Job Opportunities at The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) – 3 Positions

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) – An intergovernmental organization, FAO has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union.

Its employees come from various cultural backgrounds and are experts in the multiple fields of activity FAO engages in. FAO’s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is present in over 130 countries.

We are recruiting to fill the positions below:

1.)  ECTAD National Operations / Admin Assistant

Ref No: 2002749

Location: Nigeria-Abuja

Organizational Unit: FRNIR

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Duration: 12 Months

Post Number: N/A

Organizational Setting

• The main aim of the FAO country office, which is headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist government in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. In Nigeria, transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as PPR, FMD and ASF, including zoonoses such as HPAI, EVD, Lassa Fever and other issues including AMR pose serious risk to agriculture and food/nutrition security especially in view of their impact on the livelihoods of smallholder livestock producers.
• They also represent a persistent threat to the national, regional and global health security if not detected early and control on time. FAO had supported Nigeria to carry out several evaluations and develop a number of strategic documents and plans through a multisectoral/multidisciplinary approach with majority of the documents signed jointly by Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment: National Action Plan for AMR (2017); Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2017); National Action Plan for Health Security – NAPHS (2018); National One Health Strategic Plan (2018); National Livestock Transformation Plan (2018) and OIE PVS (2019) follow up mission.
• These evaluations and strategic documents have identified the gaps and priority actions needed to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. In the framework of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Program in Nigeria, FAO Animal Production and Health (NSA)/Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) – Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) aims to support the National Veterinary Services to address these gaps in line with JEE recommendations.

Reporting Lines:

• The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Nigeria, the direct supervision of the FAO Nigeria ECTAD Country Team Leader, in collaboration with the ECTAD Regional Operations Officer in Accra and the FAO Country Representation Operations Unit.

Technical Focus:

• Support the implementation of FAO’s Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Program at country level.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Support the preparation of project proposals, Letter of Agreements (LoAs) and contracts according to FAO, United Nations (UN), government and donor requirements and procedures; follow-up on submission of reports and payments to Service Providers;
• Assist in the preparation of project documents, work plans, procurement plan, mid-term and final project reports from an operational perspective, for technical clearance by FAO’s technical services;
• Assist in the implementation of efficient financial flow mechanisms and in ensuring timely availability of resources for the smooth implementation of project activities including tracking of budget monitoring and field expenditures;
• Assist to maintain effective financial controls including reviewing, clearing and certifying for accuracy, appropriateness, correctness and compliance with the approved budget & FAO Rules and Regulations, all administrative & financial documents submitted to FAO Representative for approval and signature;
• Maintain effective delivery follow-ups control tracking the delivery of goods and services;
• Prepare Field Budget Authorization (FBAs) requests for submission to the ECTAD Regional Operations Officer in Accra;
• Maintain the document filing system both in hard and electronic copy, type correspondence and documents, receive and screen correspondence, attach necessary background information and maintain records of the communications;
• Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
• Prepare periodic budgetary reports as required by the FAOR and Relevant ECTAD office
• Follow up the preparation of recurring reports on assigned accounts, noting variations from budgeted expenses and income and reports thereon.  Prepares special reports as required for budget reports as required for budget preparations, audits or other reasons;
• Advises and assists international staff, experts and consultants on all respects of allowances salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculates and authorizes payments due for claims and services;
• Prepare monthly cash account by recording receipts and disbursements (ledgers, cash books, vouchers, electronic spreadsheet, etc.) and reconciling data for recurring or special reports; provide monthly financial reports/briefs on the current project budget and expenditures in the country;
• Perform monthly bank reconciliation and project financial closure report
• Monitor bank balance regularly and request for replenishment through GRMS
• Maintains liaison with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts;
• Handle travel arrangements, such as booking flights, cars, and making hotel and restaurant reservations.
• Assist the ECTAD CTL and FAOR to brief international personnel on general administrative matters relating to visas, licenses, security; provide advice and ensure administrative support as required;
• Assist the organization of workshops, meetings and training courses including booking of hosting facilities/venues, travel, transportation, translation, etc.
• Liaise and supervise activities with concerned office and grounds maintenance, security, transport and similar services;
• Process of monthly payrolls for both regular staff and NSHR.
• Assist in preparation of staff contract
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• University Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or any related field in Social/Management Sciences;
• Minimum of 3 years practical experience in general project operational activities (financial resources and human resources management, contract and asset operations) including at least 2 years work experience with UN System, multilateral institutions or international NGOs;
• Working knowledge of English (level C);
• National of Nigeria

FAO Core Competencies:

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

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in
• Extent and relevance of experience in
• Familiarity with project, finance, asset and human resources management tools
• Familiarity with Office tools including virtual/teleworking platforms

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

 

READ: CDCFIB Apptitude Test Date, Venue For Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Recruitment 2020

 

2.) Job Title: ECTAD National Project Coordinator

Ref No: 2002748

Location: Nigeria-Abuja

Organizational Unit: FRNIR

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Duration: 12 Months

Organizational Setting

• The main aim of the FAO country office, which is headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist government in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. In Nigeria, transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as PPR, FMD and ASF, including zoonoses such as HPAI, EVD, Lassa Fever and other issues including AMR pose serious risk to agriculture and food/nutrition security especially in view of their impact on the livelihoods of smallholder livestock producers.
• They also represent a persistent threat to the national, regional and global health security if not detected early and control on time. FAO had supported Nigeria to carry out several evaluations and develop a number of strategic documents and plans through a multisectoral/multidisciplinary approach with majority of the documents signed jointly by Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment: National Action Plan for AMR (2017); Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2017); National Action Plan for Health Security – NAPHS (2018); National One Health Strategic Plan (2018); National Livestock Transformation Plan (2018) and OIE PVS (2019) follow up mission.
• These evaluations and strategic documents have identified the gaps and priority actions needed to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. In the framework of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Program in Nigeria, FAO Animal Production and Health (NSA)/Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) – Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) aims to support the National Veterinary Services to address these gaps in line with JEE recommendations.

Reporting Lines:

• The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nigeria in collaboration with Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)/Chief, Animal Health Service (AGAH), the functional guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) on programmatic issues and country priorities, and the direct supervision and technical backstopping of the ECTAD Country Team Leader (ECTL) (or the Regional Manager of ECTAD for West and Central Africa in absence of the ECTL), and in collaboration with the ECTAD country team and RAF epidemiologist.

Technical Focus:

• Support the implementation of FAO’s Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Program at country level.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Advise the ECTL on technical decision matters and allocation of required resources for efficient implementation of the USAID supported EPT-2/GHSA country programme and other ECTAD projects
• Act as ECTL in his/her absence. This includes planning and management of the ECTAD country team and technical and human resources needs in coordination with the Office of the FAO Representative to Nigeria and the ECTAD Manager for West and Central Africa.
• Under the guidance and with support of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and the ECTL, liaise with the Government of Nigeria, development partners, multi-lateral agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in all matters related to high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease (rEIDs) prevention and control programme and related activities.
• Participate in technical intersectoral meetings under the One Health framework with the major partners of the EPT-2/GHSA programme
• In close collaboration with the ECTL and the Manager of ECTAD in West and Central Africa, advise the beneficiary government of country of assignment on any technical and policy matters related to high impact zoonotic and non-zoonotic transboundary animal diseases.
• Contribute in the preparation of appropriate country strategies and programme for the management of rEIDs and other endemic Zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease, in close collaboration with the beneficiary government in line with the national policies, strategies and priorities, the FAO’s Strategic Objectives, and the UNDAP II framework.
• Assist in:
  • The preparation of project work plans, timely provision of inputs, organization of workshops, training programme, and liaison with responsible officers at national and sub-national levels for smooth coordination and delivery of FAO-implemented projects under the EPT-2 programme.
  • The smooth integration of the EPT2 programme activities and programme staff into the programmatic and administrative operations of the FAO Representation in the country of assignment; and contribute towards the development and implementation of the FAO country programme maintaining links with the established national networks on diagnosis and epidemiology to exchange and share technical information particularly related to priority and high impact animal diseases
  • The preparation and review briefs upon request from FAOR, ECTL
• With the advice and support of the Assistant FAOR(Programme) and ECTL assist resource mobilization efforts, leveraging existing funds, to expand animal health related projects that are identified as priorities by the government of the country of assignment.
• Conduct regular field missions in the country to monitor and ensure smooth implementation of the rEIDs related activities.
• Contribute in the preparation of timely reports as required by the government, FAO and donors.
• Contribute in providing regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation in the country as well as immediate notification to GLEWS of any significant epidemiological events
• Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the FAOR and the ECTL
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Veterinary Epidemiology, preferably with specialization in zoonoses control, control of infectious diseases in animals or related Emergency Management Disciplines; (candidates with Bachelors’ degree in Veterinary Medicine with at least 5 years of direct experience in linked to GHSA Program at country level will be exceptionally considered)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in field veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, disease management or coordination programmes/platforms, including at least one-year experience linked to Government (Federal or State), UN System, organised private sector, multilateral institutions or international NGOs;
• Working knowledge of English (level C);
• National of Nigeria

FAO Core Competencies:

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

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Excellent organizational skills and a solid foundation in programme and project formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation;
• Familiarity and experience with national animal health interventions linked to GSHA action packages: Zoonotic Diseases (ZDs); Biosecurity and Biosafety (BSS); National Laboratory Systems (NLS); Human Resources/Workforce Development (HR/WFD) and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS); National One Health
• Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations and effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to present complex issues to FAO management and senior government representatives, as well as to non-specialist audiences;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Familiarity with Office tools including virtual/teleworking platforms

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

 

See Also: CBN Covid-19 Loan: FG Begins Disbursement of CBN Covid-19 Loan – Have You Received Yours?

 

3.) Job Title: ECTAD National Epidemiology Advisor

Ref No: 2002747

Location: Abuja

Organizational Unit: FRNIR

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Duration: 12 Months

Organizational Setting

• The main aim of the FAO country office, which is headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist government in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. In Nigeria, transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as PPR, FMD and ASF, including zoonoses such as HPAI, EVD, Lassa Fever and other issues including AMR pose serious risk to agriculture and food/nutrition security especially in view of their impact on the livelihoods of smallholder livestock producers.
• They also represent a persistent threat to the national, regional and global health security if not detected early and control on time. FAO had supported Nigeria to carry out several evaluations and develop a number of strategic documents and plans through a multisectoral/multidisciplinary approach with majority of the documents signed jointly by Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment: National Action Plan for AMR (2017); Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2017); National Action Plan for Health Security – NAPHS (2018); National One Health Strategic Plan (2018); National Livestock Transformation Plan (2018) and OIE PVS (2019) follow up mission.
• These evaluations and strategic documents have identified the gaps and priority actions needed to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. In the framework of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Program in Nigeria, FAO Animal Production and Health (NSA)/Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) – Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) aims to support the National Veterinary Services to address these gaps in line with JEE recommendations.

Reporting Lines:

• The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nigeria in collaboration with Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)/Chief, Animal Health Service (AGAH), the functional guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) on programmatic issues and country priorities, and the direct supervision and technical backstopping of the ECTAD Country Team Leader (ECTL) (or the Regional Manager of ECTAD for West and Central Africa in absence of the ECTL), and in collaboration with the ECTAD country team and RAF epidemiologist.

Technical Focus:

• Support the implementation of FAO’s Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Program at country level.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation of country strategies and programme for the management of high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease in line with the national priorities and FAO’s Strategic Objectives
• Participate in and support the design and implementation of national strategies and programmes/projects following EMPRES/ECTAD strategies, in line with the FAO/ OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of TADs and Regional priorities
• Support the design, coordination and implementation of surveillance activities relevant to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases at the livestock-wildlife-human interface to mitigate the high (current/potential) impact of diseases in Nigeria. These include:
• Supporting appropriate stakeholder workshops and facilitate discussion and development of a surveillance approach that addresses national and regional priority diseases to target through a surveillance program
• Support the drafting of a concept note, LoA, preparation and implementation of national surveillance plan for Ebola and other filoviruses in livestock
• Contribute to development and the implementation of surveillance protocols (epidemiological sampling) from livestock in targeted livestock farming systems, value chains and at domestic animals-wildlife interfaces
• Plan, organize and implement capacity development of in-service professionals through the use of field epidemiology training and participatory epidemiology approaches targeting veterinarians, animal health technicians, community animal health workers, farmers, and where appropriate, public health or other stakeholders/partners
• Conduct risk assessments at the human/livestock/wildlife interface and Supervise in-country expert missions on epidemio-surveillance to ensure that high-quality samples are collected.
• Organize stakeholders’ meetings and lead the process for the development of animal health and related policy instruments in Nigeria
• In close consultation with relevant sectors and stakeholders, initiate a national zoonotic disease control program to serve as an entry point for a functional intersectoral One Health collaboration
• Facilitate closer linkages of the EPT-2 program with relevant Ministries and other technical partners and Provide regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation in the country, bi-weekly project activity updates, and prepare draft web articles on technical accomplishments as needed
• Establish a functional national epidemiology and laboratory network
• Participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, or tabletop scenarios
• Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercise and technical meetings.
• Provide immediate notification to GLEWS and the Country Team Leader, of any significant epidemiological events
• Contribute to epidemiological intelligence at National and Regional levels
• Contribute to the preparation of regular reports on the progress of the implementation of projects implemented by the ECTAD Nigeria, for FAO, donors or other stakeholders
• Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the ECTAD Nigeria Country Team Leader and the FAOR
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Veterinary Epidemiology, preferably with specialization in zoonoses control, control of infectious diseases in animals or related Emergency Management Disciplines; (candidates with Bachelors’ degree in Veterinary Medicine with at least 5 years of direct experience in linked to GHSA Program at country level will be exceptionally considered)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in field veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, disease management or coordination programmes/platforms, including at least one-year experience linked to Government (Federal or State), UN System, organised private sector, multilateral institutions or international NGOs;
• Working knowledge of English (level C);
• National of Nigeria

FAO Core Competencies:

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

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Excellent organizational skills and a solid foundation in programme and project formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation;
• Familiarity and experience with national animal health interventions linked to GSHA action packages: Zoonotic Diseases (ZDs); Biosecurity and Biosafety (BSS); National Laboratory Systems (NLS); Human Resources/Workforce Development (HR/WFD) and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS); National One Health
• Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations and effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to present complex issues to FAO management and senior government representatives, as well as to non-specialist audiences;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Familiarity with Office tools including virtual/teleworking platforms

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline  

11th December, 2020.

Additional Information and Notice

• Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
• FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
• Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.
• People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.