Pandemic Preparedness Veterinary Specialist

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2602227
• Opportunity type: Non-staff opportunities
• Grade / contract type: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
• Organizational unit: REUTD - Technical Officers Group
• Duration: From one to eleven months on a when actually employed basis
• Application deadline: 19/Nov/2026, 12:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) lead FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of priority programme activities. REU ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, supports policy dialogue, strengthens regional partnerships, and oversees the implementation and monitoring of FAO programmes and projects in Europe and Central Asia.

The position is linked to the project “MAKE-READY - North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo Emergency Ready” funded by the Pandemic Fund (PF), implemented by FAO.

The project aims to strengthen the beneficiaries’ capacities for the prevention, early detection and effective response to zoonotic disease threats through a One Health approach. It supports enhanced surveillance systems, laboratory capacities, workforce development, risk assessment and multisectoral coordination mechanisms, contributing to improved pandemic preparedness.

Within this framework, the Pandemic Preparedness Specialist will support REU technical teams in the effective coordination and implementation of project activities, in close collaboration with local stakeholders and partners.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO REU Assistant Director General, and the direct technical guidance of the FAO REU Animal Production and Health Officer and will closely cooperate with the technical and operational teams.

Technical Focus

The Pandemic Preparedness Veterinary Specialist supports FAO in technical capacities of project activities. The incumbent will provide technical expertise and advice in the areas of animal health, veterinary services, zoonotic disease prevention and control and One Health.

The position is intended to establish a roster of international experts to support the implementation of the MAKE-READY project in North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. Specialists may be engaged on a when-actually-employed basis for specific assignments, depending on project needs, their areas of expertise and availability.

The tasks listed below describe the range of technical support required under the project and are not intended to be covered in their entirety by a single individual. Specialists will contribute according to their respective competencies and will work collaboratively with other roster members and the FAO project team to ensure that the required expertise is available across the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide expertise on One Health, veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, emergency preparedness, disease response and farm biosecurity.
•    Contribute to or lead capacity building events and design training material on: veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance outbreak investigation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) both face-to-face and virtual.
•    Review and develop national strategy documents, e.g. control, surveillance or vaccination plans/strategies.
•    Support development and technical review of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.
•    Design, implement and evaluate simulation exercises.
•    Carry out any other tasks relevant to the assignment as requested by the LTO, the National Team Leader and the Project Manager.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in veterinary medicine, animal health, epidemiology, agriculture, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    At least five years of relevant working experience in one or more areas related to animal health, veterinary services, One Health, zoonotic disease prevention and control, public health preparedness, or agricultural development programmes.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English. Working knowledge of Albanian, Macedonian or Serbian will be considered as an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings. 

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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