Livestock Value Chain Specialist

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.

• 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.

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 International Livestock Value Chain Specialist will work closely with the…