Senior Specialist on FMD
control program

CNFA-AMD Project

US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

SCOPE OF WORK

 Project Description

US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) activity in Pakistan is a USAID funded activity implemented by CNFA with the goal of supporting the development of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture, particularly through improving the ability of Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors to meet both international and domestic demand and requirements in targeted product lines in Citrus, Mango, High value/off season vegetable and livestock. AMD envisions transforming the four targeted product lines into efficient, private sector led value chains that deliver competitive products to domestic and export markets. AMD’s targeted training, matching grants, and technical assistance will leverage private sector investment and encourage innovation. Together these approaches will support upgrading, streamline supply chains, optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately make Pakistani mango, citrus, meat and HV/OSV more profitable and more competitive.

Background Information and objectives of Technical Assistance:

Pakistan is currently at Stage-2 of OIE FMD PCP. It is mandatory for Pakistan to establish FMD free zones/compartments in line with the OIE guidelines to go to the next level of FMD PCP i.e. Stage-3 and get the country FMD program duly notified by the federal government and endorsed by OIE. Pakistan’s meat exports are currently limited to GCC, and Malaysia only. In order to expand into other markets like China, Indonesia and Russia, Pakistan needs to comply with the OIE regulations regarding FMD free zones/compartments and other relevant clauses mentioned under OIE’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code Article 8.8.39. Once the country specific FMD control program is notified by the government and all federating units of Pakistan, the relevant documentation along with verifiable documentary evidence pertaining to FMD PCP needs to be submitted to OIE for its endorsement.  This endorsement can then be leveraged through FMD controlled compartments/zones to export meat to a number of countries including those mentioned above. Governments of Punjab and Sind have already notified a few FMD control zones/compartments. AMD with the support of PHDA has actively been following up with the concerned authorities to get this task done at the earliest. As a result of AMD/PHDA efforts, Government of Pakistan has formed a National FMD Control Coordination Committee comprising of senior technical members from all the federating units. This particular assignment is for supporting the Animal Husbandry Commissioner to collect all the relevant technical information from all the federating units of Pakistan and utilize the information to chalk out a national FMD control program in line with guidelines of OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 8.8.39 for proper notification by the Federal government. The assignment also involves compilation of a complete dozier/technical document for submission to OIE for its endorsement as per chapter 8.8.39 of OIE TAHC and positively responds to any queries raised by OIE. The assignment involves coordination with all the federating units, and federal government relevant departments/organization.  The Senior Specialist FMD control program in collaboration with AMD marketing team will support the Animal Husbandry Commissioner/Chief Veterinarian of Pakistan to develop the technical document for endorsement in line with OIE guidelines.

The Senior Specialist on FMD Control program will have a background in veterinary sciences with advanced degree and practical experience in coordination and implementation of control program for trade limiting Transboundary Animal Diseases especially FMD at national level. Knowledge of animal health, disease control, designing and supporting capacity building initiatives, sound knowledge of FMD issues and relevant OIE regulations as well as government regulations, and an understanding of the Pakistani livestock and veterinary services will be an added advantage.

Assignment Scope:

This assignment requires the following specific functions:

• Review current FMD status of Pakistan viz-a-viz FMD Progressive Control Pathway;
• Provide a brief overview of country with general description of its physical, geographical and other factors relevant to FMD dissemination, besides borders common and with other countries posing risk for the introduction of disease.
• Outlay a general description of the livestock industry in the country and zone(s); if any.
• Review country’s veterinary system covering legislation (legal framework) in relation to the FMD control program, veterinary services compliance to OIE provisions; supervision and control of veterinary services to maintain FMD related activities in the country along-with status and follow-up on OIE PVS evaluation;
• Compile information necessary to issue a notification of national FMD control program by the federal government;
• Provide a description on the involvement and the participation of industry, producers, farmers, including subsistence and small scale producers, community animal health workers and the role of the private veterinary profession in FMD surveillance and control;
• Follow-up of OIE guidelines in writing Report of a Member Country which applies for the OIE endorsement of its official control program for FMD under Chapter 8.8 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Article 1.6.11) as per Questionnaire on endorsement of official control program for foot and mouth disease (FMD); typically and additionally elaborating on FMD; Control, Surveillance, Laboratory Diagnosis, Prevention, Control Measures and Emergency Response and Official Control Program for FMD to be Submitted for OIE Endorsement;
• Discussions with the relevant federating units and federal regulatory authorities, Coordinate with public and private sector to identify areas and farms for FMD control zones/compartments in line with the guidelines of OIE;
• Compile a comprehensive technical document (dozier) for submission to OIE for its endorsement covering all the necessary elements;
• Work with AMD to conduct a presentation of National FMD Control Program to the stakeholders identified by the program.
• Respond to any queries raised by OIE regarding this dozier;
• Willingness to travel to project areas within Pakistan;
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by the AMD Chief Technical Advisor or Chief of Party.

Deliverables:

• Brief situation and gap analysis of public sector veterinary infrastructure of all federating units / animal diseases control implementation agencies;
• Develop a National FMD Control Program based on requirements and criteria given in Chapter 8.8.39 of OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code with clear strategy & doable implementation plan, clearly elaborating timelines, performance indicators for assessing the efficacy of the control measures to be implemented and required activities to be undertaken for the FMD-PCP in Pakistan in first two months of the STTA assignment;
• Presentation of the proposed/developed National FMD Control Program in the FMD Control Technical Coordination Committee for review and validation by federating units
• Report on the assistance provided to the Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research Govt of Pakistan through AHC office to issue notification of official National FMD Control Program;
• Develop a dossier/technical document for submission to OIE for the endorsement of Pakistan’s FMD control program
• Report on responses to queries and points raised by the OIE on the draft dossier, and if required re-submit the dossier for re-consideration of the FMD control program endorsement;
• In collaboration with AMD, conduct a presentation of National FMD Control Program to stakeholders identified by AMD
• Final comprehensive report of work assignments.

Minimum Qualification:

• Above 25 years of professional experience in veterinary services and trade limiting animal disease control program at senior level;
• 5-7 years’ experience on veterinary policy development at national level;
• Complete knowledge and understanding of the OIE regulations/requirements for FMD control;
• Experience liaising with the government and donor funded projects;
• Advanced Degree in veterinary microbiology/epidemiology;
• Experience designing and implementation of technical documents at international level;
• Understanding of livestock value chain;
• Experience working on regulatory and policy development in livestock sector;
• Willingness to travel within Pakistan;
• Excellent communications skills in English are required.

Estimated level of Effort (LoE) for the assignment:

80 work days, including intermittent travel as outlined in the following detail:

Timing of the Assignment: 

The STTA shall commence on or about April 09, 2018 and is expected to complete by September 2018 with an LOE of 80 days.