Livestock Production Officer at Heifer International

Job description

Essential Character Traits

Result Oriented, values committed, self-motivated, accountable and honest individual

Responsibilities & Deliverables

• Mobilization and strengthening of Dairy Interest Groups to become effective participants in the dairy production improvement activities
• Based on the ongoing assessment, develop a plan for building capacity of the Peer Farmer Trainers and use the plan to train them so that they can
• effectively facilitate the group strengthening activities at the grassroots.
• Coordinate the strengthening of the 800 DIGs to become active participants in the dairy production improvement activities.
• Promote the formation of Savings and Credit Schemes by the DIGs to ensure that small holder farmers at the grassroots have mechanisms to finance the
• dairy improvement activities
• Facilitate the training of the DIGs on Group dynamics and social capital strengthening
• Facilitate the formation of Group Management Committees in each of the hubs (Producer Organizations)

Deliverables

• Functional Extension Coordination Structures in the 18 hubs (Producer Organizations) by the end of the first year.
• 18 Producer Organizations with functional extension subcommittees and coordinating extension activities
• 18 Producer Organizations implementing efficient Breeding and feeding plans
• Each hub with a functional system for delivery of Artificial Insemination and Animal Health Services
• AI services delivered system developed to service 20,000 farmers in the project area by the end of the second year.
• Progress reports submitted on weekly, monthly and quarterly basis, within the expected schedule.

Planning and Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly workplans for implementing in line with the project operational plans and submit them within the expected timelines
• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly reports and submit to the Project coordinator, within the expected timelines
• Participate in compiling of donor reports as requested

Deliverables

• Annual, quarterly, monthly and weekly work plan produced and shared with the Project coordinator
• Well prepared weekly, monthly, quarterly and semi-annual reports submitted to the project coordinator on schedule

Required Skills

Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Clear understanding of the dairy value chain and Heifer’s Value based model.
• Experience in delivering extension services to small scale farmers
• Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.
• Strong farmer mobilization skills.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building’ to Producer Organizations with a view to build a
• more efficient, competitive, and sustainable dairy industry.
• Knowledge of income and expense budget preparation and monitoring.
• A good understanding and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger and environment, and knowledge of the context to which non-profit
• organizations operate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in dairy productivity improvement and dairy value chain
• development that reaches women, youth, and underprivileged.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and Internet.
• Knowledge of and experience with developing private/public partnerships at the district level.
• Demonstrated proficiency in English and other local languages, both oral and written.

Essential Job Functions And Physical Demands

• Preparing and presenting documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
• Ability to understand, appreciate and implement Heifer’s Value Based Holistic Community Development.
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities within the
• production segment of the dairy value chain (e.g. the concept of business development service provision).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully and diplomatically with culturally diverse groups of people.
• Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the general public.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively.
• May require constant sitting; working at a computer and focusing for extended periods and performing office environment activities while on the road
• and/or in remote conditions.
• Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting inflexible deadlines.
• Ability to work with small holder farmers in rural set up while appreciating the dynamics or rural extension system
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Required Experience

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the fields of veterinary medicine, animal science or other related field, plus three (3) years’ experience in a mix of dairy production, value chain competitiveness, or agriculture development.

Preferred Requirements

Demonstrated experience in setting robust and sustainable extension systems for producer organizations. This requirement is in line with the need to have in built ‘exit strategies’ within the project as a measure of ensuring that there are self-sustaining businesses by project end.
Significant experience in supporting producer organization to increase dairy production and productivity.