Livestock Value Chain Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations and adequate resources while adhering to international standards of accountability. They advocate for policies, provide technical assistance, and mobilize resources to support agrifood systems transformation, ultimately aiming to reduce hunger and malnutrition while promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Job Overview:
The Livestock Value Chain Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the sustainable and conservation-linked value chains for indigenous livestock products, including milk, mohair, wool, and meat. This position is designed to enhance income generation for local communities while creating economic incentives for genetic conservation. The specialist will work closely with FAO consultants and project specialists to achieve the deliverables outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR). The role involves conducting assessments, analyzing existing practices, developing marketing approaches, and contributing to training modules aimed at improving product quality and value addition. The specialist will also support the development of niche markets and contribute to a comprehensive conservation plan that integrates value chain incentives with breed sustainability. This position is home-based, and the incumbent will follow the UN-Iran workweek and holiday schedule.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the FAO Representative and in coordination with project specialists, the incumbent will:

• Support conducting a rapid value chain assessment for target breeds (Bactrian camel, Sarabi cattle, Mahabadi goat, Markhoz goat), identifying bottlenecks in production, processing, quality control, marketing, and market access.
• Analyze existing milk and mohair processing practices and identify opportunities for product upgrading, diversification, and branding linked to indigenous breeds.
• Develop practical value chain and upgrading approaches that link conservation objectives with income generation.
• Develop marketing approaches and business models suitable for small-scale producers and cooperatives.
• Identify niche markets, including eco-labeling, indigenous breed branding, and geographical indication potential.
• Design and deliver training modules on product quality, value addition, entrepreneurship, and cooperative management.
• Support networking events, buyer–producer linkages, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Contribute to the comprehensive conservation plan by integrating value chain incentives with breed sustainability.
• Provide technical inputs for procurement technical specifications related to processing, value addition, storage, and quality control equipment. 1
• Develop hygiene standards, quality assurance procedures, and basic traceability mechanisms. 1
• Assist in designing and delivering training modules for producers and cooperatives on product quality, value addition, marketing, and entrepreneurship. 1
• Contribute operational inputs to the comprehensive conservation plan, ensuring value chain incentives support breed sustainability. 1
• Collaborate closely with the International Livestock Value Chain Specialist to collect data and ensure alignment between field-level implementation and value chain upgrading frameworks. 1
• Prepare periodic technical progress reports and a consolidated final report.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Food Technology, Value Chain Development, or a related field, with an advanced degree preferred. Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in livestock value chain analysis, agribusiness development, processing, and marketing of animal products. A working knowledge of English is required, and candidates must be nationals of I.R. Iran or residents of the country with a valid work permit. Familiarity with local languages, such as Turkish or Kurdish, is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Food Technology, or Value Chain Development. An advanced degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and knowledge in the subject matter.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in livestock value chain analysis, agribusiness development, and the processing and marketing of animal products. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of the complexities involved in livestock value chains and the ability to implement effective strategies for improvement.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, familiarity with local languages such as Turkish or Kurdish is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is home-based, and all FAO-Iran employees are expected to follow the UN-Iran workweek, which runs from Sunday to Thursday, along with the associated holiday schedule. The role may require travel to project sites as necessary, and candidates should ideally be based in one of the target provinces (Ardabil, East/West Azarbaijan, or Kurdistan). The position is focused on full-time engagement and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve project objectives.