Overview
The Senior Technical Advisor – GHSA & Animal Health provides management support and technical assistance for the design and implementation of country interventions related to Global Health Security Agenda /Antimicrobial Resistance (GHSA/AMR), working independently or as part of the country MSH or MTaPS team, with a specific focus on Animal Health.
The STA provides support to the Country Director and other in-country technical staff, coordinates with and supports HQ’s Manager and Technical Lead of GHSA/AMR portfolio as required, and provides direct technical assistance to Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, and other country partners and stakeholders related to interface with the animal sector.
As required, the STA also provides technical assistance to other MTaPS country activities to support animal sector work, and works with MTaPS Technical Strategy Lead and other MSH technical staff on opportunities, new and existing tools, and country implementation programs related to animal health and strengthening pharmaceutical management systems.
Specific Responsibilities
Technical Assistance and Support (50%)
- Provide technical support to AMR Technical Working groups and stakeholders to develop a national plan to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship in the animal health sector
- Provide technical support to the development of specific animal health-related AMR and IPC policies, guidelines, standard operating procedures, job aids, and other relevant materials
- Support stakeholders in public and private facilities in designing and implementing AMS and potentially IPC/WASH interventions, with a specific focus on animal health and One Health.
- Provide technical assistance / participate in animal health investigations (e.g., source, antibiotic use, and spread of infection) and assessments of stewardship policies and implementation activities.
- Provide technical assistance to collect, assemble, and review data related to AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) patterns in animals (e.g., AMR trends for the zoonotic bacteria/antibiotic combinations in broiler and layer populations)
- Provide technical assistance / participate in mapping/investigating/assessing antibiotic distribution and use in food livestock
- Support/collaborate with other Senior Technical Advisors to provide technical assistance to establish and make functional Animal AMR/AMU technical working groups (TWGs). Facilitate and participate in Animal AMR/AMU TWG meeting.
- Support the TWGs to use information from rapid assessments to develop or update antimicrobial strategy/plan and treatment guidelines that promote prudent use of antimicrobial agents in the animal sector.
- Provide technical assistance to prepare and submit AMR/AMU-related data and report as per the national, regional and global standard and requirements
Capacity Building (30%)
- In conjunction with country counterparts and regional and HQ technical unit, develop/revise training packages and materials for veterinarians, farmers, and fisherman as needed
- Develop costed operational plans, project capacity strengthening strategies, roll-out plans, training and follow-up timelines
- Facilitate animal health-related AMR trainings/workshops and other capacity building exercises as planned
- As required, participate in the planning and delivery of broader capacity building programs aimed at national pharmaceutical system strengthening.
- Facilitate AMR trainings and other capacity building exercises as planned
Monitoring and Evaluation (10%)
- In coordination with the M&E team, contribute to the development of country project M&E plan, and support the collection and validation of relevant data to report project indicators.
- Contribute to the adequate documentation and dissemination of program results and lessons learned
Coordination (5%)
- Coordinate with other MTaPS country project technical activities ensuring harmonized approach in line with MSH quality standards
- Coordinate assigned technical areas and activities with other USAID-funded and international projects in the country
Performance Management (5%)
- As needed, supervise assigned technical advisors ensuring the adequacy of their performance and their continuous professional development.
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Required:
- A recognized degree in veterinary medicine or animal health and production
Preferred:
- Postgraduate qualification appropriate to the position
Experience:
Required:
- 7 years of relevant experience and skills in subject areas associated with animal food production and health
- Experience working within the animal health and/or livestock systems in Burkina Faso
Preferred:
- Experience working in a USAID-supported project is an asset.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Qualifications and/or experience in antimicrobial stewardship/appropriate use of antimicrobials in the animal sector.
- Illustrative technical activities that the successful candidate is expected to support may include (but not limited to):
- Conducting assessments, analysing and interpreting data, and writing reports
- Providing support relating to livestock management (e.g., nutrition, care, treatment, and health) and biosafety and biosecurity
- Drafting national AMS strategy/plan to enforce implementation and monitoring of policies and regulations regarding the use of antimicrobials in the animal sector
- Developing treatment guidelines for the management of infectious diseases in animals
- Knowledge of Global Health Security Agenda including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment and antimicrobial use (AMU) within the One Health framework; multi-sectoral coordination
- Ability to communicate and coordinate with FAO and other partners working in the animal sector as well as with other multisectoral and One Health partners related to AMR and AMS
- Knowledge of the interactions and importance of social, economic and physical factors in livestock production
- Understanding of animal health and production systems and constraints in lower and middle income countries
- Excellent writing and presentation skills in French are essential
- Proficiency in English is required
- Good computer skills including expertise with Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint
- Demonstrated competence to work with a team spirit, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality
Competencies:
- Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Good judgment for decision-making.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability in consensus building and constructively leading a team
Physical Demands:
- Ability to travel domestically up to 40% of time as required to monitor the progress of program activities.
More Information
- Job City Ouagadougou
