Organizational Setting
The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific, technical expertise and policy advice. It hosts technical networks in areas of animal genetics, feed and pastoralism, among others. It provides analysis and technical assistance and facilitates policy dialogue (including intergovernmental bodies).
The assignment is within the Animal Genetics Resources (AnGR) group of the Sustainable Animal Production, Feed and Genetics Branch (NSAP). The branch generates information and manages knowledge, facilitates the development and implementation of innovative solutions and provides technical expertise to improve the productivity, efficiency and resilience of the livestock sector. The activities of the Animal Genetics Resources group cover supporting the monitoring, characterization, conservation, and sustainable use and development of AnGR, including assisting the development and implementation of national breeding policies and providing capacity development for AnGR management.ย
Reporting Lines
The Animal Breeding Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the NSAP Animal Production Officer, with the eventual support of FAO decentralized offices, and in close consultation and collaboration with relevant colleagues in FAO HQ and decentralized offices and of partner organizations.ย
Technical Focusย
Develop and support pastoral and agropastoral community-based breeding programs to improve the productivity of breeds adapted and resilient to local conditions in countries of the East Africa Region, including through the participation in national animal identification and recording systems.
Tasks and responsibilities
In close collaboration with all team members, the incumbent is expected to:
โข ย ย Liaise with identified communities and implementation partners to prepare workplans for the development and support of community-based breeding programs and animal identification and recording systems.ย
โข ย ย Support the development of agreements with implementation partners, describing roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.
โข ย ย Prepare and contribute to reports, manuals, guidelines, and other specialized publications.
โข ย ย Build capacity of implementation partners and communities in the field.ย
โข ย ย Follow up on agreed activities with partners and communities in the field.
โข ย ย Travel to project sites as needed to engage with communities and monitor field activities.
โข ย ย Develop exit strategies at the end of the project.
โข ย ย Perform any other tasks as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements depending on the profile and orientation
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in animal breeding and genetics, or a relevant field
โข ย ย At least two years of relevant experience in livestock sector development
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English (level C)ย
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in community-based breeding programs and animal identification and recording systems development.
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in capacity building of partners and pastoral communities.
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents related to livestock sector development.
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in collecting technical information and data.
โข ย ย Demonstrated skills and experience in writing project-related documents and reports.
โข ย ย Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
โข ย ย Working experience in the field in East Africa is an asset.ย
Selection Criteriaย
Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above.