Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes 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 in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The National Veterinary Extension Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Georgia, the supervision of the ENPARD Programme manager, and the technical guidance of the National Food Safety Expert in Georgia and in close coordination with the ENPARD IV Veterinary and Food Safety Extension Specialists. The National Veterinary Extension Specialist will receive technical support from REU’s Food Safety and Consumer Protection Officer and FAO Officer for Animal Production and Health in close coordination with the National Food Safety Expert and Head of the Office of Zugdidi.

Technical Focus

The FFS activity under ENPARD project, will demonstrate along the production cycle upgraded technical practices in terms of improved food safety for dairy produced by women. The National Veterinary Extension Specialist will be responsible for the elaboration of teaching materials on the following topics: reproduction, deworming, vaccination, artificial insemination, care of lactating animal. This technical material will be used for training of 20 Dairy Farmer Field Schools over 20 in-farm trainings. Each training gathers from 15 to 20 farmers.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support the organization and delivery of theoretical training on reproduction, infection disease, deworming, vaccination, artificial insemination, care of lactating animal in Dairy FFS.
•     Support the organization and delivery of practical training for mastitis analyses in raw milk in each FFS. 
•     Liaise closely with the project team for the preparation of training materials and logistical requirements  process. 
•     With the guidance of the project team, provide support for the organization of additional trainings with active farmers from all 20 FFSs.
•     Collaborate with FAO’s Monitoring & Evaluation staff to plan and organize monitoring activities. Support the M&E team with the provision of information as requested.
•     Enter the relevant training and beneficiary data in the ZOHO system.
•     Collaborate and provide support for activities related to the ENPARD IV matching grants programme for support package 5.  
•     Ensure continued communication with FAO Extension team members as well as the provision of support to the ENPARD IV communication team for the preparation of FAO internally produced visibility and communication materials.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree in Veterinary, Livestock Production, food safety or related disciplines
•     Minimum two years of relevant experience in working with farmers in animal husbandry, health and welfare;
•     Working knowledge of both Georgian and English languages;
•     Understanding of Georgian regulations about animal health and welfare issues;
•     National of Georgia or resident with a work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Working knowledge of English would be an advantage;
•     Practical experience of Artificial Insemination would be considered an asset;
•     Demonstrated understanding of veterinary topics, animal health, welfare, husbandry (feeding and nutrition).
•     Proven capacity to establish working relationships with smallholder farmers and build their technical capacities.
•     Proven experience in the preparation of technical documents on veterinary and standard guideline development
•     Excellent communication skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear and effective oral presentations.
•     Good skills in community mobilization as well as inter-personal relations. 
•     Computer literacy.