Organizational Setting

FAO’s approach to development assistance in Mindanao focuses on supporting the rehabilitation of agriculture and fisheries-based livelihoods, accelerating agriculture-based enterprises and increasing access to sustainable energy, and resilience to risk in municipalities affected by natural disasters and conflict.

Reporting Lines

The Livestock Specialist will report to the FAO Representative, supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, and direct supervision of the Project Team Leader.

Technical Focus

The Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development project funded by Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) aims to contribute to the attainment of sustainable peace and development and inclusive growth in Mindanao by way of supporting the improvement of agriculture and fisheries-based livelihoods, and accelerated agriculture-based enterprises by fully integrating farmer beneficiaries into the value chains. Its outcomes include (1) Improved the productivity in agriculture and fishery-based livelihoods of small farmers, marginal fishers, indigenous people, and returned internally displaced persons through the provision of agriculture and fisheries inputs, appropriate trainings and technical assistance on improved agricultural and diversified farming systems and fishery technologies. (2) Small farmers, marginal indigenous peoples, and returned internally displaced persons and their households, especially women and women’s groups fully integrated into value chains by developing and strengthening their skills and capacity to link with market opportunities in growth centres and (3) Increased resilience of farming, fishing and related livelihoods against multiple hazards through the application of disaster risk reduction and management tools, principles and approaches that consider specific livelihoods, agro-ecological and socio-political-institutional contexts.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Livestock Specialist will work closely with the GCP/PHI/069/ROK team in Cotabato City to oversee and provide technical guidance on the implementation of the livestock agribusiness enterprises of the community-based organizations supported by the FAO project. The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

•    Provide technical support in procurement of livestock particularly in technical evaluation  of bid offers for cattle and duck;  selection of live animal stocks for quarantine, ear tagging or marking of animals prior to placement in quarantine facilities; blood sampling and submission of blood samples for  laboratory analysis to ensure animal stocks are not affected by  infectious diseases, weekly monitoring of live animals placed in quarantine facilities; supervising livestock and poultry  immunizations or  checking  immunization records of animals prior to distribution;   administration of vitamin and mineral supplements to animals prior to delivery, final checking of live animals and transport vehicles at loading sites,  and final checking of live animals upon arrival in delivery sites;
•    Continue to provide technical assistance to trained CBO Paravets on the care and management of live animals, disease surveillance and monitoring, and other animal health issues which may arise during project implementation;
•    Work with the Agribusiness and Marketing Specialist in implementation of value adding interventions to enhance  productivity of livestock enterprises such as meat processing, provision  of animal breeding services, and undertaking animal butchering business; integration of meat handling and safety in trainings on meat processing;
•    Coordinate  with relevant government agencies, development organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders on the inclusion of CBO livestock enterprises in regular agency/LGU programs and activities; and the provision of additional livestock extension services to CBOs;
•    Coordinate closely with other sectors where livestock is a component (e.g. integration of livestock in rice, corn or coconut growing areas);
•    Provide support in the monitoring and evaluation of livestock and poultry intervention based on indicators and targets presented in the Project Logframe and Project Development Matrix.
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence, as may be requested by FAO; and
•    Perform any other task/functions that may be assigned by the Project Team Leader.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Animal Husbandry, and Agriculture or a closely related discipline, demonstrating relevant expertise that aligns with the deliverables of the position.
•    Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in livestock or animal production projects (including Halal livestock production and meat processing), and practical experience in the planning and implementation of rural development projects;
•    National of the Philippines
•    Working knowledge of English

FAO Core 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 and in agri-enterprise development and management;
•    Familiarity with Women’s Economic Empowerment;
•    Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute complex processes across a wide range of stakeholders, advance ability to work quickly and under pressure;
•    Previous engagement with the women, youth and farmer groups in the BARMM is an advantage;
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino;
•    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Selection Criteria

•    Able to be based in Cotabato City and conduct frequent missions to the project sites in Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION