Expert on Climate Smart Livestock & Livestock Economics

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.
The Subregional Office for West Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed-upon strategies and projects for transforming food, agriculture and rural development. It also develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations such as ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA and Mano River Union. It assists the FAO Country Representations (FAORs) in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture, and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa.
As a pillar of FAO’s strategic framework 2022-31, which focuses on the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood, better environment is a key strategic pillar with the objective to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and combat climate change (reduce, reuse, recycle, residual management) through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. The Programme Priority Area focuses on Climate and agri-food systems; Bioeconomy; Biodiversity and ecosystems.
Livestock is an essential component of the West African rural economy, with a large contribution to agricultural GDP ranging from 5% in coastal countries to 44% in Sahelian countries, according to ECOWAS. Pastoralism is a source of income for 80 million people and plays a fundamental role in the resilience of populations, including in terms of jobs and food security. ECOWAS is developing a transformative project to enhance livestock systems’ resilience to climate change in the region. Climate change poses significant risks to livestock production, affecting food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

FAO as an accredited agency for GCF has received a request from ECOWAS to support the development of a full-fledged project proposal to be submit to the GCF. This project aims to develop innovative adaptation strategies and mitigation measures through data-driven analysis of climate impacts. The incumbent shall be hired under the project TCP/SFW/3904.

Reporting Lines

The Livestock Economics and Climate Smart Livestock Expert will be under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator SFW, the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Officer at SFW, the technical supervisor of the SFW Animal Health and Production officer and Project Development Specialist (GCF) in consultation with OCB Teams.

Technical Focus

The Livestock Economics and Climate Smart Livestock Expert will support a team of experts for the design and preparation of a GCF multi-country full fledge project proposal. The expert will provide specialized expertise in livestock economics, focusing on market analysis, value chain development, and economic modelling to inform the design of the GCF project proposal. The expert will work closely with the experts recruited under this project to ensure smooth coordination between the outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the identification and oversee project formulation at their different stages and in close collaboration with the FAO country offices, FAO GCF unit and relevant regional and/or sub-regional technical officers.
•    Conduct economic assessments of current livestock production systems and practices in the ECOWAS region, identifying key economic challenges and opportunities and ley climate-smart livestock interventions.
•    Conduct a comprehensive economic assessment of the livestock sector, identifying key trends, challenges, and opportunities and evaluate existing climate-smart livestock practices and policies, highlighting gaps and opportunities.
•    Develop a comprehensive economic framework for the GCF project that outlines potential economic impacts, benefits, and sustainability measures and a comprehensive strategy for integrating climate-smart livestock practices into the GCF project framework, by analyzing climate vulnerabilities affecting livestock production systems and assess their impact on ecosystems and communities.
•    Provide technical support for the development of policies and strategies that enhance the economic viability of livestock production while considering climate change impacts and climate smart livestock practices.
•    Recommend innovative approaches for integrating renewable energy, biogas, water conservation, and biodiversity protection into livestock systems.
•    Develop technical components focusing on climate-smart livestock practices, including sustainable grazing, water and feed management, animal health systems … and develop financial models for proposed interventions, including cost-benefit analyses, return on investment (ROI), and long-term economic impacts.
•    Develop strategies to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with GCF environmental and social safeguards.
•    Analyze national and regional livestock value chains to identify inefficiencies and propose actionable improvements.
•    Assess the impact of existing policies and regulations on livestock market development and competitiveness.
•    Evaluate opportunities for regional and international trade expansion within ECOWAS and beyond and best practices for reducing GHG emission.
•    Identify and propose market-based solutions for integrating climate-smart livestock practices into value chains and ensure alignment with GCF requirements, emphasizing co-benefits such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and improved climate resilience.
•    Collaborate with technical experts to incorporate economic viability into proposed interventions, ensuring alignment with GCF investment criteria.
•    Propose innovative financing mechanisms to support smallholders and pastoralists in adopting sustainable livestock practices.
•    Develop performance indicators to monitor and evaluate economic impacts throughout project implementation.
•    Document stakeholder perspectives and ensure their alignment with project objectives.
•    Work closely with the FAO GCF Unit, the FAO technical units, the project development specialist and experts to ensure appropriate quality control, completeness, and timeliness of project proposals.
•    Contribute to organizing meeting and workshops to validate the proposal.
•    Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in Agricultural Economics, Zootechnics, Zoo economics, Livestock Economics and Climate Change, Agroeconomics, or related fields.
•    At least 5 years of professional experience in economic analysis, value chain development, or financial modelling in the livestock sector, livestock management, climate change adaptation, or rural development.
•    Full proficiency/working knowledge of French

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Strong understanding of climate change impacts on livestock systems and economic resilience strategies and demonstrated expertise in climate-smart livestock systems, including GHG mitigation and sustainable practices.
•    Experience with international development projects, particularly those funded by GCF, World Bank, or other major institutions.
•    Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and engage with various stakeholders.
•    Excellent writing and communication skills in English and/or French.
•    Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills and proven ability to analyze data and develop actionable recommendations.
•    Excellent writing and communication skills in English and French and excellent communication skills for engaging with various stakeholders.

 

Selection Criteria

•    Requirement of such position (diploma & language skills)
•    Professional experience and similar products delivered.
•    Mission-related studies particularly in Africa/focus in West Africa.