Animal Production Officer
Rome
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Rome
- Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Livestock, production and veterinary
- Animal Health and Veterinary
- Closing Date: 2025-02-13
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IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments
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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. |
Organizational Setting
The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It hosts technical networks in areas of animal health, genetics, feed and animal husbandry and provides analysis, policy dialogue (including intergovernmental bodies) and technical assistance. It also supports emergency responses, mostly in animal health. The work of the Sustainable Animal Production, Feed and Genetics Branch (NSAP) aims to improve livestock production systems so that they contribute to improving the well-being of people in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner. NSAP focus areas include livestock producers and production systems; feed and feeding strategies; animal genetic resources management; and pastoralism. NSAP also hosts the Secretariat of the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG) Sub-Committee on Livestock (the Sub-Committee), established by COAG in 2020. The Sub-Committee's mandate is to discuss and build consensus on livestock issues and priorities and it has three main thematic areas\: sustainable livestock systems for food security, nutrition and inclusive economic growth; animal, public and environmental health through the One Health approach; and natural resource use, climate change and biodiversity.
The position is located in the Sustainable Animal Production, Feed and Genetics Branch (NSAP) of the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Animal Production Officer reports to the Chief, Sustainable Animal Production, Feed and Genetics Branch, NSAP.
Technical Focus
Following the First Session of the Sub-Committee, which took place in virtual format in March 2022, the Second Session took place in hybrid format in July 2024, with over 500 participants from 106 FAO Members. For the Second Session, the Secretariat organized 10 meetings of the Bureau and coordinated the preparation of 12 discussion documents and 12 information documents, published in all six FAO languages. A key discussion document was about the Sustainable Livestock Transformation Framework. After discussing this document, the Sub-Committee recommended that FAO should develop, in consultation with Members in a participatory manner, a negotiated Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation (GPA). COAG at its 29th Session (October 2024) endorsed the Report of the Sub-Committee’s Second Session.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Ensures the integration of gender equality and women's empowerment in FAO's work, including the disaggregation of data by sex and age where appropriate.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities from a gender perspective to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions
• Coordinates the preparation of the draft provisional agenda for the Third Regular Session of the Sub-Committee, planned for mid-2026.
• Coordinates, advises and follows-up with the FAO teams in the preparation of information and discussion documents for the Third Session of the Sub-Committee, to ensure their timely delivery.
• Coordinates regular meetings with the Sub-Committee Bureau to prepare the Third Session of the Sub-Committee, including preparation of the relevant documentation and reports.
• Coordinates preparation and consultations on the 1st draft of the GPA with FAO technical units, the Sub-Committee Bureau, FAO Members and partner organizations.
• Coordinates the organization of the Extraordinary Session of the Sub-Committee in October/November 2025 to discuss the 1st draft of the GPA.
• Coordinates preparation and consultations on the 2nd draft of the GPA based on the outcomes of the Extraordinary Session.
• Represents the Sub-Committee Secretariat, when requested, in meetings with the COAG30 Bureau.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agriculture or animal science/production.
• Seven years of relevant experience in animal production, including normative intergovernmental work and application of innovative solutions for sustainable livestock transformation.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable
• Extent and relevance of experience in animal production, including normative intergovernmental work and application of innovative solutions for sustainable livestock transformation.
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with FAO intergovernmental bodies.
• Extent and relevance of experience in preparing FAO technical and policy related documents.
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
GENERAL INFORMATION
• All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce . FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes\:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date
If you need help, or have queries, please contact\: Careers@fao.org
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.