Livestock Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is the specialized agency of the United Nations for food, nutrition, agriculture, and forestry. FAO’s global vision is for a world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contribute to improving the living standards of all, especially the poorest, in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives.

The mission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to work to eradicate hunger and promote global food security together with balanced and complete nutrition. Our mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations, and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

Our three main goals are the eradication of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

FAO Representation to Ethiopia (FRETH) has various sub-offices across the country and is implementing a number of projects, often in the most inaccessible areas. The FAO Field Office in Hawassa is one of the sub offices. FAO is implementing a number of development and emergency projects contributing for improved production and productivity of livestock sector.

The position is located in Southern Ethiopia Region Hawassa Field office, Ethiopia.

Reporting Lines

The Livestock Officer will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Ethiopia, technical supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the direct supervision of the Field Office Coordinator and in close collaboration with the FRETH Programme Team and FRETH Regional Initiative Teams.

Technical Focus

The Livestock Officer will be responsible for technical support of FRETH projects focusing on livestock development in mixed farming and pastoral systems within the region and surrounding locations under the regional field office.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the FRETH sustainable livestock development work programme across all Regional Initiatives and Strategic Objectives, providing technical support to regional governments that will assist developing their capacity for introducing Good Agricultural Practices for sustainable livestock intensification in the region;
• Represent FAO in relevant coordination and technical meetings, such as the regional cluster coordination meetings and similar;
• Be at all times aware and report on the livestock feed and health situation in the operational area, support or initiate predictive livestock early warning system;
• Stimulate and support the regional bureau with the implementation of the Animal Disease Notification and Investigation system (ADNIS);
• Participate in the preparation and review of FRETH regional field programme/project and thematic work plans to ensure technical consistency;
• Participate in the preparation of FRETH regional sustainable livestock development projects, work plans, monitor progress and, where necessary, identify and report corrective measures to ensure timely delivery of projects;
• Contribute to the drafting and updating of all FRETH Southern Ethiopia Region Field Office reports, occasional updates and any other documentation prepared, either for specific donors or generic bulletins/briefs;
• Contribute to the drafting of Letters of Agreement (LoA) and other operational documents in support of FRETH Regional sustainable livestock development projects and frequently monitor the implementation of such Agreements;
• Support the development and implementation of capacity development activities in favor of private and public stakeholders to promote integrated livestock production programes;
• Liaise with other United Nations (UN) and Development Partners in the region to ensure timely and relevant participation of the FRETH Field Office in the UN and other coordination processes and mechanisms put in place to address the development, management and production of livestock resources;
• Contribute to the analysis and development of livestock in mixed farming and pastoral systems, with a particular view of sustainable intensification of production methods, market development and post-harvest activities;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Animal Sciences or other related fields.
• Five years of relevant experience in managing livestock related projects and programmes.
• Working knowledge of English, and the local language of the duty station (Amharic).
• National of Ethiopia.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent of Experience in Emergency operations and Livelihoods recovery projects, assessments and analysis.
• Excellent planning, organizing and scheduling skills
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation in English; and working knowledge of Amharic language.
• Good Report writing skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION