Local Technical Advisor – Pandemic Preparedness

Overview

Serve as the lead local technical expert and advisor for a project aimed at strengthening capacities for the prevention, early detection, and effective response to zoonotic disease threats through a One Health approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead local technical expert and advisor under the project;
• Be responsible for planning, organizing and implementing project activities and for the achievement of all project outputs;
• Conduct regular consultations with the LTO, technical teams in Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and project management team on technical aspects of the project implementation;
• Serve as the primary focal point for the liaison and coordination with the Food and Veterinary Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, the World Bank, other relevant central and decentralized technical authorities, academia, institutes, professional bodies, associations and other stakeholders across sectors (human health, animal health, environment) on all technical matters related to the implementation of the project;
• Support strengthening multisector coordination mechanisms (One Health approach);
• Be responsible for the development and update of annual project workplans in close consultation with the FVA and other relevant project partners;
• Be responsible for planning, organizing and conducting workshops, trainings, meetings, Farmer Fiels Schools (FFS), including preparation of the necessary technical material;
• Be responsible for drafting the Terms of reference for the establishment of Letters of Agreement (Annex B under Manual Section 507) with local partners and assume the role of LoA Manager, when appropriate. Be responsible for drafting technical specifications for the procurement of goods (equipment and material) and services (contracts with profit entities) under Manual Section 502. Contribute to the preparation, launch and evaluation of tenders, throughout the bidding process to the final awarding;
• Draft terms of reference for the recruitment of local technical specialists including tasks, responsibilities and reporting lines;
• Undertake regular field visits to the project implementation sites, including FFS, other training sites, laboratories, veterinary posts, and farms and provide technical advice to facilitate smooth implementation of field activities;
• Provide in-country support to the missions of the international experts, including FAO technical team, such as facilitation of planning, data collection, consultations, and communication with local counterparts;
• Participate in project related meetings both physically and online;
• Provide technical input to the review and updating of relevant sectoral policies, strategies, plans, legislation, etc., as appropriate;
• Contribute to the development and adaptation of technical guidelines, protocols, and other project related materials;
• Provide necessary technical input and contribute to monitoring project implementation, including data collection and reporting against indicators;
• Prepare or contribute to the review of technical reports, mission summaries and other project-related documentation, as required;
• Be responsible for the timely preparation of donor-related project narrative progress and terminal reports and other project documentation, as required;
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Experience

At least five years of relevant working experience in the implementation and coordination of projects related to animal health, veterinary services, One Health, zoonotic disease prevention and control, public health preparedness, or agricultural development programmes.

Qualifications

University degree in veterinary medicine, animal health, epidemiology, agriculture, ora related field.

Other Details