Job Vacancies at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Tasks and responsibilities

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

• Serve as the primary liaison with stakeholders to maintain smooth project execution. 
• Act as the primary conduit for day-to-day communication with stakeholders, ensuring timely feedback and updates. 
• Manage daily project tasks, coordinate team efforts, and ensure that activities progress on schedule. 
• Assist in budget monitoring and coordinate administrative tasks to support overall project management. 
• Lead the customisation and delivery of technical training sessions and capacity-building workshops. 
• Collaborate with the Programme Coordinator to ensure the alignment of project activities with national animal health policies and priorities of government. 
• Participate in the steering committees meeting. 
• Support the consultants to assess the training needs of government officers and animal health community workers involved in the project. 
• Support the development and customisation of training materials related to epidemiology, surveillance, response strategies, and project-specific topics in collaboration with DALRRD veterinary body. 
• Deliver training sessions for key stakeholders, including government animal health officials, community animal healthcare workers, and laboratory personnel. 
• Foster an interactive learning environment that encourages participation and knowledge sharing among trainees. 
• Work with Project coordinator and DALLRD focal point to evaluate the effectiveness of training sessions and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement. 
• Prepare comprehensive workshop reports summarising training outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future sessions. 
• Provide regular progress updates to the Programme Coordinator, highlighting achievements and areas of improvement. 
• Exchange lessons-learned and insights with the project team including the International Expert and the lead technical project officers at SFS, RAF and HQ. 
• Participate in country missions with project partners including One Health Initiatives. 
• Undertake other relevant tasks mutually agreed and deemed necessary by the FAO Representation. 
• Support the timely preparation and submission of periodic project reports 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree/qualification in Life science, 
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in animal health sector 
• Working knowledge of English
• National of South Africa 

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Tasks and responsibilities 

• Assume primary responsibility for all day-to-day administrative, logistical, and financial management tasks to support the project’s operational framework. 
• Work with the Assistant FAORs in Programmes and Admin to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the project activities as per the approved work plan. 
• Support the Project coordinator in drafting and negotiating Letters of Agreement (LoAs) with delivery partners in line with FAO policies. 
• Oversee the execution of agreements, ensuring compliance from all parties. 
• Support the development of project reports, presentations, and other communication materials as required. 
• Coordinate the administrative aspects of communication and support accurate, timely reporting. 
• Manage all logistical and administrative tasks necessary for the successful delivery of training and capacity-building events 
• Coordinate with vendors and streamline event management processes. 
• Implement robust expenditure tracking and streamline procurement processes. 
• Standardise reporting templates and streamline meeting logistics. 
• Develop an electronic system for tracking documentation and financial transactions. 
• Ensure streamlined processes for documentation, travel, procurement, and reporting. 
• Support the Project Coordinator and the project in ensuring that activities align with national policies, national strategies and policies and project goals. 
• Assist in the preparation of the project budget and ensure adherence to FAO financial regulations and guidelines. 
• Monitor project timelines and deliverables, ensuring that operational goals are met. 
• Prepare procurement and travel plans according to the project workplan. 
• Support the Project coordinator during steering committee meetings, delivery partners meetings. 
• Support the recruitment of affiliate workforce. 
• Exchange lessons-learned and insights with the project team including the FAO Operation team at SFS, RAF and HQ. 
• Where necessary support the project team during country missions with project partners and One Health Initiatives 
• Undertake other relevant tasks mutually agreed and deemed necessary by the FAO Representation. 

Minimum Requirements 

• University degree in legal or social sciences
• Five years’ Experience in Operation management 
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of South Africa

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Tasks and responsibilities

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

• Provide high-level strategic oversight and technical guidance to ensure project activities adhere to set timelines and objectives. 
• Perform periodic strategic reviews of project progress, advising on overall implementation rather than managing day-to-day tasks. 
• Advise on training needs and contribute to high-level capacity-building strategies for the One Health approach Focus on strategic advisory rather than operational administration. 
• Organise periodic strategic reviews to align project direction with evolving One Health priorities. 
• Analyse trends in project performance and advise on corrective measures. 
• Recommend periodic strategic stakeholder forums or workshops. 
• Monitor the financial impact of strategic decisions and provide advisory input when necessary. 
• Recommend establishing partnerships with specialised training institutions for ongoing development. 
• Ensure the project activities are aligned with ongoing pandemic-related activities in the region, fostering collaboration and harmonization of efforts. 
• Review and provide feedback on project reports from implementing partners, ensuring their alignment with the project objectives and quality standards. 
• Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to ensure coherent implementation of project activities. 
• Review project reports submitted by implementing partners, providing constructive feedback and evaluations based. 
• Support the Programme Coordinator to ensure the alignment of project activities with national animal health policies and priorities of government are met and adhered. 
• Participate in the project steering committees meeting and other key strategic meetings with the project team. 
• Provide regular progress updates to the FAOR, highlighting key achievements and areas of improvement. 
• Advise on communication strategies and offer high-level insights to enhance stakeholder engagement. 
• Where necessary participate in country missions with project partners including One Health Initiatives. 
• Undertake other relevant tasks mutually agreed and deemed necessary by the FAO Representation. 

Minimum Requirements 

• Advanced university degree in Veterinary Science with PhD. 
• More than 10 years’ experience (Category A) in Veterinary Epidemiology, with special emphasis on zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases. 
• Working knowledge of English.