National Animal Husbandry Specialist (Livestock Consultant)

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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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 a 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, the Consultant will be directly supervised by Lead Technical Officer and the project Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Technical Focus

Develop the National Irrigation Master Plan for Sierra Leone, ensure timely delivery of result.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone and direct supervision of the of the Lead Technical Officer and Project Coordinator, the Consultant will:

• Make an inventory of different animal production systems and to sketch the main value chains of animal production;
• Produce an estimate of the annual market values and the potential for growth for each of the systems.
• Diagnose deficits in technical and financial services to support producers
• Propose on-farm and off-farm investment options to improve the production of short-cycle animals (small ruminants, pigs, poultry, rabbits, etc.).
• Take stock of the situation of transhumance corridors and tracks (if any). This inventory should highlight
  • Geo-referenced maps of existing transhumance corridors and tracks, their ecological status, and the adequacy and functional state of existing infrastructure.
  • An analysis of their carrying capacity in relation to the estimated needs over the last three years and an estimate of the investment requirements to offer producers full potential.
• Propose a geo-referenced scheme of infrastructures capable of offering a set of services to pastoralists and agro-pastoralists including:
  • Animal feed (natural pasture, forage crops, commercial feed and feed supplements).
  • Veterinary services (care, advice, medicines, etc.).
  • Basic social services for households (schools, health centre, markets, tracks etc...)
• Take stock of processing and marketing infrastructure for livestock products (slaughterhouses, dairies, milk collection centres, market, systems for adding value to “fifth quarter” products, product control and certification systems)
• Propose capacity building actions

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Animal Husbandry Specialist
• Ten years of relevant experience in rural development in Sierra Leone or equivalent.
• All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills

• Working knowledge of English and knowledge of local languages in Sierra Leone will be an added advantage
• National of Sierra Leone 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

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

• Extent and relevance of experience in Project Management, with particular emphasis in developing countries;
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting stakeholder (government, private sector, civil society and local communities) to develop the capacity to develop National Action Plan
• Demonstrated capacity to develop partnerships with a range of stakeholders including donors;
• Demonstrated capacity to provide assistance in the organization of technical meetings, platforms and learning events;
• Demonstrated capacity to prepare documentation materials of work on agricultural investments and supporting Family farming initiative in Sierra Leone

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