Animal Health Senior Project Officer HEO British High Commission

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Job Category

Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

Job Subcategory  Development and Humanitarian

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The postholder will help manage the Animal Health System Strengthening Project by working with the National Lead for Animal Health in Zambia, to ensure the effective coordination and delivery of identified outputs are delivered to time, within scope and resource allocation.

The postholder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering the Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded “Animal Health System Strengthening” project on behalf of the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The postholder will participate in the operational implementation of the project and work with the National Lead for Animal Health in Zambia, and visiting scientific experts from Defra’s arms’ length bodies in the UK, particularly The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), to deliver a bespoke package of technical assistance. This will include work on surviellance and detection, disease control, emergency preparedness and response, tackling antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and One Health coordination.   Using the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Performance of Veterninary Services (PVS) pathway as the operating framework, the project will to seek to strengthen animal health systems, to better detect, protect and respond to animal disease outbreaks, and thus improve animal productivity and global health security.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to progress a career in a fast-paced and innovative environment and is an ideal opportunity for someone with technical knowledge in biological sciences/environmental health/public health and project management experience. A significant degree of automony is required, and the ideal candidate must have a flexible ‘can-do’ approach, proactively addressing issues as they arise, be able to work to tight deadlines, be a good multitasker, and be able to handle a number of competing priorities at any one time.  The project is initially funded for three years and the term of employment is up to March 31, 2025.

This post will be based within the British High Commission (BHC) in Luska with possible travel to other areas of Zambia as relevant. This role will require close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Department of Veterninary Service and other UK government departments within the BHC.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

The postholder will work alongside the National Lead for Animal Health in Zambia to effectively deliver the Animal Health System Strengthening Project in Zambia. Key duties include:

• Analysing data, interpreting information, and presenting in the form of reports with recommendations and appropriate action.
• Reviewing and summarising scientific literature and policy documents to inform strategic decision making and knowledge acquisition.
• Contribute to drafting technical / scientific papers, posters, website articles and other relevant informative technical and communication material to promote the project’s objectives.
• Produce policy and project briefings, tailored to the needs of different audiences, including the National Lead, project partners in the UK and Zambia, the programme management team
• Work with the Communications Departments at post in Zambia and in the UK to develop and implement a communication plan for the project, ensuring the AHSS in Zambia is regularly represented across the various media fora and platforms
• Lead the organisation and coordination of a detailed project workplan to monitor and track progress
• Identify risks and analyse, manage and propose mitigation measures to ensure timely delivery of the project
• Co-develop and implement locally a programme monitoring and evaluation framework and performance metrics, and produce monthly progress reports to capture information to track programme performance
• Support the management of the activities sub-awarded, outsourced or delegated to partners throughout the project, including experts, Reference Laboratories, Collaborating Centres, and external suppliers; including undertaking monitoring visits where required
• Liaise with UK technical specialists & Defra Global Animal Health programme management team on operational issues, including project delivery and progress in Zambia.
• Oversee procurement at post, ensuring procurement is compliant with FCDO/DEFRA procurement strategy and rules.
• Organise high level meetings and workshops, including invitations/RSVPs, transport, payment of expenses, venues, refreshments etc, and be the visible point of contact on the day to ensure effective and efficient logistics, proactively addressing issues arising.
• Produce and coordinate timely minutes and other outputs from meetings and workshops, with key stakeholders, ensuring accuracy of information.
• Managing incoming queries and liaise with local stakeholders and subcontractors to ensure effective and timely communication.
• Establish and embed operational ways of working, capturing change and incorporating these into the project’s SOPs.
• Share information and collaborate with project partners to facilitate smooth implementation of the project

Represent the Animal Health System Strengthening Project at external meetings as relevant;

• Deputise for the Animal Health National Lead, as required
• Alert the National Lead to urgent issues arising.
• Support the National Lead with strategic oversight of other Defra projects in Zambia.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Manage the budget for local events and workshops, ensuring suppliers are trusted, offer good value for money and paid promptly

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Educated to degree or equivalent level in biological sciences (e.g. animal health, public heath, animal production, microbiology, ecology, or enviromental health).
• At least three years’ previous experience in similar role in project/ programme management in public sector or with bilateral / multilateral organisations.
• Proven experience of project management, including financial management and monitoring.
• Experience of organizing events / conferences / workshops.
• Ability to analyse data and present reports, interpret information and recommend appropriate actions.
• Proven experience of drafting briefing papers, reports and presentations, complex diary management, and organising high profile meetings and events.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Effective organisation, prioritisation and planning skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
• Ability to handle strictly confidential information from internal and external sources whilst always adhering to best practices of confidentiality.
• Computer literate and proficient user of Microsoft programmes such as Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of administrative procedures, and skills and experience interpreting and implementing corporate policy e.g. finance policies and procedures.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience of working in the sectors constituting One Health.
• Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture.

Required behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Working Together