Zimbabwe Livestock Specialist

For over 45 years and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately 97 projects in 38 countries and revenues of over $140 million.

Livestock Specialist, Zimbabwe

We are currently seeking a Livestock Specialist for an ongoing two year program in Zimbabwe. The purpose of the program is to reduce the food insecurity of vulnerable individuals in eight districts of Zimbabwe by improving availability of and access to food. The consultant will guide the new livestock technical working group (at the consortium level) and district level trainers on how to develop a training approach and methodology that will enhance the adoption of improved animal husbandry practices.

Responsibilities: • Assist in the development of and/or strengthening of smallholder livestock farming groups. To achieve this, the consultant will meet a sample of five farmer groups per agency and conduct interviews/discussions to determine their level of understanding of the PRIZE program. • Identify ways to address existing knowledge gaps and improve animal husbandry skills of individual farmers, farmer groups, extension service providers and all other players in the value chain. • Review PRIZE livestock-production training manuals for the smallholder farming sector and provide recommendations on models and approaches to enhance active and effective training methods for the farmer. • Share experiences on best practices and lessons learned from other similar and related livestock projects. • Provide guidance on sustainable livestock auction systems. • In collaboration with PRIZE staff, review the current work plans for the livestock value chains. • Conduct a two-day training overview on the livestock value chain and findings from the consultancy for ACDI/VOCA, CRS and CARE, and mentor livestock and agribusiness specialists on livestock best practices. • Work collaboratively with ACDI/VOCA, CRS and CARE PRIZE staff to identify livestock training needs.

Qualifications: • Minimum of a master’s degree in animal science or a related field is required. • A minimum of eight years’ experience in private sector livestock marketing and meat market systems, five years of which should be in southern Africa. • Demonstrated experience working on livestock marketing strategies, if possible with auction systems, with a variety of stakeholders including government employees, private buyers and smallholder farmers. • Experience in adult/farmer training and module writing. • Thorough understanding of the entire livestock value chain and meat market systems with public-private partnerships. • Fluency in English is required; additional proficiency in one or more local languages will be an added advantage.

How to apply:

Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55468361D43515B7E59192F77561C6805627B4D. No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.