Senior Livestock Expert

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Syria.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative, in coordination with the Assistant FAOR programme, the expert will work in consultation and in agreement with the project managers, emergency and resilience manager, the technical teams and the field team in the country office.

Technical Focus

The Senior Livestock expert will have the overall responsibility to lead and coordinate the livestock team, in consultation with the project manager, provide high level technical and strategic guidance to improve livestock production, strengthen animal health and support market-oriented livestock value chains.
He/she will be responsible for four main areas of work:
• Technical leadership
• Livestock related interventions design
• Livestock related interventions implementation
• Coordination and strategic/policy support

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the development of project proposals/interventions related to livestock;
• Lead the design of interventions across the value chain of livestock (production, processing, food safety & quality, market-oriented interventions, etc.);
• Coordinate with the gender focal point to make sure that designed interventions are contributing to FAO relevant policies on gender and youth empowerment;
• Integrate climate smart approach in the designed interventions;
• Provide strategic guidance and support under the one health approach for the strengthening of animal health and surveillance systems. This guidance to be provided to FAOR and to the ministry of agriculture;
• Guide animal health interventions: design planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for the surveillance, laboratory diagnostic and control. Coordinate with other UN agencies, INGOs, and government stakeholders using FAO One Health Approach;
• Promote and lead the design of interventions/programme on local feed production and good livestock practices;
• Coordinate with the assessment/analysis team in FAO Syria to analyse livestock value chains to identify gaps which could help to improve FAO Syria programme and provide guidance and advice to the government;
• Ensure regular consultation with the assessment/analysis; communication and MEAL teams to make sure that evidence-based impact of FAO interventions in livestock systems are well presented and documented;
• Lead the design of the technical specifications of the various interventions, and engage with the relevant technical departments in RNE and HQ for development and approvals;
• Lead the design of capacity development programmes for farmers and technicians;
• Ensure proper engagement with FAO field teams in the various governorates to follow up on implementations, context development and reporting;
• Supervise the development of all implementation requirements such as LoAs, ToRs, BTORs, etc.’
• Contribute to the resources mobilization through the preparation of project proposals and concept notes on livestock production systems with evidence-based results;
• Participate in the evaluation and analysis of the contribution of the livestock sector to economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, and nutrition;
• Elaborate projects concept notes and documents and reports
• Support the development of appropriate policies and public and private investment strategies in the livestock sector aimed at improving food security and reducing poverty, while enhancing the economic, social, and environmental performance of various farming systems, including pastoral systems. This support includes strengthening the capacities of governments and partners in the use of FAO-developed analytical and decision-support tools, including through the development of Livestock Master Plans.
• Perform other tasks as required by the FAOR

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• PhD degree in Veterinary Science, livestock production systems, animal health, or another relevant scientific field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be accepted in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant livestock experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in livestock development, including a minimum of 5 years in project design and implementation.
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic
• National of Syria

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Working experience with UN Agencies is preferable
• Familiarity with FAO system and standards is preferable

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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