Livestock Health and Reproduction 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.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    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. The post is home-based and all FAO-Iran employees shall follow the UN-Iran workweek (from Sunday to Thursday) and holiday schedule.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision 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 Livestock Health and Reproduction Specialist will work closely with the FAO consultants to support the team in achieving the deliverables and targets highlighted in his/her TOR.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will technically and operationally support strengthening reproductive performance, health management and genetic conservation of endangered indigenous livestock breeds through technically sound reproductive interventions, disease prevention approaches and quality-assured implementation of advanced reproductive technologies, fully aligned with the community-based conservation framework of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of FAO Representative to I.R. Iran and in close coordination with the FAO project team,  the incumbent will:
•    Technically and operationally support assessing baseline health and reproductive performance of target breeds in the project provinces.
•    Technically assist in identifying major reproductive constraints, production and infectious disease risks and biosecurity gaps affecting conservation and productivity.
•    Technically support providing input on health management, including disease prevention, vaccination approaches, reproductive health monitoring and biosecurity measures
•    Technically support review and aligning reproductive and health interventions with FAO One Health principles, promoting integration of animal health, environmental sustainability, and community livelihoods
•    Technically assist in development of breed-specific health and reproductive management guidelines tailored to pastoral and smallholder systems.
•    Technically support in planning for advanced reproductive operations (AI and ET).
•    Technically support semen and embryo collection, handling and cryopreservation protocols, ensuring compliance with international technical standards.
•    Contribute to pedigree and genetic improvement approaches by technically supporting and reviewing alignment of reproductive interventions with genetic diversity and inbreeding control objectives.
•    Technically and operationally support the establishment of reproductive performance indicators and monitoring systems within community-based breeding programs.
•    Collaborate with FAO Iran Rangeland and Nutrition specialists to ensure reproductive plans are aligned with forage availability and grazing approaches.
•    Technically support designing and delivering capacity-building programs for veterinarians, technicians and local breeders on reproductive technologies, herd health monitoring and biosecurity.
•    Contribute technical content to knowledge-sharing events 
•    Technically assist in development of technical specifications for procurement of medical, reproductive, veterinary and cryopreservation equipment and supplies.
•    Provide technical inputs for drafting TORs for contracts related to reproductive services, laboratory services, veterinary supplies and related works.
•    Support the technical evaluation of bids and offers for goods, works and services related to reproductive and health components, ensuring compliance with project requirements.
•    Support in reviewing technical reports submitted by contracted service providers and assist in providing validation comments and recommendations.
•    Contribute technical inputs to the comprehensive plan for conservation of Animal Genetic Resources in Northwest Iran, particularly regarding sustainable reproductive management frameworks.
•    Prepare mission reports and a consolidated final technical report summarizing findings, recommendations and sustainability measures.
•    Perform other related duties as required by the project team.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Reproduction, Animal Science or related field 
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in livestock health management and reproductive technologies (AI/ET).
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English
•    National of I.R. Iran or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one province or livestock production system is desirable.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in herd health management, reproductive performance improvement and biosecurity planning.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in semen collection, embryo transfer and cryopreservation.
•    Familiarity with indigenous breeds and pastoral production systems.
•    Demonstrated experience in field-based reproductive interventions.
•    Experience delivering technical training to veterinarians and technicians and local communities.

Selection criteria

•    Preferably based in one of the target provinces (Ardabil, East/West Azerbaijan, or Kurdistan) and willing to travel to project sites as required.
•    Familiarity with local languages (Turkish or Kurdish) is an asset.