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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. 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.ย
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.ย
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:ย
(i) ย ย advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAOโs mandate;
(ii) ย ย provide technical assistance and deliver core services;ย
(iii) ย ย assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;ย
(iv) ย ย position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; andย
(v) ย ย ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management. ย
Description of the project
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations is implementing a project for improving the countryโs preparedness and response to emerging health threats. This project is in alignment with Regional Priority 1 (Transforming Agrifood systems for sustainable production and healthy diets), with a particular focus on Regional Initiative 3 (Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture). The project will be implemented in St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda over a period of 3 years. The project will specifically focus on strengthening surveillance and diagnostics for veterinary and zoonotic pathogens and strengthening the human resource capacity of the veterinary services in the OECS.
Reporting Lines
The Consultant will be under the technical supervision of the FAO Legal Officer and the general supervision of the FAO Livestock Development Officer in SLC. He/she will work in close coordination with a group of international and national experts and with national counterparts and stakeholders.
Technical Focus
โข ย ย One Health, including One Health governance and regulatory frameworks.
โข ย ย Pandemic Prevention, preparedness and control with a focus on agrifood systems.
โข ย ย Animal health, zoonosis management and food safety legislation.ย
โข ย ย The interface between natural resources management, health, pollution and biodiversity
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Get familiar with the project objectives and One Health legal methodology.ย
โข ย ย Coordinate and supervise national affiliate personnel. Support to a team of national experts to develop national legal reports and organize validation and consultation activities at the national level.ย
โข ย ย Closely liaise with the national counterparts, organize bilateral and multilateral meetings.ย
โข ย ย When necessary, travel to selected countries and participate in bilateral and multilateral meetings.
โข ย ย Support the organization of, and attend and actively participate in meetings, workshops, and similar engagements, with the national project team and/or authorized representatives.
โข ย ย Support the organization of stakeholder consultations.ย
โข ย ย Support the drafting, discussion and revision of sector-specific legislation. Actively participate in negotiations and consequent revisions on existing or draft legislative and/or administrative issuances, if so requested.ย
โข ย ย If so requested, participate in regional discussions, travel missions and online meetings.
โข ย ย Develop a regional report including a summary of the findings at the national level, a comparative legal analysis, an analysis of regional legislation from the Caribbean countries, and recommendations to strengthen legal preparedness to face pandemic risks.ย
โข ย ย Perform other duties as and when requested.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย ย
โข ย ย University degree in Law or university degree in legal-related matters.
โข ย ย At least 7 years of relevant practical experience in legal approaches to One Health, pandemic prevention, animal health or a related matter.ย
โข ย ย Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
โข ย ย Knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
โข ย ย Excellent leadership and communication skills.
โข ย ย Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
โข ย ย General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
โข ย ย Experience in legal drafting and implementing national projects would be an asset.ย
โข ย ย Experience working in the Caribbean region will be an asset.