Animal Production and Health Officer

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.

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) aims to be the go-to place for investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international financing institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre’s four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge more widely and position the Centre as a trusted voice on investment and finance. CFI is a multidisciplinary Centre comprising the Director’s office, which leads on strategy and business development, knowledge management, communication and administration, and five regional services: Asia and the Pacific; Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia; West and Central Africa; East and Southern Africa; and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The post is part of the Latin America and the Caribbean Service (CFIF) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) and is located at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting lines The Animal Production and Health Officer reports to the Chief, Latin America and the Caribbean Service (CFIF) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI).

Technical Focus Provide analytical and technical support on sustainable livestock management, including livestock production and economics, animal nutrition and forage development, animal genetic resources improvement and management, animal health and advisory services, development and capacity building of producers and producers’ institutions, value chains development, functionality of markets and private sector engagement, environmental services and waste management, and biological diversity, in addition to addressing climate change, resilience and risk management aspects for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment policies, strategies, programmes and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing.

Key Results Delivering investment and finance support solutions through the provisions of technical expertise/assistance and support to capacity development, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to achieve impact at scale in the transformation of agrifood systems in the scope of the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions • Participates in multidisciplinary teams for the identification and preparation of investment and finance support solutions in the fields of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing, and in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions. • Participates in multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions. • Drafts components of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programmes. • Participates in capacity development programmes activities in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment to support government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations. • Establishes, promotes and maintains relationships with relevant Strategic Programmes, FAO Technical Units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Member Nations. • Prepares reports in accordance with governments and financing partners’ requirements. Specific functions • Locates/collates, verifies and presents information obtained from a variety of sources in a logical and orderly manner on sustainable management of livestock systems with emphasis on sustainable livestock production and processing, social and economic impact. • Participates in the design of livestock and livestock activities and components of investment operations contributing to sustainable management of livestock systems, including livestock production and productivity, animal feed and animal genetic resources management, pasture and rangeland management, animal health management, herd and livestock management, and commercialization and value chain analysis. • Participates in reviews of reports and in FAO activities on the social and environmental sustainability of livestock production and processing activities including impact on climate change of existing livestock and farming, livelihoods and resource use systems. • Participates in the assessment of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing national or regional strategies, plans and operations for their investment implications, technical, financial, social and environmental feasibility and compliance with national policies and priorities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in animal production and animal science or a related field. • Three years of relevant experience in planning and implementing sustainable livestock and agricultural development projects and programmes, including experience in the formulation and/or implementation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing investment operations in developing countries and/or countries in transition. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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. • Extent and relevance of experience in livestock production and processing including animal feeds and feeding systems, forage, pasture and rangeland management, animal husbandry and herd management, animal genetic resource improvement and management and biodiversity conservation, livestock services and animal health management, commercialization and value chain analysis, waste management, resilience reduction and disaster risk management, climate change mitigation and adaptation. • Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing investment and finance support solutions, with a focus on sustainable livestock production and processing aspects. • Extent and relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support and evaluation procedures of FAO’s main development partners, in particular the World Bank, the International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD) and other partner International Financial Institutions. • Knowledge of the context as well as partners and institutions of the specific subregion would be an asset. • Extent of experience in capacity development for the design and implementation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing investments. • Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.