Use the search engine below to find a specific content.
Open position
Regional Representative for the Americas – WOAH Buenos Aires, Argentina
| Context The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH – founded as OIE) is a leading intergovernmental organisation representing 183 Members worldwide. Through its activities, WOAH makes a decisive contribution to improving animal health, protecting animal welfare and strengthening Veterinary Services. The Organisation provides transparent information on world’s animal health situation, and promotes international standards, particularly in terms of the safety of trade in live animals and animal products. More information can be found on WOAH’s website. Joining WOAH means taking part in the development of one of the leading international organisations, recognised and associated with other multilateral institutions, in the field of worldwide health. It means helping to build a global approach to health, combining animal and human health in a “One Health” approach. It means joining teams motivated by the impact of their actions, the sense of their collective commitment and their recognised professionalism in their respective fields of expertise. OAH’s headquarters are based in Paris. The Organisation is present on every continent through 13 Regional or Regional Representations. WOAH has 250 staff members, two-thirds of whom are based at headquarters. This position is located in Buenos Aires (Argentina). | |
| Job Description | |
| Positioning and reporting Under the authority of the Director General and in close coordination with the Deputy Director General (Institutional Affairs and Regional Activities) and the Regional Activities Department. | |
| Job purpose The WOAH Regional Representative represents the WOAH and acts as the first contact point with the Organisation’s Members and stakeholders in the subregion. He/she promotes the WOAH’s values and mandate and ensures that regional needs are well addressed by the Organisation. He/she provides regional adapted services to WOAH Members so that they may improve the animal health situation in the subregion and comply with the WOAH standards and guidelines. The WOAH Regional Representative works closely with the Regional Activities Department (and other relevant Departments/Units) and participates in building strong relationships with Members. He/she contributes to the coordination and effective delivery of WOAH activities at regional level, including programmes/projects, in alignment with the strategic objectives and mission of the Organisation. | |
| Missions and activities Provide strategic guidance on the implementation of WOAH activities and ensure the reporting and follow-up of those activities by the office he/she leads – Identify and understand the priorities and specificities of the subregion so relevant activities can be planned and delivered, and to liaise accordingly with HQ; – Facilitate the design and implementation of strategic initiatives and define the regional roadmap in collaboration with relevant Departments/Units at HQ and in alignment with the Organisation’s goals and regional needs; – Report to WOAH HQ on the implementation of activities at regional level; – Strengthen the relationship with regional economic communities (RECs) and ensure follow-up on their programmes and policies, assessing the impact of regional projects and their relevance to WOAH strategic objectives and policies; – Encourage WOAH Reference Centres to streamline their programmes in line with the strategy/vision of the WOAH; – Strengthen existing partnerships and assess and promote new opportunities for collaboration with existing or new partners, including resource mobilisation partners and RECs, to address topics that are also of interest to the WOAH (i.e., climate change, the environment, wildlife, etc.). – Identify new areas where the work of the WOAH and Veterinary Services could potentially be relevant and consider new needs and expectations to see how WOAH activities can be adapted; – Advocate for WOAH policies and develop the visibility and outreach of the WOAH and its mandate across stakeholders in the subregion, including through partnerships; Where possible, seek financial support for Conferences, seminars and any other WOAH activity that could be supported financially by an external donor or a WOAH Member; – Coordinate the existing mechanisms for disease control, the implementation of the One Health concept as well as the Tripartite at regional level by, among others, ensuring close collaboration with key partners (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO], World Health Organization [WHO], United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP]) at regional level; – Support the Regional Representative in activities related to the regional secretariat of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GFTADs), including by supporting the development and implementation of regional GF-TADs’ strategies, facilitating (when needed) the coordination with the global GF-TADs’ structure, and by fostering a spirit of collaboration with FAO, other regional partners and WOAH Members; – Upon request of the Director General, and through collaboration with the Deputy Director General, represent and promote the Organisation during meetings with high-level government authorities. Ensure follow-up and provide support to Members and stakeholders as first contact point of the WOAH in the region he/she leads – Contribute to improving the quality of information on animal diseases, and the harmonization of control methods used for these diseases, in close collaboration with national or international Animal Health Services in the subregion, and in line with the WOAH’s strategic objectives; – Support Members in the implementation of WOAH global strategies adapted to the regional context; – Ensure the implementation and follow-up of specific projects as well as the organisation of institutional meetings; – Encourage active participation of Members in WOAH activities, including, for instance, in the standard-setting process and facilitate a neutral space for dialogue among Members and the Specialist Commissions regarding the standard-setting process; – Facilitate the participation of Members in WOAH activities and training programmes; – Promote the PVS at regional/national level, including explaining to resource partners the usefulness of the PVS outcomes to ensure a better targeted investment; – Contribute to the strengthening/development of relationships and coordinate/interact with the Members of the Region, Regional stakeholders, and partners, in close collaboration with the WOAH Regional Activities Department, to ensure that regional needs are well addressed by the Organisation and that the implementation of WOAH activities at regional level are in line with the WOAH strategic objectives and vision, and in support of Members’ needs; – Ensure a close relationship and close collaboration with the host country of the regional office he/she leads; – Promote, where possible and in close cooperation with national Veterinary Services, the dissemination of WOAH texts in local and regional languages; – Sensitise Members to the importance of paying WOAH contributions. Manage and provide leadership to the regional office team – Translate strategic goals into team objectives and monitor collective and individual performance; – Ensure the office’s compliance with its responsibilities as indicated in the RRs/SRRs Terms of Reference as well as in the document “Clarifying the Terms of Reference of the WOAH Regional and Regional Representations”; – Foster a positive and productive work environment through the provision of constructive feedback; – Motivate the team and be responsible for continually channelling information to and from the team, within the office itself and around the Organisation; – Organise and oversee tasks to ensure the delivery of the team’s missions; – Participate in the staff recruitment process as well as staff competency development and annual performance appraisals; – Manage, improve and, where necessary, identify and formalise the different processes of the office; – Manage the financial and administrative operations of the office; – Plan, propose and coordinate with the WOAH HQ related Directions/Departments budgetary propositions for the different activities covered by the office; – Ensure collaboration among team members to promote transversal cooperation and communication within the office. Coordinate the implementation of activities at regional level based on the WOAH strategic objectives and responding to regional needs – Have a global vision of the activities carried out in the region as a whole by the Regional and Subregional Representations to make sure that regional needs are well and harmoniously addressed within the region; – Coordinate with the relevant Representatives on ensuring follow-up on Members with double membership to ensure supporting those Members properly and in accordance with the RRs/SRRs Terms of Reference as well as in the document “Clarifying the Terms of Reference of the WOAH Regional and Subregional Representations” and the WOAH internal note on ‘Interaction of WOAH Members with WOAH RR/SRR and participation of Members with double Membership in the different WOAH Regional Commissions activities and discussions’; – Ensure that monthly and annual reporting as well as activity planning are provided by the region in a timely manner; – Coordinate and strengthen relationships among the regional and subregional representations; – Ensure collaboration among colleagues and the promotion of the work of the WOAH on a regional basis. | |
| Requirements | |
| Qualifications and experience – Required qualifications A degree in Veterinary Medicine or in a related field; – At least 15 years of professional experience working in Veterinary Authorities, public and/or environmental health, governmental organisations, or a Regional Economic Community – At least 5 years of experience in management; – At least 5 years of experience in an international environment. Additional qualification and experience (asset) – A postgraduate qualification; – Good knowledge of the major issues in animal health in the subregion as well as the region’s Veterinary Services, including eventually experience as WOAH Delegate and/or Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO); – Deep understanding of the political context and cultural differences in the region; – Deep knowledge of international and regional organisations. Expected skills: Management skills – Proven capacity to lead and develop teams, fostering collaboration and communication to achieve organisational objectives, while ensuring efficient use of resources and compliance with policies; – Demonstrated experience in managing projects, budgets, and processes, including planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation, to ensure timely and effective delivery of activities of the Office. Technical skills – Ability to work in English at a high level, including excellent oral and written communication skills; – Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect and analyse information, problem solve, and make decisions; – Excellent writing skills and ability to summarise complex technical and institutionaldiscussions into clear and concise reports; – Good computer skills in the Microsoft environment. Additional skills (asset) – Good working knowledge of one of the local languages in the region. Interpersonal skills – Excellent advocacy and communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal, presentations) to support and engage with all Members and objectively convey the opinions and interests of the region at global level; – Demonstrated initiative, including ability to think strategically and achieve results; – Attention to detail and capacity for global overview; – Courtesy, tact, and the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in amultinational and multicultural environment (diplomacy); – Strong confidentiality awareness; – A good and wide network as well as good relationship with current and potential partners in the subregion. | |
| Additional Information | |
| Working conditions – Salary: commensurate with qualifications and experience; – Type of contract: Fixed term contract; The post is a full-time position based at the WOAH Regional Representation for the Americas in Buenos Aires, Argentina; It requires long hours in a seated position at a computer; The position entails regular missions abroad. | |
| General information The WOAH places high value on a multicultural and positive work environment. The WOAH is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications of all qualified candidates, irrespective of their ethnic origin, gender, opinions, or beliefs. If you are interested in the position, please complete your application online at the latest by November 4th, 2024. 📩 https://urlr.me/92tW8 | |