National Veterinary Extension Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees worldwide, working towards achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

Job Overview:
The National Veterinary Extension Specialist will play a crucial role in the FAO's efforts to enhance food safety and improve the livelihoods of dairy farmers in Georgia. This position involves working closely with various stakeholders, including the FAO Representative, ENPARD Programme manager, and National Food Safety Expert, to develop and deliver training programs aimed at improving dairy production practices among women farmers. The specialist will be responsible for creating educational materials that cover essential topics such as reproduction, deworming, vaccination, and care of lactating animals. The role also includes organizing both theoretical and practical training sessions for Dairy Farmer Field Schools (FFS), ensuring that farmers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their production practices and ensure food safety.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Veterinary Extension Specialist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the organization and delivery of theoretical training sessions on key veterinary topics such as reproduction, infectious diseases, deworming, vaccination, artificial insemination, and care of lactating animals within the Dairy FFS framework.
• Assisting in the organization and delivery of practical training focused on mastitis analysis in raw milk for each FFS.
• Collaborating closely with the project team to prepare training materials and manage logistical requirements for training sessions.
• Providing support for the organization of additional training sessions with active farmers from all 20 FFSs, ensuring that the training is relevant and impactful.
• Working with FAO’s Monitoring & Evaluation staff to plan and organize monitoring activities, and providing necessary information to support these efforts.
• Entering relevant training and beneficiary data into the ZOHO system to maintain accurate records.
• Supporting activities related to the ENPARD IV matching grants programme, particularly for support package
• Maintaining ongoing communication with FAO Extension team members and assisting the ENPARD IV communication team in preparing visibility and communication materials for internal FAO use.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in Veterinary Science, Livestock Production, Food Safety, or related disciplines.
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience working with farmers in the areas of animal husbandry, health, and welfare.
• Proficiency in both Georgian and English languages is essential.
• A solid understanding of Georgian regulations concerning animal health and welfare issues.
• Candidates must be nationals of Georgia or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in Veterinary Science, Livestock Production, Food Safety, or related fields. This educational background is critical as it provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding animal health, welfare, and production practices, which are essential for the role of a National Veterinary Extension Specialist.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two years of relevant experience in working with farmers, specifically in the areas of animal husbandry, health, and welfare. This experience is vital as it ensures that the specialist has practical knowledge and skills to effectively train and support farmers in improving their dairy production practices.

Languages:
Proficiency in both Georgian and English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of English would be considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and access to additional resources. Fluency in Georgian is essential for effective communication with local farmers and understanding regional regulations.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared to engage in both fieldwork and office-based tasks. The role may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and international organizations. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards, and the position may offer opportunities for professional development and training.