National Dairy FFS Specialist

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO / UN Women project “Fostering economic empowerment of women farmers by supporting homemade dairy production in Georgia through the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach” aims at developing a network of women dairy farmers in Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti region; and strengthen their skills. The project will last 48 months from 1st October 2020.

Reporting Lines

The National Dairy Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative/Assistant FAOR in Georgia, general guidance of the FAO Programme Coordinator, and the direct supervision of the International Project Manager of Dairy FFS in Georgia. The National Dairy Specialist will receive technical support from FAO Food Safety and Consumer Protection Officer and FAO Officer for Animal Production and Health, REU and be supported by a Project assistant based in Zugdidi.

Technical Focus

The FAO/ UN Women project “Fostering economic empowerment of women farmers by supporting homemade dairy production in Georgia through the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach” will demonstrate along the production cycle upgraded technical practices in terms of improved food safety for dairy produced by women in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. The National Dairy FFS Specialist will be responsible for the creation and operation of 20 Dairy Farmer Field Schools (approx. 400 farmers trained annually) in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support planning, establishment and development of 20 Dairy Farmer Field Schools in Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti
• In coordination with the International Project Manager, identify and select 5 Dairy FFS Master trainers and 20 Dairy Lead Farmers
• Provide complete assessment of dairy production activities in Samegrelo and of women dairy farmers’ training needs
• Organize project baseline surveys, contribute in the development of the project monitoring system jointly with UN Women (Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI))
• Contribute to the definition of a plan for Training of the 5 Master Trainers with focus on food safety applied to small-scale dairy production ;
• Contribute to the development of a dairy/food safety curriculum and training material for the 20 Dairy Farmer Field Schools, including manuals, guidelines and training materials for dairy production, enhanced management of dairy farming environment, and improvement of hygiene/food safety

• Ensure the implementation of Dairy FFS field working activities in Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti, in accordance with the project’s work plan and participate in the FFS Training of Lead Dairy Farmers course.

• Organize for exchange visits, field days to share good practices and innovations with the larger community at regional level and other FFS groups.
• Regularly update the progress of different activities as per the project’s workplan and discuss relevant issues to ensure the smooth implementation in Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti
• Assist the International Project Manager in the preparation of progress reports;
• Contribute to definition of procurement plans, including preparation of technical specifications, identification of possible suppliers, and provide technical revision of proposals as required.
• Ability to solve problems, use initiative, and manage work under limited supervision
• Act as the head of the FAO field office in Zugdidi
• Any other responsibility assigned by the International Project Manager for Dairy FFS.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national level;
• Working knowledge of English;
• Advanced degree in Agriculture, Veterinary, Livestock Production, food safety or related disciplines
• Two years of relevant experience in project management, managing field projects in the sector of animal husbandry, food safety or technical support to farmers.
• Nationality of Georgia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated understanding of dairy production, public and private sector extension services, have knowledge in diversified disciplines of dairy production and dairy technology, product diversification, feeding and nutrition.
• Proven capacity to establish working relationships with smallholder farmers and build their technical capacities.
• Proven experience in the preparation of technical documents on dairy production and standard guideline development
• Excellent communication skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear and effective oral presentations.
• Good skills in community mobilization as well as inter-personal relations.
• Computer literacy

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated against this VA Minimum Requirements and Technical/Functional Skills.

• Knowledge of Education sector;
• Knowledge of Russian is an asset;
• Availability to work overtime when required;
• Valid driving license and possibility to travel with own vehicle;
• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Russian and local dialect would be a strong asset.