Enhancing excellence and consistency in the implementation of the PVS Pathway

Deadline for applications: 30 June 2026 (23H59 CET)

WOAH is launching a new training programme for experienced PVS Experts and to identify new experts to involve in the programme activities. This call for application intents to select and identify the best candidates to be admitted to the training programme.

The purpose of the PVS Pathway Expert Training Programme is to ensure excellence, consistency, sustainability, diversity and representativeness of the Capacity Building Expert Pool for the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway.

PVS Experts ensure the high-quality delivery of standardised activities including evaluation, costing, and specific capacity-building activities for the benefit of Veterinary Services (VS) and Aquatic Animal Health Services (AAHS) to grow their capacity according to WOAH international standards, as outlined in the Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Codes. Their expertise supports WOAH Members in strengthening governance, compliance, and sustainable development in the veterinary domain.

The PVS Expert Pool is composed of experts who are highly experienced (10+ years) in the delivery of Veterinary Services of their country, academia or industry and have experience at the regional and/or international level and are motivated and committed to advancing standards’ implementation and taking action based on PVS Pathway outputs. They are fluent in at least two WOAH official languages. As WOAH continues to promote diversity and inclusion, the membership of the pool should be diverse in expertise, balanced by gender and represent expertise and experience across its five Regions (Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East).

The working language of the PVS Pathway Expert Training Programme will be English. Further information about the responsibilities of PVS Experts are available in the dedicated Terms of Reference.

Depending on your level of experience with WOAH and the PVS Pathway, different learning pathways are open to you through this application process. If you are new to the PVS Pathway, you are eligible to apply for both the webinars and face-to-face components of the Training Programme.

If you are already experienced in the PVS Pathway and are already qualified as a PVS Expert, you are eligible to apply for the webinar Programme. Regardless of your status, anyone wishing to join the Training Programme must apply through this application; others will not be considered for this round of training.

Different modalities and number of places are available for each component of the Training Programme, which includes:

• Participation in eLearning opportunities only (unlimited participants)
• Participation in remote learning events (selection for 80-100 participants) and eLearning opportunities
• Participation in the face-to-face training event (selection for up to 40 participants), remote learning events, and eLearning opportunities

1. Selection Process

Following reception of applications, the Assessment Panel will screen and shortlist applicants, based on eligibility check and scoring against the minimum and merit-based criteria in the application form. Approximately 80-100 candidates will be shortlisted for the remote training programme.

Then, based on participation in eLearning modules and webinar content, consisting of expert-led discussions, and scenario-based assessments, continuous performance evaluation will be assessed through engagement and knowledge tests.

Next, approximately 35–40 top-performing participants advance based on performance in training, demonstrated readiness for field assignments, demonstrated strong understanding of WOAH Standards, and geographical, gender, and language balance.

Upon successful completion, candidates may be admitted to the PVS Expert Pool, subject to submission of required documentation (Declaration of Interests, Confidentiality Undertaking, etc.).

Decisions rendered are final. Additional opportunities for training may be offered at another time to candidates who are not selected for this round of training. Additional calls for applications will open for other training opportunities in the future.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Candidates are requested to fill the application form for the assessment of their eligibility. They must answer truthfully and provide all requested documentation in order to prove that they meet the following requirements:

3. Assessment Criteria

Each eligible candidate will be assessed and scored by the Assessment Panel based on the following weighted criteria:

Benefits of applying and eventually becoming a PVS Expert

Learning certificates will be issued at the successful completion of each stage of the Training Programme.

If you have extensive experience, demonstrated subject matter expertise, professional competencies and transversal skills, do not hesitate to apply!  Upon careful examination, if you believe that you meet the criteria in this call and the Terms of Reference, we invite you to apply for this training opportunity! Becoming a PVS Expert opens the door to diverse and enriching opportunities around the world.

Completing this application is required to become or maintain status as a PVS Expert.

To apply to this call, please register before 30 June 2026 (23H59 CET). 

Please follow the instructions to fill the application form and upload your CV.

Note that the CV should clearly reflect and provide evidence of the mastered professional competencies and transversal skills according to the Terms of Reference, to allow a fair selection. 

Link to send application coming soon

Applicants will be notified on 1 September 2026 on the results of this Call for Applications.

Be a member of one of WOAH’s
Specialist Commissions

Call opens: 6 July 2026
Call closes: 11 September 2026

WOAH is launching a call for nomination to establish a list of experts from which the World Assembly of Delegates will elect members and nominate Presidents and Vice Presidents to the following four Specialist Commissions:

Internal Rules, Terms of Reference of the WOAH Specialist Commissions

See detailed Guidance describing the process here.

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Are you a potential candidate ?

• Are you an internationally recognised veterinarian or expert with broad knowledge and practical experience in terrestrial or aquatic animal health and welfare?
• Do you want to make an active contribution in the development of WOAH standards to improve aquatic and terrestrial animal health and welfare and veterinary public health worldwide?
• Are you highly proficient in English (listening, reading, speaking and writing)?
• Do you have good communication and analytical skills to work in an intercultural environment?
• Can you obtain your WOAH Delegate’s endorsement and your employer’s support to commit the time needed to undertake the work and attend meetings in Paris between May 2027 and May 2030?

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How to Apply

Please take note that:

• Only applications submitted through the online application system will be accepted.
• The system does not allow the applicants to save an incomplete application to return to it later. We recommend that applicants prepare their application on a separate document to copy-paste text into the online form, when ready to submit. Consult Annex IV of the Guidance document to check the information needed to complete the form.
• Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

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More Resources

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Learn more about WOAH Specialist Commissions

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Apply until 3 April 2026

WOAH is convening an ad hoc Group to review and revise Chapters 5.1., 5.2., 5.10., 5.11., 5.13. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Terrestrial Code) and Chapters 5.1., 5.2., and 5.10. of the Aquatic Animal Health Code (Aquatic Code)  to ensure alignment with updated scientific knowledge and best practices for international trade.

Purpose of the ad hoc Group

The Group will review and revise the chapters mentioned above to incorporate current best practices for domestic and international trade and provide consistency with Codex guidance regarding electronic certification recommendations.

Expertise sought (desirable)

Professional and interpersonal skills

Professional skills	Interpersonal skills	Availability requirements
Internationally recognised expertise in relevant domains listed above	-Proficiency in English; ability to work in intercultural settings – Good communication skills; able to work efficiently in an intercultural environment – Good analytical skills of existing scientific literature	– Attend a multi-day meeting (presential) and  virtual meetings.   – Draft or review reports, guidelines, and other relevant technical documents outside of meetings – Provide expertise on an ad hoc basis

Tasks of the ad hoc Group

Timeline

The meeting is expected to take place from 16 to 18 June 2026, in person at WOAH Headquarters in Paris. The deliverables, including the revised chapters and the ad hoc Group report are to be submitted within eight weeks following the meeting, in preparation for consideration by the WOAH Specialist Commissions at their September 2026 meeting. WOAH will cover participants’ flight costs and provide per diems for the duration of the meeting.

How to apply

Submit CV, statement of interest, and contact details to [email protected]. Deadline is 3 April 2026.

For any questions, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Apply until 18 March 2026

WOAH is convening an ad hoc Group to revise Chapter 8.21. West Nile Fever of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Terrestrial Code), to ensure alignment with updated scientific knowledge and consistency with other equine encephalitides chapters.

Purpose of the ad hoc Group

The Group will review and revise Chapter 8.21. to incorporate current scientific information, ensure coherence across arboviral disease chapters, and provide risk-based recommendations supporting surveillance, prevention, control, and safe international trade.

Expertise sought (desirable)

Tasks of the ad hoc Group

• Review current Terrestrial Code Chapter 8.21. and related documents
• Propose updated surveillance and risk mitigation provisions
• Review current trade-related requirements
• Ensure alignment of Chapter 8.21. with the framework for Terrestrial Code standards (to be provided)  
• Propose changes to Chapter 3.1.26.  of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (Terrestrial Manual) as relevant
• Draft revised text with rationale and references

Expected deliverables

• Meeting report summarising discussions and rationale (with the support of WOAH Secretariat)
• Revised draft Chapter 8.21.
• Recommendations for updates to Chapter 3.1.26. of the Terrestrial Manual
• Any points requiring WOAH Specialist Commissions guidance

Timeline

The meeting is expected to take place from 23 to 25 June 2026, in person at WOAH Headquarters in Paris. The deliverables, including the revised Terrestrial Code Chapter 8.21 and the ad hoc Group report are to be submitted within three weeks following the meeting, in preparation for consideration by the WOAH Specialist Commissions at their September 2026 meeting. WOAH will cover participants’ flight costs and provide per diems for the duration of the meeting.  

How to apply

Submit CV, statement of interest, and contact details to [email protected]. Deadline is 18 March 2026.

For any questions, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Apply by 19 December 2025

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and PREZODE are establishing a joint working group to enhance WOAH’s science-policy expertise by engaging in PREZODE’s Pillar five (stakeholder co-design). The group will focus on: Community involvement; Policy engagement and awareness of stakeholders; Science-civil society- policymakers dialogue; Promoting One Health approaches and intersectoral collaboration; OH network coordination. The call for experts to join this group is open from the 20 November 2025 to the 19 December 2025.

The terms of reference for this call are as follows:

Background and context

WOAH 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.

WOAH is committed to the One Health approach to tackle health threats at the animal-human-environment interface and focuses on strengthening the vital role of the animal health sector, recognizing that the leadership of Veterinary Services and animal health authorities is essential to protect global health. WOAH also joins efforts of the different relevant sectors and stakeholders, including the Quadripartite collaboration on OH, consisting of FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH.

PREZODE is a global initiative launched at the 2021 One Planet Summit to prevent zoonotic disease emergence through science-based solutions. By analyzing biological, ecological, and socio-economic drivers of spillover risks in complex ecosystems, PREZODE develops practical tools for pandemic prevention while safeguarding food security and livelihoods. The Initiative’s key features include: employs bottom-up, participatory approaches to co-create solutions with local communities, serves as a knowledge hub for policymakers through its One Health framework, and focuses on translating research into actionable risk-reduction policies.

Scope of Science-Policy Dialogue Working Group

This working group will enhance WOAH’s science-policy expertise by engaging in PREZODE’s Pillar five (stakeholder co-design), focusing on: community involvement, Policy engagement and awareness of stakeholders; science, civil society, and policy makers policy dialogue, promoting One Health approaches and intersectoral collaboration and OH network coordination.

Objectives

The working group will combine PREZODE’s research strengths with WOAH’s policy networks to achieve the following objectives:

1. Strengthen OH Science-Policy Integration to bridge gaps between scientific evidence and policy formulation by synthesizing OH research into actionable recommendations for governments and stakeholders. 
2. Advocate for OH Policy Adoption to drive adoption of OH principles in global/regional frameworks.
3. Build Capacity for OH Governance to enhance institutional capacity to implement OH policies at national levels. 
4. Facilitate Multisectoral Collaboration to foster collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and communities to co-design OH policies. 
5. Monitor and Evaluate Impact through tracking the effectiveness of OH policies informed by the working group’s outputs. 
6. Amplify Stakeholder Engagement by ensuring inclusive dialogue with marginalized groups (e.g., farmers, Indigenous communities). 
7. Leverage Digital Tools to use technology to democratize access to OH data and policy tools. 

Membership, composition and responsibilities

The working group is organised as follows:

• Coordinators: a WOAH OH Senior officer (Chadia Wannous) and a PREZODE Science leader (Marisa Peyre), co-responsible for leading the group, chairing meetings, and facilitating consensus-based decision making.
• Members: Experts on OH science and policy. They actively contribute their expertise to the discussions, development and review of documents, propose actions, and support implementation. Members dedicate 5–8 hours/month to meetings and document reviews.
• Secretariat: a member of the WOAH OH team and of the PREZODE team will assist with coordination, documentation, reporting, meeting organisation, and communication. Secretariat members may rotate and be renewed every year.

Roadmap and governance

Members of the working group will define the shape, goal and objectives of the WG, understand the mechanisms in place for science-policy dialogue and create synergic opportunities, develop a workplan to achieve such objectives, and effectively communicate the developments of the activities.

The working group will meet once per month virtually or in person, where possible. Additional meetings may be set as needs arise and decisions will be made by consensus.

Effectiveness of the WG will be assessed via completion of workplan deliverables, participation in the WG meetings, and feedback from partners. The working group will operate for an initial period of two years, with renewal upon revision of scope of work, objectives, and evaluation. The Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually and updated if necessary.

Calendar

Apply until 21 November 2025

WOAH is convening a group of multidisciplinary experts (ad hoc Group) to provide its membership with an updated, evidence‑based list of priority animal diseases for which vaccines could achieve the greatest global reduction in antimicrobial usage in pigs, chickens and fish. The ad hoc Group will also compile, where appropriate, preferred product characteristics for new/improved vaccines, an analysis of the barriers and levers to the uptake of commercially available vaccines and produce a communication, dissemination and exploitation plan for the various products it generates.  

The ad hoc Group is convened under the authority of and report to the WOAH Director General. Its work is in line with recommendation #10 from Resolution 29 adopted at WOAH’s 92nd General Session (2025) and commitment #72 from the 79th UNGA political declaration on AMR (2024). Further information about its purpose and responsibilities is available in the Concept Note and Terms of Reference. 

The ad hoc Group will be composed of internationally recognised experts who are highly motivated to improving the availability, access and adoption of animal vaccines and whose experience span the following sectors: 

• animal health/diseases with a focus on pigs, chickens and/or fish (aquaculture),  
• food producing industry with a focus on pigs, chickens and/or fish (aquaculture),  
• animal vaccine R&D and manufacturing,   
• veterinary products regulation.

As WOAH continues to strive for geographical diversity and gender balance, membership should lead to a balanced and adequate representation of its five regions (Africa, the Americas, Asia & Pacific, Europe and the Middle East).  

Are you a potential candidate?  

* Kindly note that while financial compensation will be provided for attending in-person and virtual meetings, it will not cover the time dedicated to ad hoc Group tasks in between those meetings.  

To express interest to this open call, you may apply until 21 November 2025. You must submit a CV, alongside a certificate attesting your level of English proficiency (if applying from a non-English-speaking country), and mail to Dr Flavie Vial ([email protected]).  In your application, provide a statement addressing how your profile matches the professional and interpersonal skills we’re looking for as well as your motivation to dedicate a significant amount of time over the next 12 months to deliver ambitious outputs as part of this ad hoc Group. 

The ad hoc Group Secretariat will gather all documentation provided by candidates for further consideration by the Director General, who will appoint future members for a period 12 months, with a possibility to extend its mandate based on the level of engagement, the volume and quality of work conducted by the member within the ad hoc Group. 

Contact: [email protected]

Deadline for submission of applications now extended until 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on Monday 20 November 2023.

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), collectively, the Quadripartite collaboration on One Health, are seeking individuals to serve as experts on the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP). 

Recognizing the complex and interdisciplinary challenges observed at the interface of human, animal and ecosystem health that require enhanced coordination and collaboration among sectors and agencies, nationally and internationally, in a One Health approach, the Quadripartite established the OHHLEP in 2021 to provide them with scientific advice in their support of Governments to implement and scale up the OH approach. The focus of the OHHLEP is set out in its Terms of Reference.

The OHHLEP has just completed its first term. Two annual reports detailing its work as well as several other products can be found here. The second term of OHHLEP will aim to provide advisory support to the Quadripartite in the roll out of the One Health Joint Plan of Action, a framework to integrate systems and capacity to collectively better prevent, predict, detect and respond to health threats. OHHLEP support to the Quadripartite will also include the provision of policy relevant scientific assessments on the emergence and spread of health threats arising at the human-animal-ecosystem interface, and defining OH research gaps. 

The OHHLEP is interdisciplinary, with experts who have a range of technical knowledge, skills and experience relevant to One Health. The working language of OHHLEP is English. 

Criteria 

Embedded in the One Health Joint Plan of Action is the Theory of Change, supported by three pathways, which represent the areas where the four organizations have the greatest capacity to bring about significant and sustainable change. The Quadripartite welcomes expression of interest from experts with a background in one or more of these three pathways:

Pathway 1: Policy, legislation, advocacy and financing – encompasses all aspects of policy development, political will, enabling regulatory frameworks, investment and the institutionalization of intersectoral governance. This requires expertise in, but not limited to, intersectoral governance and systems approaches; political science, international law; economics and finance; social and behavioural sciences, anthropology, ethics and gender studies.

Pathway 2: Organizational development, implementation and sectoral integration – encompasses all aspects of the implementation of One Health, including the scaling up of capacity development at regional and country level, community engagement and mobilization for action, multisectoral coordination, collaboration and communication, and the equitable integration of sectors. This requires expertise in, but not limited to, health systems policy and practice, pandemic prevention and preparedness; environmental, forestry, biodiversity, agriculture, and ecosystem sciences; food systems and their interlinkages with health.

Pathway 3: Data, evidence and knowledge – encompasses the strengthening of the scientific evidence base, knowledge translation into data for evidence, technical tools, protocols and guidelines, information and surveillance systems. This requires expertise in, but not limited to, emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses; viral diversity, surveillance and risk assessment for emerging pandemic threats; infectious disease epidemiology, informatics, modelling, prediction and foresight relevant to assessing impacts of environmental and other changes in emerging diseases and health.

For all the above disciplines, significant experience working in One Health or integrated health policies and programmes is required. Experts are sought from a diversity of backgrounds including academia, government, and civil society. Applications from women and (emerging) One Health youth leaders (<35 years of age) are also encouraged. If you would like to be considered as a youth representative for the panel, please indicate this in your application.

Process for selection of experts

The curriculum vitae and expression of interest of applicants will be reviewed by a panel composed of officials from the Quadripartite. In addition to scientific and technical excellence, the selection will consider adequate distribution of technical expertise, geographical representation and gender balance. The Quadripartite shall not in any way be obliged to reveal, or discuss with any applicant, how an expression of interest was assessed, or to provide any other information relating to the evaluation/selection process or to state the reasons for not choosing a candidate.

Selected experts will be appointed jointly by the respective Heads of the Quadripartite.

Conditions of appointment

• OHHLEP Experts must respect the impartiality and independence required by the Quadripartite. They will be required to be free of any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest. OHHLEP Experts will have an ongoing obligation to disclose any interests, real or perceived, that may give rise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest.
• OHHLEP experts shall disclose engagements in any related advisory groups or panels set up by the Quadripartite or others.
• OHHELP Experts will serve in their individual expert capacity and shall not represent any governments, any commercial industries or entities, any research, academic or civil society organizations, or any other bodies, entities, institutions or organizations. 
• OHHLEP Experts are not employees or agents of the Quadripartite and shall not speak on behalf of, or represent, the Quadripartite, individually or collectively, to any third party. OHHLEP Experts may not issue any publications, statements or opinions on behalf of the OHHLEP and/or the Quadripartite without prior agreement from the Quadripartite.
• OHHLEP Experts shall be appointed for a period of two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
• OHHLEP Experts will not be remunerated for their services in relation to the OHHELP or otherwise. However, the Quadripartite will cover any expenses related to the experts’ participation in in-person meetings of the OHHLEP. 
• OHHLEP Experts are expected to actively participate in all Panel meetings and to contribute to its outcomes and products.

Submitting your expression of interest

The online application form is designed to assist us in better understanding your profile and how it corresponds to the expertise required of the panel.

Please take a moment to review the role of an OHHLEP panel member, criteria and conditions of appointment as well as the Terms of Reference, to ensure this role aligns with your expectations and time capacity. To register your interest in being considered for the OHHLEP, please submit a complete application through the online form by November 20. 23:59 CET.

Please be sure to include:

• A cover letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you satisfy the selection criteria (maximum 500 words).
• Your curriculum vitae (maximum 500 words); and
• A signed and completed Declaration of Interests (DOI) form, available at Declaration of interests for WHO experts. Please not that, if selected, you are required to serve the OHHLEP in a personal capacity.

Due to an expected high volume of interest, only selected individuals will be informed.  If you have any questions about this Call for Experts or encounter any technical issues, please write to ([email protected]) well before the applicable deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

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