Somalia: Livestock Specialist - National position

International Resources Groups/ Somalia/Somaliland Growth Enterprise, Employment and Livelihoods Project (IRG/GEEL)

Job Description

Title: Livestock Specialist

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland, (with regional travel within Somaliland)

Duration: 1 year (Renewable)

Background:Growth, Enterprise, Employment & Livelihoods (GEEL) is a 5-year USAID-funded project designed to promote and facilitate inclusive economic growth in Puntland, Somaliland and other existing and emerging federal states. The project is currently focusing on the agricultural sector, fisheries and renewable energy. It also seeks to strengthen the business enabling environment through improving access to finance, policy and regulation, and business development services. Particular focus will be given to increase the participation of women and youth in the economy as entrepreneurs, employers, and employees.

General Responsibilities:

1) Assist the Agriculture Value Chain Team Leader to implement dairy sector activities in accordance with annual work plans;

2) Develop close working relationships with known key sector stakeholders and identify new dairy stakeholders;

3) Act as the primary contact for GEEL dairy sector enterprises, cooperatives, and other stakeholders;

4) Manage and support short term consultants that may be recruited by GEEL to work on dairy sector activities, and any other support staff that may be hired;

5) Identify and evaluate key businesses or business proposals requesting mentoring and technical support from GEEL;

6) Supervise dairy data collection and validate key dairy sector information such as gross margin per animal, sales, pricing, volumes and values, employment, amongst others, disaggregated by gender, region and animal;

7) Assist the Agricultural Value Chain Team Leader in identifying and mapping key sector actors from production to marketing in the geographic areas of interest, especially the urban and peri-urban areas of Somaliland. The mapping should clearly identify where women and youth are actively involved, and women’s needs and challenges should be clearly identified and articulated;

8) Assist in the organization and facilitation of dairy competitiveness platforms that will bring sector-relevant actors together to discuss challenges and opportunities. The competitiveness platform will engage at least 30% women;

9) Assist in revising and/or editing various dairy sector training materials, focusing on animal health, quality standards and improvement in productivity, developed USAID/GEEL.

10) Support the Dairy Sector Advisor on delivery of a Training of Trainers (TOT) course for selected dairy sector stakeholders/champions who will train others, such as producers, milk aggregators, collectors and service providers, in milk hygiene, handling, transportation, cooling, marketing, packaging, branding, and traceability;

11) Support the Dairy Sector Advisor in competitiveness benchmarking; comparing Somalilands dairy sector with other countries in the region;

12) Assist in undertaking a milk market assessment and cost comparison for fresh versus pasteurized milk, milk powder and UHT milk. Analyze the reasons behind the high prices for milk and identify solutions to reduce costs. Devise a market demand assessment for goat, cow, and camel milk to understand where consumer preferences lie, assuming an overall improvement in the cold chain and milk quality is possible. The assessment will also analyze the willingness to pay for improved quality milk;

13) Any other tasks of a similar nature requested by the Agricultural Value Chain Team Leader, Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party.

Reporting:

The Livestock Specialist will report to the Agricultural Value Chain Team Leader and will work closely with the Deputy Agricultural Team Leader.

Qualifications/ Experience:

Qualifications:

1) Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Animal Production, Genetics or Marketing.

Knowledge/Experience:

1) At least 7 years work experience in the dairy sector in conflict or complex environments;

2) Complimentary work experience in a relevant competency area, including Environmental Management, Agriculture and Natural resources.

Skills/Others:

1) Excellent oral and written English and Somali Language skills;

2) Honest and trustworthy;

3) Ability to work independently and as part of team;

4) Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word & Excel);

5) Well-organized and able to perform effectively within tight deadlines;

6) Hard-working, self-motivated and possessing a positive attitude;

7) Ability to travel throughout Somalia;

8) Ability to interact with various local organizations and government stakeholders on behalf of the project.

International Resources Groups/ Somalia/ Somaliland Growth Enterprise, Employment and Livelihoods Project (GEEL)

How to apply:

Interested applicants can submit their current CV and cover letter to Jobs@sogeel.org and write Livestock Specialist -Somaliland as the email subject.

Deadline for applications by 27^th December 2016