National Field Technical Coordinator for Livestock/Dairy Extension Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO's office for Iraq is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture and rural development priorities under Iraq CPF 2018-2022.. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative in Iraq, the FAO Programme Unit and under the direct responsibility of the International Consultant Livestock Value Chain Expert, and in close collaboration with the projects’ staff, the Field Officer Coordinator will assist in coordination and facilitating the entire livestock / fodder project activities in project sites in Missan, Dhi-Qar and Basra Governorates, helping in managing day-to-day activities and guiding field extension staff to ensure efficient and timely implementation of project activities.

Technical Focus

• Dairy Development Value Chain
• Innovative technologies for introduction of fodder crops and better utilization of local feed resources.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Act as focal point for all FAO-EU Funded project related to Livestock / Fodder Components in in Missan, Dhi-Qar and Basra Governorates
• Coordinate and Facilitate field works of Livestock project extension staff including implementation, monitoring, training, FFS.
• Assist in implementation of project interventions including, consultation meetings, identification of project Villages and beneficiaries and distributions; related to Livestock / Fodder Components
• Timely collection and consolidation of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports from implementing livestock extension officers with compiling, summarizing reports and submission to project management unit;
• Remain well informed and updated on all livestock project activities in assigned and other adjacent targeted districts;
• Develop strong relationship and liaison with Local Authorities at Governorate and district levels;
• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly concept notes, project briefs and reports;
• Assist in synthesizing best practices and lessons learned from FAO-FAO Funded project for sharing between programme participants as well as external partners and develop briefs on project achievements and documents, including lessons learned
• Assist in close monitoring the implementation of livestock / fodder projects activities for timely identification of problems, if any, with proven ability to problem-solving
• Prepare monthly / quarterly / annual progress reports (with detailed information regarding projects activities). Reports should be prepared in Arabic and English languages for sharing with local partners, including Local MOA Services
• Perform other related duties and activities as required by the project

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (Master, PhD) in Agriculture / Livestock / Economics of Production & agricultural Planning. Experience with Human Resources Development is an asset.
• At least 10 years’ experience with technical extension in agriculture / crops / livestock / irrigation preferably in Iraqi Southern areas. Experience with management / administration and coordination of extension staff in implementing field extension services with farmers in Southern areas will be great asset.
• Working knowledge of Arabic and English languages
• National of Iraq or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent networking connection with Local Authorities, Services of MOA and Farmers Association in the South for easy communication and facilitation of field extension staff.
• Excellent communications skill, both orally and in writing, on technical materials for audiences at different levels of technical expertise;
• Demonstrated long experience With field extension services in Crop / livestock in Southern Iraq
• Demonstrated capability to manage and coordinate implementation of project activities using local extension staff from MOA.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with Local Authorities, Services of MOA and Farmers Association in Southern Iraq for easy communication and facilitation of field extension staff
• Demonstrated capability of team player
• Ability to work under pressure and to carry out several tasks in a timely fashion and under tight deadlines with minimum supervision;
• Courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.