Technical Assistant II - (pigs) – CR/CRF at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Key Responsibilities:

Colony Management

• Perform reproductive tasks such as oestrus detection, semen handling, and timely insemination.
• Monitor pregnancy status and support farrowing preparation and scheduling.
• Support farrowing management including monitoring sows before, during, and after farrowing, and ensuring piglet survival and welfare
• Observe farrowing, neonatal care, and monitoring of sow and piglet health.
• Provide essential piglet interventions: drying, navel dipping, iron supplementation, cross-fostering, and weaning.
• Track piglet growth, survival, and welfare metrics
• Maintain accurate breeding records and reproductive performance data.
• Perform daily care including feeding, watering, and environmental management.
• Conduct routine health assessments and report clinical observations promptly.
• Ensure proper biosecurity, sanitation, and facility hygiene
• Maintain feeding schedules and ensure nutrition programs are followed correctly
• Perform any other related duties as may be required

Veterinary Support

• Provide therapy (on prescription) and care of animals to ensure good animal health and wellbeing as directed by the Veterinarian
• Assist Veterinarians during procedures (Clinical examination, surgery, euthanasia, and post-mortem investigation)
• Conduct relevant observations, examinations, analysis and procedures
• Perform activities and practices involving the quarantine and/or isolation of animals
• Handle and store scheduled/unscheduled drugs in an efficient, safe and environmentally sustainable manner
• Handle and store chemicals and laboratory consumables in an efficient, safe and environmentally sustainable manner
• Perform any other related duties as may be required

Research support (Facility & Study operation)

• Assist with research support activities

• Record and handle raw data to ensure accurate and consistent information for departmental and study use
• Verify, monitor and control environmental monitoring devices (temperature and Humidity and) and relevant equipment Receive, inspect, store and dispense animal feeds
• Perform any other related duties as may be required

Compliance

• Interact and handle animals by following set instructions and procedures to ensure content, well-adjusted and cared for animals housed in the correct appointed facilities
• Promote principals of either preventing the onset of animal diseases and or controlling the escalation of animal disease ensuring good animal health and wellbeing by following procedures
• Observe the correct reporting, remedial and corrective actions to be followed by following set instructions and procedures to report and correct any non-conformance issues
• Adhere to specified internal and external compliance and legislative standards, requirements and practices
• Always observe the workplace rules and report non-conformance to the relevant person as to ensure that all activities in the workplace are compliant with company rules, policies and procedures
• Identify and implement preventative measures in accordance with set instructions and procedures in cases where serious diseases are suspected
• Perform any other related duties as may be required

Requirements

• Diploma/certificate in animal health and production
• Min of three -year relevant experience in pig farming, husbandry and health
• Knowledge in relevant field and use of simple tools and equipment
• Knowledge of VICH, GCP and GLP will be an added advantage