| Positioning and reporting Under the authority of the Director General, the Project Officer will be directly answerable to the Regional Representative for Africa and work under the direct supervision of the WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with the Preparedness and Resilience Department (PRD) and the Engagement and Investment Department (EID, World Fund) at the WOAH Headquarters in Paris. S/he will work in close cooperation with other Regional Representatives, and other officers involved in similar activities. |
| Job purpose In meeting its mandate, the WOAH takes the threat posed by accidental and deliberate release of animal pathogens very seriously. The 2015 WOAH’s Strategy for biological threat reduction (BTR) focuses on strengthening, enhancing, and developing cross-links between existing health systems. Through the adoption of Resolution No 31 at the 2021 WOAH General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates, the WOAH also recommends an all-hazards approach to emergency management and regularly exercise their emergency plans, involving other sectors, to test them forfitness for purpose.The Project Officer will contribute to the WOAH’s BTR Strategy by supporting the implementation of relevant strategic priority actions. S/he will support the WOAH’s coordination of various projects and initiaties in Africa, and will be responsible for ensuring the timely and successful delivery of activities in line with objectives. S/he will participate in the operational implementation of the projects, more specifically the Africa-centric activities of the Fortifying institutional resilience against biological threats project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. This position will support the coordinated engagement of the animal health sector in the G7 Global Partnership’s Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa. |
| Missions and activitiesEnsure the overall technical implementation, management and follow-up of the project – Coordinate specific technical activities and deliverables (including those implemented by consultants and external implementers), to ensure that the project delivers outputs on time, within scope and within budget. The main activities anticipated in this respect, focusing on African countries, pertain to the development of e-Learning products, capacity-building of relevant categories of WOAH Focal Points, relevant veterinary legislation, emergency preparedness and response, including simulation exercises, bio-terrorism and other security risks, overall epidemic intelligence strengthening and certain aspects of the WOAH’s sustainable laboratories programme;– Contribute to the development of a detailed project workplan to monitor and track progress: . Identify risks, and analyse, manage and propose mitigation measures to ensure timely delivery of the project . Implement a programme M&E framework, performance metrics and capture information to track programme performance . Work with the Communications Department and the Regional Communications Officer (Africa) to develop and implement a communication plan;– Participate in and contribute to the preparation of background documents and progress reports for the project governance mechanisms;– Contribute, in collaboration with the Engagement and Investment Department, to the periodic reports required by (the) donor(s);– Ensure partner engagement including with national Veterinary Services, veterinary laboratories, training institutions and other relevant stakeholders such as law enforcement in the region;– Contribute to the implementation of the G7 Global Partnership Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa, through intensified cooperation with the relevant Africa CDC offices and officers;– Act as the technical contact point on biological threats, biosecurity and biosafety, emergency preparedness and response and related topics for the sub-regions and provide topic-specific advice on matters relating to the project;– Contribute to drafting technical / scientific papers, posters, website articles and other relevant informative technical and communication material to promote the projects objectives.Contribute to the overall project coordination – Share information and collaborate with project partners to facilitate smooth implementation of the project;– Liaise with WOAH HQ and Regional/Sub-regional staff involved in the implementation of the project;– Support the management of the activities sub-awarded, outsourced or delegated to partners throughout the project, including experts, Reference Laboratories, Collaborating Centres, and external suppliers;– Support cross-cutting initiatives related to gender, climate and poverty reduction.Contribute to programme communication – Organise and support international workshops, meetings, and conferences relevant to the project;– Represent the WOAH at external meetings as relevant;– Provide topic-specific advice on matters relating to the project.Provide general support to the work of the Sub-Regional Representation – Assist in managing other WOAH programmes and projects within the (Eastern) Africa region, including following up with Member Countries on required information, conducting country visits, etc., |
Expériences / Formation
Qualifications and Experience
– Advanced degree in health sciences, biological sciences, veterinary sciences, international affairs or other relevant field;
– At least 5 years experience working for national Veterinary or Public Health Services, the private sector, emergency services or non-governmental organisations in an area relevant to emergency management and biological threat reduction e.g. simulation exercises, contingency planning, epidemic intelligence, biosafety and biosecurity in laboratories;
– At least 2 years of experience in project or programme management at national or regional level.
Requiremets
Technical skills
– Good project management skills
– Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word and Excel
– Good knowledge of digital tools for online collaboration
– Excellent writing skills and ability to summarise complex technical discussions into clear and concise reports
– Ability to work in English and French at a high level including excellent oral and written communication skills
– Knowledge of international frameworks for emergency management and biological threat reduction such as SENDAI, UNISDR, the Biological Weapons Convention, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540
– Knowledge or experience of international standards and guidelines pertaining to laboratory biosafety levels, as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for the transport of biological materials
– Knowledge of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Customs Organization (WCO), INTERPOL, and the World Health Organization (WHO), along with the One Health concept, the various tools and instruments of the Tripartite Agreement between WHO, WOAH and FAO, and the corresponding relevant African Union instruments (Africa CDC and the Department of Peace and Security), are added advantages.