FAO is Hiring an Animal Health Officer (Antimicrobial Resistance – AMR)

Technical Focus

The core focus of this role is to support the transformation of agrifood systems by addressing health threats at the human – animal -environment interface. To achieve this, the role will be to:

• Support the implementation of the FAO AMR Action Plan to strengthen global efforts against antimicrobial resistance.
• Advance the Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative, promoting sustainable practices that safeguard food security.
• Contribute to One Health coordination and capacity development, fostering collaboration across sectors to build resilient systems.

Organizational Setting and Context

The position is located in the One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW) under the Animal Production and Health Division leads at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It coordinates the prevention and control of endemic and emerging transboundary animal diseases and health threats that emerge at the animal-human-environment interface including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

FAO champions the One Health approach, integrating strategies and capacities that simultaneously address the health of people, animals, plants and the environment. This work is part is a key Priority Programme Area, and part of FAO’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

The One Health coordination and AMR Cluster streamlines FAO’s collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as the Quadripartite to address health threats at the human-animal-plant-environment interface and to promote health and sustainable development.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Health Officer (Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)) reports to the Senior Animal Health Officer, Head of One Health Coordination and AMR Cluster.

Key Results

Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Key functions

• Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Supports the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment in FAO’s work including the disaggregation of data by sex and age where appropriate.
• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems.
• Updates databases and web pages.
• Participates in multidisciplinary project/work teams.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars etc.
• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

AMR specific functions

• Supports the implementation of the RENOFARM Initiative to reduce antimicrobial use on farms for sustainable agrifood systems.
• Contributes to the coordination of the AMR Technical Working Group.             
• Develops and coordinates technical publications and content on AMR and One Health.
• Supports activities to control and prevent substandard and falsified antimicrobials.
• Collects data and conducts literature reviews to support technical guidelines, products, and training materials.
• Supports the formulation and implementation of AMR and One Health projects in agrifood systems as required.
• Plans, organizes, and participates in technical meetings, and related events as required.
• Candidate requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields: veterinary epidemiology ‘microbiology, public health, biochemistry; or related subjects relevant to the work of AMR, Antimicrobial Use (AMU).
• Three years of relevant experience in AMR, AMU, veterinary drug quality control and/or One Health.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level
• B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Familiarity with gender issues as needed.
• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting and analysing technical information and data.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in animal disease surveillance and/or risk
• Management programmes and in infectious disease management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical work on matters related to animal health, Antimicrobial Resistance, One Health.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted EXCLUSIVELY through the official FAO recruitment portal HERE.

1. Visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile, ensuring it is accurate and complete (employment records, qualifications, languages).
2. Candidates are requested to attach a Letter of Motivation to the online profile.
3. Only higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) will be considered.  These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
4. Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.

You are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline date (03/Dec/2025)