Livestock Specialist at Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development

. Job Purpose

• The Livestock Specialist will be in charge of the technical coordination and oversight of Programme’s activities related to the livestock value chains in the programme.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainable Livestock Production Systems

• Provide expertise and support the implementation of the Programme activities in livestock production and productivity enhancement.
• Coordinate all activities related to input subsidies for the supported livestock value chain.

 Animal Health and Veterinary Services

• Establish strategic partnership with relevant public institutions, implementing partners, private sector, national and regional civil society organizations for enhancing effectiveness, and efficiency in delivery of livestock related extension and support services such as veterinary service delivery and disease control.

 Livestock Value Chain and Market Development

• Evaluate the technical soundness of activities on livestock designed to improve production and productivity.
• Coordinate with relevant project partners, service providers, NGOs and other stakeholders on the plan and implementation of livestock support activities
• Ensure that the livestock production activities are aligned with the activities in different Counties Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs).
• In collaboration with the Agribusiness Development Specialist, coordinate the development of marketing strategies for livestock commodities produced under the Programme and monitor the implementation of these strategies.
• In collaboration with the Agribusiness Development Specialist, promote a market orientation among project beneficiaries under the livestock value chains.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Contribute to the production of technical training manuals and related capacity building materials, coaching and mentoring on livestock production.
• Coordinate the preparation of the work plans and budgets, and progress reports for the relevant activities.

Other Duties

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the NPC.

Academic Qualifications

• Holder of a Degree in Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Veterinary sciences or related field with complementary knowledge in rural development.

Applicable Professional Experience

• At least seven (7) years continuous practical experience in animal resourcemanagement and livestock sector in Kenya, three (3) of which should be in GoK/donor-funded project at a technical Specialist level.
• Experience in providing extension and advisory services in the implementation of the project activities and supervision/monitoring of improving production in the context of livestock value chains.
• Demonstrated knowledge of value chain analysis and feasibilities of selected livestock commodities and provision of capacity building of the field staff in livestock health and management
• Experience in developing linkages of farmer produce marketing groups with markets, individuals, and other groups for sale and purchase of agricultural products and value-added livestock products;

Competencies and Skills

• Ability to draft technical specifications for the procurement of livestock inputs to be procured under the programme.