International Specialist on Poultry and Pork value chains competitiveness (Team Leader) - TCP/SEY/3803

Organizational Setting:

FAO Representative in Madagascar, to Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles is a multi-accreditation for identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities based on the needs of national governments of the above listed countries.

Background

In the Seychelles, the cost of production and the retail price of locally produced pork and poultry meats is very uncompetitive in comparison to the imported equivalents, favouring the purchase and consumption of the imported meats. The uncompetitiveness nature of the national broiler and pork sub-sectors limits economic activities, affecting income and livelihoods of producers and other actors of these value chains. In order to study the root causes of this challenge and seek durable solution, the FAO at the request of the Seychelles government has approved a project called “Support to smallholder farmers to upgrade agriculture and to deal with imports of pork and broiler poultry in the Seychelles”. As part of project implementation, a study of the factors contributing to the un uncompetitiveness of the broiler and pork value chains and proposal on how to address them has planned. This recruitment is part of that effort.

Reporting Lines:

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Madagascar and direct technical supervision of the FAO SFS Sub-Regional livestock development officer, the international consultant on Poultry and Pork value chains competitiveness lead a team of experts in conducting a study detailed below. He/She, in close collaboration with two national and one international consultant will be in charge of conducting a study on the value chains around the poultry and pig sectors in the Seychelles. On the other hand, he will actively participate in the implementation of pilot farms/improvement of competitiveness conditions in line with the proposals/solutions/recommendations of the study.

Technical Focus:

Poultry and pork production, marketing and trade

Value chain development

Livestock economics

Regulatory and institutional framework of livestock production, marketing and trade

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will undertake the following activities to provide technical and functional support to the project “Support to smallholder farmers to upgrade agriculture and to deal with imports of pork and broiler poultry in the Seychelles – TCP//SEY/3803”.

• Plan, lead and coordinate activities related to the evaluation of the poultry and pork value chains
• Participate in the elaboration of a survey questionnaire that will allow the collection of all data on the two value chains (from production to marketing, including reproduction, health, feeding, genetics...) from local breeders, industrial importers, the STC and consumers.
• Take part in and coordinate the training of surveyors selected by the national side for the surveys
• Analyse data collected through different means; establish factors affecting the competitiveness of the local broiler and pork value chains, highlighting the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats.
• Based on the finding and working in close collaboration with the international consultant on institutional and regulatory framework, prepare a draft report, which proposes interventions targeting enhanced competitiveness of the local broiler and pork value chains.
• Organise and coordinate with the international consultant in regulation and institutional framework a workshop for the restitution and validation of the different results and recommendations resulting from the surveys on the two sectors
• Take part in the elaboration of inclusion criteria for local farmers who would benefit from the project's support in order to correct the shortcomings hindering the development of the sectors in Seychelles
• Propose a support strategy (methods, inputs and needs) and ensure its implementation by pilot farmers who will be supported by the project (both sectors)
• Plan and organise the capacity building of the pilot farmers in close collaboration with the national livestock consultant
• Make a restitution and capitalization of the results obtained during the piloting phases to the local breeders

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced university degree in Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine or related fields.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in livestock production, marketing and trade, agribusiness involving poultry and pig value chains,
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) for Consultants. For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong administrative and organisational skills,
• Computer literacy
• Good English technical report writing skills.
• Ability to manage statistical analysis software (Epi-info, SPSS, XLsat or equivalent)
• Ability to provide team leadership and motivation
• Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision
• Good field team management skills
• A good understanding of the functioning of UN agencies is a plus
• Ability in survey strategy, monitoring and evaluation and project planning is a plus
• Proven experience in value chain analysis for livestock production chains and in the elaboration of cost-benefit analyses of livestock production chains will be a key asset
• Proven experience in the implementation of rural development projects in general and FAO projects in particular is a considerable asset