Animal Production Officer (Feed and Feeding Systems)

Rome

Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Location: Rome
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Livestock, production and veterinary
- Nutrition
- Animal Health and Veterinary
Closing Date: 2025-04-03

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
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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 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, optimizing its contribution to nutrition, food security and rural poverty reduction. NSA integrates scientific, technical expertise and policy advice, it facilitates policy dialogue (including through intergovernmental bodies), encourages good governance, manages knowledge and provides information, analysis and technical assistance for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to produce safe animal products more sustainably, efficiently, and in a more integrated manner.

The post 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.

The activities of the Branch cover all production systems, from pastoralism to intensive systems, including crop-livestock integrated systems, and aims to enhance their sustainability in its three pillars\: environmental, economic and social.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Production Officer (Feed and Feeding Systems) reports to the Chief of NSAP and is under the overall supervision of the Director, NSA.

Technical Focus

Improving feed production and feeding systems for greater economic and environmental efficiency and equity in the livestock sector, focusing on circular bioeconomy through the development of methods and tools, information and data, and innovations and technology.

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 NSAP's work on feed production and feeding strategies, in particular\:

o Develops strategies to improve the efficiency of natural resource use for the production, processing, storage and use of feeds and forage.

o Develops and advises on adequate feeding plans for livestock of different species and in different production systems taking into account the nutrient requirements of the animals, nutrient supply from the feed and nutrient bioavailability or anti-nutritional substances in the diet.

o Enhances use of local feed, including pasture, and suitable agro-industrial by-products and explores novel and alternative feed, including insect-based products.

o Provides technical advice and training on quality control systems in feed analysis laboratories.

o Develops guidelines and reports related to animal feed and feeding systems, specifically on the processing of feed and its effects on feed quality and animal performance, optimization of nutrient use efficiency (to reduce environmentally relevant emissions), use of zootechnical feed additives (e.g. organic acids, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, phytobiotics, etc.) and influence of undesirable substances.

Coordinates with other branches within NSA, other FAO technical divisions and field offices\:

o Develops and promotes solutions to improve animal feed and feeding, especially in resource-poor environments, to improve production sustainability and efficiency, as well as resilience of production systems.

o Develops animal nutrition and feed-based solutions to enhance livestock productivity, including through the application of new technologies in the field of animal nutrition, while decreasing environmentally important emissions and water consumption in primary food production.

o Supports countries in conducting national feed inventories and assessments, and in developing the capacity of small-scale producers on animal feed and feeding.

o Identifies and formulates projects aiming at developing the feed sector specifically in the context of developing countries.

Performs any other related tasks.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree inagriculture or animal science/production or any related field, with particular emphasis on animal nutrition or feed production, including pasture management.
Seven years of relevant experience in animal nutrition and feed production.
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.
Familiarity with gender-related issues, as needed.
Extent and relevance of experience in extending the feed resource base, using local and alternative feed resources efficiently.
Demonstrated laboratory knowledge, including methodologies for feed quality control and proficiency tests, is considered an asset.
Experience with international research, initiatives and programmes in these areas.
Experience in the formulation and/or implementation of development projects related to feed and feeding systems.
Work experience in developing countries is an asset.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
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.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link\: https\://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include\:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

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.
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HOW TO APPLY

• 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
• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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