Veterinary Specialist (Poultry Import Policy and Biosecurity Protocol)

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. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate the FAO work in the Pacific and covers 14 - Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Tokelau (one Associate Member). SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture, natural resources management, and rural development priorities, in which gender, climate change adaption, and anticipatory action are important cross-cutting issues. SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion wide institutions and entities. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

The Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands (STODAS) project is funded by the European Union for implementation over 2023-2026.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific and will directly report to the Technical Adviser (Agrifood Systems). He/she will work in close collaboration with the Livestock and Animal Health Officer at FAO SAP and will also liaise and coordinate closely with the project team, FAO technical staff, and key stakeholders, including the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock – Biosecurity Division

Technical Focus

Under a project intervention to strengthen the poultry sector in Solomon Islands, a Veterinary Specialist (Poultry Import Policy and Biosecurity Protocol) is required to provide technically relevant information on biosecurity processes and guidelines to ensure the development and compilation of an evidence-based, updated import protocol for live poultry into Solomon Islands from a disease-free property, state, or country of origin, for the use of MAL and relevant importing entities.

Import risk assessment, disease surveillance, and biosecurity protocol development for live poultry, including capacity building for the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Consultant will be home-based with two missions to Solomon Islands unless already based there. He/she will undertake the following actions:
•     Liaise with relevant staff of the Departments of Biosecurity and Livestock in MAL, and stakeholders regarding the type and breeds of live poultry to import and the intended countries of origin.
•     Conduct a desktop review of the animal health and disease status of the countries, states, and properties of origin, taking note of the current animal health and disease status, and of recent and previous disease events.
•     Conduct a literature review and update the poultry-specific disease status of Solomon Islands, highlighting the disease events that have previously occurred or are presently occurring, and those not already present in Solomon Islands, drawing on recent disease surveillance conducted by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and MAL in 2023, 2024, and 2025. 
•     Determine the level of risk associated with the intended import of live poultry and duly inform MAL, through the Department of Biosecurity, whether the risks were negligible or non-negligible and any actionable recommendation to mitigate the risks.
•     Liaise with MAL regarding post-entry biosecurity isolation and the prior establishment of the particular intended biosecurity endorsed/certified holding property, which is also an inclusive requirement of the import protocol.
•     Present findings to MAL and STODAS by way of a written report and PowerPoint presentation on the overall findings with particular focus on import risk assessment of live poultry and internal disease status of Solomon Islands.
•     Compile an evidence-based Import Protocol for the importation of Live Poultry clearly outlining the pre-entry processes and requirements, status of birds fit and not fit for travel, treatments for poultry disease listed not already present in Solomon Islands, post-entry requirements and guidelines, and present to MAL and STODAS copies of a fully completed import protocol.
•     Provide capacity building assistance to MAL by monitoring prior preparations for and Biosecurity endorsed/certify post-entry holding facility preparations to ensure upskilling on managing all required facilities and disease monitoring and treatments to implement the protocol.
•     Provide capacity building assistance to MAL by monitoring the initial days of first actual importations, advising on process adherence from property of origin to in-country Biosecurity holding property.
•     Provide capacity building assistance to MAL by monitoring post entry biosecurity isolation with Biosecurity and Livestock Departments of MAL and advising on effective and disease-preventing post-entry biosecurity isolation, including procedures for sign-off and certification that birds are disease free and available for purpose of import.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     An advanced degree (Master's) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in poultry health, biosecurity, veterinary science, animal health or related field.
•     At least 5 years of relevant field experience in veterinary practice, policy development, poultry health management or related field. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     Working Knowledge of (Level C) English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Proven expertise in developing poultry import protocols, conducting import risk assessments, and advising on breed selection and sourcing.
•     Strong background in Solomon Islands’ poultry industry, biosecurity processes, export preparation, and improving village poultry production efficiencies.
•     Demonstrated project management experience.
•     Experience working with a cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials in small and vulnerable states, especially SIDS and LDCs.
•     Experience in working in Solomon Islands or other countries of the Pacific region will be an advantage.
•     Strong writing skills and language proficiency.
•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work.

Selection Criteria

•     A qualified veterinarian