Senior Animal Production Officer ( Genetic Resources and Animal Production)

Organizational Setting

The Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) assists member countries in the sustainable development of the livestock sector and in optimizing its contribution to nutrition, food security and rural poverty reduction, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It provides a coordination role and hosts technical networks in the areas of, animal health, genetics, animal husbandry, feed, support to emergency preparedness and response. The Division facilitates policy dialogue (incl. intergovernmental bodies), manages knowledge and provides information, analysis and technical assistance for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to produce safe animal products more efficiently and more responsibly.

The function will serve both the Animal Genetic Resources Branch and the Livestock Production Systems Branch. The branches serve as the units of reference for knowledge and expertise on Animal Genetic Resources and Livestock Production Systems. Support is provided to countries in developing and implementing the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, in developing policies and regulations on the use and management of Animal Genetic Resources, in preparing and implementing livestock sector development policies, strategies, programmes and projects.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Animal Production Officer (Genetic Resources and Animal Production) reports to the Director, AGA

Technical Focus

Rural Development; Resilience; Animal Genetic Resources Management; Global biodiversity assessments; Breeding; Conservation; Animal identification, recording and traceability; Dairy production; Poultry production; Small Ruminant Production; Pastoralism; Feeding; Feed safety; Livestock production systems

Key Results

· Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Departmental / Division Programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with (Departmental &) FAO Strategic Objectives

Key Functions

· Plans, manages, or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Departmental committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

· Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Objectives, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.

· Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks

· Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services

· Provides technical and policy advice to Member countries and technical support to decentralized offices in the development and implementation of their programmes.

· Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning, on-line tools.

· Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

· Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

· Provides guidance, mentoring and advice to junior staff.

· Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

Specific Functions

· Provide vision and strategic thinking on animal production and animal genetic resources related matters for the development and implementation of FAOs programmes of work, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and food systems, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.

· Manage the Animal Genetics and Production unit and contribute to management and planning at the level of the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA)

· Provide support to member countries in implementing the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and developing policies and regulations on the use and management of animal genetic resources, in line with relevant international instruments;

· Act as Secretary of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources under the guidance of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture;

Candidates will be assessed against the following

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced degree in animal science or related agriculture discipline, with specialisation in livestock production systems and/or management of animal genetic resources

· Ten years of relevant experience in policy and technical work, including international relations, related to livestock production and management of animal genetic resources

· Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

Competencies

· Results Focus

· Leading, Engaging and Empowering

· Communication

· Partnering and Advocating

· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

· Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

· Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential

· Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in the relevant international instruments and policies governing biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture

· Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of livestock production and livestock production systems

· Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of programmes related to livestock production and genetic resources management

· Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international and intergovernmental meetings, seminars and training courses

· Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials, development partners and other country stakeholders

· Demonstrated knowledge and experience of project formulation and funding requirements of major multilateral and bilateral funding agencies

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

· All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.

· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.

· Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.

· Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org