AMR One Health Surveillance Specialist

Deliverables and support provided by the consultant will help UNEP achieve its commitments under the ‘Tackling the environmental drivers, sources and challenges of AMR through the One Health approach’ (Project ID: 224168).

Home-based / Working remotely

12 months - Full time

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The Chemicals and Health Branch in UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, gathers, compiles and analyses state-of-the-art information and data, including through monitoring activities, inventories and assessments, to allow policymakers to make informed decisions on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Branch also addresses issues of concern highlighted by governments, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), working to tackle the environmental drivers, sources and challenges of AMR through a One Health approach. Under the overall supervision of the AMR Team Lead, Agrifood and Health Unit, Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Division, and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Agrifood and Health Unit, Chemicals and Health Branch, the Consultant will support UNEP’s work by: • Finalizing the “Conceptual Roadmap for Global Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the Environment” and developing an implementation plan for the roadmap, including a timeline, identified milestones, and stakeholders to be consulted. • Creating and maintaining an expert group supporting UNEP on developing and implementing environmental surveillance of AMR. • Identifying and analyzing (through research, literature review, interviews, etc.) initiatives, options and platforms related to monitoring and surveillance in the environment which can be related to science- and risk-based environmental surveillance to support global efforts to analyze antimicrobial residues and resistance. • Working with UNEP regional offices in responding to countries’ needs and developing or gathering scoping studies, literature and initiatives relevant to environmental surveillance to assess capacities, needs and opportunities. • Developing knowledge products that elaborate on the purpose, scope, and methodology of the environmental surveillance of AMR, as a complement to the published strategy ‘Quadripartite Guidance on One Health Integrated Surveillance of AMR, and AMU’, and recommend options for improving the latter. • Developing a technical support package and a draft course and share and test them in countries through webinars or other means to strengthen the capacity and promote the understanding of developing environmental surveillance of AMR, ensuring that environmental surveillance remains high in the agenda. • Providing technical support to ensure that environmental aspects are effectively incorporated into the Global Integrated Surveillance System for AMR/AMU (GISSA) and in the technical work on integrated surveillance on AMR carried out by the Quadripartite organizations at the global and regional level. • Providing technical input and support to relevant documents including developing and supporting the development of project proposals, reports, concept notes, briefings, speaking points, communication assets, as required.

Education: An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, epidemiology, public health, environmental health, environmental monitoring, environmental or chemical engineering, waste management or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in the same fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in surveillance-related fields, including substantial experience in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance within a One Health framework, is required. Demonstrated expertise in the design, development, and implementation of One Health and/or environmental AMR surveillance systems across diverse contexts, including lowresource and resource-constrained settings, is required. Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments, including experience coordinating international partners, technical experts, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders is required. Demonstrated experience leading the development, publication, and dissemination of technical guidance, policy documents, global reports, and other knowledge products on AMR surveillance for intergovernmental organizations or comparable international bodies, is required. Experience translating scientific evidence and research findings into practical guidance and policy-relevant outputs is required. Capacity to employ a multidisciplinary One Health approach and integrate knowledge from environmental science, public health, agri-food, animal health, plant health and policy development to address the environmental dimensions of AMR is required. In-depth knowledge of the global AMR agenda from a One Health perspective, including familiarity with the strategies, frameworks, guidelines, and tools developed by the Quadripartite organizations (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH), as well as relevant UNEP initiatives and approaches, is desirable. Experience supporting or implementing One Health and/or environmental surveillance programmes in low- and middle-income countries, involving collaboration with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, is desirable. Prior professional experience within the United Nations system, particularly with UNEP, is desirable. Special skills/knowledge: Excellent communications skills (written and oral), fluent command of English and ability to craft and deliver messages in an effective manner. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to build robust relationships with key strategic partners, including other United Nations organizations.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is a requirement. Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

Not available.