National Livestock Methane Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. 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. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, which aims to transform agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, ensuring that no one is left behind. FAO Rwanda is actively involved in various projects aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, including initiatives focused on methane mitigation in livestock systems.

Job Overview:
The National Livestock Methane Specialist will play a crucial role in implementing the project 'UNUN/INT/1108/UEP: Foster Methane Mitigation in Agriculture and Livestock subsectors.' This project aims to enhance methane mitigation interventions in livestock supply chains, particularly focusing on cattle and small ruminant systems in Rwanda. The specialist will work closely with national partners, including various ministries and organizations, to develop and implement strategies that align with Rwanda's climate goals and the Global Methane Pledge. The position requires a strong background in animal sciences, environmental or agricultural sciences, and policy development related to sustainable livestock production. The specialist will be responsible for planning and executing the project's work plan, conducting assessments, and providing technical guidance to stakeholders, ensuring that the project meets its objectives and contributes to the overall goals of sustainable development in Rwanda.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Livestock Methane Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including:

• Planning and implementing the project's work plan in collaboration with national partners such as MINAGRI, MoE, RAB, REMA, and UNDP.
• Developing and executing capacity-building initiatives for creating a Tier 2 emissions inventory for the livestock sector.
• Compiling data on animal numbers, trends, herd structure, and feed composition in collaboration with partners.
• Creating two technical manuals focused on sustainable feed strategies and manure management systems.
• Assessing the methane mitigation potential and economic impacts of various strategies.
• Evaluating institutional arrangements and market potential for methane-inhibiting feed additives.
• Conducting assessments of existing measurement, reporting, and verification capabilities related to short-lived climate pollutants.
• Developing strategies to reduce livestock methane emissions and identifying pilot farms for data collection.
• Providing technical guidance to farmers and stakeholders on methane reduction practices. 1
• Organizing project meetings, national events, and workshops, and preparing necessary documentation. 1
• Performing any other duties as required to support the project's objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in animal sciences, environmental or agricultural sciences, economics, natural resource management, biology science, environmental economics and policy, governance and laws, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of professional experience in developing multi-disciplinary policies, projects, and programs in agrifood systems, climate change, and sustainable livestock production. A working knowledge of English is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Rwanda.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as animal sciences, environmental or agricultural sciences, economics, natural resource management, biology science, environmental economics and policy, governance and laws, or a related discipline. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding the complexities of livestock systems and their environmental impacts, as well as for developing effective policies and strategies for methane mitigation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience related to the development of multi-disciplinary policies, projects, and programs in agrifood systems, climate change, and sustainable livestock production. Candidates should have experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders and manage complex projects.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the stakeholders involved in the project.

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 note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. This position may involve full-time engagement, and candidates should be available to start immediately.