Jobs - 55197- Livestock Officer

Livestock Officer

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Renewable subject to performance and availability of funding.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The “Fiji - Improvement of key services to livestock and livestock products” project funded by the European Union Multi-Annual Indicative Programme on Accompanying Measures for Sugar (AAP2012), is designed to alleviate poverty in Fiji's sugar cane belt by supporting income generating opportunities in non-sugar agriculture. Poverty, and the fall into poverty of groups at risk, will be tackled by building capacity to enable the poor to take up market opportunities and other economic activities with the help of strengthening of farmers associations, development of private sector partnerships and agri-food value chains through better agricultural research, support services and extension service delivery.

The Programme implemented through the International Trade Centre (ITC) aims at improvement of key services to non-sugar agriculture, particularly livestock, livestock products and animal feed in the sugar belt of Fiji in order to improve and consolidate farming systems with the ultimate goal of generating additional income for farm families through alternative livelihoods for poverty alleviation.

Development issues to be addressed and rationale:

Pervasive poverty (over 30% of the population), which has recently been exacerbated by a sharp drop in the export prices of sugar;
Sub-optimal organization of value chains, which leads to (i) inefficiencies in production and wastage, (ii) uncertain and insufficient supply of food produce of appropriate varieties and quality to meet market requirements;
Lack of market information and other support services which impairs decision-making and dialogue between agricultural producers, processers, exporters, providers of finance, development agencies and government agencies.

The establishment of an ITC Project Advisory Office and the recruitment of a National Livestock Officer, Project Operations Manager and Administrative Assistant are included in the Contribution Agreement and Inception report signed with the EU for the above project.

The Livestock Officer will work under the direct guidance of the Senior Officer, Manufactured Products at ITC’s Headquarters, in collaboration with the ITC Fiji Project Operations Manager in ITC’s Fiji Office and with the Head, Product Sector Development in ITC’s Headquarters Geneva, who is the overall Programme manager for ITC’s activities in Fiji.

The main objective of the Livestock Officer is to contribute to the operational outcomes of ITC’s Improvement of key services to livestock project in Fiji and enhance its development impact in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu whilst delivering field project activities agreed with ITC and stakeholders on time and to budget and whilst upholding the values of the United Nations.

The main objective will be achieved through providing: Advice, monitoring, coordination between project stakeholders, training, coaching, reporting, other communications and visibility and generally managing the livestock project operational activities. The Livestock Officer will be mainly working in the field and so will be expected to make day-to-day technical and operational decisions autonomously within the overall framework of the project documents and under guidance form the ITC Senior Officer, Manufactured products. The Livestock Officer will receive advice on administrative and financial issues from the ITC Fiji Project Operations Manager.

Missions within Fiji will be required. Travel within the region and potentially also to Geneva may be required from time to time. Frequent work outside of normal office hours is anticipated during weekends and evenings – particularly associated with communications to ITC Headquarters.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical inputs and activities implementation

Support the creation and implementation of activities to be undertaken by the Vanua Levu and Viti Levu Industry Development Platforms, the dissemination of information to demonstration lead farmers and their producer clusters:

In collaboration with the ITC Fiji Project Operations Manager, coordinate the work of the ITC Livestock Adviser in Vanua Levu, ensuring that synergies and common lessons are captured and shared between the Development Platforms; demonstration farms, MAFF, District Commissioners, etc);
Support the implementation of up to 14 demonstration farms using participatory stakeholder approaches. Prepare a customized TOR and work plan for each demonstration farm and selected farm community cluster in collaboration with Platform members, MAFF and ITC expert consultants. Ensure that participating actors sign an “equitable working” agreement with ITC including agreement on in-kind contributions by each lead farmer/enterprise;
Facilitate new commercial linkages between pilot farms, clusters and buyers via abattoirs and other intermediaries in Fiji and the region;
Draft and present studies and information in coordination with project technical components (Finance, Business plan, SPS, Quality) to Platform members and stakeholders for definition of actions and priorities;
Coordinate and provide operational inputs to the implementation of the Food Safety, Access to Finance and mobile applications components of the ITC livestock project (Output 1.2);
Support the implementation of demonstration lead farmers and their clusters.
“Clusters” are farmers and their associated neighbouring farm communities. The demonstration lead farmers are designed to provide integrated support in collaboration with the Industry Development Platforms, MAFF agricultural extension and other support services to promote value chain integration, quality and efficiency as well as sustainable business models in the livestock sector. The project’s anticipated outputs include: improved nutrition and animal health, production and nutrition, reduced costs of doing business for the farmer and increased income, better connection to markets through multiple distribution channels and products (milk, meat, honey, bees, breeders, animal feed). Facilitate contributions from the Fiji crop and Livestock (FCLC) counsellors to support demonstration farms and clusters, provide market and technical farming inputs such as a business information and participate in training activities;
Manage logistical and technical arrangements for demonstration farm and cluster development. Assist the Project Operations Manager with preparations for procurement and delivery with local vendors. Obtain receipts and usage records. Keep accurate records of disbursements made and submit to the Project Operations Manager;
Coordinate experience sharing and training activities on farm or in factories with involved stakeholders and between different demonstration farm groups. Stakeholders expect training and advisory work on such areas as GAP, quality, market requirements, improved processing practices, improved marketing and commercialization, improved business and farm management to improve value addition and animal nutrition;
Directly visit clusters and organize monthly meetings with the project teams and government extension officials (Finance, quality, animal nutrition and other farm production technologies) to review progress, share experiences of other clusters and provide advice on working and reporting;
Facilitate the development of commercial linkages between pilot lead farmer/clusters, buyers, processors and other value chain actors. This includes supporting alliances and monitoring documented commercial transactions and investment;
Coordinate technical support to produce buyers and processors along the value chain who are prepared to source form selected lead farmer/clusters in an equitable way. This includes organization of field visits, training awareness missions and direct technical training on operations, sourcing, business.

ITC field work coordination:

Coordinate ITC Livestock implementation activities in the demonstration farms in the rural areas / sugar belt in both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Keep regular contact with the Platforms, ITC project’s stakeholders and beneficiaries and provide regular briefings on progress and requirements to MAFF and the ITC project team.

Reporting and inter-agency coordination:

In collaboration with ITC in Geneva provide inputs through the Project Operations Manager to the monthly PCU MIS reporting template to ITCs periodic operational progress reports and financial reports;
Record and report on results achieved by enterprises, producer clusters and buyers to MAFF, ITC, PCU and other stakeholders.

Official representation:

In collaboration with the Project Operations Manager, liaise with financial services providers, FCLC/T, MAFF, other government agencies other stakeholders;
Prepare meetings ahead of ITC missions and brief incoming specialists and follow-up on mission exit requirements;
Prepare and present reports to the Programme Steering Committee and Government Ministries/ agencies from time to time.

Communications & visibility:

Ensure communication and visibility components: press releases, banners, signs, articles and reports, etc conform to ITC and EU visibility requirements, are present across field project sites and on assets procured through the project.

Competencies

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda;
Results-Based Programme Development and Management;
Building Strategic Partnerships;
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing;
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise;
Client Orientation;
Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject eg: Development studies, Business administration, Engineering, Agriculture or Agriculture economics; or
Advanced Degree in a relevant subject such as Development studies, Business administration, Engineering, Agriculture or Agriculture with a minimum of 5 years professional experience.

Experience:

At least 7 years (Bachelor) work experience in a managerial and administrative roles, including experience in personnel and project-based work management, event administration and personnel management, preferably in a development project dimension, with specific experience of:
Working with social and economic development projects and / or non-governmental organisations involved in agri-food, rural or manufacturing sectors;
Pro-poor development dialogue, inter-agency coordination, development and agri-food issues in the Pacific;
Organizing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on, project advisory activities, meetings, workshops, public events and travel within the context of development projects – preferably within a UN or similar agency context;
Creating messaging and communications for public media and other stakeholders;
The use of office and Internet tools to monitor, manage and report on the activities of large scale projects (such as this one).

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English;
Knowledge of iTaukei and Hindi languages at the conversational level will be advantageous.