The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is an intergovernmental organisation recognised by the World Trade Organization as a reference Organisation for intergovernmental standards concerning the sanitary safety of international trade of animals and products of animal origin and zoonoses, and oversees improving animal health, veterinary public health and animal welfare worldwide, as well as transparency of the global animal disease situation.

Positioning and reporting

Under the authority of the Director General and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director General (Institutional Affairs and Regional Activities); in close coordination with the Heads of other Departments and the Regional and Sub-regional Representatives (RR/SRR). Supervising a team of 4 to 6 staff members.

Job purpose

The Head of the Regional Activities Department contributes to the institutional coordination and effective delivery of OIE activities at regional level. Working closely with the RR/SRR, he/she participates in building strong relationships with Members, especially through the Regional Commissions and Council (Regional Core Groups) and fostering their engagement in the OIE’s work. He/she provides support to the RR/SRR in the coordination of regional activities, programmes and projects in alignment with organisational priorities, and actively contributes to strengthening the regional business model. Finally, he/she supervises the OIE’s contribution to the GF-TADs platform, as well as other transversal programmes in the regions promoting synergies at regional level with partner organisations.

Missions and activities

Provide strategic guidance regarding the OIE activities related to the work of the Department

• Provide support to the design and implementation of strategic initiatives and define the Department’s roadmap in alignment with organisational goals;
• Participate in OIE management meetings and report to the General Directorate on the implementation of activities at regional level;
• Promote the OIE mandate and represent the Organisation at relevant international conferences, missions, meetings, workshops etc.;
• Contribute to the relationships with and coordinate/interact with a range of stakeholders, resources partners, Member Countries, other organisations and external parties, in close collaboration with other relevant Headquarters Departments/Units and RR/SRRs.

Provide leadership and management of the Regional Activities Department team

• Translate strategic goals into team objectives and monitor collective performance;
• Foster a positive and productive work environment through the provision of constructive feedback;
• Motivate and communicate for the team to convey information continually up, down, and around the Organisation;
• 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 Department

Participate in and ensure the management and delivery of the team’s missions

• Coordinate the relationship with the Members
• Facilitate and strengthen the relationship with the members of the Bureaus of the Regional Commissions and the Council through the Regional Core Groups;
• Ensure the smooth coordination of the meetings and conferences of the Regional Commissions;
• Support the development and update of trainings as need be and participate as required in the facilitation of training sessions.
• Provide overarching planification and coordination of the activities of the RR/SRR
• Coordinate and lead the reflection on the revision and improvement of the OIE’s regional business model and framework for the management of the RR/SRR;
• Lead the annual planning and follow up of regional activities according to the Business model of the RR/RSR;
• Liaise with relevant Departments/Units in charge of Administration, Resource Mobilisation and Events Coordination and the General Directorate for the validation, coordination and follow up of the proposed activities;
• Ensure smooth communication and harmonisation of institutional activities at regional level (Regional Roadmaps), supporting OIE Representatives in providing regular follow-up and reporting with key performance indicators;
• Organise and manage the meetings of the RR/SRR at Headquarters;
• Support new OIE Representatives to take office;
• Liaise with Human Resources on RR/SRR capacity and competency development needs.
• Coordinate regional programmes and initiatives under the GF-TADs
• Provide support to the Global Secretariat in the follow-up of the OIE’s contribution to the implementation of GF-TADs activities;
• Provide advice to the annual planning of GF-TADs-related activities, especially at regional level; and support the implementation and reporting on GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee activities
• Contribute to the preparation of and participate in the Management Committee meetings;
• Coordinate with RR/SRR to ensure a harmonised approach to GF-TADs in each of the five Regions and the implementation of regional workplans.
• Coordinate other regional programmes and initiatives
• Provide overarching support to the coordination of specific regional programmes and initiatives such as, but not limited to, REMESA, SEACFMD, PRAPS.

• A post-graduate qualification in veterinary sciences, veterinary public health, public administration or equivalent;
• At least 15 years of professional experience, including 8 years working with Veterinary Services or in veterinary public health;
• At least 8 years of experience in management;
• At least 5 years of experience in an international environment.

Additional qualification and experience (assets)

• Prior exposure to the OIE’s work

Requirements

Technical skills

• Strong skills in organisational planning and development, and capacity to reframe operational structures
• Ability to work in English at a high level including excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in a second OIE official language (Spanish or French)
• Excellent writing skills and ability to summarise complex technical and institutional discussions into clear and concise reports
• Good computer skills in a Microsoft environment.

Additional skills (assets)

• Good working knowledge a third OIE official language (Spanish or French)

Interpersonal skills

• Excellent leadership skills and the capacity to motivate and develop team members
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal, presentations)
• Demonstrated initiative, including ability to think strategically and achieve results
• 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

• Salary: Base salary at 5 000 € net / month
• Salary – totally or partially – exempt of French income tax
• Benefits (annual quality bonus)
• Duration : Two (2) years – renewable for an unlimited number of times

If you are interested in the position, please complete your application online by 24 December at noon (Paris local time) at the latest by clicking on the link below.