Livestock Value Chain specialist

Heifer International

Job Description

LLRP TA Value Chain Specialist

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

FUNCTION:

The Value Chain Specialist shall have deep experience and knowledge of various aspects of livestock program commercialization, private sector engagement; Public, private, and producers partnership (PPPP), livestock production and value chains development, market linkages, agricultural financing, and agribusiness and agricultural value chains development to promote and strengthen the Lowland Livelihoods Resilience Project (LLRP) being implemented by the Ministry of Peace and Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia.

The role holder will deliver technical assistance to the LLRP project implemented in the region by the Ministry of Agriculture as planned and required.

This position will report to the LLRP-TA Project Team Leader and will be supported by the Heifer Ethiopia team. The expert is responsible for building strategic relationships with the regional Bureau of Agriculture and working closely with the LRRP on technical aspects of the livestock value chain.

This position will serve as Heifer’s chief brand ambassador for the LLRP IFAD TA provision project in the region representing Heifer in strategic forums to ensure Heifer carries strong brand recognition within the region as related to the project.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS CRITICAL FOR SUCCESS:

High-level knowledge and experience in private sector engagement for livestock commercialization and development, agricultural financing, agribusiness livestock value chains development in the areas of Poultry, Red meat, Live animals, Hide and Skins, and Dairy/Milk value chains development in the pastoral and agropastoral communities of the lowlands of Ethiopia.

The role holder also requires the ability to apply a strategic mindset, business insight, and organizational savvy to drive results in the livestock sector commercialization areas. Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, instill trust and demonstrate self-awareness. Ability to be a good team player and be resourceful.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

1. Ensures effective implementation of the required private sector development and engagement components of LLRP for the delivery of commercial outcomes for Pastoralists/Agro-pastoralists, while at the same time strengthening local capacity building (35%)

• Facilitate Stakeholders’ enhanced capacity to identify and analyze Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral (PAP) value chains and promote PPPs in support of PAP livelihoods opportunities,
• Facilitate realistic and commercially viable business plans developed with actors in pilot PPPPs to drive productivity and income increases in the region,
• Relevant animal production technologies and services are accessible to LLRP clients through PPPP arrangements and
• Women are empowered through enhanced social status, access to assets and services, and enhanced livelihoods.
• Strengthen the understanding and knowledge base of stakeholders in the region on the 4P approaches with special emphasis on the producers who are the weakest link in the PPPP.
• Foster strong partnerships and liaise regularly with LLRP’s RCMU.
• Provide training as required to ministry and regional stakeholders as required and demanded.
• Lead the process of strategic visioning for Heifer International at the regional level.
• Form strategic partnerships that embrace the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and financial).
• Strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships (Public, Private & Producer) with the stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships among stakeholders at a regional level.

1. Livestock value chains assessment and analysis, and support stakeholders in development of guidelines, manuals and periodically monitor the performance of project activities (20%)

• Remain knowledgeable of and commission market-based demand-driven value chain studies in the region.

• Facilitate and lead the undertaking of value chain assessments and analysis.

• Participate in the development of guidelines, Terms of References, and manuals as stated in the TA document supporting the experts of the stakeholders for the various assessments & analyses.

• Provide training, and orientation to enumerators on the methodologies, assessment, and analysis of the data to experts and key technical officers.

• Support the development and preparation of guidelines and manuals as required by the LLRP project and the ministry of finance.

• Prepare and submit work plans for the delivery of TA activities, which will be reviewed and approved by LLRP’s RCMU.

• Facilitate the increased visibility of Heifer amidst the larger public including government officials and other stakeholders.

• Represent Heifer International before all persons and organizations at the regional level, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, stakeholders, and partners.

• Demonstrate an aptitude for creativity and innovation.

• Position Heifer as one of the thought leaders on thematic issues: Livestock, agriculture, livelihoods, smallholders, women, and youth)

• Regularly monitor the performance of TA activities, prepare, and submit progress reports. (Program and finance) to IFAD, stakeholders, and HPI.

• Ensures the transfer, internalization, and adoption of the technical assistance learnings and best practices (national and international) into the LLR Project for impact.

• Document and share project learnings with the Team Leader & stakeholders.

1. Livestock commercialization with strong private sector engagement and market systems approach (20%)

• Support the transitioning of subsistence livestock production to market-based (market informed, market-oriented, and market-led) livestock production in the P and AP communities.
• Facilitate the accessibility of relevant animal production technologies and services to LLRP clients through PPPP arrangements.

1. Capacity building, relationships with the LLRP stakeholders, IFAD, and management of the LLRP TA team in the region (20%)

• Together with the LLRP RCMU facilitates the different capacity-building pieces of training for the DAs & implementation of biannual Review workshops.
• Maintain, cultivate, and grow a strong signature program portfolio.
• Work with signature program leaders to ensure quality delivery of Heifer’s model.
• Systematically identify viable value chain opportunities
• Fosters a sense of connection and belonging.
• Shows openness to new ideas and fosters organizational learning.
• Maintain regional level requirements for Heifer’s legal operation
• ANY OTHER ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS (5%)

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s Degree from a recognized university or equivalent in Agriculture Science, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or a related field, plus 10 - 15 years of relevant experience with at least five (5) years in a supervisory capacity. Fluent in English, Amharic, and local language, both spoken and written.

Preferred Requirements:

a)      Proven professional experience & results in livestock production & livestock /value chain development.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

a)      Proven knowledge of new business development strategies

b)     Inspires and motivates others to act.

c)      Aligns resources to accomplish key objectives and assigns clear accountability for important objectives. Achieves meaningful accomplishments.

d)     Ability to support differences of opinion, and help individuals resolve conflict constructively.

e)      Proven experience in development actions under the following or related themes: Food Security and Nutrition, Environment, Women and Youth Empowerment

f)       Excellent analytical and writing skills.

g)     Excellent networking and negotiation skills

h)     Skills with Microsoft Office package, internet browser, and other appropriate technology

i)       Good understanding of and sensitivity to poverty, social and ethnic issues

j)       Understand the importance of traditional customs to various ethnic issues.

k)     An excellent team player with the ability to work with diverse cultural groups.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

a)      Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.

b)     Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.

c)      Constant face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communication with colleagues and the stakeholders, and others

d)     Constant sitting, standing, and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods.

e)      Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms) floor to waist.

f)       Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule

g)     Willingness and ability to travel extensively locally

h)     Ability to meet and deal with others courteously and tactfully.

i)       Working with sensitive information and always maintaining the confidentiality

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