International Forage Systems Development specialist

ADT Project Consulting GmbH is an innovative and reliable German consulting firm that focuses on technical assistance and international projects in the areas of livestock, agriculture, veterinary & food safety, agribusiness and rural development. Since 1995 we have been working for governments, development agencies, public institutions as well as for enterprises and organisations in the agriculture and food industry in more than 60 countries (see www.adtproject.de). Main clients are the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), EU EuropeAid and other EU programmes, GIZ, FAO, USAID, WB and other public donors as well as private organisations/companies.

We are currently looking for open-minded and motivated International Forage Systems Development specialist for a Livestock Health and Value Chains Improvement Project in Cambodia.

Job description

The specialist will complete the following tasks, assisting the GDAHP to:

(i) Identify 3 forage program start up districts in each project province together with participating Provincial Office of Animal Health and Production (POAHP);

(ii) Identify, nationally and internationally, available climate-adapted forage varieties with potential for integration into smallholder farm cropping and livestock systems in the project provinces, including varieties suitable for intensive forage production and for grazing land reinforcement;

(iii) Assist the CLHVCIP PIU to order the forage genetic material required for program start up;

(iv) Plan a comprehensive soil testing program across the project locations;

(v) Propose and support implementation of climate-adapted strategies for smallholder farmer and farmer group conservation and storage of fodder including strategies to restore pasturelands to better quality condition;

(vi) Identify and support implementation of climate-adapted strategies for smallholder farmer-based forage seed and vegetative material production to jump-start project forage interventions, including a view to the future commercialization of such strategies;

(vii) Prepare a forage manual and information sheets for use by technical support staff and farmers and assist the PIU to link those outputs and the web-based Selection of Forages for the Tropics (SoFT) package to the CLHVCIP mobile-phone-based ICT program;

(viii) Identify the capacity building needs of different implementers and advise on how these needs can be addressed to ensure their effectiveness in terms of program outcomes;

(ix) Advise the GDAHP and PIU on how to enhance synergies with other programs;

(x) Advise the GDAHP and PIU on the best learning options for regional forage study tours and exchange visits;

(xi) Coach, mentor and train the GDAHP, POAHP and Technical Service Center (TSC) trainers in all aspects of sustainable forage and forage seed production;

(xii) Support PIU staff in a timely manner in the preparation of their contribution to the project annual work program and budget and annual procurement plan;

(xiii) Support the PIU and GDAHP to create collaborations with the private sector;

(xiv) Attend meetings/workshops under the project and offer advice/technical opinion with special focus on those that may affect forage genetic material and forage production and storage;

(xv) Advise the GDAHP on new developments about policy and innovations in sustainable forage and forage seed production and forage-based animal nutrition and best practices;

(xvi) Coordinate and mentor the work of the national forage consultants.

Qualifications and requirements

• Post graduate degree in agriculture or natural resource management and at least 15 years of experience in establishing forage production systems in transitional economies, including in Southeast Asia.
• Familiar with forage development work in Cambodia and surrounding countries and with applied forage research in leading developed countries.
• Excellent knowledge of innovations (in forage species and production systems, including sustainable seed production) worldwide is essential.
• The consultant should be capable of rapport with personnel at various levels, including farmers, government staff, national consultants, and international organizations. A strong self-motivated individual working with no or minimal supervision and able to travel to the rural areas and meet tight deadlines is required.
• The person should have excellent skills in written and spoken English and be fully conversant with computer use. It is also important that this person is sensitive to issues associated with gender, ethnicity, and poverty especially in the context of Cambodia.

Interested candidates should send their application (cover letter, CV, work references / certificates / salary expectation) by email until May 23^rd, 2024 to adtproject@adt.de.