JOB DESCRIPTION
Organizational Setting
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programs, 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 sustainably. FAO will be implementing the TCP/CKI/3901 to provide technical assistance and necessary support to the Cook Island’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in collaboration with Outer Islands Island Administrations and Agriculture Departments to improve productivity of cattle, pig and goat farmers for household food security and nutritional status, and sustainable livelihoods. The main output of this project is to strengthen capacities in cattle, goat and pig breeding, husbandry, and management.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall guidance of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands (FAO SAP), under the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer of TCP/CKI/3901 project and in collaboration with the National Project Co-ordinator (NPC), and the service provider for artificial insemination (AI) for cattle, goats, and pigs for this project, the incumbent will perform the following tasks and duties:
Technical Focus
Improve animal feeding systems and strategies to boost economic and environmental efficiency while promoting high equity in the livestock sector. Incorporate methodologies and tools, information, and data, as well as innovations and technologies related to integration and bioeconomy.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Study the FAO’s guide to nutrition and pasture management of grazing ruminants in the Pacific, the pig nutrition, housing, and welfare guidelines for the Pacific and the Pacific climate-smart livestock guideline and other relevant publications.
• Formulate several sustainable low-cost balanced rations using locally available ingredients for cattle, pigs, and goats (for different ages and both sexes), including supplementary feed requirements for optimum success of artificial breeding activities.
• Train the animal owners on making the proposed rations as well as nutritional management for cattle, goat and pigs
• Train the animal owners on cattle, pigs, and goats’ husbandry and management practices
• Prepare a comprehensive written report of performed activities.
• Perform any other tasks related to the project as required by the project team (e.g. assistance with project inception meeting, recruitment of service provider for AI, developing the project implementation plan)
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in livestock production (veterinary sciences or a related field)
• At least five years of relevant experience in working with cattle, pig and goat husbandry and management.
• Good knowledge and experience on animal nutrition and production, preferably in the Pacific region
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish). For PSA, working knowledge of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Selection Criteria
• To be able to travel to Cook Islands
• Proven communications skills