International Consultants on Small-scale Livestock Development and Animal Disease Control

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.

An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

FAO-Saudi Arabia is seeking for consultants with relevant expertise in small-scale livestock production, sustainable livestock grazing practices and technologies, animal breeding biosecurity, quarantine, veterinary services, animal health and disease control, animal feed management technologies, animal product quality and standards, and livestock marketing, agribusiness and value chain analysis.

The Component Consultants report to the Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RNE.

Capacity development and knowledge management for small-scale livestock development and animal disease control.

The Consultants of the project component on livestock value chain development in coordination with the Component Technical Adviser and National Manager will:

• Undertake situation analysis and comprehensive sector review for livestock industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and assess comparative and competitive advantages of the industry in KSA.
• Benchmark, identify and promote best animal husbandry and livestock grazing practices, technologies and infrastructure among small livestock herders.
• Organize diagnostic studies on animal production industry including comparative studies on traditional and commercial production.
• Develop, pilot test and promote appropriate integrated rural animal husbandry system, technology and community based sustainable grazing management practices in selected sites of the target regions.
• Design and implement an extension programme to promote the use of integrated animal husbandry system, small scale livestock model farm and management practices and sustainable community-based livestock grazing management.
• Establish drought resistant forage sites and the rehabilitation of range including by introducing forage enclosures.
• Undertake breed level population census including identification, characterization, and registration of local animal breeds and related risks and measures to conserve important animal local breeds.
• Assess local feeds and feeding practices and sources, formulate and promote improved animal feeding management systems in the target regions, and promote its standard operating procedures.
• Develop and promote low-cost local animal hatcheries among small livestock breeders.
• Develop animal breeding and rearing programme including regulations and incentives to support the conservation of adapted local animal breeds.
• Undertake situation analysis of existing small livestock herders’ agricultural cooperatives and associations in the target regions and develop pilot business model for them.
• Develop a programme for biosecurity, quarantine, veterinary and basic animal health services and ensures access of small scale rural livestock herders.
• Review, analyse and strengthen smallholders’ extension programmes and establishes applied research centre for livestock production in the target regions and develop models for improvement.
• Assess and develop a needs-based training and capacity development programme to strengthen skills of livestock producers, processors and other value chain actors.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in livestock production, animal husbandry, animal breeding, veterinary science, or related field.
• 12 years of relevant experience in small scale animal husbandry and livestock development including at international level.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.

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

• Work experience in more than one location and particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in small-scale animal production, animal breeding, livestock grazing and feeding management, veterinary services, animal disease and quarantine, food commodities quality and safety, and cooperatives development.
• Familiarity with project management skills including familiarity with results frameworks, project work planning and budgeting;
• Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions.
• Analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise reports is considered a strong asset.
• Proficiency in English is essential and familiarity with Arabic language is desirable.

• Work experience with international organizations and in technical cooperation projects supporting countries.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in animal health and disease control and related issues.
• Ability to provide technical and advisory services.