Animal Health National Lead G7 at British Government

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• You will plan, prioritise and effectively deliver sustainable outcomes, in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, on fast-paced workstreams, through strong personal impact and credibility, sound scientific knowledge, diplomacy and partnership working.
• You will be the National Lead, overseeing engagement and delivery in Ghana. As the principal point of contact, you will work in partnership with national stakeholders including the Chief Veterinary Officer, Ghana Veterinary Services, University of Ghana, and international agencies such WOAH and FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), to help assess and understand priorities, and match need with available UK technical expertise.
• You will, within your area of technical expertise, directly contribute to the delivery of key project outcomes for example through training, workshops and mentoring. 
• You will keep abreast of national developments and strategic priorities as they relate to animal production and animal disease and provide the resident UK team with timely, relevant information.
• You will create, maintain and facilitate professional scientific networks. 
• You will ensure Defra is represented at meetings relevant to the strategic and operational delivery of the project in Ghana.
• You will help to define and refine a bespoke package of technical assistance, including workshops delivered by visiting scientists and oversight of sub-contracts delivered in partnership with APHA, Cefas, and VMD.
• You will provide regular monitoring reports to the Global Animal Health ODA Programme Management Office in Defra, London.
• You will regularly report back to the BHC’s One HMG (His Majesty’s Government) Board on programme activities and progress.
• You will have an understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line management of one Grade HEO, with capacity to expand as the project develops.
• Direct management budget not exceeding £100,000 per annum.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Recognised practitioner with proven track record and postgraduate qualifications in biomedical sciences, environmental health, One Health, ecology, epidemiology or veterinary science.   
• At least 3 years’ experience of working in animal health systems in developing countries and demonstrable experience in at least two of the following areas: vaccinology, diagnostics, surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, and One Health.
• Understanding of the animal health landscape in West Africa, with detailed understanding of livestock production and health in Ghana.
• Politically adept and understand how reform happens, and how to work in a political space.
• Understanding of global animal health / global health security architecture including the International Health Regulations (2005), international bodies such as WOAH, FAO, World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and regional bodies such as Africa CDC, AU-IBAR (African Union – InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources) and WAHO.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate confidently, concisely and persuasively, and build and exploit communication opportunities to secure project objectives.
• Experience of partnership working - linking with staff across varied organisational functions to address inter-dependencies and to ensure alignment. 
• Strong Project Management skills and at least 2 years’ experience of working in technical assistance projects.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). 
• A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable ‘can-do’ attitude that sees ways through challenges.
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Training and development experience.
• Experience of participation in research and development projects. 
• Line management experience.
• Demonstrate commitment to own Continuous Professional Development (CPD). 

Required behaviours  

• Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together