Livestock Development Officer

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• 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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting

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

FAO's Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

The post is located in the Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Reporting Lines

The Livestock Development Officer reports to the Subregional Coordinator (SRC) and works in collaboration with, and under the technical guidance of, the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer in RAF and the Chief, One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW).

Technical Focus
The incumbent leads the management of all initiatives, projects and programmes in areas of animal production and health at the subregional and national levels in Southern Africa, in line with FAO's Strategic Framework. The Officer will also create or maintain partnerships with FAO internal units and external partners for advocacy, synergy and resource mobilization. The incumbent leads the Coordination Unit for Animal Production and Health (CUFAPH), a platform mandated for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating all livestock development initiatives in Southern Africa.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with regional objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/ publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/ policy/ specialist/ advice and expertise.

• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, and on-line tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/ advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/ intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Contributes to FAO-SFS's programme activities on livestock development and supports FAO's global and regional livestock programmes in line with the Strategic Framework.

• Provides technical support to FAO Member Nations in Southern Africa and subregional partners on the formulation and implementation of policies, projects and programmes for the development, integration and improvement of a sustainable livestock sector.

• Provides technical support to FAO Member Nations and Subregional Organizations dealing with livestock issues and, where appropriate, technically backstops the implementation of animal production and health projects and programmes.

• Acts as a focal point for livestock development programmes relevant to the subregion, including thematic crosscutting initiatives such as progressive control of transboundary animal diseases, One Health, sustainable livestock transformation, climate change, sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity, biosecurity, etc.

• Promotes and reviews programmes to prevent the introduction and/or spread of transboundary and major zoonotic animal diseases including: disease surveillance, diagnosis and reporting; contingency planning and simulation exercises at national and regional levels.

• Identifies sustainable livestock transformation issues relevant to the subregion, including breed conservation and improvement, improved husbandry, animal feed and nutrition, transhumance, natural resource management and livestock marketing (including preservation and processing) of animal products.

• Working closely with SFS Coordination Unit for Emergency and Resilience (CUERE), advises and coordinates livestock related responses to emergencies and disasters as well as resilience building, within the subregion.

• Undertakes analytical studies on specific technical and policy issues affecting livestock production and health.

• Organizes and conducts scientific and technical meetings; prepares reports, manuals, guidelines and other specialized publications.

• Cooperates and/or liaises with national, regional and international institutions in planning and establishing training, extension, monitoring, research and capacity building programmes for the livestock sector in Southern Africa.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science or related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in animal production, livestock development, animal health, infectious disease management, including regulatory aspects, standard setting.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.

• Work experience at the international level in developing countries with experience in the Africa region.

• Extent and relevance of experience in international animal health (regulatory and developmental) programmes.

• Extent and relevance of experience in prevention and control of animal diseases in particular foot-and mouth-disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), avian influenza (AI) and African swine fever (ASF).

• Extent and relevance of experience in animal health projects and programmes management.

• Ability to mobilize resources.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• 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/ 
• 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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