Livestock Commodity Lead - Livestock Production and Development Expert at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Key Responsibilities

Understanding the demand and identifying solutions

• Work with country and regional (demand partners) to understand the needs on the ground and identify solutions to these drawing from across ILRI and partner capabilities.
• Drawing from across ILRI and partner capabilities, lead the identification and synthesis of research findings into practical, user-friendly tools, guidelines, and frameworks for diverse stakeholders.
• Ensure that the identified solutions are context-specific, sustainable, and culturally appropriate.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Build and maintain partnerships to align efforts and maximize the impact of livestock development programs.
• Work with a variety of internal ILRI stakeholders to design and deliver opportunities for the different livestock commodities.
• Represent the institute at conferences, seminars, and other forums to share insights and gather feedback.

Impact Monitoring and Reporting: Measure the effectiveness of research translation efforts by using robust monitoring frameworks.

Advocacy and Policy Support: Engage with policymakers to promote evidence-based livestock policies and interventions.

Resource Mobilisation: Identify opportunities to raise resources by engaging program leaders, scientists and business development unit to pursue funding opportunities while maintaining a high level of understanding of country plans, donor priorities and planned funding initiatives.

People Management: Contribute to talent management initiatives across regional and country offices, including recruitment, management and development of high performing regional and country-based staff and fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture that enhances staff engagement.

Requirements

• PhD or MSc in animal science, veterinary medicine, agriculture economics, environmental science, social science, development science or relevant discipline.
• 7 years’ working experience with PhD or12 years’ experience with masters, with at least 5 years of experience in livestock development, extension services, or a related role.
• In-depth knowledge of livestock systems and how they relate to addressing the global challenges of hunger, poverty, climate change, human disease and environmental degradation.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge research and practice for development impact.
• Proven experience in building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, networking, partnership building and relationship management at a strategic level.
• A thorough understanding of current national and regional agenda and how ILRI can contribute to addressing these through different livestock commodities.
• Ability to think strategically and to synthesize and distil key messages from complex issues.
• Creative approach to applying research insights to real-world challenges and capacity to adapt solutions to different cultural and environmental contexts.
• Ability to work with and lead cross functional teams.
• Excellent advocacy and influencing skills.