| 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. To support its work, WOAH may use individual consultants to provide ad hoc support for tasks that cannot be carried out by members of its staff. An individual consultant works in his own name, for the duration of his assignment at WOAH, to the exclusion of any other principal and without being attached to any employer. WOAH’s headquarters are based in Paris. The Organisation is present on every continent through 13 Regional or Sub-regional Representations. WOAH has 250 staff members, two-thirds of whom are based at headquarters. |
| Description of the individual consultant assignment |
| Mission and objectives The purpose of this consultancy is to perform as an independent expert as Secretary to WOAH’s Governance Review Committee. Following an external and independent review of WOAH’s institutional, technical and financial governance, at its 91st General Session the Assembly requested, on the recommendation of the Council, that the Director General set up a “dedicated group on governance to carry out further work to revise the WOAH Basic Texts” (Resolution No. 12 of 2024). The group operates under the title “Governance Review Committee” (also “Committee” or “GRC”) and is established to serve in an advisory, consensus-building capacity and reports to the Assembly. The Governance Review Committee is reviewing the “Report on the analysis and evaluation of the institutional, technical and financial governance of WOAH” (the Consultants’ Report, available here) with a view to presenting to the WOAH Assembly consensus positions on each recommendation of the Report and any other recommendations the Committee may deem appropriate to improve WOAH’s governance structures and processes. The Assembly approved the Governance Review Committee’s “holistic programme of multi-year activities” in Resolution No. 5 (2025). The work of the Governance Review Committee is divided into two substantive phases. First, the Committee is assessing any changes to WOAH’s governance arrangements it considers appropriate and helpful to the organisation (Phase 1). Once prospective changes are identified, the second phase will involve the preparation of any revisions to the Basic Texts to be made (Phase 2). It is expected that Phase 1 will be concluded at the General Session of the Assembly in 2027 and Phase 2 at the following General Session in 2028. Upon completion of its review of the recommendations in the Consultants’ Report, and based on the action proposed on each of them, the Governance Review Committee will consider options for the revision of WOAH’s Basic Texts and make recommendations thereon to the Assembly. Since the adoption of its work programme by the Assembly in May 2025, the Governance Review Committee engages in the following activities: – Conduct a thorough review of all recommendations contained in the Consultants’ Report and suggest any additional recommendations stemming from the Committee’s work or other governance initiatives at WOAH; – Present any recommendations for adjustments to WOAH’s governance processes (a first package to be presented for adoption at the Assembly’s General Session in May 2026 and a second package presented to the Assembly in May 2027); and – Prepare an implementation plan for the recommendations to be taken forward (in addition to those flagged for immediate implementation) that includes specific actions to be undertaken, a timeline, and any budgetary requirements. This plan will include possibilities for adjusting relevant WOAH legal texts. To support its review and development of its advice to the Assembly, the GRC has established two subgroups on codifying WOAH’s mandate and the organisation and governance of WOAH’s technical bodies. These subgroups are composed of GRC members and convene virtually or correspond by email. The GRC’s second report to the Assembly, providing an update on its work and submitting seven (7) substantive recommendations for governance changes to the Assembly for decision at the 93rd General Session (May 2026), is available here. The GRC Terms of Reference provide that the Committee shall have an external adviser (referred to as “Secretary”) to support the Committee’s Chairperson in their responsibilities. The Director General shall appoint the Secretary. The Secretary will perform the assignment in accordance with the GRC’s Terms of Reference and under the authority of the Chairperson. The Secretary must be external to WOAH but have extensive knowledge of WOAH and its governance texts and processes as well as have the capacity to dedicate considerable time to supporting the Chairperson and the work of the Committee. The Secretary is not a member of the Committee (articles 3.4 and 3.5 of the Terms of Reference). |
| Activities and deliverables : |
| Deliverables, Deadline (prov.), Days of work (prov.) Phase 1 governance reform advisory outputs – Provide written governance advisory inputs to the Chairperson on WOAH institutional, technical and financial governance matters, including briefing notes and written comments on documents, as requested. – Support the preparation and conduct of Governance Review Committee meetings (virtual and in‑person), including inputs to agendas, meeting briefs for the Chairperson, meeting records and documented follow‑up actions.Liaise with the Secretariat in relation to the preparation, review and coordination of background papers and information notes provided to the Committee.Contribute to and support the preparation and finalisation of the Governance Review Committee’s Phase 1 report and recommendations on governance reform, submitted to the WOAH Assembly. => Deadline : 01/03/2027 => Days of work : 36 Phase 2 Basic Texts revision advisory outputs – Provide written advisory inputs and comments on draft revisions to the WOAH Basic Texts and related legal instruments, as requested by the Chairperson or the Secretariat. – Support Governance Review Committee meetings and intersessional work related to Phase 2, including preparation of meeting briefs, written inputs, meeting records and documented follow‑up actions. – Contribute to and support the preparation and finalisation of the Governance Review Committee’s report and recommendations on revisions to the WOAH Basic Texts and legal framework, submitted to the WOAH Assembly. => Deadline : 01/07/2028 => Days of work : 33 |
| Requirements |
| Qualifications and Experience Required Qualifications – Master’s degree in a field relevant to the WOAH governance (e.g., veterinary science, public policy, domestic or international civil administration). – Excellent command of English, both oral and written, is required. Ideally, good working knowledge of at least one other WOAH working language (French, Spanish). Required Skills Technical Skills – The knowledge of and experience in WOAH governance processes needed to provide substantive guidance to the Chairperson and the flexibility to develop options for solutions that will assist in updated WOAH governance arrangements to optimise its ability to deliver for its Members. – A strong international perspective and an understanding of the issues and perspectives across the WOAH Membership. – An ability to formulate a balanced view independent of any existing affiliations and bringing unquestionable integrity and diplomacy. – Ideally, previous experience in a leadership role in one or more of WOAH’s governance bodies. |
| Additional Information |
| Working conditions 1.1 Organisation of the Work The Consultant’s work will be completed remotely where the Consultant is based, except for the Consultant’s on-site attendance at in-person meetings of the Governance Review Committee. The total commitment of 69 working days over two years averages to approximately 1 working day every 1.5 weeks, with workload concentrated into peak periods of activity and quieter periods where no work is required. The Consultant may be required to complete Services outside normal business hours in their location. In each calendar year of term of the Consultant’s contract, there will be at least two missions for in-person meetings of the Governance Review Committee to Paris. 1.1 Payment Schedule The cost will be broken down based on a quarterly invoice submitted by the Consultant, reflecting the actual number of days worked in each quarter, in alignment with the expected deliverables and the Committee’s timelines. The Consultant will be required to work within the ceiling of 69 working over the duration of the contract. No advance payment is planned. Payments will be made upon submission and validation of quarterly invoices by WOAH. If missions are confirmed during the consultancy, WOAH will cover the real travel costs in accordance with its Financial Policy Framework and standard travel rules. These costs should not be included in the consultant’s financial proposal. The terms and conditions of the consultancy will follow those outlined in the WOAH Consultancy Contract template. 2. Structure of the response Interested persons are invited to submit a proposal including the following documents in English: – The consultant’s proposal should include the following elements: – Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages), outlining relevant qualifications, experience, and language skills; – Cover letter (maximum 1 page), demonstrating the consultant’s suitability for the assignment and interest in the position; – Daily rate in EUR, based on a maximum of 69 working days; – Confirmation of availability for the proposed period (1 July 2026 to 1 July 2028); – Annex 1 “Financial offer” duly completed and signed; – Annex 2 “Declaration of integrity” duly completed and signed. 3. Evaluation of Proposals and Award of the Contract Criteria 1: Technical criteria (80%) – Demonstrated expertise in WOAH governance and leadership (70%):Relevant qualifications, experience in and/or knowledge of governance processes in WOAH, national veterinary administration or another intergovernmental organisation, including the ability to provide substantive, independent guidance to senior leadership and to develop practical, forward‑looking options to strengthen and optimise governance arrangements for the benefit of Members; prior leadership experience within one or more WOAH governance bodies is an advantage. – International perspective, integrity and diplomatic judgement (30%): A strong understanding of the diverse issues and perspectives across the WOAH Membership, combined with the ability to exercise sound, balanced judgement free from conflicts of interest, and to engage with unquestionable integrity, discretion, and diplomatic skill. Criteria 2: Financial criteria (10%) – Competitiveness and coherence of the proposed daily rate and total cost within the estimated budget. The estimated range of the daily rate for these services is 400-500 EUR; significant deviations from the estimated range may be subject to further assessment, including verification of their justification and consistency with the proposed services. Criteria 3: Availability and flexibility (10%) – Availability for the proposed period and potential to adapt to WOAH GRC timelines, including for occasional in-person meetings or events. 4. Response Procedure 7.1 Response process WOAH reserves the right to introduce non-substantial modifications to the tender documents. In the event that WOAH, either following a request from the Consultant or on its own initiative, introduces a modification of the call, all Consultants having received the invitation to submit a proposal will be informed. WOAH shall signal on the call that modifications have been made and may extend the deadline for submission of proposals to allow Consultants to take into account these changes. 7.2 Costs of Responses Consultants are responsible for all costs and expenses, including professional fees, incurred in connection with the preparation and submission and generally their participation in the Call for Consultant procedure. 7.3 Conditions of Participation Natural and legal persons who have provided a compliant response to the consultation as published may apply. No more than one proposal may be submitted by a person whether as a natural or legal person. In participating to this consultation, the consultant warrants by doing so that he/she: – is not bankrupt or under mandatory liquidation, is not having its affairs administered by the courts, has not entered into an arrangement with creditors, is not the subject of proceedings concerning its business activities, or is not in any similar situation arising from a procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations; – has powers of representation, decision-making or control over it or a member of an administrative, a management or a supervisory body has not been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering, offences linked to terrorist activities, child labour, human trafficking, creating or being a shell company or any other irregular or illegal activity ; – has powers of representation, decision-making or control over it have not been guilty of professional misconduct, including misrepresentation. – is in compliance with all its obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions and of taxes in accordance with the national legislation or regulations of the country in which the Consultant resides; Consultants undertake to provide documentary evidence related to the items mentioned above upon request by WOAH at any point during the call for consultancy procedure and/or contracting process. Should a consultant fail to produce reasonable evidence, WOAH reserves the right to reject the consultant’s response and, in the event it has already entered into a Contract with the consultant as a result of the process, to terminate such Contract with immediate effect. The REFINITIV WORLD-CHEK ONE global compliance screening platform will be consulted. In accordance with WOAH’s internal rules, the identification of a Consultant by this platform may lead to its exclusion. 7.4 Conflicts of Interest Under no circumstances is a Consultant to contact any person employed by or representing WOAH. regarding the call for consultant procedure other than the person(s) mentioned in this document. In participating to this consultation, a tenderer represents and warrants that the Consultant: – does not have any conflict of interest arising from economic interests, political or national affinities, family or emotional ties, or any other relevant connection or shared interest in connection with any Contract that may be entered into between the Consultant and WOAH as a result of the consultation; – will inform, without delay, of any situation constituting a conflict of interest or which could give rise to a conflict of interest; – No offer of any type whatsoever from which an advantage can be derived under the Contract has been or will be made; has not granted and will not grant, has not sought and will not seek, – has not attempted and will not attempt to obtain, and has not accepted and will not accept, any advantage, financial or in kind, to or from any party whatsoever, constituting an illegal practice or involving corruption, either directly or indirectly, as an incentive or reward relating to the award of the Contract; – It has not and will not make any misrepresentation, either knowingly or negligently, in supplying any of the information requested by WOAH. 7.5 Proposal submission WOAH places high value on a multicultural and positive work environment and seeks gender and geographical balance in its international consultants. WOAH welcomes proposals of all qualified candidates, irrespective of their ethnic origin, gender, opinions or beliefs. WOAH, as a data controller, will process the personal data you provide in the bidder for the purposes of identifying a suitable Consultant, to support its work. The data collected will be processed internally for the aforementioned purposes and for the resulting administrative acts, it shall be kept for the duration of the contract with you and in an intermediate archive for a duration of 10 during the audit period. You have rights to access and rectify your personal data, as well as to request erasure and obtain data portability under certain circumstances. To exercise these rights or If you have any questions about the processing of your data, you can contact our data protection officer at dpo@woah.org. For more information check our Privacy Policy Should you have any questions, please contact: Rodney De Souza at r.desouza@woah.org. To comply with disclosure requirements and enhance transparency, WOAH shall publish on its website the following information about the Contract which shall be concluded with the awarded consultant: (i) the nature of the contract (ii) year of award (iii) name and locality of the Consultant; (iv) the title, purpose of the Consultant; and (v) the amount of this Agreement. WOAH will not release or publish information that could reasonably be considered confidential or proprietary. 8. ANNEXES Annex 1: The financial offer to be returned duly completed and signed Annex 2: The declaration of integrity to be returned duly completed and signed |
| General information WOAH places high value on a multicultural and positive work environment. WOAH is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates, irrespective of their origin, gender, opinions or beliefs. If you are interested in the position, please complete your application online at the latest by June 10th, 2026. All applications will be reviewed after the closing date of the publication APPLY HERE |
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31 May 2026
