Livestock and Dairy Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries, focusing on eradicating hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. In Afghanistan, FAO is actively involved in enhancing agricultural livelihoods and local ecosystems, particularly in the context of humanitarian assistance and development initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Livestock and Dairy Development Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the development of integrated livestock and dairy production systems in Afghanistan. This position emphasizes improving animal health, feeding, breeding, and enhancing farmer capacity building, with a strong focus on productivity and quality enhancement. The specialist will contribute to strengthening dairy value chains and market linkages through data-driven analysis, stakeholder coordination, and monitoring of livestock and dairy development interventions. The role involves training farmers on best practices, tracking market prices, and supporting vaccination campaigns to ensure animal health and promote sustainable practices. The incumbent will work closely with local farmers and stakeholders to implement effective strategies that enhance livestock production and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Livestock and Dairy Development Specialist include collaborating with local farmers to improve livestock production practices, facilitating training sessions on livestock management and health care, assisting in the implementation of best practices for animal husbandry, coordinating vaccination programs, and developing nutritional programs tailored to the needs of dairy and meat-producing animals. The specialist will also contribute to developing an extension, health, feed, fodder crop, and AI data collection network, analyze data for recommendations, support the head of the animal production and health team, assist in developing value-added dairy products, and promote the benefits of dairy cooperatives. Additionally, the role involves building relationships with farmers and stakeholders, analyzing market trends, establishing effective marketing channels, evaluating the impact of interventions, tracking pricing of dairy products, and organizing workshops to educate farmers on best practices. The specialist will also participate in regional meetings, prepare reports on development activities, and respond to requests for assistance from farmers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in veterinary science, livestock production, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in veterinary or livestock is required, with at least 2 years of experience with the United Nations or an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) being desirable. Candidates should have a working knowledge (level C) of English and local languages (Dari and/or Pashto). Nationality of Afghanistan is also a requirement for this position.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in veterinary science, livestock production, or a related field. It is essential that the educational qualifications are obtained from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of experience in veterinary or livestock, with a preference for candidates who have 2 years of experience working with the United Nations or an INGO. Experience in coordinating with relevant institutions and communities is also highly valued, as is familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities in the livestock and dairy sectors in Afghanistan.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (level C) of English and proficiency in local languages, specifically Dari and/or Pashto. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The 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 additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website. It is important to note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the WHED.