Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund Team Leader

Organizational Setting

The Pandemic Fund, established in 2022, focuses on strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities in low- and middle-income countries. FAO is seeking a highly qualified international consultant to serve as the Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund Team Leader. The consultant will lead the implementation of FAO’s component of Sri Lanka’s single-country proposal and deliver animal health activities for the multi-country proposal. The incumbent will work closely with the FAO Representation in Sri Lanka, the Regional Pandemic Fund Team, government counterparts, and other implementing partners to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of all project activities.

Reporting Lines

The Pandemic Fund Team Leader reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Sri Lanka and shall operate under the overall guidance and supervision of the FAO Representation in Sri Lanka, the technical guidance of the Senior Animal Health and Production Officer and ECTAD Regional Manager based in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, and in close coordination with the AFAOR (Programme) and operational guidance of the Operations Officer in FAO Representation in Sri Lanka. The incumbent shall work closely with the Regional Pandemic Fund team based in RAP, other UN agencies, and relevant government counterparts.   

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will focus on providing leadership, technical inputs, and management oversight for activities related to animal health, One Health capacity, and pandemic preparedness. This includes facilitating collaboration with national and regional stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of Pandemic Fund activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

Sri Lanka Single Country Proposal 

•    Provide effective team leadership, coordination, and facilitation of technical inputs, management support and technical oversight to ensure all of Sri Lanka’s Pandemic Fund activities are delivered to a high standard, on time, and within budget
•    Provide leadership, supervision, and managerial support to the Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund affiliate workforce team members 
•    Supervise the preparation of the project work plan, GNATT chart with milestones, timely provision of inputs, organization of meetings, workshops, trainings, and liaison with the responsible officers for smooth coordination and delivery of Pandemic Fund activities 
•    Ensure smooth integration of Pandemic Fund activities within the FAO’s broader country program under the FAO Representation and contribute towards the development and implementation of the FAO country program as relevant to Pandemic Fund implementation 
•    Convene and contribute to Implementing Entity (IE) meetings as the lead technical IE focal point for FAO in Sri Lanka to ensure strong coordination and information sharing between the IE’s and partners 
•    Organize and conduct regular management and technical Pandemic Fund meetings to ensure effective communication of projects with the FAOR and the Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund team 
•    Ensure the regular coordination and communication with the RAP Pandemic Fund team to share updates and the submission of implementation reports on the FAO reporting template 
•    Maintain oversight of the budget reporting in coordination with the country office and regional operations and administrative team and ensure implementation is aligned with the regional management structure 
•    Oversee and contribute to the yearly report for the Pandemic Fund (both single country and multi-country projects) and ensure they are of high quality, accurate, cleared by RAP, and submitted before the deadline  
•    Ensure visibility of the Pandemic Fund project implementation by developing and overseeing the preparation of regular media and web articles to showcase progress and the positive impact of the Pandemic Fund activities
•    Foster the supportive working relationships with relevant Sri Lanka government Pandemic Fund partners, which include the Department of Animal Health and Production, Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Fisheries, for the implementation of relevant Pandemic Fund projects 
•    In close collaboration with the Senior Animal Health and Production Officer based at RAP, advise the FAOR and Sri Lanka government on technical and policy matters relevant to the Pandemic Fund technical areas (surveillance & early warning, laboratory capacity, and workforce development), including matters related to the prevention and control of high impact transboundary animal diseases (TADs), emerging (and re-emerging) infectious disease (EIDs), including zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety and One Health 
•    As relevant to Pandemic Fund implementation, support One Health capacity and platforms through enhancing collaboration and coordination with the public health, wildlife, environment, education, and other relevant sectors with respect to zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance/use (AMR/U) using existing and new tools and guidelines
•    As relevant to Pandemic Fund implementation, develop appropriate country strategies and programs for the control of TADs and EIDs in close collaboration with the Sri Lanka government, and in line with the country priority framework (CPF), the FAO’s Strategic Programs (SPs), and the UNDAP II framework 
•    Provide advice to the Sri Lanka government on any technical matters related to its national zoonoses and EID control program to support the implementation of Pandemic Fund activities 
•    Ensure effective and appropriate representation of FAO in United Nations and other meetings and studies related to emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in Sri Lanka 
•    Maintain links with the established national networks on diagnosis and epidemiology to exchange and share technical information particularly related to priority and high impact TADs and EIDs including zoonoses, as well as AMR
•    Provide technical support for the publication of data generated from Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund project activities
•    Prepare and review briefs upon request from FAOR, RAP, and the Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund government partners 
•    Provide regular updates on TADs and EIDs situation in the country; and provide immediate notification to GLEWS of any significant epidemiological events
•    Coordinate consultation with and provide technical advice to the Senior Animal Health and Production Officer and ECTAD Manager RAP on emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in Sri Lanka via e-mail, teleconferencing, and personal briefings. 
•    Support, facilitate and participate in technical missions from RAP with Sri Lanka government partners, IEs, and other Pandemic Fund partners 
•    Perform any other Pandemic Fund related duties as required 

Multi-Country Proposal 

•    Maintain regular coordination with the technical experts leading the emergency animal health activities under the multi-country proposal and support the delivery of the activities to ensure a harmonised approach to implementation with the single country activities 
•    Support the delivery of the national One Health and Quadripartite assessment activities at country level with the regional Quadripartite partners under the multi-country proposal

General Duties

•    Coordinate with national networks on diagnosis, epidemiology, and AMR-related activities.
•    Provide technical support for the publication of data generated from project activities.
•    Prepare technical briefs and provide regular updates on project progress to FAO and government counterparts.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Master’s degree in veterinary science, public health, or a related field.
•    At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in animal health, One Health, or pandemic preparedness.
•    Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria 

•    Demonstrated experience in project leadership, coordination, and implementation.
•    A PhD is considered an asset.
•    Proven track record in managing multi-stakeholder projects, preferably with international organizations.
•    Expertise in transboundary animal diseases (TADs), emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and AMR.
•    Strong understanding of One Health principles and their application.
•    Excellent communication, negotiation, and team leadership skills.
•    Familiarity with FAO’s strategic frameworks and operational guidelines.
•    Proficiency in preparing high-quality technical and operational reports