VA Reference No. Re-issued VA 03/11-FAO/KYR

National Project Officer / Livestock Production Expert for

Cattle Production Improvement Module project in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - GCP/SEC/001/TUR

 The project aims to lay the basis for restarting modern livestock production improvement systems in three Central Asian countries and in Azerbaijan.  The project aims to improve livestock productivity through establishing district-based cattle producer associations for training and service delivery; access to better feeds; disseminating modern livestock farm husbandry and management practices; and support modern milk marketing associations in order to organize milk producers. Project management and supervision will be the responsibility of the FAO Project Team headquartered in Ankara. The National Project Officer / Livestock Production Expert will be a national of Kyrgyzstan. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub regional Coordinator, the Budget Holder; the technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer (AGPS) and the FAO-SEC Livestock Development Officer; the direct supervision of the Regional National Project Manager; in close cooperation with the respective National Focal Point and international and national consultants; and in full consultation with relevant national authorities, the National Project Officer will be responsible for:

1. Working closely with the FAO Team and international consultants to facilitate all country missions, obtaining relevant livestock data, arranging meetings, facilitating the Tripartite Review, scheduling workshops, SC meetings, Farmer Field Days and other visibility actions.
2. Providing monitoring supervision and technical guidance in areas of expertise to implement agreed Work Plans, providing technical assistance, as required to counterpart / government consultants, FAO Implementing Partners and to operational units engaged in the provision of assistance under the project.
3. Leading the organization of workshops and Farmer Field Days and other demonstration actions.
4. Drafting technical specifications for inputs to be provided under the project and drafting the input procurement and distribution plan.
5. Preparing, in collaboration with the Regional National Project Manager, an Inception Report (in English with translation into official language of each partner country) with updated six-monthly national Work Plans.
6. Preparing, in collaboration with the Regional National Project Manager, six-monthly Progress Reports and at the end of the project a Final Narrative Report (both in English with translation into official language of each partner country.
7. Performing any other related tasks as requested by the Regional National Project Manager or FAO-SEC Livestock Development Officer.

Qualifications: A university degree in animal production or health is required.  A minimum of five years of relevant experience in delivering / managing rural development programmes or specific departmental field projects, such as livestock production, extension, disease control, etc, is required.  Experience in dealing with institutional partners and donors is essential.  Familiarity with FAO’s administrative procedures is an asset.

Essential skills: Excellent command of spoken and written English or Russian and strong writing, analytical and communication skills are required.  Fluency in the national language is required.  Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster a team environment among colleagues and stakeholders is desirable.  Computer literacy with PCs and common writing and spreadsheet programmes is required.

Application is to be submitted on the attached PH form (also available on the website http://www.fao.org/VA/adm11e.dot). VA Reference Number is to be written in the PH Form.

Interested candidates may please send their FAO Personal History Form and cover letter to