Consultant, Biological Threat Reduction and Emergency Management

About the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH – founded as OIE) is a leading intergovernmental organisation representing 183 Members worldwide. Through its activities, WOAH makes a decisive contribution to improving animal health, protecting animal welfare and strengthening Veterinary Services. The Organisation provides transparent information on world's animal health situation, and promotes international standards, particularly in terms of the safety of trade in live animals and animal products. More information can be found on WOAH’s website. Joining WOAH means taking part in the development of one of the leading international organisations, recognised and associated with other multilateral institutions, in the field of worldwide health. It means helping to build a global approach to health, combining animal and human health in a “One Health” approach.

To support its work, WOAH may use individual consultants to provide ad hoc support for tasks that cannot be carried out by members of its staff. An individual consultant works in his own name, for the duration of his assignment at WOAH, to the exclusion of any other principal and without being attached to any employer. WOAH's headquarters are based in Paris. The Organisation is present on every continent through 13 Regional or Sub-regional Representations. WOAH has 250 staff members, two-thirds of whom are based at headquarters.

The Role of Consultant, Biological Threat Reduction and Emergency Management

In meeting its mandate, the WOAH takes the threat posed by accidental and deliberate release of animal pathogens very seriously. The 2015 WOAH’s Strategy for biological threat reduction (BTR) focuses on strengthening, enhancing, and developing cross-links between existing health systems. Through the adoption of Resolution No 31 at the 2021 WOAH General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates, the WOAH also recommends an all-hazards approach to emergency management and regularly exercise their emergency plans, involving other sectors, to test them for fitness for purpose.

WOAH’s Technical item on emergency management at the 89th WOAH General Session in 2023 outlined the global context, threats, planning tools, and systems available to better manage emergencies. This highlighted the role of Veterinary Services (VS) and the Aquatic Animal Health Services in addressing complex emergencies and pandemics and emphasizes their critical role in ensuring preparedness and response. The WOAH Animal Health Codes set expectations for the Veterinary Services (VS) in contingency planning. In 2024, WOAH formed an ad-hoc group to prepare a new Chapter on emergency management. This Chapter will define core principles and terminology and support the VS in navigating today’s increasingly complex high-risk environment.

Assignment Details

The contract will be signed as soon as the selection procedure is finalised. The Consultant's first mission will begin when the first purchase order has been issued by WOAH.

Positioning and Reporting

The individual consultant will report to the WOAH Department/Representation that have issued the purchase order.

Mission Objectives

The Consultant, Biological Threat Reduction and Emergency Management will contribute to supporting the implementation of WOAH activities on biothreat reduction, emergency preparedness and response.

Key skills/competency

• Biological Threat Reduction
• Emergency Management
• Veterinary Services
• Animal Health
• Pathogen Control
• Contingency Planning
• One Health Approach
• International Standards
• Policy Implementation
• Technical Support