Livestock Officer

Position:- Livestock OfficerLocation:- GODE (Somali region)Position Status: Full TimeAbout Mercy CorpsMercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.  Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

Program Summary

Mercy Corps Ethiopia currently secured USAID/BHA funded multisectoral response program entitled ‘Humanitarian Assistance for Conflict-Affected Populations (HACAP)” in Oromia, Afar and Somali regions. The goal of the proposed program is to increase access to Life-saving Services for Conflict-affected IDPs, Returnees, and Vulnerable Populations through provision of integrated Multi-Sectoral Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Health, Nutrition, Agriculture, Protection, and Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) support in seven Woredas of the three regions.

Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Agriculture Specialist, the Livestock Officer will lead the implementation of livestock activities in HACAP program, which is under operation in Adadle, Berano, and Abakorow woredas in Somali Region and in Gumi Eldalo and Liben woredas in Oromia Region. She/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of livestock related interventions that able to protect the livelihood of Somali and Oromia agropastoral communities who affected by recurrent drought and conflict. The Livestock Officer will also be responsible for timely identifying and documenting project outputs and outcomes and reporting as per the reporting schedule. Besides, She/he will ensure active participation in the Woreda level Livestock related coordination forums.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, review, and evaluation of livestock activities, including the provision of feed/fodder, restocking of small ruminants (goats), animal health services, and capacity building for Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs).
• Develop and regularly update a detailed project work plan to guide project activities and monitor progress towards effective project management.
• Initiate and conduct timely monitoring of beneficiary selection, verification, provision of livestock support, and CAHW activities.
• Ensure that all CAHWs and animal health technicians provide high-quality services to livestock owners in the project area.
• Identify necessary drugs and kits for animal health service provision.
• Facilitate and supervise the training of CAHWs in collaboration with the Pastoralist and Livestock Office, ensuring training is delivered as planned. Document training activities designed to enhance the capacity of community animal health workers.
• Identify and supply relevant animal feed to needy livestock herders as per the project documentation.
• Prepare and review quarterly and project lifetime activity plans and budgets.
• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and quarterly activity plans and reports on time.
• Collaborate with local community representatives and government stakeholders to identify direct target beneficiaries.
• Mainstream gender, protection, safeguarding, and inclusion within the intervention, with advice from the protection and inclusion focal person.
• Represent the office in project-related meetings for knowledge sharing when delegated.
• Work closely with all stakeholders to ensure community participation in project activities.
• Collaborate with other project officers, contributing knowledge to the project team as necessary.
• Perform other functions as requested by the immediate supervisor.

Team Management:

• Support and liaise with Agriculture Specialist and Agriculture officer in managing the agricultural intervention of HACAP Program.
• Coordinate and work with other HACAP team members, Woreda level stakeholders, and Livestock experts during the implementation of the program activities.

GEDSI (Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion)

• Understand and contribute to the GDI-related priorities of the country office.
• Promote a gender-equal and inclusive workplace culture.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

• Commit 5% of time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps and personal development.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Support efforts toward accountability, specifically to beneficiaries and international standards guiding relief and development work.
• Engage beneficiary communities as equal partners in project design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Conduct yourself professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps’ policies and values.

Safeguarding & Ethics

• Treat all individuals encountered through work with respect and dignity.
• Prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and uphold the core principles regarding these issues as laid out by the UN and IASC.
• Complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and annually.

Knowledge and Experience

• BSc degree in veterinary sciences, animal health, animal sciences, or livestock production.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience in managing programs in the food security and livelihoods sector, particularly livestock production.
• Proven experience in livelihood activities, including income-generating activities, food security, resilience, and risk management.
• Evidence of project cycle management experience, including design, planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience working with pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, preferably in Somali and Oromia regions.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English, and speaking the local language is a plus.

 Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme — SCHR. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Ethics policies and reporting misconduct | Mercy Corps and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.  “Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.” DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 03 June 2024/ 4:00 PM