Outreach & Research Coordinator
Grade 10
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Lesotho – Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS)
Maseru, Lesotho
Closing Date: 22 November 2024
Background:
Land O’Lakes’ Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.
Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 36 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.
Project Description:
STEPS aims to catalyze private sector-driven transformation enabling local poultry sector actors to access Lesotho’s strong end-markets and reclaim market share. STEPS will transform Lesotho’s poultry sector to enhance the profitability of value chain actors, increase meat and egg production and improve food security.
Leveraging existing opportunities and tools, Land O’Lakes Venture37 and implementing partners International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Rural Self-Help Development Association (RSDA), and World Poultry Foundation (WPF) will address constraints which limit production, productivity, and efficiency of local poultry egg and meat markets. A segmented approach takes into consideration the unique needs of local poultry producers, including subsistence farmers, and small to large scale commercial poultry enterprises engaged in production, processing, marketing, and retailing of eggs, meat, and processed poultry products. These actors will be engaged through the indigenous and dual-purpose poultry value chains, and the commercial broiler and layer value chains, respectively. STEPS will identify pathways to further integrate and grow poultry, and poultry related business opportunities for women and youth.
Position Summary and Primary Responsibilities:
The Outreach & Research Coordinator will be responsible, in close coordination with ILRI, for providing technical guidance to the Chief of Party and STEPS team on all ILRI led STEPS poultry research and development activities.
The Outreach & Research Coordinator will coordinate agreed research and development activities with ILRI advisory teams, monitor locally based initiatives and sub-grantees and ensure compliance and realization of agreed outputs and outcomes. The Outreach & Research Coordinator will monitor and report on results according to required STEPS schedules.
Primary responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following:
- Lead in the coordination of ILRI led STEPS poultry research and development activities in country.
- Support in identifying and strengthening existing poultry courses and modules, and in the development and refinement of certified short courses in poultry health and husbandry at local institutions.
- Liaise with relevant education and research institutions to explore, identify and recommend poultry research gaps and priorities, and develop a learning agenda to address these.
- Oversee in the development of scopes of work, the administration, selection, award and implementation of research activities with local institutions.
- Review research data and provide technical support in editing research reports and papers ensuring their publication in recognized media/journals.
- Liaise with relevant government livestock andresearch institutions and STEPS implementing stakeholders to address key goals in poultry research, training, refinement of poultry vaccine schedules and access.
- Support and provide technical guidance to STEPS on, amongst other curriculum development, dual-purpose parent stock management, industry internships, and research and development initiatives in poultry.
- Coordinate closely with ILRI, the Chief of Party and/or Technical Director to ensure proposedactivities are in line with STEPS aims and objectives.
- Arrange periodic meetings with key partners to review progress in the implementation of project activities and develop strategies to address any gaps in implementation.
- Prepare scheduled and special reports, studies, and analyses regarding approvedactivities.
- Provide technical administrative support to the ILRI team.
- Other duties as assigned.
Reporting and Supervision:
- The Outreach & Research Coordinator reports to the Chief of Party and will liaise and coordinate closely with ILRI and the STEPS Technical Director-Poultry on day-to-day activities. The position will be based in Maseru, Lesotho.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in agriculture research and development with an emphasis on livestock and poultry.
- Master of Science in Poultry/Livestock, or related field.
- Experience carrying out applied research in poultry/livestock related field, preferably in Lesotho or Southern Africa.
- Experience writing/reviewing/publishing scientific papers and articles in poultry/livestock field.
- Knowledge of Lesotho’s poultry sector.
- Good communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic partnership development skills.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Fluency in English and Sesotho; Must be a citizen of Lesotho.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- PhD in relevant poultry/livestock field desired but not required.
Applications: Interested candidates should send a copy of their updated Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter with the subject line “Candidate Name – Outreach and Research Coordinator STEPS” by email to [email protected] by the closing date of 22nd of November 2024.
Land O’Lakes Venture37 will never ask you for personable identifiable information, and we will never request money or payment during the recruitment or employment process.
Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So, bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.
