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Call for experts to join the ad hoc Group on the revision of Certification Chapters of Section 5 (Terrestrial and Aquatic Codes)
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)
- Background in international certification of terrestrial and/or aquatic animals and their products
- Background in use of electronic certification and single window
- Background in disease-specific chapters of the Codes and their use in developing certification statements
- Experience working within Veterinary Services and negotiating requirements for international certification
- Experience with WOAH standards development
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
- Review current Terrestrial Code and Aquatic Code Chapters 5.1.and 5.2, as well as model health certificates in Chapters 5.10, 5.11., and 5.13. of Terrestrial Code and Chapter 5.11 of the Aquatic Code.
- Review Codex guidance (CXG 38-2001)
- Review WOAH guidance documents and data models on electronic certification
- Revise Chapters 5.1. and 5.2. of both Codes as needed for consistency with these documents and to ensure that the texts provide adequate guidance for Members regarding the use of electronic certification and roles and responsibilities of different actors involved in certification for international trade.
- Review chapters on model certificates (with the exception of Chapter 5.12.) to provide a recommendation for their utility in the Codes and for their update, if relevant.
- Review relevant definitions in the Glossary of both Codes and determine if any new Glossary definitions are needed
Expected deliverables
- Meeting report summarising discussions and rationale (with the support of WOAH Secretariat)
- Revised draft Chapters 5.1 and 5.2.
- Recommendations for chapters 5.10., 5.11., and 5.13. of the Terrestrial Manual. And Chapter 5.11. of the Aquatic Code, and revised chapters if applicable.
- Any points requiring WOAH Specialist Commissions guidance
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].