Job Description

Project Background:

The Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) program seeks to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups in the target areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, and community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to combat real perceived grievances that contribute to violent extremism and conflict. The project will pursue two main objectives:

1)     Strengthen and diversity in rural and urban livelihoods for marginalized groups; and

2)     Promote economic agency of marginalized groups.

Position Summary:

The Market Systems Development Specialist – Livestock assumes a vital role in driving the productivity and competitiveness of Somalia's livestock sector. This position entails supporting the Chief of Party and Technical Director on the design and implementation of innovative and catalytic programming approaches in the livestock sector (dairy and meat), to reinforce the long-term resilience of marginalized communities who rely on the livestock sector for their livelihoods. The Market Systems Development Specialist – Livestock will spearhead initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and partnerships, with a focus on enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities for marginalized farmers and women through private sector engagement, facilitating the expansion of livestock (dairy and meat products) to the domestic and regional markets. He/ She will support developing partnerships that strengthen the livestock market system by increasing access to technologies that ensure food safety and improve productivity among farmers and businesses in marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on fodder/feeds and dairy.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and management of livestock sector activities as agreed with USAID, FCDO and Federal Government of Somalia. This includes sustainable livestock practices that strengthen food/fodder and dairy market systems, manage environmental impact assessments, and develop strategies for the economic empowerment of marginalized communities.

• Provide technical facilitation support in responsibilities for MSD activities to ensure the planned activities are implemented timely and with required deliverable quality.

• Provide technical direction with respect to developing private-sector agricultural partnerships that can tangibly help marginalized citizens overcome entrenched barriers to economic participation and success.

• Engage with private sector dairy and fodder enterprises, village-based agents, aggregators, cooperatives, women's groups, private veterinary pharmacies and government representatives to drive Somalia’s livestock sector growth and resilience. Identify and integrate various value chain components e.g. logistics and certification, and standards.

• Collaborating with IRiS technical leads to identify cross-sectoral coordination opportunities, integrating livestock market systems with other sectors such as, energy and access to finance.

• Collaborate with State and Federal governments, Chambers of Commerce, and agriculture/livestock farmer associations to enhance awareness and implementation of livestock-specific policies in the livestock (dairy and fodder) value chain.

• Work across technical divisions (including those dedicated to economic agency and inclusion, and economic empowerment of IDPs) and grant-management teams to ensure achievement of program and workplan targets in a holistic way.

• Identify strategic areas for livestock-related research and manage the dissemination of results to inform policy making, including overseeing policy engagement to encourage innovation and the uptake of new technologies.

• Facilitate linkages between dairy farmers, fodder providers, private veterinary pharmacies, and financial services providers.

• Coordinate and support the preparation of contractual reports and communication pieces. Engage in substantive discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Deliverables

• Monthly performance report includes a summary of technical activities completed and milestones achieved in consultation with our program partner- Mercy Corps International.

• Final Report on completion of the assignment, to include a detailed review of the livestock component activities to include the - strengthening dairy market systems; fodder/feed market systems; enhancing private sector implementation of related policy/legislation and participation in government-led events.

• Review of component achievements against program targets.

Experiences and Qualifications

Education & Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary sciences / Livestock Management or related fields.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience in the Somalia agricultural sector, donor projects focusing on climate resilience agricultural development.
• Strong understanding of the unique energy needs and challenges faced by the livestock sector, with a focus on renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in business inclusive practices among marginalized groups.
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with private sector partners, cooperative leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Have a solid command of the nutritional and feeding recommendations for dairy cows and small ruminant animals.
• Understand the daily sector husbandry practices, nutritional guidelines and the general market.
• Experience in management and care of beef cattle, dairy cows, and small ruminant animals.
• Competency in providing accurate feeding and management recommendations.
• Deep understanding of the Livestock/dairy sector in Somalia.
• Experience working with donor-funded programming, with a preference for experience with USAID projects.
• Must be a Somali national, with fluency in both spoken and written English and Somali.

DT Global Core Competencies:

• Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust, and commitment.
• Communication: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally Demonstrates effective use of skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts
• Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment
• Customer/Client Focused: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly.
• Professionalism: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity, and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal

Skills Required

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