The livestock team within the Agriculture Development Program aims to improve the lives of poor livestock keepers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia by increasing livestock productivity, household income, equitable consumption of safe affordable nutritious diet year around and women’s empowerment in Agriculture that will contribute to inclusive Agriculture Transformation. In collaboration with the AgDev team and internal business partners, the Senior Program Officer will take responsibility for part of our efforts within our Animal Production portfolio (genetics, reproduction, feed) aimed at increasing livestock productivity and production.
Areas of Responsibility:
This role will be responsible for bringing technical expertise to help realize the existing potential of livestock and to enhance future potential of livestock through innovation and appropriate technologies suitable for sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia within the small holder livestock sector. Specifically:
- Be the internal subject matter specialist with advanced knowledge and experience in characterizing and developing solutions for livestock genetics and productivity challenges faced by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- Design and implement a plan to scale the discovery and development of molecular tools to increase productivity, disease resistance and environmental resilience of livestock species (e.g. dairy, small ruminants, poultry, fish) appropriate for small holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- Develop institutional partnerships (private and public) aimed at discovery, development and delivery of genetic and genomic technologies to accelerate the rate of productivity gain and adaptability of livestock in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- Design, develop and manage investments to deliver cost-effective diagnostic tools and technologies to increase livestock production performance/efficiencies in smallholder systems
- Design, develop and manage investments leading to the delivery of advanced livestock reproductive technologies, including genome editing, which have the potential to transform future livestock productivity
- Contribute to ongoing efforts in identifying potentially game-changing livestock genetics and reproductive technologies and successfully develop partnerships to validate, multiply and deliver across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- Continue to learn and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the causes that hinder productivity and production of livestock in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- Represent the foundation externally in livestock related matters as required
Educational Background:
Educational background in Livestock production, Animal Science, Livestock genetics, veterinary reproduction: PhD required in a subject relevant to the core responsibilities of the role
Skills/Experience:
- 12+ years of experience in area of specialism (at least 8 years post PhD) with experience in developing and delivering appropriate technologies to improve livestock production
- Thorough portfolio of accomplishments in the area of expertise with academic and/or industry credibility on delivering tools and technologies to improve livestock production
- Deep familiarity with evidence on issues and constraints for livestock productivity and production in developing countries, especially in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia
- Extensive experience in interacting with experts in both academia and private sector involved in livestock production related technologies, with gravitas to command respect
- Knowledge and experience with national systems required for genetic gains/improving productivity
- Knowledge of livestock industries with a good network in at least one sector (e.g. livestock genetics, livestock reproduction, Animal Nutrition/Feed)
- A ‘can do’ attitude with a mindset that guides and motivates the team to explore new approaches and partners, taking risks that can potentially accelerate our pathway to improve the lives of small holder livestock keepers
- Intellectual quickness, curiosity, discipline, resourcefulness and resilience
- Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team
- Demonstrated passion for the foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results against the foundation’s mission
- Highest levels of personal and professional integrity, along with a sense of humor
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to convey complex situations in a clear and concise manner with a broad and diverse audience
- Language skills beyond English, especially those relevant to Africa and South Asia is a plus
- Willing to travel nationally and internationally (30%)
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jan 30 2018
Active Until:
Mar 3 2018
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit