The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a consultant to coordinate field activities at the project sites in close liaison with ILRI’s livestock feed scientists and IFAD Rwanda Dairy Development Programme in Rwanda. She/he will coordinate different feed resource development interventions being implemented through Livestock Farmer Field Schools (L-FFSs) and forage seed multipliers under its project- Rwanda Dairy Development (RDDP).

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Scope of Work

• To lead ILRI research engagements with local scientists, livestock expert at SPIU/RDDP and other local stakeholders.
• To guide, document and oversee implementation of agreed activities related to the implementation of feed interventions across six sites including L-FFS groups; in close collaboration with ILRI scientists, local scientists, and livestock expert at SPIU/RDDP.
• Take charge of logistical arrangements for implementing project activities, e.g. preparing farmers for meetings, coordinating evaluation surveys and, establishment and monitoring of trials including data collection.
• Lead the collating of information for optimizing the ration formulation tool called On-farm Advisor (OFA) and support ILRI Scientists on diet formulation training in close collaboration with local scientists and livestock expert at SPIU/RDDP.
• Support the development of technical manuals/information on diet formulation and dairy cattle feeding for technical staff and smallholder dairy farmers and facilitate translation into local language.
• In close collaboration with RDDP team, organize and support a workshop/seminar to share findings from the researches with RDDP key stakeholders
• Liaison for all Rwanda-based stakeholders, incl. RDDP office and Government of Rwanda;
• Draft material for progress reports, maintain communication and feedback with the research focal points;
• Participate in project meetings and other activities that may arise within the project.
• Any other related activities as may be defined by ILRI Scientists

Final Products

1. Monthly technical feed intervention monitoring reports
2. A feedback workshop/seminar report on sharing findings from the researchers with RDDP key stakeholders in Rwanda
3. Translated technical manuals on diet formulation and dairy cattle feeding for technical staff and smallholder dairy farmers into Kinyarwanda language.
4. A training report on the On-farm Advisor (OFA) diet formulation tool.
5. Produce record of project meetings and other activities as they arise within the project.

Consultancy Fee:  Lumpsum or by mutual agreement based on agreed milestones and deliverables

Post location: Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda

Duration; 1 December 2020 – 30 June 2021

Essential skills and qualifications

• At least Master’s degree in Animal Sciences, Agricultural sciences, Livestock production or other related fields (Minimum MSc level)
• At least four (4) years of relevant work experience in an R4D context in agricultural sector
• Proven field experience in Rwanda, especially with farmers and other stakeholders, preferably within the dairy sector and related to livestock feeding
• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Methodical and able to follow agreed activity protocols
• Good understanding of the Rwanda livestock sector; Sound understanding of livestock feed issues
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, but also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties;
• Manage complex partnerships and work with various internal and external partners;
• Strong ability to co-ordinate, prioritize and organize workload, take initiative and work under pressure;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including addressing farmers in local language where it may necessitate doing so.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, and multi-cultural environment and to motivate others.
• Commitment to project mission and objectives
• Strong attention to detail and maintaining a timely and efficient workflow