דרושים Individual Consulting for One Health Situation in Uzbekistan במרכז

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 COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of more than 3.7 billion lives and economic damages estimated at $8-16 billion worldwide. Therefore, predicting and preventing the emergence of new diseases is a public health and economic priority. However, our systematic understanding of the interrelationships between human health, animal health and the health of the environment is not yet sufficient to provide integrated and collaborative responses to the challenges presented.

Across Central Asia’s mountain valleys, river corridors, and high-altitude pastures, people, livestock, and wildlife share the same fragile landscapes. This close coexistence brings both extraordinary opportunity and serious risk especially when it comes to the transmission of zoonotic diseases that can jump between animals and humans.

Central Asia has experienced multiple zoonotic disease outbreaks that pose serious risks to public health and local economies. Alongside the more commonly reported rabies, tuberculosis, brucellosis, plague, and anthrax, there have also been non-zoonotic outbreaks where a One Health approach remains essential. Heavy mortality among mountain ungulates, for instance, has disrupted ecological balance and affected the livelihoods of communities that depend on these ecosystems for grazing and tourism.

These recurring challenges highlight the deep interconnection between animal health, human wellbeing, and ecosystem stability showing that coordinated, cross-sectoral action is not optional but necessary.

Uzbekistan, a country in Central Asia and part of the former Soviet Union, faces challenges in controlling and preventing zoonotic diseases, which can spread between people and animals. Health risks like brucellosis, which occurs in high numbers in both people and livestock in the region, exist due to inadequate health and veterinary systems, and limited laboratory and surveillance system capacities in the country. The government of Uzbekistan recognizes the threat posed by zoonotic diseases (as the country sees major economic growth in livestock production) and is working to improve the country's capacity to prevent, control, detect, and treat them.

In March 2022, WOAH, WHO, UNEP and FAO formed the One Health Quadripartite Collaboration, leading to the development of the One Health Joint Plan of Action. The plan outlines six action tracks focused on strengthening health systems, reducing zoonotic and pandemic risks, controlling endemic and vector-borne diseases, improving food safety, addressing antimicrobial resistance, and integrating environmental considerations. Together, these actions support coordinated efforts and situation analysis at the human-animal-environment interface.

During the OH high level panel at the 31st Conference of the Regional Commission for Europe in October 2024 that involved the President of WOAH World Assembly of Delegates, Representatives of national authorities on public health, animal health, environmental protection of Uzbekistan, was highlighted the needs for a comprehensive One Health situational analysis to help identify priority areas, and enhance coordination mechanisms for sustainable One Health implementation. With financial support from GIZ, WOAH will assist national authorities in conducting this One Health situation analysis in Uzbekistan to measure the impact of the interventions implemented by the Uzbekistan state.

Description of the individual consultant assignment

Positioning and reporting

The consultant will report to the WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Central Asia in Astana and the One Health Global Coordinator at WOAH Headquarters in Paris.

Mission objectives

To develop a situation analysis of Uzbekistan assessing the current state of One Health implementation, including existing activities, stakeholder involvement, governance arrangements and their effectiveness. Using a systems-based and participatory approach, the situation analysis should involve mapping stakeholders, reviewing governance and coordination mechanisms, and assessing existing structures, policies, plans, capacities and resources at national, and where relevant, subnational levels. The analysis report should help to identify gaps and opportunities, inform the development of a national One Health action plan, and provide baseline data for monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks.

Learn more and apply here