Animal Health Officer (Vaccine and Quality Assurance)

Animal Health Officer (Vaccine and Quality Assurance)

Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) – Animal Health and Production Division – One Health and Disease Control Group – FAO headquarters Rome, Italy.

Overview

The Animal Health Officer (Vaccine and Quality Assurance) supports veterinary vaccine procurement, quality assurance activities and the improvement of vaccine production capacities within the One Health Programme Priority Area, focusing on vaccine and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Assist with vaccine procurement upon request from FAO Members and development of the FAO vaccine registration system.
• Support vaccine quality compliance with international standards.
• Harmonize guidelines for cold chain management and vaccine distribution.
• Contribute to building capacity of veterinary services in vaccine handling and administration.
• Support development of vaccine production capacities in member countries.
• Contribute to the harmonization of vaccine registration requirements in coordination with regional economic communities and international organisations.
• Contribute to research and innovation for new or improved vaccines in collaboration with FAO Reference Centres and partners.
• Support the designation and renewal of FAO Reference Centres for animal diseases.
• Research, technical analysis and provide project related services to support delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Produce technical information, data, statistics, reports and input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provide technical support and analysis to assessments, studies and initiatives and to field projects.
• Collaborate in development of improved tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams, lead working groups, collaborate with other centres/divisions/offices and agencies, promote best practices.
• Coordinate technical backstopping for capacity development activities such as policy support, organisational development and learning events.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influence partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Support resource mobilisation activities in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in veterinary drug/vaccine, veterinary medicine or veterinary epidemiology or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in vaccine management or quality control, vaccine research, vaccine strategy development, including regulatory aspects and standard setting.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Experience working in more than one location or area, particularly in field positions.
• Extensive experience in animal vaccine quality control and veterinary vaccine production capacity development programmes at national, regional or global level.
• Experience in managing technical projects related to vaccine quality control or production capacity development and relevant animal laboratory programmes.
• Familiarity with vaccine standards and experience in developing vaccine programmes for infectious disease management.
• Experience in analysing and formulating technical/project proposals for sustainability improvement in the livestock sector.
• Analytical skills to assess complex animal health, vaccination and laboratory diagnostic issues from an expert viewpoint.
• Results‑focused mindset, teamwork, communication, relationship‑building, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

EEO and Diversity Statement

• FAO is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non‑and under‑represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• All candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
• All applications are treated with strict confidentiality.
• FAO staff are required to adhere to integrity and professional conduct and uphold FAO values.
• FAO, as a UN Specialized Agency, has zero tolerance for conduct inconsistent with its status, objectives or mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director‑General and may be assigned to any activity or office of the Organisation.

Benefits & Conditions of Service

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. Benefits (subject to eligibility) include: dependency allowances, rental subsidy, education grant for children, home leave travel, 30 working days annual leave, pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, international health insurance, optional life insurance, and disability protection. Conditions of service include a fixed‑term two‑year appointment with possibility of extension, medical fitness certification, accreditation, visa and security clearances, and performance certification for extension.

General Information

• Extension of fixed‑term appointments is based on certification of performance and funding availability.
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Applicants will be required to provide necessary medical, accreditation, visa and security clearances.