Regional One Health Specialist at Mott MacDonald

About The Job

• The Fleming Fund is a 10-year, large scale (+£235m) and complex fund management programme which operates in up to 25 LMIC countries and runs until 2026.

Job Description

• The position holder will lead the Fleming Fund’s regional approach to Animal Health and One Health within the Fleming Fund Grants Programme and provide expert input and coordination of One Health, animal health (terrestrial and, where appropriate, aquatic), food safety and environmental health components specifically in relation to antimicrobial resistance. 
• The position is for a member of the Regional Team supporting the end-to-end process of grant management. 
• The role will help to ensure the implementation of standards, processes and strategies to ensure a consistent approach and high level of quality is maintained across the region . 
• In order to do so, the Animal Health/One Health specialist will report to the Regional Coordinator and will work closely with the rest of the regional team, with the UK-based Animal Health/One Health Technical Lead and with other members of the core technical group as required.
• The role will include regular travel to multiple countries within the region for on-site verification and partner liaison.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Provide technical and strategic input into the rollout of the country and Fleming Fellowship grants in the region, particularly in the areas of One Health, animal health, food safety and environmental health related to antimicrobial resistance.
• Contribute to the Country Needs and Capability Assessment process, including conducting site assessments.
• Contribute to review of funding applications and make recommendations for approval.
• Support countries in implementation of Fleming Fund Grants.
• Contribute to the monitoring of grants and site verification visits.
• Define roles for consultants and other technical assistance and assist in their management and performance assessment as required by the Regional Coordinator.
• Assist in interpretation of both AMR and AMU surveillance data.
• Assist in monitoring grant performance data.
• Provide support for microbiology laboratory capacity building, specifically for animal and environmental health.
• Provide advice for problem solving and addressing technical challenges to delivery of grants.

Candidate Specification

Education:

• Essential: Degree in veterinary medicine and a higher education (post-graduate) degree in microbiology or epidemiology
• Desirable: PhD or equivalent qualification

Training:

• Essential: Appropriate certification and levels of continual professional development in microbiology and/or epidemiology.
• Desirable: Relevant courses in management and/or relevant technical fields will be an asset.

Experience:

• Essential: Significant experience working in animal/zoonotic disease control and/or addressing AMR in low- and middle-income settings.
• Excellent experience in implementation of One Health approaches to disease control including in low-income settings.
• Good understanding of AMR, including microbiological aspects, the multi-factorial epidemiology of AMR involving humans, animals and the environment and antimicrobial stewardship practices.
• Experience working with stakeholders from multiple disciplines at a high level.
• Demonstrated ability to work within teams in a multi-disciplinary environment, while also being able to work independently and manage own workload.
• Experience managing grants, grantees or subgrantees in development programmes.

Desirable:

• History and track-record of providing technical advice to programmes, organisations, or other institutions.
• Experience within low and middle-income countries on developing plans for surveillance systems.
• Specialisation or experience in control of drug resistant bacteria.
• Experience with environmental sampling for antibiotics and antibiotic resistant microorganisms.
• Working with a funding agency or similar organisation, particularly in management of grant programmes.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating programmes.
• Knowledge and networks (partnerships and associates) in LMICs within the subject area.
• Experience of working with major development partners such as DFID, USAID, EU, World Bank,
• UN health agencies and Global bodies.
• Demonstrated excellence in publications and/or a research track-record.
• Knowledge of advanced diagnostic and epidemiological techniques for bacterial pathogens.

Key Skills:

• Essential: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to use evidence-based decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively: communicating, building relationships, and working effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders in a LMIC environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Able to multi-task and maintain a critical overview of interrelated tasks, projects, and issues, ensuring delivery according to targets.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.

Desirable:

• Excellent and proven proposal writing skills.
• Excellent presentational skills, including at conferences and policy fora.
• Ability to work in other language(s) would be considered an asset.
• Experience of teaching and training and/or a relevant higher education qualification would be advantageous.