Project Assistant Animal Health and Production

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. CWS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

Primary Purpose
This position will support the implementation of the food security for small holder farmers through effective and sustainable agricultural production and management under the Mwanga project. The Goal of this project is to improve food security and to promote the economic empowerment for small holder farmers in Tana Delta Sub-County through provision of improved animal breeds, crop production and modern beekeeping and VSLA. The project seeks to provide comprehensive training to the selected farmers in groups to effectively undertake the enterprises to realize diversified livelihood options, improve food security and economic empowerment.

The project assistant will focus on providing technical training and extension services to project beneficiaries, including farmers and livestock keepers. The selected candidate will work closely with group leaders and local veterinary and livestock service providers and project officer and manager to enhance good agricultural practices and address the needs of local farmers.

Responsibilities
Program Administration (60%)

• Support implementation of food security and livelihoods project (Mwanga project) in Tana River County.
• Identify, profile and organize farmers into groups for purposes of undertaking project activities.
• Adapt and use approved training materials and ensure existing training materials are up to date.
• Provide comprehensive training to farmers on livestock husbandry, crop production and management.
• Provide agricultural extension services to respond to individual farmer needs as they arise and support adoption of agricultural technologies.
• Advise farmers to adopt best agricultural and livestock husbandry practices for poultry, goat, and beekeeping farmers.
• Participate in training lead farmers, support their coordination of farmer groups, and provide follow- up to ensure improved livestock husbandry and crop
• Identify local veterinary and livestock service providers and stakeholders for potential collaborations and linking farmers.
• Provide technical advice to farmers on livestock production and marketing of
• Provide regular project updates and reports both quantitative and qualitative for project reporting.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation exercises including baselines, annual and endline surveys.

Compliance (20%)

• Achieve and maintain a high-performance standard based on a thorough knowledge of, and adherence to, established CWS policies and procedures
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected fraud, malfeasance, and data breaches and report any identified areas of significant compliance risk for the CWS program.
• Conduct regular process reviews for assigned processing stages to compare requirements vs. current processing and outputs and implement process changes based on the outcome of the process reviews.

Data Management and Analysis (15%

• Prepare comprehensive reports for internal use
• Maintain up to date project documents/file
• Contribute to reports and filters development for quality control checks to ensure they are accurate and used efficiently.

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Support any project component supported by CWS.

Qualifications
Education & Certifications:

• A Diploma in Animal Health and Production, Agricultural Education and Extension, Community Development, Livestock-related courses with three years' experience is required
• KVB (Kenya Veterinary Board) Registration is require

Experience
A minimum of three (3) years of experience in Animal Health and Production is required Agricultural Education and Extension, Community Development, Livestock or related field working with communities is required.

• Ability to diagnose and provide treatment for livestock including assessing distress or discomfort in livestock.
• Ability to provide advisories to mixed farmers on crop and livestock management and agribusiness.
• Ability to effectively and gently handle animals.
• Previous experience conducting community organization and training is required.
• Have a demonstrated ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Ability to keep and maintain accurate records.
• Must have a valid category A2 driving license

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of animal production and health.
• Knowledge of County Integrated Development plans and Strategies.
• Good community organization and training skills are required
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office
• Excellent report writing skills is required
• Fluency in English and Swahili.

Abilities
The Project Assistant – Animal health and production and extension must have the ability to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Follow instructions with a positive and receptive attitude.
• Maintain a high-performance standard with attention to detail.
• Manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
• Carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision.
• Take initiative in the development and completion of projects within the specified timeframe.
• Deal effectively and courteously with collaborators, government agencies, and members of the public.
• Conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of CWS Africa.
• Work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS and operational information.
• Effectively manage CWS resources.

Important Requirements

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Special Requirements
The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions and have a high degree of flexibility.

• This position is based in Tana River County, Kenya
• This position always requires use of laptops, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
• This position requires hands-on motorbike riding around rough terrain and poor road networks.
• Background check which includes references, and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment for international applicants.
• Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• All employees should be prepared to work full-time from the CWS office within their location of hire.