Veterinary Paraprofessional Project (VPP) Coordinator

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. With presently 194 member states, and working in more than 130 countries worldwide, including South Africa. 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.

The main of the FAO Country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
FAO Country Office activities include the design and implementation of country-specific field programs, liaison with local donors' representatives and active outreach activities related to FAO initiatives.

The project titled “Building the Resilient Future: Strengthening Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response through One Health Approach Pandemic” was approved during the second call in South Africa. The project is led by the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development as the National Agencies while FAO, WHO and UNICEF are the Implementing Entities to work with their designated delivery partners to deliver the project in the country. The Project is an initiative aimed at strengthening national health systems to effectively respond to pandemics through improved surveillance, laboratory systems, and capacity building. It will focus on enhancing pandemic preparedness and will be implemented during 2026 to 2028.
The project is centered around three key areas of focus which are:
• Surveillance and Early Warning Systems: Development and enhancement of systems that can promptly detect potential
pandemic threats.
• Laboratory Systems: Strengthening laboratory capacity to diagnose and respond to emerging pathogens effectively.
• Capacity Development: Building the skills and competencies of local institutions and personnel to better prepare for and manage one health emergencies.
The FAO country office in South Africa implemented the Empowering Veterinary Paraprofessional Entrepreneurs project (“VPP Project”) from 2022–2026 to strengthen the capacity of Animal Health Technicians (AHTs) to deliver quality primary animal healthcare while establishing sustainable private practices. The project supported AHTs through entrepreneurship training, business coaching, and partnerships that enhanced their contribution to livestock health, rural livelihoods, and disease surveillance.

Building on this foundation, the Pandemic Fund Project provides a strategic opportunity to extend and scale the VPP Project outcomes by positioning the already trained AHT entrepreneurs as frontline contributors to zoonotic disease prevention and early warning systems. The project will provide a range of needs-based support that will support the AHT entrepreneurs to establish sustainable Primary Animal Healthcare businesses directly serving the needs of livestock farmers. Specifically, the project will provide tailored starter kits, needs-based training, and structured mentoring support from veterinarians and business coaches. The project will also maintain and build upon the strategic partnerships developed under the VPP project to address key challenges in the business environment for effective service delivery by AHTs

Reporting Lines

Under the joint supervision of the FAO Representative in South Africa through the AFAOR Programmes, National Project Specialist, Lead Technical Officer (LTO) for the Southern Africa (SFS) and Headquarters and the Project Task Team, the incumbent will undertake the tasks below.

Technical focus

A VPP Project Coordinator is being sought to assist the project team, on the VPP component of the Pandemic Fund in timely reporting in accordance with the project’s objectives and framework during implementation of the project. The VPP Project Coordinator will coordinate the implementation of all activities focused on strengthening the capacities of AHTs as part of the Pandemic Fund Project

Tasks and responsibilities

The VPP Project Coordinator will undertake the following tasks:

• Coordinate the design, implementation and monitoring of all activities under the AHT component of the Pandemic Fund project, ensuring timely delivery of each activity within the assigned budget, appropriately escalating any risks or delays to the Pandemic Fund management.
• Coordinate the regular assessment and updating of support needs of trained AHT beneficiaries.
• Coordinate the development of a targeted and needs-based coaching and training programme and associated tools to monitor AHT progress and coaching implementation, working in collaboration with the AHT senior project advisor and with business coaches.
• Coordinate monthly progress monitoring of AHTs and their businesses by the business coaches and the AHT senior project advisor.
• Lead the design, implementation and evaluation of the programme to procure starter kits for AHTs, including by identifying appropriate procurement processes that comply with FAO procedures and regulations, by conducting needs assessment, designing appropriate qualification criteria, procuring and distributing starter kits.
• Oversee planning and coordination of workshops, training sessions, stakeholder meetings and field visits, including logistics, scheduling, materials and participant management.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant workshops, webinars, and training initiatives as part of the coaching and training programme, with a focus on providing training on agribusiness skills.
• Support integration of AHT activities into broader animal health systems, particularly through strengthening national capacity for disease prevention and control, particularly in surveillance, early detection and reporting of zoonotic and transboundary diseases.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the AHT components of the Pandemic Fund project according to overall project framework.
• Prepare high-quality project reports, workplans and supporting documentation in line with FAO and donor requirements, ensuring documents meet quality, accuracy and compliance standards prior to submission.
• Develop communication and knowledge sharing products, including documenting best practices and success stories.
• Perform any other tasks as mutually agreed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture.
• A minimum of 5 years working experience in animal health discipline
• Working knowledge in English (level C)
• National of South Africa

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Very good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards
• Very good knowledge of corporate computerized financial systems and administrative procedures and policies
• Very good knowledge of the organizational structure

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of key stakeholders in animal health related field
• Excellent communication and report writing skills
• Strong project management skills, with experience in computerized financial/travel/human resources systems and administrative procedures and policies
• Proficiency in data analysis and the use of project management software

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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