USAID- Agriculture Growth Program- Livestock Market Development
Number of Personnel required: 2 (Two)
Introduction CNFA is an international development firm based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to stimulating sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. CNFA specializes in fostering private sector investment as a means to increase the overall competitiveness of agricultural value chains, expand exports and develop skills in the rural workforce. By generating higher incomes for farmers, processors, entrepreneurs and distributors, CNFA helps improve livelihoods and reduce poverty. CNFA, with a consortium of international and national partners, is currently implementing a five year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Agricultural Growth Program-Livestock Market Development Project (AGP-LMD). Started on September 17, 2012, the project will run through September 30, 2017. The Project will foster growth and reduce poverty through improving the productivity and competitiveness of selected livestock value chains: meat/live animals, hides/skins/leather, and dairy. The program will operate in AGP targeted Woredas of Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, and SNNPR, to the benefit of thousands of smallholder livestock producers.
The AI Specialist will contribute toward AGP-LMD efforts to support the establishment of a network of 100 private technicians who will provide artificial insemination services in approximately 30 woredas located in Ethiopia’s highlands area. The technicians, who may be privatized technicians (formerly government employees) or new, private technicians, will earn service fees through providing AI services to dairy farmers – resulting in the conception of approximately 60,000 new cross-bred female calves per year. The AI Specialist will assist in identifying, building the capacity, and ensuring financial viability of the supported technicians. The AI Specialist will not conduct technical AI training, which will be conducted by NAIC.
Responsibilities:
Assist with implementation of an intensive outreach campaign to identify entrepreneurs interested in becoming private AI technicians.
Identify beneficiary AI technicians.
Coordinate AI technician participation in either refresher AI courses, or full AI courses
Coordinate and organize business management training programs, followed by regular coaching and follow-up.
Organize business linkage workshops to formally connect AI technicians with input and service providers.
Assist AI technicians to plan, organize and conduct marketing activities that increase AI use among dairy farmers.
Oversee implementation of grant project activities to assist development of AI technician businesses. This includes preparing grant summaries and grant agreements, environmental due diligence and monitoring, and collecting M & E data.
Job Requirement
Experience or education in animal science.
Expertise related to artificial insemination.
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in related field.
Strong work ethic and organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including in English.