Livestock Expert

CESVI has been active in Ethiopia since 2018, with ongoing operations in multiple regions. The organization focuses on strengthening community resilience and supporting humanitarian responses, particularly in areas affected by climate-related and socio-economic challenges. Its activities include promoting climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry to enhance the productivity and food security of smallholder farmers. This involves introducing resilient crops such as sorghum, encouraging the cultivation of moringa and legumes, and improving soil health through sustainable practices. CESVI also supports the development of local value chains by fostering farmer associations—especially among women and youth—and linking producers to micro-enterprises for processing and marketing. The agency combines technical expertise with community engagement and academic collaboration to promote sustainable, inclusive development aligned with global sustainability goals. CESVI’s intervention “Borena A.S.P.I.R.E.S.: Sustainable Agriculture, Pastoralism, and Inclusion for Economic Resilience and Stabilization in Borena”, funded by the Italian Ministry of the Interior, adopts a systemic approach to strengthen community resilience by addressing urgent needs while building long-term solutions. The program includes the rehabilitation of water infrastructure and hygiene services, alongside support for agriculture and pastoralism through cash transfers and livestock restocking. Farmers receive seeds and tools, and agricultural and veterinary extension workers are trained to ensure ongoing support. Efforts also target improved nutrition and health for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. Additionally, disaster risk reduction is a key focus, with community-based early warning systems and response plans in place. The initiative incorporates a Survivor and Community-Led Response (SCLR) approach, ensuring that local actions are integrated with regional and national strategies, helping to reduce inter-community conflicts and enhance disaster resilience.

Job Description

Job summary: The Livestock Expert will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all livestock-related activities, with a particular focus on restocking and vaccination efforts. Additionally, the Livestock Expert will serve as the primary focal point for engaging with ILRI on activities related to the Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) initiative.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, coordinate, and manage all livestock-related activities, including restocking, vaccination campaigns, animal health services, and fodder production.
• Monitor all phases of livestock-related project implementation, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with project objectives.
• Work closely with government partners, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders to coordinate activities and ensure compliance with national policies and standards.
• Ensure timely execution of all livestock activities in accordance with the approved workplan and chronogram.
• In coordination with the Senior Program Manager, contribute to the formulation of operational documents, including periodic work plans, progress reports, and implementation updates.
• Collect, compile, and transmit data and other relevant information as requested by the Senior Project Manager and the Italian Cooperation Office in Addis Ababa.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for activities related to Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI), ensuring integration with broader project goals.
• Provide technical support and guidance to field teams, extension workers, and community members on livestock management and health practices.
• Support the development and dissemination of training materials and conduct capacity-building sessions for project beneficiaries and local service providers.
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of livestock interventions by supporting data collection, field assessments, and reporting on outcomes and impact.
• Promote climate-resilient and sustainable livestock practices, including improved breeds, animal nutrition, and disease prevention strategies.
• Ensure animal welfare standards are upheld throughout all project activities.

Essential requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Agriculture, or a related field.

• Additional training in areas such as livestock health, pastoral systems, climate-resilient agriculture, or project management is an advantage.

• Technical Competencies: In-depth knowledge of animal health and nutrition, disease prevention and control, and livestock management systems (both sedentary and pastoralist).

• Experience with livestock restocking, vaccination campaigns, fodder development, and animal welfare practices.

• Familiarity with Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) and livestock-related risk management tools.

• Understanding of livelihoods and resilience strategies in dryland or conflict-affected areas.

• 5 -8 years of experience managing or implementing livestock-related projects, preferably funded by institutional donors (e.g., EU, Italian Cooperation).

• Experience in emergency response and/or resilience-building interventions in rural or pastoralist communities.

• Ability to design, implement, and monitor livestock activities as part of broader humanitarian or development projects.

• Strong coordination skills to engage with government veterinary services, local communities, NGOs, and research institutions (e.g., ILRI).

• Experience developing work plans, budgets, and technical reports, and tracking key performance indicators related to livestock outcomes.

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Amharic; proficiency in Oromiffa is highly desirable.

• Willingness to travel to project sites, often in remote areas.

  Other requirements

• Strong communication, training, and facilitation skills, especially with community-based stakeholders.

• Culturally sensitive and able to engage effectively with pastoralist communities and local authorities.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to changing field conditions.

• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-sectoral teams, often in challenging field environments.

Safeguarding

CESVI has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a child or a vulnerable adult by any of our staff, related persons or partners.

CESVI commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal records checks or check disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented. Safeguarding checks are part of the selection process performance

For further information regarding CESVI policies: https://www.cesvi.eu/who-we-are/transparency/our-policies/

How to apply

How to Apply

Persons qualified for this position are invited to submit their CVs (including 3 referees) and COVER LETTER ONLY to CESVI to the e-mail address: recruitment.nairobi@cesvioverseas.org . Please quote the Position in the subject line of your e-mail application. Please do not apply twice, applicants should not attach certificates at this stage. Inquiries by phone or e-mail will not be entertained.

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia. More information about CESVI can be found on cesvi.eu

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Please note:

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 28th May 2025 at midnight EAT. However, Cesvi reserves the right to close the vacancy before the above-mentioned date in case a large number of applications is received. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.