of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER).
• Technical Focus
• Support FAO’s ECTAD-Zambia AMR programme, develop and coordinate a programme of work in the technical area and contribute to the implementation of programme of work on antimicrobial resistance including project formulation, engagement with national partners in activity planning, and implementation and report writing.
• Key Results
• Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of the AMR programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions
• Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO’s activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required;
• Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools (such as website, press releases and publications), and support the implementation of FAO’s regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country;
• Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)/Antimicrobial Use (AMU), including information on external aid in FAO’s corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector;
• Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
• Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;
• Briefs, trains and supervises junior staff; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided;
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Coordinates implementation of the two AMR projects under the FAO Zambia portfolio (GHS Programme, Fleming Funded projects);
• Supports and contributes to the process of review and implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR to reduce the need for antimicrobial use and reduce the threat of AMR in the agriculture, livestock production and fisheries;
• Engages and collaborates with relevant national authorities, institutions, organizations and stakeholders including the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to promote FAO/United Nations Environment Prgoramme (UNEP)/WHO/WOAH Quadripartite collaboration in support of the implementation of the Global Action Plan on AMR;
• Supports the implementation of the FAO AMR action plan (2021-2025), align the ongoing activities and projects in Zambia with the FAO AMR action plan, and support FAO flagship initiatives, including the International FAO Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring (InFARM) System and the 10-year Reduce the Need Initiative (RENOFARM).
• Collaborates with relevant national authorities to support implementation of existing surveillance systems and capacity building of existing laboratories for the diagnosis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), based on identified gaps;
• Facilitates the operationalization of One Health (OH) coordination platforms on Anti-Microbial Resistance/Antimicrobial Use related matters;
• Adapts existing advocacy tools to the country’s situation and support AMR awareness campaigns through the One Health approach;
• Supports resource mobilization efforts on OH, food safety and Anti-Microbial Resistance/Antimicrobial Use;
• Produces periodic reports on project implementation status;
• Acts as Deputy Country Team Leader (CTL) when requested;
• Participates in high level meetings with donors and collaborating partners on Anti-Microbial Resistance.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following
Minimum Requirements

• National of Zambia.
• Advanced University degree in in the field of Veterinary Medicine or Animal Sciences or Agriculture Sciences agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
• Two years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO’s activities in the country, including working with livestock or crops in Anti-Microbial Resistance/Antimicrobial Use and multisector coordination and research.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and of the local language.

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, particularly in field positions;
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO;
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring of projects;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, advising and guiding the implementation of complex, multi-stakeholder projects;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review;
• Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies, NGOs and other concerned actors;
• Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures; understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset;
• Good interpersonal skills and experience in stakeholder engagements in One Health approach for combatting AMR is an asset.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: Associate Degree

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