VSF Belgium Jobs in Kenya: Animal Health Officer

VSF-BELGIUM is an NGO working with disadvantaged communities to raise their standard of living and improve food security through improved animal health and animal production.

In East Africa, our programmes focus on community based animal health services,
livestock commodity trade; training centres for mid-level animal health workers and disease control through emergency and longer term initiatives.

Position Title: Animal Health Officer
Project: Drought Mitigation Initiative Project (DMI)
Duty Station: Lodwar, Turkana
Duration: 1 year, (renewable)
Deadline For Application: 29/10/2009
Availability: January 2010

Role

The Animal Health Officer will be responsible of enhancing the refinement of the animal health services system in order to develop a sustainable system of access to sufficiently advice on animal health as well as livestock medicines, he or she will be in charge of implementation of the animal health activities of the project in accordance with project documents, work plans and budgets.

He or she will support the establishment of private animal health delivery services and linkages of CAHW Associations and regularly monitor the progress and performance of the project animal health workers activities and those of the PFS group members.

The Animal Health Officer reports to the Project Manager and work in harmony with the Land use Planner, VICOBA/PFS trainer, and the Community Mobiliser/Development Officer.

Context

VSF B is looking to recruit a highly motivated individual with an affinity for animals and the ability to get along with rural owners and fit in as a member of DMI field Officers who will establish, promote and strengthen community based animal health structure in collaboration with the DVO and TUPADO animal health and marketing officer.

Main Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the DVO in all districts to ensure government monitoring of the CAHWs result area of the DMI.
• Ensure programme implementation in accordance with VSF-B and GoK livestock standards and guidelines.
• Conduct livestock project needs assessments, and baseline surveys in the livestock based livelihoods.
• Carry out animal health training for all cadres of animal health workers as defined in the DMI project documents, and report accordingly.
• Develop and submit to the project manager training reports, after activity reports, and Officer’s monthly reports effectively.
• Carry out community meetings and workshops together with ABCD community organizers.
• Provide advice to CAHWs and motivate them to stock adequate veterinary inputs in their private stock shops.
• Monitor and supervise community based animal health structures and provide regular refresher trainings to CAHWs in the project target area.
• Responsible and accountable for all VSFB Project resources while in the field location.
• Ensure the proper control and store keeping of project input and resources.
• Ensure prudent use and reporting of field advance finances.
• Establish and maintain good rapport with community, local authorities & other Agencies on the ground.
• Responsible to the beneficiaries to have their views incorporated in all plans and activities.
• Ensure the CAHW monitoring structure and tools are developed and used in monitoring animal health workers and their associational activities.
• Collect CAHWs data in the prescribed formats for monthly reports.
• Provide assessment report and situation reports from Field location.
• Regular and timely reporting to the DMI project Manager.
• Ensure the PFS groups and members activities are monitored and the necessary advise given and documented.

Essential or Minimum Requirements

Education

• Degree in Veterinary science, livestock production and relevant qualification in animal health
• Diploma in community development, Social studies, supplies management or logistics is an added advantage.

Knowledge and experience

• At least four years experience in the animal husbandry and livestock medicine in pastoral regions.
• Qualification and experience in Community development will be an added advantage
• Knowledge of Pastoral field schools will be an added advantage
• Knowledge of the Guidelines on CAHW training and support.
• work experience in busy livestock related emergency projects
• Experience in working in ASAL environment in East Africa or pastoralists environment
• Working experience with an NGO/Government institution or private sector will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the local languages and culture is important
• Dynamics of Community engagement and participatory methods and monitoring field operations is a must

Skills

• Planning
• Accuracy
• Computer literacy with very good MS Excel skills
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of the local Language is an added advantage.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good writing and presentation skills

Attitudes

• Team player
• Attentive to detail
• Flexible
• High integrity and initiative
• Identify him/herself with the mission, vision and values of VSF-B
• Display of intercultural sensitivity
• Identify with pastoralists and with a pleasant character
• Respect in dealing with others
• Affinity for NGO work in general

Please send your application letter, CV and list of 3 references by e-mail (reference “ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICER - DMI”) on or before 29/10/2009 to recruitment @ vsfb.or.ke

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates.

Applications from qualified women candidates are encouraged.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

For more information: www.vsf-belgium.org

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