About the opportunity
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking a Senior Animal Health Officer (Antimicrobial and One Health Coordination) to join the One Health and Disease Control Branch within the Animal Production and Health Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The position plays a critical role in supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate FAO’s AMR and One Health work, manage multidisciplinary teams, guide corporate planning and policy advice, and oversee flagship initiatives such as RENOFARM and InFARM. The appointment is offered on a fixed-term basis for two years with the possibility of extension.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive UN compensation and benefits package based on P-5 grade level
- Dependency allowances and rental subsidies
- Education grant for children
- Home leave travel
- 30 working days of annual leave per year
- Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
- International health insurance and optional life insurance
- Disability protection
Who can apply?
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biology, life sciences, veterinary medicine, or a related field
- Ten years of relevant experience in animal health and production, public health, disease prevention and management, including regulatory aspects, standard setting, medical microbiology, and/or epidemiology
- Demonstrated experience in One Health and antimicrobial resistance programmes at the international level and in national institutes
- Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency level B) of another FAO official language (Chinese, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian)
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions
- At least two years of relevant work experience in AMR and animal health in more than one location, particularly in field positions or in direct support to countries and regions
Required documents
- Complete online profile including employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
- Letter of motivation
When to apply
- Application opening date: 21 October 2026
- Application deadline: 11 November 2026 at 10:59 PM
How to apply
- Visit the FAO recruitment portal and complete your online profile with accurate details of your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
- Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile
- Submit your application through the FAO recruitment portal before the deadline
Additional information
- Higher educational qualifications must be obtained from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
- Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the Organization
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for senior veterinarians, microbiologists, or life scientists with at least a decade of international experience in animal health and public health.
- A strong match for professionals with direct expertise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies, One Health frameworks, and global policy coordination.
- Well-suited for leaders comfortable managing multidisciplinary teams, high-level interagency partnerships, and resource mobilization initiatives.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must meet strict language proficiency requirements in English alongside working knowledge of a second UN official language.
- Relocation to FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, is required for this on-site position.
- The role involves rigorous background checks, verification of academic credentials through WHED, and extensive international representation duties.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This senior staff position offers an exceptional platform to shape global agricultural and health policies at the highest level of international governance. It is well-suited for experienced technical experts aiming to drive systemic change across agrifood systems, lead global standard-setting bodies, and influence international strategies like the One Health Joint Plan of Action.
Our take
Highly experienced international professionals and senior researchers specializing in veterinary public health, epidemiology, and AMR should seriously consider applying before the November deadline. Candidates lacking extensive international field experience or the requisite language proficiencies will find this role less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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