LIVESTOCK OFFICER (3 POSTS)

Background: 

VSF-Suisse is an International NGO, supporting humanitarian, food security, livelihoods and development programs the Horn of Africa region since 1995. 

In its South Sudan Program, the organization currently implements projects funded by the EU, USAID/OFDA, UNDP, UNICEF and FAO in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity and Warrap States. The program aims to enhance improved livelihoods and self-reliance of target beneficiaries through (i) improved crops-livestock production practices; (ii) livestock assets protection through emergency veterinary services; (iii) appropriate crops, livestock and livestock products value addition and marketing; (iv) supporting institution and capacity building to relevant partner Ministries in the Republic of South Sudan and the private sector and, (v) facilitating economic reintegration of vulnerable groups into agro-pastoral livelihoods through livestock assets re-distribution, vocational skills training and IGAs. 

VSF-Suisse seeks to fill the following position immediately for the South Sudan Program. The positions are field based and aspiring candidates should be willing to reside and work under basic but gradually improving living conditions. The positions will initially be for a period of 12 months but renewable depending on availability of new donor funding.

The Position

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in collaboration with technical staff, the position holder will: 
2. Oversee the implementation of the project activities in the assigned geographical area based on the activity logframe and approved work plans. 
3. Carry out training needs assessments and undertake refresher and new training courses for Community Animal Health Workers and local veterinary counterparts on basic animal healthcare service skills 
4. Supervise and provide professional advice on technical aspects of local veterinary health staff in their work. 
5. Facilitate community dialogue meetings for project awareness creation and general community sensitization and document the outcome. 
6. Facilitate all training sessions and document the outcome through written reports 
7. Facilitate and coordinate all livestock healthcare services activities, including cattle camp visits to monitor the activities of the animal health workers and provide on the job training/instructions on basic technical skills. 
8. Collect information on diseases including outbreaks and monitor local disease situation. 
9. Prepare and timely submit high-quality project progress reports according to donor requirements.. 
10. Represent VSF Suisse in the livestock sector/food security meetings. 
11. Prepare and submit project imprest requests and periodic field work plans based on the project logframe and budgets to the supervisor for processing. 
12. Organize weekly team planning meetings and share information on daily and weekly progress with project implementation. 
13. Manage the field base location in the absence of senior staff and be responsible for the preparation of monthly field base asset inventory for submission to the supervisor 
14. Liaison with community leaders, local government officials, NGOs, UN-bodies and other partners wherever appropriate and required. 
15. Maintain daily communications with the country office on all issues relating to weather, security, project activities, staff movement and welfare issues, 

Qualifications, Experience, Attributes & Skills required 

• Degree in Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health Science/Animal Production 
• At least 3 years working experience in veterinary programmes / in animal health projects as a field vet/animal production. 
• Experience in carrying out assessments, baseline surveys, monitoring and community participatory evaluation exercises. 
• Experience in gender sensitive participatory approaches in community development work 
• Excellent organizational, managerial and report writing skills. 
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal relations, and conflict resolution abilities 
• Excellent computer skills and demonstrable track record of managing a successful team 
• Ability to work in multicultural team and strict adherence to rules, regulations and guidelines 
• Knowledge and experience of working with agro-pastoral communities will be an added advantage 

To apply,

Interested candidates should submit an application letter and CV indicating their E-mail and/or telephone contacts, their current remuneration as well as names and contacts of three referees to the attention of Human Resources Manager via the above postal or e-mail address. Application letters can also be hand delivered to the places named above as well as to our field bases in Leer, Nyamlel and Malualkon. Indicate on the subject the Job Title of the position being applied. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Closing date for receiving applications is on or before 4th January 2013 by 16.00hrs.

Address

VSF Suisse, Olekejuado Road, P. O. Box 25656, 00603 Nairobi, Kenya 

OR: 

Plot No. AX111, Block 131 Off Stadium Road, Opposite the Old Cemetery, 

Hai Malakal, Juba, South Sudan 

E mail: recruitment@vsfsuisse.org