National One Health Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. The current CPF for the period of 2022 - 2025 has four priority areas: (1) One Health (OH); (2) Climate change response, environment and natural resources management; (3) Food safety, sustainable production and consumption, and equitable livelihoods for all; and (4) Governance, Gender and PWDs.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

•     advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•     provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•     position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•     ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Viet Nam and direct supervision of the Senior Technical Coordinator of the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) in Viet Nam, with additional guidance from the SWM AP Regional Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will conduct comprehensive stocktaking and analysis of the current One Health (OH) situation related to animal health (domestic and wildlife, aquatic systems and terrestrial animals) and environmental sectors and identify opportunities to strengthen its integration into the national OH within the national OH architecture (action plan/ strategic framework/legislative documents). The specialist will assess policies, governance, coordination, financing, and technical capacities, using guidance and methodologies from FAO and quadripartite partners, and develop evidence-based recommendations and sectoral inputs for the National One Health Action Plan aligned with the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) and its six Action Tracks.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct Desk review and situation analysis:   
o    Review of existing national and subnational OH governance, coordination legislation, policies and financing mechanisms. 
o    Compile data and summarize findings relevant to OH JPA Action Tracks 1 to 6 and relevant to animal health. 
•     Support national OH assessment using the One Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), in close collaboration with technical personnel from FAO RAP and other national consultants working on public health.
o    Map key stakeholders across government agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society involved in animal, wildlife, aquatic and environmental health. 
o    As part of the OHAT sector specific assessment, support RAP team to assess institutional mandates, roles and responsibilities, coordination mechanisms, and linkages with the public health and environmental sectors, including cross-border, trade-related, and regional considerations.
o    Compile results of targeted consultations to map identified institutional, technical, regulatory, and financing gaps, and prioritize short-, medium-, and long-term actions to strengthen national One Health operationalization.
•     Support workshop facilitation and drafting of the national OH Action Plan.
•     Contribute to draft sector-specific inputs for costing and MEL framework of the national OH Action Plan/strategic framework/etc. 
•     Undertake other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine, animal health, public health, environmental health, epidemiology, or a related field relevant to One Health.
•     At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in animal health, wildlife health, environmental health, or One Health programme implementation, including experience in policy analysis, governance assessment, and multi-sectoral coordination.
•     Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese
•     National of Viet Nam or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Demonstrated experience in conducting national assessments, stakeholder consultations, and development of strategic frameworks or action plans, preferably related to One Health, zoonoses, AMR, or health security.
•     Advanced knowledge of national legislation, policies and institutional frameworks related to animal health, wildlife and environmental sectors within the One Health context.
•     Proven experience in conducting policy and institutional assessments, stakeholder consultations and analytical reporting to support development of national action plans or strategic frameworks.
•     Strong analytical, facilitation and coordination skills.
•     Work experience with government stakeholders, international organizations, or UN agencies is an advantage

Selection Criteria

Based on minimum requirements, core competencies, and technical/functional skills.