National AMR Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict. 

The position is located in the FAO ECTAD in the Philippines - Quezon City, Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The National AMR Project Coordinator will report to the FAO Representative in the Philippines. 

Technical Focus 

 AMR surveillance planning, management and coordination, capacity development support, community engagement and advocacy.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Serve as the FAO national Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) focal point and ensure coordination between FAO and government partners and stakeholders in the Philipppines in the implementation of the Global Action Plan and Philippine National Action Plan on AMR 2024-2028; 
•    With technical support from HQ, RAP and FAO ECTAD in the Philippines, support the overall coordination, planning, implementation of the agreed workplan, and reporting for the AMR Fleming Fund 3, EU AMR project, and other AMR-related projects in the Philippines, in close coordination with Government counterparts and other implementing partners;
•    In coordination with HQ, RAP, and FAO ECTAD in the Philippines, support the conduct of assessment using the progressive management pathway (PMP-AMR) and develop AMR Programme and Strategy to harmonize and streamline AMR initiatives delivered in the country:
o    Assist in conducting, developing, and submitting the assessment reports, including recommendations to further institutionalize the AMR in the programme in the country;
o    Review the different AMR projects priorities and workplans and develop AMR Programme and Strategy to harmonize and streamline initiatives;
o    Facilitate consultations with relevant stakeholders on the findings of the assessments and identify key priority areas for further capacity strengthening and support.

•    Promote antimicrobial stewardship and social behavior change through introduction of good animal production (livestock poultry, and aqua/fisheries), private sector engagement, and community engagement using the Farmer Field School (FFS) platform;
o    Support the agriculture sector in the promotion of the Philippine National Standards on good animal production and its programs (GAHP, GAqP, etc);
o    Develop concept notes and in coordination with HQ, RAP, and national consultants, lead the conduct of FFS in the country;
o    In coordination with FAO ECTAD in the Philippines, participate in surveillance, epidemiology, and human resource to ensure the integration and adoption of AMR programme (and related programmes and initiatives) at the national, subnational and local levels;

•    Support the piloting of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sampling protocol for AMR surveillance at farm level (with the help of IAEA) and development of advice on sampling for AMR surveillance in farm animal environment. In addition, support the ATLASS, planning and facilitation of national capacity building workshops with the DA Bureau of Soils and Waste Management, for AMR laboratory diagnostics;
•    Support in the generation, management, and analysis of AMU, AMR, KAP data (using the FAO tools and platforms) and socio-economic impact of AMR vis-à-vis the development and promotion of policies and guidelines such as veterinary antimicrobial stewardship guideline, Philippine National Standards (PNS), among others;
•    Liaise and participate in national and regional meetings of the Philippines Inter-Agency Committee on AMR (ICAMR), multi-stakeholder meetings related to Antimicrobial Use (AMU), AMR, residue monitoring, and food safety on behalf of FAO, and FAO regional AMR program coordination meetings;
•    Assist in ensuring a programmatic approach in supporting technical areas and expanding OH beyond animal & public health stakeholders) being implemented by the RAP Animal Health and Production Module (AHP), One Heath Regional Program Priority Area, and ECTAD;
•    Prepare web articles and support reporting against RAP’s One Health, livestock, animal health and production indicators, results and activities linked to the 2022-2023 biennial work plan, the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action, and FAO Country Programming Framework; 
•    Monitor progress against the work plan by tracking activities and targets with quarterly reviews and revisions;
•    Ensure that all administrative and financial matters/transactions concerning the project are conducted in accordance with FAO guidelines
•    Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested. 

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes. 

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en   
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia    
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en  
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en  
FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm  
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en    
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).  

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Veterinary Medicine or related fields
•    At least 7 years of relevant practical experience working in Animal Health/One Health/AMR management, including surveillance and monitoring.
•    Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
•    A national of the Philippines 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
•    In-depth knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
•    Excellent leadership and communication skills.
•    Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
•    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Selection Criteria

•    Advanced university degree is an asset.
•    Experience with legal issues related to veterinary, laboratory, food, agriculture, environment and health sectors would be an asset.
•    Experience in drafting legal instruments and implementing national projects would also be an asset.
 
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION