Location: Zimbabwe
Position Overview
In anticipation of a multi-year Resilience Building Program, the IRC is seeking an experienced professional to lead the program’s Livestock activities. The Livestock Specialist will report directly to the Team Leader who will be responsible for the overall delivery of the programme. The Livestock Specialist will coordinate all livestock related activities and provide technical leadership to the program and manage activities aimed at improving communities’ resilience to shocks and stresses (disasters/hazards). The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in managing livestock initiatives in the past, and experience in designing and implementing programs in Zimbabwe will be a significant advantage. The ideal candidate will have worked on (or demonstrate a solid understanding of) feed formulation, small livestock breeding, herd improvement, and similar themes. The Livestock Specialist will work with the IRC’s livelihoods technical advisors to design and implement interventions appropriate to the Zimbabwe context in both agricultural and agro pastoralist systems and in particular those, which look at improving opportunities and decision making within households over use of resources (land, inputs and credit). The candidate will need to take a long-term view to ensure that the methods promoted and devised with program beneficiaries will lead to improved resilience without resorting to unsustainable practices that cannot be maintained beyond the life of the funding.
The candidate will be required to matrix manage teams of field staff across consortium partner agencies, under the leadership of the Team Leader and IRC senior management.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding.
Location and Expected Duration
Zimbabwe, approx. 30% Harare and 70% field.
Expected 3 years, contingent on successful application for funding
Required Qualifications
At least 10 years of relevant experience in similar contexts. Relevant experience in Zimbabwe will be viewed positively and an added advantage.
Preferably Master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, animal science, livestock management or related technical discipline.
Thorough knowledge and practical skills of community livestock management practices, livestock breeding and genetics.
Experience in design of animal feed improvement programs in Zimbabwe is desirable.
Experience in strengthening livestock value chains and other market based approaches.
Demonstrated ability to supervise work of others, particularly in a matrix structure and across various organizations, and should have good team working skills. Excellent knowledge of English and good report writing skills. Working knowledge of Shona/Ndebele will be an added advantage.
Application Procedure
This will be a rolling application, with no set deadline. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by submitting CVs and cover letter to: Zimbabwe@Rescue.org
