Salary: International salary package, depending on the level of qualifications and experience
Duration: Through March 2019 – Renewable subject to funding availability
Context:
The UK Fleming Fund (Fund) grant supports the delivery of the OIE Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance and the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials. The Fund also supports the OIE’s engagement in the Tripartite’s (OIE, WHO, FAO) collaborative One Health approach to build capability at national / regional level to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in lower and middle-income countries (LMIC). Within this framework, the OIE has identified the need to deploy additional expertise and resources at the sub-regional level to ensure the effective integration of animal health priorities within National Action Plans on AMR. The rapid scale up of activity on AMR has led to increased demand for OIE expert engagement from its 181 Member Countries. These requests include support and tools to ensure compliance with OIE standards and guidelines relating to AMR, and assistance in responding to the OIE annual survey to inform the Global Database of antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals. The increase in country and regional AMR meetings, consultations and working sessions at regional/country level has further stimulated demand for increased OIE expert engagement.
Positioning and reporting
Under the authority of the OIE Director General, the direct supervision of the OIE Sub-Regional Representative for Eastern Africa and in collaboration with the Science and New Technologies Department.
Job purpose
The Technical Officer will support implementation of the OIE Strategy on AMR at sub-regional and national levels. He/She will form part of a continental and international network of OIE staff, working on this particular subject, with colleagues in Regional and Sub-Regional Representations and the OIE Headquarters. He/She will also contribute to the overall implementation of the OIE mandate in relation to animal health and welfare in the Eastern Africa sub-region, in line with the OIE 6th Strategic Plan.
Missions and activities
Support OIE Member Countries in the sub-region to implement the OIE Strategy on AMR and the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials, in the frame of WHO-FAO-OIE Tripartite Agreement on One Health, and in particular provide support through regional meetings, consultations and working session to:
Support for and development and review of National AMR Action Plans integrating a One Health approach;
Support Regional Tripartite meetings;
Contribute to Focal Point Seminar for Veterinary Products and promoting antimicrobial stewardship;
Participate in scientific and other related meetings conducted at (Sub) Regional level addressing One Health AMR;
Provide direct support to Member Countries in the filling out of questionnaires for the OIE Global Database of antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals and other surveillance activities;
Contribute to strengthening Monitoring & Evaluation capability for reporting on AMR;
Participate in Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway missions and WHO International Health Regulations /OIE Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway National Bridging Workshops;
Facilitate the delivery and evaluation of OIE communications and advocacy interventions;
Coordinate the 2018 Regional Meeting for Africa at the Second OIE Global Conference on AMR (Marrakech, Morocco, October 2018);
Participate in other relevant events including those organised by the Fleming Fund at regional level.
In addition, the incumbent will serve as a liaison person between the OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Eastern Africa and other agencies working on the above topics in the sub-region including the: FAO (ECTAD), WHO (AFRO), IGAD Secretariat, EAC Secretariat, ReACT Africa, US-CDC, ILRI and AU-IBAR.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications
A degree in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent qualification (e.g. Microbiology, Animal Science, Food Science) in animal production and health sector and/or associated regulatory agencies for antimicrobial products relevant to the duties of this role;
At least 5 years of professional experience in an international development context demonstrated at regional and national level;
Experience of Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health interventions in the East African context;
Demonstrated experience of strategic planning, programme management, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation and results reporting.
Requirements
Technical skills
An understanding of the social and political economy at regional and national level under which sustainable One Health AMR outcomes must be delivered;
Excellent command of English, spoken and written, including scientific report writing;
Good command of French, both written and spoken;
Analytical skills, statistical analysis and mapping / surveillance expertise.
Proficiency in the use of Office (i.e. Word, Power Point, Excel).
Additional skills
A working knowledge of Kiswahili / and or Arabic is an advantage.
Interpersonal skills
Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relations and the ability to work in multi-disciplinary partnerships (e.g. The Tripartite)
Good communication, facilitation and diplomacy skills;
Capacity to work in a multi-cultural, national environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Working conditions
Based in Nairobi with regular international travel, especially in the East Africa Region.
