FAO: Senior Livestock Expert (2601183) – Damascus

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.