Since 1963 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 78 projects in 35 countries and total revenues of approximately $173 million.
ACDI/VOCA Ethiopia would like to invite applications for Regional Forage Specialist for the Feed Enhancement for Ethiopian Development Project– Phases II & III (FEED II and III). Begun in 2013 and to continue through 2020, FEED (phases II and III) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA. The overall goal of FEED is to increase the incomes of Ethiopian smallholder livestock producers by improving access to, and use of, consistent, affordable, high quality animal feed that can support greater livestock productivity and efficiency. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the following position:
Position Title: Regional Forage Specialist
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Oromia Regional Office
Required Number: One
Responsibilities and Duties
The technical specialist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assisting the regional project coordinator in planning, organizing, implementing and monitoring project activities within the assigned region in accordance with the work plan.
- Provision of technical assistance in his/her area of specialization to project participants;
- Development of training materials;
- Help in organizing and participation in training programs for project stakeholders (cooperatives, unions, smallholders members, extension staff, private sector actors);
- Support to project M&E and grants staff (e.g. baseline survey development and implementation, identification of grant opportunities, monitoring and assessment of activities and outcomes);
- Assistance in coordination and oversight of consultants;
- Writing and submission of reports in a timely manner as requested;
- Maintaining close contact and good working relationships with government and university experts;
- Identification of innovative ways to maximize program effectiveness and outcome sustainability;
- Close collaboration with Addis Ababa based Sr. technical specialists in achieving assigned tasks;
- Additional duties as assigned by the regional project coordinator.
- BSc. (MSc. preferred) in agronomy, general agriculture, animal science, agricultural extension or other related field;
- Minimum 4 years’ experience in activities involving production of forage for livestock (production, conservation, nursery management, seed production);
- Practical experience in production of forage as feed for livestock;
- Keen understanding of the impact of forage type and production practices on nutritional value and livestock productivity;
- Knowledge of business management and marketing as it relates to commercial forage production (desirable).
- Fluency in English and Amharic required (and relevant local language preferred);
- Exceptional technical writing skills in English;
- Proficiency with software such as Word, Excel, SPSS, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.