National consultant to conduct field work assessment on production systems at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): (Deadline 15 September 2021)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (“FAO” or “Organization”) is an intergovernmental organization with more than 194 member nations. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security – defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life. To achieve its goals, FAO cooperates with thousands of partners worldwide, from farmers’ groups to traders, from non-governmental organizations to other UN agencies, from development banks to agribusiness firms (further and more detailed information on FAO can be found on the internet site: http://www.fao.org).
The main aim of FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve security and reduce hunger and malnutrition to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forest sectors, and use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The national consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Rwanda (who is the project budget holder) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR/Programme in close collaboration of the National Project Manager and the FAO project Lead Technical Officer (LTO); who would support the project implementation from the FAO Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE).

Technical Focus
The technical focus of the work of the national consultant is to prepare and implement a Breeding Program for cattle.  The activity will be implemented within the overall framework of the Rwanda National plan for conservation and sustainable use of AnGRs and is intended to assess and improve genetic potential of dairy animals in smallholders’ dairy farms based on agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions;
The assessment will identify and propose the most adequate breeding scheme to apply for each of the main cattle production systems in the country as well as sustainable management of indigenous cattle genetic resources.

Tasks and Responsibilities

    Conduct a survey to characterise cattle dairy production systems (qualitative and quantitative description, current status, associated risks, geographic and demographic distribution of dairy cattle production systems within agro ecological zones in Rwanda),
     Generate information  on the current cattle  identification and advise on the best recording system
     Provide  mapping and inventory cattle genetic resources  in the selected areas of Rwanda based on production systems, agro ecological and socio economic perspectives  (At least 300 farms countrywide basing agro-ecological zones)
    Assess farmers knowledge against cattle production requirements for the maintenance and sustainable use of animal genetic resources;
     The National consultant will work closely with the international consultants in the development of field data collection tools, analysis and recommendations

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    At least Master’s degree in veterinary medicine, animal production, animal breeding or animal sciences with Minimum 8 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Animal production, animal breeding or animal sciences
•    Good knowledge of English and Kinyarwanda with analytic skills
•    National of Rwanda or resident of Rwanda having working permit
FAO Corporate Competencies

    Results focus
    Teamwork
    Communication
    Building effective relationships
    Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical/Functional skills

•    Strong analytical skills, knowledge of governance in  veterinary sciences, animal breeding and policy development Previous  similar engagement/involvement  in  animal breeding development strategies
•    Having skills/experience in research in animal sciences and related fields
•    Strong background in livestock production systems and animal genetic resources assessment/survey
•    Work experience with international organizations is an advantages
•    Demonstrate ability to perform in depth statistical and quantitative &qualitative analysis and report the results in multiple formats including reports, papers and presentations
•    A record of publications

    Show familiarity with Breeding Program development for cattle
    Demonstrated experience and capacity in the overall framework of the Rwanda National plan for conservation and sustainable use of AnGRs curricula development and writing.
    Sound expertise in conducting situational analyses engaging public institutions and other development stakeholders.
    Capable to work independently and perform under tight deadlines.
    Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to engage effectively with policy and decision makers;