Call for members of an Action Group of Experts for collaboratively addressing AMR and Climate Change in livestock and aquaculture systems in low-and m

Background
The International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) is an independent organisation partnering with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to develop evidence-based, context-specific, and cost-effective solutions to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). ICARS works from a One Health perspective, thus covering human health, animal health and environment sectors. To have a better understanding of the local AMR context, together with researchers, organisations, and partners globally, ICARS provides resources to co-develop evidence that supports the implementation of activities to mitigate AMR and sustain real-world impact.

ICARS is collaborating with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in a project entitled “Solutions for integrating AMR into global challenges”. The objective of the project is to better understand how to incorporate global agenda and global challenges into AMR intervention and implementation research through developing context-specific evidence and testing potential strategies. The project has two technical streams: Stream I: AMR, gender and equity and Stream II: AMR and climate change (CC). This opportunity to join an Action Group of Experts is placed within Stream II, focusing on livestock and aquaculture sectors in LMICs across food systems from production to consumption. It will identify which climate-smart technologies and practices enhance or counteract AMR mitigation, as well as delivery systems for collaborative AMR and climate-smart measures in LMICs. The project will begin by scoping the current knowledge and identifying implementation gaps at the intersection of CC and AMR. Subsequently, country-specific projects will be undertaken to better understand the enablers and bottlenecks for implementing collaborative AMR and climate-smart measures across various LMIC settings and production systems. Also, the projects will investigate how AMR intervention and implementation research (IIR) can include climate change mitigation and/or adaptation in LMIC livestock and aquaculture settings.

Objectives
The Action Group of Experts (AGE) is an independent advisory body that reviews and provides technical and expert advice on the content, methodology, delivery, and dissemination of the activities outlined above. The Action Group aims to support ICARS and sub-contracted institutions with advice in areas related to AMR and climate-smart interventions in livestock and aquaculture.

The AGE will assist in developing and reviewing two requests for proposals:

• Scope LMIC knowledge and implementation gaps on addressing AMR and CC in livestock and aquaculture systems.
• Implement small-scale research studies on AMR and climate-smart measures/interventions in livestock and aquaculture systems in LMICs.

Scope
The AGEs has a focus on CC and AMR (Stream II) and provides technical and expert advice for the project and the delivery of activities. This takes place through meetings of the Action Group of Experts, as well as potential dissemination activities with the participation of a subset of the Action Group of Experts, and ongoing ad hoc communication with ICARS.

Terms of Reference:
The AGE will be chaired by ICARS staff and would be composed of 8-12 members, ideally including:

• expertise in AMU and AMR in aquaculture and livestock.
• expertise in infectious disease management and CC in livestock.
• expertise in infectious disease management and CC in aquaculture
• expertise in climate smart livestock (CC adaptation/mitigation)
• expertise in climate smart aquaculture (CC adaptation/mitigation)
• expertise in climate change and food systems/trade

The terms of reference for the AGE may include, but is not necessarily limited to the following:

• Develop and review a request for proposal (RFP) to scope LMIC knowledge and implementation gaps on addressing AMR and CC in livestock and aquaculture systems.
• Develop and review RFPs for the implementation of small-scale research studies on AMR and climate-smart measures/interventions in livestock and aquaculture systems in LMICs.
• Advise, support, and provide substantive inputs to the ICARS project and sub-contracted institutions identified through the RFPs to ensure an appropriate design and implementation of the research and the development of end-term deliverables of the project in the form of a knowledge resource on why and how to integrate AMR and climate-smart interventions for livestock and aquaculture systems in LMICs.
• Advise on study methodologies for the ICARS project and partners identified through the RFP.
• Provide input into the development of research instruments and protocols for the RFPs identified above.
• Participate in the writing/review of reports, manuscripts, or advocacy materials as the need arises and based on ICARS authorship criteria.
• Comitment to meet with ICARS advisors and sub-contractors when required to cover the above-mentioned tasks.

Meetings AGE
It is foreseen that the group will meet five times (bi-annually) in the first two years of the project. The group will primarily meet online, with one in-person meeting scheduled for the first half of 2025 to validate the first scoping study and develop the second request for proposals on interventions. Some members of the group may be involved in dissemination activities at a conference/congress and/or the final workshop of the stream, which will be a second in-person event.

Language
Proficiency in English is essential. Knowledge of other languages, particularly Arabic, Spanish, French, or Portuguese, is considered an advantage.

Education and professional experience

• Advanced degree (MD, DVM, PhD or equivalence in work experience) in agriculture, food science, animal production, veterinary medicine, social sciences, economy, or environment sciences
• Minimum 5 years' experience working in the field of climate change and/or control of infectious diseases and AMR in livestock and aquaculture systems in LMICs
• Demonstrated understanding and experience on livestock or aquaculture climate change mitigation/adaptation, or disease control/AMR in different production systems and settings
• Demonstrated experience working with or in LMICs. See the ICARS projects website for examples of projects in livestock and aquaculture: https://icars-global.org/our-projects/
• Experience in intervention and implementation research (IIR) is desirable

Personal characteristics

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesise information conveying key points clearly and concisely
• Ability to work with diverse global teams
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Responsible and solution-focused
• Strong time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

Timeframe of AGE functioning: July 2024 – December 2026

Remuneration
AGE members will be offered remuneration for the full duration of the project. We anticipate that the tasks of each member will be equivalent to 8-10 working days during this period and that some input will be provided in-kind. The timeframe and remuneration will be agreed upon in a written contract with each member before the work starts.

ICARS will cover travel costs (accommodation, per diem and flights on economy class) for all in-person meetings in line with the ICARS travel policy.

Contact Points
For further information about the position, please contact the Science Advisor-Climate and AMR; Sunday O. Ochai ([email protected]).

Application and recruitment process
Press “apply for the position” and submit your CV (only up to 5 pages and including a list of publications) along with a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and motivation for applying.

All applications will be reviewed, and successful candidates will be notified in 2 weeks after the deadline regarding interviews and potential inclusion into the Action Group.

We are committed to cultivating a fair and healthy environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.

Location: Remote

Application deadline: 14 Jul 2024