Government & Public Sector Jobs in Namur, Belgium (Now Hiring) — 6 open

Organizational Setting

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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•     assist and catalyze partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources sustainably.

In cooperation with the Department of Animal Production Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad (MAJ), Iran, technical support from FAO has been provided through the implementation of the Technical Cooperation Programme entitled “Empowering Local Communities to Conserve and Develop Endangered Indigenous Livestock Gene Pool in the Northwest of Iran.” This TCP project is expected to strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of endangered indigenous livestock breeds in Ardabil, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan and Kurdistan provinces.

The project addresses national priorities on climate-smart and sustainable agriculture and contributes to safeguarding animal genetic diversity in line with SDG targets 2.4 and 2.5. It focuses on community-based breeding and conservation of at-risk breeds—Bactrian camel, Sarabi cattle, Mahabadi goat and Markhoz goat—through pedigree and performance recording, molecular characterization, cryopreservation of genetic materials, and application of advanced reproductive technologies.
In parallel, the project enhances local capacities, supports regional breeding stations, improves milk and mohair processing facilities, and strengthens value chains. The overall objective is to empower local communities to conserve their livestock gene pool while improving productivity, resilience and livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative to the I.R. Iran, and close collaboration with the Project Management and Monitoring Expert on Management and Conservation of Indigenous Animal Genetic Resources, under technical guidance of the project Lead Technical Officer FAO-RAP Livestock development Officer and the Alternate Lead Technical Officer  and with the technical advice from FAO-HQ Technical Officer the Livestock Value Chain Specialist will work closely with the FAO consultants to support the team in achieving the deliverables and targets highlighted in his/her TOR. The post is home-based and all FAO-Iran employees shall follow the UN-Iran workweek (from Sunday to Thursday) and holiday schedule.

Technical Focus

To support strengthening sustainable and conservation-linked value chains for indigenous livestock products (milk, mohair, wool, meat and related products), enhancing income generation for local communities while creating economic incentives for genetic conservation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of FAO Representative and in coordination with the project specialists, the encumbent will:

•    Support conducting a rapid value chain assessment for target breeds (Bactrian camel, Sarabi cattle, Mahabadi goat, Markhoz goat), identifying bottlenecks in production, processing, quality control, marketing and market access.
•    Support analyzing existing milk and mohair processing practices and identify opportunities for product upgrading, diversification and branding linked to indigenous breeds.
•    Support the development of practical value chain and upgrading approaches that link conservation objectives with income generation.
•    Support the development of marketing approaches and business models suitable for small-scale producers and cooperatives.
•    Support identifying niche markets (including eco-labeling, indigenous breed branding, geographical indication potential).
•    Contribute in designing and delivering training modules on product quality, value addition, entrepreneurship and cooperative management.
•    Support networking events, buyer–producer linkages and knowledge-sharing platforms.
•    Contribute to the comprehensive conservation plan by integrating value chain incentives with breed sustainability.
•    Provide technical inputs for procurement technical specifications related to Milk/Mohair/Wool processing, value addition, storage and quality control equipment.
•    Support development of hygiene standards, quality assurance procedures and basic traceability mechanisms.
•    Assist in designing and delivering training modules for producers and cooperatives on product quality, value addition, marketing and entrepreneurship.
•    Contribute operational inputs to the comprehensive conservation plan, ensuring value chain incentives support breed sustainability.
•    Collaborate closely with the International Livestock Value Chain Specialist including to collect data, to ensure alignment between field-level implementation and value chain upgrading frameworks, and to support adaptation of international recommendations to local contexts.
•    Prepare periodic technical progress reports and a consolidated final report.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Food Technology, Value Chain Development or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
•    At least 7 years of relevant experience in livestock value chain analysis, agribusiness development, processing and marketing of animal products.
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of I.R. Iran or resident of the country with valid work permit
•    Familiarity with local languages (Turkish or Kurdish) is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one province or rural production system is desirable.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in livestock product value chain analysis (milk, wool, mohair, meat) and market development.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in establishing or upgrading processing and collection centers.
•    Familiarity with cooperative development, smallholder market integration and product quality standards.
•    Familiarity with indigenous livestock systems and conservation-linked value chain approaches is an asset.
•    Familiarity with local languages (Turkish or Kurdish) is an asset.
•    Demonstrated experience in linking value chain development with livelihood improvement.
•    Experience working with pastoral or smallholder livestock systems.
•    Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Selection Criteria

•    Preferably based in one of the target provinces (Ardabil, East/West Azarbaijan, or Kurdistan) and willing to travel to project sites as required.
•    Familiarity with local languages (Turkish or Kurdish) is an asset.