Scientific Officer - Livestock production -Scientific Officer

Scientific Officer – Livestock Production

ICRISAT seeks applications from dynamic and motivated professionals for the position of “Scientific Officer – Livestock Production” who will have the responsibility to manage and implement animal production research activities (genetics and nutrition) at the ILRI office in Bamako, including the implementation of field activities for a Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Feeding (SAAF) program.  This is a nationally recruited position and will be based in Bamako, Mali.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 millions of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems. For more details, please visit – www.icrisat.org

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. The duty station: ILRI office at ICRISAT-Bamako Research Station in Samanko, Mali. www.ilri.org   

The program aims to sustainably increase access to more nutritious food while emitting fewer greenhouse gases (GHG) and creating resilient and inclusive livelihoods. In Mali, the SAAF program will focus on strengthening the small ruminant value chain through the development, testing, and scaling up of innovation programs to increase productivity and facilitate market access. The SAAF program has six interrelated work areas designed to work together to achieve its vision of sustainably transforming animal and aquatic food systems: Productivity, livestock and climate, one health, market systems, policy solutions and scaling, Gender, youth, social inclusion, and digital solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

·        Provide overall leadership in program field implementation with the coordination of implementation of program activities including feeds and genetics in the zone of Ségou and Sikasso

·        Work with partners for the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of field activities.

·        Contribute to the development of the program annual work plan and reporting including monthly, quarterly and annual reports.

·        Provide inputs in the design of and ensure smooth implementation of ILRI programmatic activities including work on genetic and feed innovations.

·        Work with the SAAF management team to ensure smooth implementation of collaborative work with partners and other CGIAR institutions such as ICARDA and Alliance Bioversity-CIAT.

·        Provide technical support to implementing partners.

·        Contribute to the design and implementation of Program capacity building and training activities.

·        Lead the development of livestock-based feed and genetics business models and engagement with private sector for the development of public private partnership arrangements.

·        Provide livestock technical assistance in genetics, breeding management, feeding, and production models.

·        Conduct frequent project site field visits to supervise actual program implementation in collaboration with program implementing partners.

·        Monitor program activities in collaboration with the program M&E Expert and suggest necessary adjustments to ensure project targets and objectives are met and improve program quality.

·        Carry out any other activity requested by the supervisor.

 Requirements

1.      Experience of at least 5 years with a Master’s degree in animal production or a related field

2.      Knowledge of small ruminant value chain

3.      Knowledge of animal breeding, feed and forage crop production

4.      Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation of projects

5.      Show passion and enthusiasm about peacebuilding

6.      Ability to communicate with different stakeholders

7.      Demonstrate ability to structure and plan activities and implement activities in the field

8.      Ability to take rational and timely decisions

9.      Good skills in MS-applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet, etc.).

10.   Speak fluently French (Good oral and written communication skills in French) and at least one local language

 General:

This position is for a duration of 12 months (1 year) contract, renewable subject to performance of new incumbent, funding availability and continuing need for the position.

How to apply:

If this position interests you, please follow the below instructions to apply. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Shortlisting will start from 01 August 2025.  All Applicants should apply with their latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining a progressive and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether they have a disability.