Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Project Officer Livestock job in Zambia

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SNV started operations in Zambia in 1965 shortly after the country’s independence and has been a consistent development partner since then. In alignment with Zambia’s Vision 2030 and its Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP 2011-2015), SNV provides services in three sectors: Renewable Energy; Water Sanitation and Hygiene and Agriculture.

Position Name: Project Officer Livestock
Sector/Program: Agriculture
Position Location: Lusaka
Reports to: Project Manager, M-DIP
Responsible for: Livestock production and animal husbandry
Key contacts:  MAL, Dairy Association of Zambia, Dairy cooperatives, milk processors, input suppliers
Expected Start Date: 1st December 2015

Project background:
Substantial growth potential exists in expanding the dairy industry by bringing the traditional cattle sector into the formal system. Currently about 80% of all raw milk produced in the country comes from the traditional sector. However, the bulk of this milk does not reach the formal market. With targeted interventions aimed at improving animal husbandry practices and market access amongst emergent farmers, the sector has the potential to reduce the raw milk supply deficit in the country and significantly increase household income for the farmers.

Most of the dairy cooperatives in Zambia are still restricted to bulking, chilling and marketing of raw milk. Very few offer additional services to farmers such as veterinary services, dairy equipment services, artificial insemination, animal feed, training, microfinance, etc that are often essential to hence productivity and subsequently the growth of the sector.

To address these challenges, SNV has in the past two years piloted a dairy development project aimed at easing access to dairy support services for small scale farmers. This was done by supporting the organizational and governance capacity of selected dairy cooperatives to enable them to broker or offer additional services to their members. The project successfully piloted various services delivery models at cooperative level in the provision of services such as dairy skills training and fodder for small scale farmers. By integrating these models with other private investors and chain actors, the project demonstrated their viability justifying the need for scale up. The project also facilitated brokerage meetings between dairy cooperatives and chain actors to enable them enter into supply contracts that would ultimately lower the cost of inputs on the part of the farmers.

SNV will be upscaling this project in the southern province of Zambia and to contribute towards the implementation of this scale up project, we are seeking applications from suitably qualified Zambians to fill in the position of Project Officer – Livestock.

Job purpose
The Project Officer Livestock will be responsible for coordinating training in dairy management. He/she will identify the training needs of the farmers and organise training programmes to meet such needs in liaison with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Extension Officers. In collaboration with the dairy cooperatives, he/she will facilitate the establishment of the PDLCs and cooperative managed Fodder enterprises. They will also provide technical advice on the proposed business models to ensure that they are based on recommended animal husbandry practices.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

  • Provide strategic and technical support regarding the implementation of all field operations relating to good livestock husbandry, production, and overall animal well being
  • Promote the development of farm level training through establishment of farmer level practical dairy learning farms
  • Support development and access to essential dairy services such as fodder, AI and vet services.
  • Lead on the development and promotion of farmer managed breeding, fodder and dairy skills training enterprises.
  • Carrying out field capacity building to cooperatives and farmers, organize groups for input supplies (veterinary drugs and feeds) and writing progress reports.

Specific activities include the following:

  • Develop annual project work plans; set milestones and benchmarks to achieve project objectives related to animal production and welfare.
  • Provide strategic technical assistance to the project manager and Farmers on issues pertaining to animal husbandry (feeding, housing and diseases control) and breeding and offer appropriate follow up measures
  • Facilitate and coordinate  trainings  in all aspects of crop/livestock production and wellbeing
  • Facilitate and coordinate livestock disease prevention and control programs and promote the adoption of good animal husbandry practices for farmers by ensuring that each targeted cooperative manages a Herd Health Plan (HHP)
  • Conduct capacity needs assessments for targeted dairy cooperatives in animal production/ welfare and develop and conduct tailor made training packages to address capacity gaps
  • Conduct training in fodder production and facilitate the establishment and management of cooperative managed commercial fodder fields.
  • Conduct farm level training for targeted dairy cooperatives on dairy management and spearhead the development of cooperative managed Practical Dairy Learning Centers (PDLCs)
  • Promote farm level cattle breeding by mentoring farm level breeding enterprises through training in breeding and breed enterprise management
  • In collaboration with Monitoring and Evaluation officer, ensure monitoring and evaluation system is fully implemented
  • Prepare and submit progress reports on project activities
  • Collaborate to facilitate regular participatory project self-review and planning by project groups.
  • Develop and promote best practice examples and ensure documentation of experience and lessons learned.
  • Visit project sites on regular basis for monitoring and proper execution of activities
  • Advise and assist in designing and updating appropriate animal records, maintain detailed records and up to date paperwork for all duties as per current operating formats
  • Write precisely and submit timely all the periodical reports required to produce as per agreed formats

Competencies, Capabilities and Attributes: (Skills/behavioral (Special Training or Competence) :

  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to work under pressure and to deliver quality products that meet deadlines and requirements
  • Team player
  • Relationship builder
  • Ability to work with a wide range of actors from different backgrounds (smallholder farmers, private sector companies, government, and NGOs)

Academic & professional qualifications, Knowledge and Experience: (detail Knowledge (Education & Related Experience)

  • Minimum of BSc in Agriculture/ Animal Science, or related fields.
  • At least two (2) years field experience in agriculture/ rural development projects
  • Strong experience interacting with dairy producers on a day to day basis
  • Knowledge of the Zambian dairy industry
  • Experience with private sector development
  • Excellent written English and ability with standard Office packages – Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Working environment: (The officer is expected to Spend 50% time in office and 50% field work) They will be based in the SNV head office in Lusaka, but will be required to travel extensively to project sites within Southern Province.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an application letter addressed to the Country Operations Manager with full updated CV, pay rate history for the last three years, three professional references including their email addresses and day contact phone numbers.

Applications indicating the position applied for should be submitted to [email protected] and copy to [email protected]

Closing date: 9th November, 2015