Job
Deputy Head of the Science Department

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Organization Name: World Organisation for Animal Health
Location: Paris, France
Apply email: Not Specified
Start Date: 05 May 2019, 12:46 pm
Closing Date: 31 May 2019, 12:00 am

Context
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental Organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. The standards it develops for the trade of live animals and products of animal origin are recognized by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules (http://www.oie.int/fr/).The OIE, previously known as the « Office international des épizooties », was created on the 25th of January, 1924. Its headquarters are based in Paris. It comprises 182 Member Countries and is present on all continents through 12 Representations or Bureaus in total.
The Science Department was created as a stand-alone Department following restructuring in 2018. It leads the OIE’s systems for identifying, addressing, publishing and implementation of science arising from development and review of international standards, global control programmes, and capacity building.
This system works in conjunction with the STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium, for which the Science Department is coSecretariat.
The Department provides the Secretariat for two of four of the OIE’s Specialist Commissions, being theScientific Commission for Animal Diseases (SCAD) and Biological Standards Commission (BSC). As such, the Science Department is closely engaged in the OIE’s Common Secretariat, the mechanism through which consistency and coordination of the international standards work programme is achieved. Working with the BSC, the Science Department coordinates the OIE’s Reference Centre network (i.e. OIE Reference Laboratories and OIE Collaborating Centres) and is primarily responsible for maintaining the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals and the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals.  The Science Department supports OIE’s global control programmes and provides the Secretariat for the OIE-FAO Influenza Network (OFFLU). The OIE’s Publications Unit is located within the Science Department, with horizontal responsibilities as well as the OIE’s scientific publications.Positioning and reporting Under the authority of the Deputy Director General (International Standards and Science) and the supervision of the Head of Science Department (HoD).

Job purpose

The Deputy Head of the Science Department participates in the scientific excellence and integrity of the OIE standard setting process and global control programmes by guaranteeing the identification, prioritisation and response to science needs across OIE activities.
He/she supports the HoD in ensuring the alignment and coordination of the work of the Specialist Commissions and ad hoc groups regarding the delivery of high-quality, scientifically-based and up-to-date international standards.
He/she contributes to the OIE’s management of global disease control programmes by supporting the HoD in managing the coordination of technical and administrative processes in line with strategic objectives, and in coordinating the network of OIE Reference Centres to ensure the scientific capability is supporting the OIE work programme and its Members.
Overall, he/she seconds the HoD in ensuring the performance of the activities of the Science Department and contributes to providing strategic guidance and support to the team.

Missions and activities

Contribute to providing strategic guidance regarding the OIE activities related to the work of the Department
•        Replace the HoD in his/her absence
•        Promote the OIE mandate and represent the OIE at relevant international conferences, missions, meetings, workshops etc.
•        Manage relationships with and coordinate responses to enquiries from diverse sources, including colleagues, Member Countries, other organisations and external partiesProvide support to the HoD in the leadership and management of the team
•        Support the HoD in translating strategic goals into team objectives and monitor collective performance
•        Foster a positive and productive work environment through the provision of constructive feedback
•        Organise and oversee tasks to ensure delivery of the team’s missions
•        Participate in the recruitment process of staff members as well as staff competency development and annual performance appraisal
•        Manage, improve and, where necessary, identify and formalise the different procedures of the DepartmentParticipate in and support the HoD in ensuring the management and delivery of the team’s missions
•        Develop and implement the OIE science system – the system through which science needs arising from the international standards work programme, global control programmes, and OIE capacity development are identified, prioritised, overseen during delivery, and implemented back into OIE activities
•        Coordinate the OIE’s engagement in research collaborations and scientific networks:Provide the co-Secretariat to the STAR-IDAZ International Research ConsortiumProvide the Secretariat to the OIE FAO Influenza Network (OFFLU)Through the STAR-IDAZ IRC Secretariat, provides the OIE liaison for the Global FMD Research Alliance, the Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance
•        Contributes to the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Global Research and Expertise Alliance
Coordinate the scientific and technical input into the OIE standard-setting process:Provide the Secretariat to the Scientific Commission for Animal DiseaseProvide the Secretariat to the Biological Standards CommissionProvide the Secretariat for associated ad hoc groups
•        Coordinate the OIE Reference Centre network (OIE Reference Laboratories and OIE Collaborating Centres) to ensure they provide scientific support to the OIE work programme and Members
•        Support management of OIE’s global disease control programme partnerships  o Provide scientific support for FMD and PPR programmes (primarily led from OIE Status Department)Lead OIE’s work in the Global Strategy for Dog-Mediated Rabies Control, with partners (FAO, WHO and Global Alliance for Rabies Control)Provide the OIE liaison for the Zoonotic Tuberculosis Roadmap

 

Qualifications and Experience

•        A Bachelor’s degree and post-graduate qualification in Veterinary Science
•        At least 8 years of working experience, including several years in a National Veterinary Authority
•        Proven experience in animal health laboratory works
•        At least 5 years of experience in an international environment
•        At least 3 years of experience in managementAdditional qualification and experience (assets)
•        PhD or Master post-graduate studies in veterinary sciences, epidemiology, public health or risk assessmentRequirements Technical skills •        Strong understanding of and experience in international systems for animal disease research, either as a researcher or in science procurement or administration
•        Strong understanding of the laboratory aspects of disease management
•        Good understanding of and commitment to Good Regulatory Practice in science-based organisations
•        Ability to work in English at a high level including excellent oral and written communication skills
•        Excellent writing skills and ability to summarise complex technical discussions into clear and concise reports
•        Good computer skills in a Microsoft environmentAdditional skills (assets)
•        Knowledge and understanding of the international standards-setting environment and the WTO Agreements in relation to international trade
•        Familiarity with the OIE Codes and Manuals
•        Network of contacts in international animal disease research
•        Good working knowledge of Spanish and/or FrenchInterpersonal skills •        Excellent leadership skills and the capacity to motivate and develop team members
•        Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal, presentations)
•        Organisational awareness: strong ability to establish priorities and work within tight timelines
•        Attention to detail and capacity for global overview
•        Courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multinational and multicultural environment
•        Strong confidentiality awareness

Working conditions

The post is a full-time position based at the OIE Headquarters in Paris. It requires long hours in a seated position at a computer. The position entails regular missions abroad.

Salary:   Base salary at 3 900 € net/month, commensurate according to experience and qualifications  Salary – partially to totally – exempt of French income tax   Benefits (annual bonus)

Duration :  Two (2) years – renewable indefinitely

General information 

The OIE places high value on a multicultural and positive work environment.  The OIE is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications of all qualified candidates, irrespective of their ethnic origin, gender, opinions or beliefs.This is a full-time position as an international civil servant based at the OIE Headquarters in France. Expected starting date as soon as possible.
If you are interested in the position, please complete your application online by 31 May 2019 at noon (Paris local time) at the latest by clicking on the link below.
https://urlz.fr/9EGz