Local Technical Advisor – Pandemic Preparedness

The Local Technical Advisor supports FAO in the effective planning, coordination, implementation and reporting of project activities related to animal health, veterinary services, zoonotic disease prevention and control, and One Health. The role involves serving as the primary liaison between FAO, implementing entities, and local stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of project outputs under the Pandemic Fund project in Kosovo and surrounding regions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead local technical expert and advisor under the project.
• Plan, organize and implement project activities and achieve all project outputs.
• Conduct regular consultations with the Lead Technical Officer, technical teams in Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and project management team on technical aspects of project implementation.
• Serve as the primary focal point for liaison and coordination with the Food and Veterinary Agency, Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Development, Ministry of Health, World Bank, and other relevant authorities and stakeholders across sectors on technical matters related to project implementation.
• Support strengthening multisector coordination mechanisms (One Health approach).
• Develop and update annual project workplans in consultation with partners.
• Plan, organize and conduct workshops, trainings, meetings, Farmer Field Schools including preparation of technical material.
• Draft Terms of Reference for Letters of Agreement with local partners and manage LoAs when appropriate.
• Draft technical specifications for procurement of goods and services and contribute to tender processes.
• Draft terms of reference for recruitment of local technical specialists.
• Undertake regular field visits to project sites and provide technical advice.
• Provide in-country support to missions of international experts and FAO technical teams.
• Participate in project related meetings physically and online.
• Provide technical input to review and update sectoral policies, strategies, plans, legislation as appropriate.
• Contribute to development and adaptation of technical guidelines, protocols, and project materials.
• Contribute to monitoring project implementation including data collection and reporting.
• Prepare or review technical reports, mission summaries and other project documentation.
• Prepare donor-related project narrative progress and terminal reports.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• University degree in veterinary medicine, animal health, epidemiology, agriculture, or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant working experience in the implementation and coordination of projects related to animal health, veterinary services, One Health, zoonotic disease prevention and control, public health preparedness, or agricultural development programmes.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Albanian.
• National of Serbia or Albania or resident of one of the two countries with a valid work permit.
• Working knowledge of Serbian will be considered as an asset.

Skills

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Health
• Epidemiology
• Project Implementation
• Project Coordination
• Veterinary Services
• One Health
• Zoonotic Disease Control
• Public Health Preparedness
• Agricultural Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Reporting
• Epidemic Preparedness

Languages

English, Albanian