Summary of Duties and Functions

• Provide leadership, including strategy design, technical and policy advice and programme formulation for the Organization's work on animal health and veterinary public health in the world’s growing livestock sector (infectious and non-infectious diseases, parasitic diseases, zoonotic diseases, resistances to anti-microbials, parasiticides, etc., integrated pest management, animal welfare as related to animal health) and on the information, institutions and systems required at global, regional and national levels for the support and maintenance of animal health and the provision of safe food of animal origin to consumers. This leadership also relates to the Organization’s animal health emergency agenda.

• Position FAO’s Animal Health Programme in an international public goods context in support of FAO’s objectives and the Millennium Development Goals, thereby supporting and strengthening international governance of animal and veterinary public health.

• Plan and manage the use of resources in support of programmes and projects in animal health and veterinary public health at large, ensuring the coherence and technical quality of the normative and operational work.

• Oversee the secretariats of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD) and of the Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis (PAAT).

• Ensure liaison and integration with the animal production and livestock policy programmes of the Division and with related activities across the Organization.

• Maintain effective strategic and working relationship with relevant bodies and partners within and outside the Organization, in particular with the World Organization for Animal Health [Office International des Epizooties (OIE)] and with the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Guide, supervise and evaluate the work of the programme staff.

• Ensure provision of technical advice, information and support to FAO Members, UN and specialized agencies, and global, regional and national bodies, including inter-governmental fora, for the discussion and negotiation of agreements, codes, standards and good management and manufacturing practices in animal health and veterinary public health throughout the food chain.

• Perform other related duties as required.

• University degree in veterinary medicine with post graduate qualifications in epidemiology, tropical diseases, veterinary public health and/or in veterinary biosciences (microbiology, immunology, bacteriology, parasitology,).
• Post-graduate qualification in international relations, economics, management, public administration or a related field would be an asset.
• Extensive experience in animal health in the context of developing countries, in national and international development and research organizations.
• Demonstrated professional competence, knowledge of international animal health and livestock sector development issues with potential implications for FAO’s field of activities.
• Familiarity with FAO and UN Reforms and Systems.
• Demonstrated abilities in advocacy and resource mobilization.
• Excellent communications and negotiation skills.
• Working knowledge of English and French; knowledge of other FAO languages (Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian) would be an asset.
• Outstanding management and leadership capability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.

Without dependents: From US$134,317 to US$ 150,656
With dependents: From US$145,315 to US$ 164,243
FAO adheres to the UN common system of salaries, allowances and benefits.
General information regarding salaries allowances can be found at the International Civil Service Commission Web site

Applications, including a full curriculum vitae and Personal History Form (available in MS Word (A4 and letter formats), should be submitted by 24 January 2009 to the Director, Human Resources Management Division (AFH), FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153, Rome, Italy or sent by e-mail to: senior-vacancies@fao.org or faxed to Italy 06-5705 5131

Mr S. Jutzi, Director, Animal Production and Health Division. Tel. 39 06 57053371