Job Description

Title: Animal Health Specialist

Company Name: ACDI/VOCA

Vacancy: 1

Location: Bogura, Jashore

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:
∎ At least 5 years
∎ The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s):NGO

Published: 18 Mar 2024

Education:
∎ A master’s degree with a four-year bachelor's degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Sciences, or a related field is required

Requirements:

Additional Requirements:
∎ A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in development projects, including two years minimum spent in extension and animal health services, particularly in field positions
∎ Candidates with experience in meat and/or dairy value chain or market system approach, field studies would be preferable
∎ Experience in mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with livestock and dairy production preferred
∎ Previous involvement in donor-funded projects, especially for people with knowledge of US government laws, practices, and reporting guidelines will be preferable
∎ Demonstrated success working with governmental organizations, businesses, market actors (inputs and outputs), service providers, and other stakeholders
∎ Proven track record of successful animal health-related technical work, teamwork, and good facilitation skills
∎ Ability to work with a diversified team and build working relationships;
∎ Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision
∎ Self-motivation, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic in a multi-disciplinary team environment
∎ Good organizational, planning, and time management skills while handling varied complex, and demanding workloads
∎ Computer skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other related software applications
∎ Excellent written and verbal communication skills and must be fluent in both English and Bangla
∎ The ability to ride motorcycle with a valid driving license would an asset.
∎ A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in development projects, including two years minimum spent in extension and animal health services, particularly in field positions
∎ Candidates with experience in meat and/or dairy value chain or market system approach, field studies would be preferable
∎ Experience in mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with livestock and dairy production preferred
∎ Previous involvement in donor-funded projects, especially for people with knowledge of US government laws, practices, and reporting guidelines will be preferable
∎ Demonstrated success working with governmental organizations, businesses, market actors (inputs and outputs), service providers, and other stakeholders
∎ Proven track record of successful animal health-related technical work, teamwork, and good facilitation skills
∎ Ability to work with a diversified team and build working relationships;
∎ Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision
∎ Self-motivation, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic in a multi-disciplinary team environment
∎ Good organizational, planning, and time management skills while handling varied complex, and demanding workloads
∎ Computer skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other related software applications
∎ Excellent written and verbal communication skills and must be fluent in both English and Bangla
∎ The ability to ride motorcycle with a valid driving license would an asset.

Responsibilities & Context:
∎ Lead the strategy and implementation of animal health activities across the region, collaborating with the Senior Feed & Fodder Systems Specialist and other technical experts.
∎ Promote capacity-building initiatives for the livestock producers and Local Service Providers within the animal health sector, including those in the Government of Bangladesh and the private sector.
∎ Conduct market system studies under the guidance of a line authority, identify issues, and explore potential market-based solutions to support livestock farmers’ economic growth.
∎ Provide technical backstopping to livestock producers to support the business transformation of the livestock sector towards more efficient, sustainable, climate-smart, and resilient practices.
∎ Identify livestock producers and/or farmers’ groups, institutional input sellers, product buyers, and service providers, creating a system of commercial incentives for adopting climate-smart livestock technologies and practices.
∎ Establish strategic relationships and partnerships with regional market actors as per project design and work plan.
∎ Produce technical information and contribute to written outputs (reports, notes) on sustainable livestock production, hygienic farming practices, biosecurity, and quality feed management that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
∎ Build strong connections and relationships with regional universities and government agencies, such as the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).
∎ Engage the private sector and facilitate the private sector’s partnership activities that meet quality technical standards for the benefit of livestock producers.
∎ Contribute to capacity development efforts through knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices through the development of training material, briefs, e-learning, and online tools.
∎ Collaborate with regional team members on multi-disciplinary efforts, including climate change, fodder production, and gender inclusion, and engage with stakeholders.
∎ Implement efficient planning, execution, observation, and assessment of animal health-related milestones and activities in collaboration with the project team.
∎ Collect regular data from the field, ensure regular updates (monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, annual), and compile them into reports for project management.
∎ Conduct regular field visits, monitor field activities, understand market actors' challenges, and verify project impact.
∎ Foster a friendly environment that motivates employees to uphold a strong sense of teamwork and accomplish project goals.
∎ Perform any other duties asked by the Animal Health Service Manager, Monitoring and evaluation team, leads, and senior management.
∎ The Animal Health Specialist (AHS) will serve as a technical expert for the Food for Progress Bangladesh Climate Smart (BCSL) project under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), strategically positioned within the regional offices in Bogura or Jashore. Reporting directly to the Animal Health Service Manager, the AHS plays a crucial role in offering technical support to field and satellite offices, ensuring the successful and effective execution of the annual work plan. This includes leading animal health services, advancing hygienic livestock housing practices, sustaining partnerships with key public and private stakeholders, and aiding in the development of a network of livestock producers. Additionally, the AHS will contribute to breed enhancement, optimal feed management, and the marketing of products.
∎ Beyond technical responsibilities, the AHS will play a pivotal role in enhancing team dynamics. This involves cultivating a positive and efficient work environment, promoting open and constructive dialogue, elevating team spirit, and fostering better coordination and collaboration among colleagues. Currently, this role does not include supervisory duties within the organizational structure.
∎ In collaboration with the Feed and Fodder Systems Specialist, the AHS will oversee the management of project activities, focusing on hands-on work with producers. This collaborative effort aims to make a substantial contribution toward establishing sustainable animal production systems and improving the economic well-being of rural communities.
∎ ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
∎ Lead the strategy and implementation of animal health activities across the region, collaborating with the Senior Feed & Fodder Systems Specialist and other technical experts.
∎ Promote capacity-building initiatives for the livestock producers and Local Service Providers within the animal health sector, including those in the Government of Bangladesh and the private sector.
∎ Conduct market system studies under the guidance of a line authority, identify issues, and explore potential market-based solutions to support livestock farmers’ economic growth.
∎ Provide technical backstopping to livestock producers to support the business transformation of the livestock sector towards more efficient, sustainable, climate-smart, and resilient practices.
∎ Identify livestock producers and/or farmers’ groups, institutional input sellers, product buyers, and service providers, creating a system of commercial incentives for adopting climate-smart livestock technologies and practices.
∎ Establish strategic relationships and partnerships with regional market actors as per project design and work plan.
∎ Produce technical information and contribute to written outputs (reports, notes) on sustainable livestock production, hygienic farming practices, biosecurity, and quality feed management that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
∎ Build strong connections and relationships with regional universities and government agencies, such as the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).
∎ Engage the private sector and facilitate the private sector’s partnership activities that meet quality technical standards for the benefit of livestock producers.
∎ Contribute to capacity development efforts through knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices through the development of training material, briefs, e-learning, and online tools.
∎ Collaborate with regional team members on multi-disciplinary efforts, including climate change, fodder production, and gender inclusion, and engage with stakeholders.
∎ Implement efficient planning, execution, observation, and assessment of animal health-related milestones and activities in collaboration with the project team.
∎ Collect regular data from the field, ensure regular updates (monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, annual), and compile them into reports for project management.
∎ Conduct regular field visits, monitor field activities, understand market actors' challenges, and verify project impact.
∎ Foster a friendly environment that motivates employees to uphold a strong sense of teamwork and accomplish project goals.
∎ Perform any other duties asked by the Animal Health Service Manager, Monitoring and evaluation team, leads, and senior management.
∎ Project name: Bangladesh Climate Smart Livestock project
∎ Reports to: Animal Health Service Manager

Employment Status: Full Time

Job Location: Bogura, Jashore

Read Before Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to BangladeshLAN@joinav.org no later than March 28, 2024.

Please include the position title in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone. Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.