Solidaridad Network Asia
Job Profile: Commodity Manager-Livestock

Introduction

Solidaridad Network Asia is a global network organization working on sustainable, resources-efficient and inclusive supply chains. Solidaridad is working across 37 countries through 9 Regional Excellence Centre’s, and facilitating development of socially responsible, ecologically sound, and profitable supply chains. In Bangladesh, Solidaridad has been implementing the Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Linkages (SaFaL) programme in southwest Bangladesh with the overall objective to enhance food and nutrition security of smallholder farmers and landless workers through improved production practices, business and supply-chain development. Through a multi-stakeholder initiative, SaFaL developed business models for inclusive value chains of agricultural commodities for dairy, fruits and vegetables, and fisheries those brought positive outcomes for smallholders through increased productivity and income, quality of nutritious food intake as well as economic and environmental benefits.

Overall Job Description

The Commodity Manager-Livestock will lead a team of professionals and will be responsible for overall implementation of SaFaL livestock interventions to achieve the development objectives. S/he also will be delegated with overall responsibility to lead the SaFaL dairy component with an expert support this includes planning, implementing, monitoring and coordinating the implementation of the dairy development components, with preparation of detailed annual work-plans, targets and budgets. S/he is also holds the responsibility for supervision of dairy team and handling partners in implementing the planned activities efficiently. The professional should have a complete understanding on livestock farming operations and business, dairy business structures, agro commodity trade, coordinate the identification of key private sectors in the dairy sectors, facilitating public & private sector linkage, corporate marketing and dairy supply chain management. S/he develops the linkages and networks required at a regional, national, and international level, and identify and implement pro-active measures for continued collaboration. S/he should lead designing and implementing strategies for dairy supply chains which supports the collective approach of the Producer Groups (PGs) in new business strategies adapted to environment and regulations. S/he would explore focusing the business opportunity of SaFaL dairy component and facilitate engaging private sectors for developing inclusive dairy sector growth. S/he would therefore responsible for increasing dairy productivity and developing market linkages in dairy supply chains in the South West Region of Bangladesh. S/he would explore collaboration with national and international organizations for extracting efficient and ecofriendly technology. Develop strategic guideline for engaging private sectors in the dairy components and Public and Private sector engagement. S/he would facilitate negotiation with stakeholders for investment. Communicate and arrange field visit for GoB, research organization to extract technology and support. S/he would also develop functional collaboration with public sector to facilitate regulatory and legislative issues in dairy business.

S/he should provide technical guidance in the SaFaL dairy interventions and supervise efficient farm management and Good Dairy Practice (GDP), wastage control or cost reduction, develop fodder market and supply chain through fodder entrepreneurship (including hydroponic fodder), dairy PG business model development, market assessment & supply chain mapping for developing local, national market. S/he would supervise and guide partners and stakeholders for operationalization of Milk Collection Centers (MCC), establishing local milk supply chain, instituting national milk supply chain, developing livestock inputs supply chain and developing entrepreneurship of community livestock service provider (CLSP), develop & strengthening livestock one stop services center for sustainable inclusive business bridging development among entrepreneurs (dairy entrepreneur, women feed seller). S/he would also contributes in operationalization of Village Supermarkets (VSM) especially support dairy supply chains through market assessment, community engagement, mobilization and collectivization of more milk to the VSM and involve dairy PGs, public and private sectors. S/he is also responsible for creating provision for financial services for developing entrepreneurship.

The position will be based in Jashore and will report to the Programme Manager and maintain close coordination with other team members.  

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

• Create access to available inputs and extension services to improve productivity and minimize risks;
• Lead the dairy components; coordinate partners in  quality programme implementation; and ensure backstopping support for smooth implementation;
• Monitor partners delivering quality technical assistance to the dairy producers and entrepreneurs and provide technical assistance to ensure smooth operation of the SaFaL dairy subsector to achieve Programme objectives;
• Monitoring and follow up interventions and resources that have been placed to right beneficiaries; progress review tend to shift enterprise farming;
• Lead developing the annual work plan, develop quarterly work plan based on the AWP and provide orientation to staffs;
• Develop implementation guideline with having detail intervention’s budget breakdown;
• Strengthening capacities of the stakeholders of backward supply chain for dairy farmers; 
• Facilitate increasing local fresh milk supply and strengthening local supply chain & market;  develop MCC entrepreneurs for sustainable dairy value chain development & linked with national market;
• Link smallholder dairy producers with the milk supply chain so that they get fair price and regular payments for their milk
• Increases in milk productivity by improving feeding of locally available crop by-products such as maize
• Reduce the incidence of poverty by sustainably increasing regular family income, asset accumulation and social development
• Develop fodder market & supply chain through facilitate enriched fodder (including hydroponic fodder)  entrepreneurship;
• Assist developing business plan of agro-input shop, one stop livestock service center and increase their capacity to establish a network in the input supply chains, thereby establish a vibrant social business environment among input entrepreneurs, private and public sectors actors
• Create off -farm job in milk supply chain as collector, input supplier and milk processor
• Enhance engagement of women in dairy supply chain;
• Promote integrated farming and optimizing use of local natural resources
• Support the smallholder farmers to become more productive and more profitable.
• Improve the safety and quality of the product through a pricing system
• Facilitate market access through both formal and informal market channels and better meet households’ food and nutrition needs and affordability.
• Facilitate institutions under Department of Livestock Services (DLS), other private sectors to avail their technology and resources for implementing Agro-based enterprises and to improve milk quality in the communities;
• Enhance integration of all sectors and coordinate with other sector’s in planning, resource allocation, monitoring, representation;

Education & Experience Criteria

• Graduate in Veterinary Science (preferred combined course- animal husbandry & veterinary science) and MS in dairy science would be an added advantage.
• MBA in Marketing or Master in Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology/ or Masters Agri Business also would be an added advantage
• 8- 10 years’ professional experience in the relevant field of livestock’s product marketing, value chain and supply chain development;
• Required Experience can be rebated in case of candidate with specialized educational qualification in the relevant field.
• Fluency in both Bengali and English with excellent report writing skill;
• Experience in dairy market system,  private sector engagement and supply chain development
• Knowledge of dairy extension techniques, livelihoods approaches, land and water management;
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively, and to write clearly and concisely.
• Experience in implementing programme through partnership with local development organizations, private sectors and relevant government department.

Person Specifications & Attributes

• Must ensure effective team alignment and coordination between operational and support functions to ensure overall performance;
• Ability to work in a team;
• Proven understanding on financial and operational aspects in agri-business.
• Proven ability to work in an intercultural environment
• Effective and efficient communication skills.

Employment Type

• Project based fixed term

Job Location

• Jashore/Khulna (The position requires frequent field visits to the project working areas.)

Salary & Other Benefits

Solidaridad offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with Solidaridad Asia pay scales and Service Rule. The benefits package includes provident fund, one festival bonus, gratuities and medical insurance as per the organizational policy.

Apply Instructions

To apply, please send a CV (3 pages max.) and a cover letter (1 page) explaining the desire, your relevant skills and experiences at recruitment.hrsna@gmail.com. Position applied for should be clearly mentioned in the subject line of the email. Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview.

Closing date of application is 06 July 2019.