Technical Officer Antimicrobial Resistance OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa

Position title – Technical Officer Antimicrobial Resistance OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa

Salary: International salary package, depending on the level of qualifications and experience

Duration: Through March 2019 – Renewable subject to funding availability

Context:

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health, veterinary public health and animal welfare worldwide, as well as for ensuring transparency of the global animal disease situation.

The standards it develops for the trade of live animals and products of animal origin are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules www.oie.int.

The OIE, known as the « Office international des épizooties », was created on the 25th of January 1924. Its Headquarters are based in Paris. It comprises 181 Member Countries and is present on all continents through 12 Representations. The OIE maintains permanent relations with over 71 international and regional organisations.

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 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. 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 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.

Additionally, the PVS pathway tool showed that more than 110 of 130 countries assessed do not have appropriate legislation to regulate import, manufacture, distribution and use of antimicrobial agents. Regulations on antibiotics in animal feed and the promotion of “Best Practice” antibiotic use in veterinary settings are emerging as a priority for the Southern African region.

Positioning and reporting

Under the authority of the OIE Director General, the direct supervision of the OIE Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa and in collaboration with the Science and New Technologies Department.

Job purpose

The Technical Officer will support the 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 OIE Headquarters. He/She will also contribute to the overall implementation of the OIE mandate in relation to animal health, veterinary public health and welfare in Southern Africa sub-region, in line with the OIE 6^th Strategic Plan, with particular emphasis on promoting awareness of AMR and enhancing antimicrobial stewardship in the veterinary profession, assisting the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and OIE Member Countries strengthen national drug regulatory authorities in the animal health sector and develop a One Health surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use.

Missions and activities

Support OIE Member countries in the SADC sub-region to implement the OIE Strategy on AMR and the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials and stewardship, in the frame of the WHO-FAO-OIE Tripartite Agreement on One Health, and in particular provide support through regional meetings, consultations and working session to:

(i) Support for and development and review of National AMR Action Plans integrating a One Health approach;

(ii) Support Regional Tripartite meetings;

(iii) Contribute to Focal Point Seminar for Veterinary Products and promoting antimicrobial stewardship;

(iv) Participate in scientific and other related meetings conducted at (sub) regional level addressing One Health AMR;

(v) Provide direct guidance to Member Countries in enhancing animal health products regulatory agencies and processes for antimicrobial agent registration. Exploring a SADC OIE supported animal health and antimicrobial regulatory agency across the Southern African region;

(vi) 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;

(vii) Contribute to strengthening Monitoring & Evaluation capability for reporting on AMR;

(viii) Participate in Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway missions and WHO International Health Regulations /OIE Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway National Bridging Workshops;

(ix) Facilitate the delivery and evaluation of OIE communications and advocacy interventions;

(x) Coordinate the 2018 Regional Meeting for Africa at the Second OIE Global Conference on AMR (Marrakech, Morocco, October 2018);

(xi) 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 Southern Africa and other agencies working on the above topics in the sub-region, for instance (but not limited to): FAO (ECTAD), WHO (AFRO), COMESA, SADC 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 Southern Africa 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 Portuguese 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 Gaborone, international travel is expected on a regular basis, especially within Southern Africa.