Livestock Development Officer

Organizational SettingFAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. FAO's Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Africa (RAF). The post is located in the Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Reporting LinesThe Livestock Development Officer reports to the Subregional Coordinator (SRC) and works in collaboration with, and under the technical guidance of, the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer in RAF and the Chief, One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW). Technical FocusThe incumbent leads the management of all initiatives, projects and programmes in areas of animal production and health at the subregional and national levels in Southern Africa, in line with FAO's Strategic Framework. The Officer will also create or maintain partnerships with FAO internal units and external partners for advocacy, synergy and resource mobilization.

The incumbent leads the Coordination Unit for Animal Production and Health (CUFAPH), a platform mandated for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating all livestock development initiatives in Southern Africa. Key ResultsComprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with regional objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives. Key Functions Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

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 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 countries 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 Contributes to FAO-SFS's programme activities on livestock development and supports FAO's global and regional livestock programmes in line with the Strategic Framework. Provides technical support to FAO Member Nations in Southern Africa and subregional partners on the formulation and implementation of policies, projects and programmes for the development, integration and improvement of a sustainable livestock sector. Provides technical support to FAO Member Nations and Subregional Organizations dealing with livestock issues and, where appropriate, technically backstops the implementation of animal production and health projects and programmes.

Acts as a focal point for livestock development programmes relevant to the subregion, including thematic crosscutting initiatives such as progressive control of transboundary animal diseases, One Health, sustainable livestock transformation, climate change, sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity, biosecurity, etc. Promotes and reviews programmes to prevent the introduction and/or spread of transboundary and major zoonotic animal diseases including: disease surveillance, diagnosis and reporting; contingency planning and simulation exercises at national and regional levels.

Identifies sustainable livestock transformation issues relevant to the subregion, including breed conservation and improvement, improved husbandry, animal feed and nutrition, transhumance, natural resource management and livestock marketing (including preservation and processing) of animal products. Working closely with SFS Coordination Unit for Emergency and Resilience (CUERE), advises and coordinates livestock related responses to emergencies and disasters as well as resilience building, within the subregion. Undertakes analytical studies on specific technical and policy issues affecting livestock production and health. Organizes and conducts scientific and technical meetings; prepares reports, manuals, guidelines and other specialized publications.

Cooperates and/or liaises with national, regional and international institutions in planning and establishing training, extension, monitoring, research and capacity building programmes for the livestock sector in Southern Africa. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum Requirements Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science or related field. Seven years of relevant experience in animal production, livestock development, animal health, infectious disease management, including regulatory aspects, standard setting.

Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian). 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. Work experience at the international level in developing countries with experience in the Africa region. Extent and relevance of experience in international animal health (regulatory and developmental) programmes.

Extent and relevance of experience in prevention and control of animal diseases in particular foot-and mouth-disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), avian influenza (AI) and African swine fever (ASF). Extent and relevance of experience in animal health projects and programmes management. Ability to mobilize resources. Job Posting06/Aug/2025Closure Date27/Aug/2025, 11: 59: 00 PMOrganizational UnitSFSJob TypeStaff positionType of RequisitionProfessionalGrade LevelP-4Primary LocationZimbabwe-HarareDurationFixed-term: two years with possibility of extensionPost Number2004970CCOG Code1H01IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceThe length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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.