Livestock Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Head Quarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone and assisted by the FAOR in charge of Programme, the Livestock Specialist in close collaboration with MAF and counterpart authorities/staff, other FAO personnel, will carry out the following tasks:

Technical Focus

The Livestock Specialist should work with the objective of assuring efficient, smooth and timely implementation of the project and the timely achievement of the project outputs as per FAO standard and donor requirements. Provide programmatic and technical expertise needed to manage the project across the eights district. He/she is also responsible for the submission of high-quality project reports in a timely and coordinated manner among the two agencies.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In collaboration with MAFS Livestock division, lead the preparation and implementation of country strategies and programmes related to livestock and animal health in collaboration with MAFS, in line with national priorities and FAO’s Programme Priority Areas (PPAs); • Under the guidance and with support of the FAOR and the Assistant FAOR (Programmes), liaise with the Government, development partners, multi-lateral agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in all matters related to livestock sector development; • Develop all technical specifications for the livestock component of the project including procurement actions, • Coordinate animal disease control activities in close collaboration with MAFS such as disease surveillance and reporting, outbreak investigation and response, livestock vaccination and quarantine of improved livestock breeds among others; • Provide technical advice in animal production and health, livestock marketing, and range management to promote economic livestock farming; • Organize stakeholder meetings and lead the process of identification of project beneficiaries in collaboration with MAFS and the local authorities, particularly rural and vulnerable groups (youth, women, people living with disability etc.); • In collaboration with MAFS Livestock division, develop training materials and lead capacity strengthening of the project beneficiaries through trainings in close collaboration with MAFS, and other relevant stakeholders; • In close collaboration with MAFS, facilitate access to markets by establishing market linkages between the community and private/public partners for small ruminants, and poultry products and by products; • Assisting in organizing extension activities including field days, field demonstrations, farmer field schools and farm visits; • Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly and monthly project work plans, travel plans and procurement plans for the project and the FAO country representation; • Lead the animal feed identification, formulation and distribution to selected livestock farmers, • Design and lead all trainings related to the livestock component including vaccination process, • Work with MAFS to design the local plan of the animal houses for the poultry and small ruminants and support the community level construction, • Work with M&E of FAO and FSRP to monitor the construction of the animal houses, • Assist and coordinate the local animal procurement process including the quarantine process, • Assist the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) focal point in FAO in collecting inputs for the programme M & E calls; • Contribute to the preparation of regular project progress reports, for FAO, the World Bank and other stakeholders; • Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the Assistant FAOR (Programmes) and FAOR; • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Veterinary Medicine, or Animal Production/Science, or a related field; • At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in dealing with technical and policy issues related to the livestock sector and animal health in Sierra Leone; • Working knowledge of English; • National of Sierra Leone.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills:

• Ability to Supervise, manage and support to field activities of the project. • Ability to manage trainings and capacity building programme of the project. • Relevant experience/ exposure, skills and knowledge in results-based approach/management. • Experience in managing of livelihood development programme. • Possesses good Communication skill with different stakeholder. • Different types of report writing skill. • Computer skill (Microsoft office, Photoshop). • Proven ability to write technical reports. • Good experience of training approaches. • Good interpersonal and communication skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• 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.