National Specialist on livestock/ economist - 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 national livestock consultant and animal production economist in close collaboration with the international livestock consultant and animal production economist will be in charge of a study on the value chains around the poultry and pig sectors in the Seychelles. He/she will take part in the setting up of pilot farms/improvement of competitiveness conditions in accordance with the proposals/solutions/recommendations of the study and will ensure their follow-up

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”.

• Participate in activities related to the evaluation of the poultry and pig sectors
• Support the monitoring and evaluation unit and the international consultant in livestock and production economics in the development of the survey questionnaire
• Take part in the various surveys and ensure the quality of the completed questionnaires and therefore their use (at the level of breeders, importers, STC and consumers)
• Work in collaboration with the national side for the selection of interviewers to take part in the surveys and participate in their training
• Take an active part in the exploitation of the survey questionnaires and therefore of the resulting report for both the poultry and pork value chain. The same will apply to the feedback workshop
• Work with the national side to establish the list of local farmers to be supported by the project
• Participate in the definition of needs and inputs for local farmers and ensure their acquisition
• Ensure the implementation and monitoring of the pilot farms to ensure the effective application of the proposed strategies to improve competitiveness
• Participate in and support capacity building of the pilot farmers supported by the project
• To act as FAO's direct interlocutor with the local authorities on issues related to production and competitiveness within the framework of the project
• Participate in the planning of the different FAO field visits/monitoring missions
• Take part in the restitution and capitalisation of the results obtained during the piloting phases with local farmers

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Have a degree in Agricultural Engineering in Animal Science or Animal Production or a PhD in Veterinary Medicine,
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in zootechnics and animal health activities, particularly in poultry and pigs,
• Proven experience in the implementation of rural development projects in general and FAO projects in particular is a strong asset
• Nationality of Seychelles 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

• 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
• A good understanding of the functioning of UN agencies is a plus
• Ability to survey, monitor and evaluate and plan activities for both commodities is a plus
• Good field team management skills
• A real capacity in extension and coordination of socio-organisational activities would be a key asset