Livestock Value Chain Specialist

The Livestock Value Chain Specialist will provide high-level technical guidance for the development of competitive, conservation-linked livestock value chains for endangered indigenous breeds in Northwest Iran. The role involves reviewing value chains, identifying best practices, developing upgrading frameworks, and mentoring national specialists to enhance sustainability, branding, traceability, and economic viability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a review and analysis of the livestock value chains for indigenous breeds and benchmark them against relevant international models.
• Identify global best practices in conservation-driven value chains, niche marketing, geographical indication (GI), eco-labeling, breed branding and traceability systems.
• Develop a value chain upgrading framework and recommendations linking genetic conservation with market incentives and premium product positioning.
• Provide technical guidance on product differentiation strategies such as breed-specific dairy, mohair quality enhancement, specialty products.
• Advise on traceability systems along value chains integrating pedigree data and product certification to strengthen conservation incentives.
• Provide high-level recommendations for improving competitiveness, export readiness and compliance with international standards.
• Review technical designs and operational models for milk and mohair processing centers to ensure alignment with international quality and safety standards.
• Develop business models and investment frameworks for scaling indigenous breed-based enterprises.
• Identify potential regional or international market partnerships and provide recommendations for long-term positioning.
• Mentor and provide technical backstopping to the national value chain specialist and relevant institutions.
• Contribute to integrating economic sustainability mechanisms into the comprehensive Animal Genetic Resources conservation strategy.
• Deliver policy-oriented recommendations for MAJ and FAO.
• Prepare a final report with actionable recommendations and scalability roadmap.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Livestock Systems, Rural Development or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant international experience in livestock value chain development and market system strengthening.
• Working knowledge of English.
• Work experience in more than one country, preferably in dryland, pastoral or biodiversity-sensitive production systems.
• Experience in designing value chain upgrading approaches for indigenous or niche livestock products.
• Experience in product branding, certification, traceability and geographical indication schemes.
• Familiarity with international quality standards, export compliance and premium market positioning.
• Experience working with FAO, UN agencies or international development projects is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating biodiversity conservation with market incentives.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Experience mentoring national experts and institutions.
• Adherence to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

Skills

• Livestock Value Chain Development
• Market System Strengthening
• Value Chain Upgrading
• Product Branding
• Certification Schemes
• Traceability Systems
• Geographical Indication Schemes
• International Quality Standards
• Export Compliance
• Premium Market Positioning
• Biodiversity Conservation Integration
• Strategic Planning
• Analytical Skills
• Mentoring National Experts
• Agricultural Economics
• Livestock Systems
• Rural Development Policy
• Experience in Dryland Production Systems
• Experience in Pastoral Production Systems

Languages

English