National Poultry Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) established to lead international efforts to combat hunger. With a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all, FAO ensures that people have regular access to sufficient high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. Founded in 1945, FAO has grown to include 195 members, comprising 194 countries and the European Union, and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization contributes to the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which supports the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO's work encompasses better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and improved livelihoods, ensuring that no one is left behind. The FAO-Country Office for Lesotho focuses on developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects aimed at transforming food, agriculture, and rural development. The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) assists FAO members in developing sustainable livestock systems, providing technical and policy support to development efforts, including climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Job Overview:
The National Poultry Specialist position is crucial for supporting the implementation, monitoring, and capacity development of poultry production and value chain activities in Lesotho. The role involves conducting situational and technical analyses to establish a solid foundation for enhancing the poultry sector's productivity, competitiveness, and resilience. This position is designed to contribute to the inclusive growth of agribusiness and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The National Poultry Specialist will work under the supervision of the FAO Country Representative in Lesotho and collaborate closely with national counterparts, service providers, and other key stakeholders. The specialist will provide comprehensive technical support in planning and implementing livestock components of special programs, with a focus on smallholder poultry production and value chain development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Poultry Specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: providing technical oversight and leadership for all livestock-related initiatives; profiling key players in the poultry value chain and designing context-specific technical capacity development training plans; offering technical advice and assistance on implementing poultry production and value chain development activities; collaborating with service providers to support formal and on-the-job training for poultry farmers and brooding units; providing technical expertise for developing the poultry value chain and the broader livestock sector; promoting poultry associations and facilitating their transformation from producer organizations to industry-wide associations; facilitating policy dialogue and working with poultry farmers, associations, and relevant stakeholders to increase domestic poultry production; and developing a concept note for a bankable project aimed at the industrial development of the poultry value chain based on observations and stakeholder feedback. The specialist will also perform other tasks as requested.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements: an advanced university degree in animal health, production, or a related field; a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in animal health and production, with a specialization in poultry production and/or value chain development; proficiency in English and Sesotho (working knowledge at level C); and must be a national of Lesotho. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in animal health, production, or a related field. Candidates must have obtained their higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), which is maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in animal health and production, specifically with a focus on poultry production and value chain development. This experience should encompass project and program development, resource mobilization, and implementation within the context of animal health and production.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Sesotho is mandatory for this position, with a working knowledge at proficiency level C. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should be aware that appointment is subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.