[Hiring] Livestock Health and Reproduction Specialist @Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Role Description

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

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.