Dairy Technologist

VSF Germany, Piedmont Plaza Ngong’ Road, PO Box 25653, 00603 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: admin_hr@vsfg.org
VSF Germany is an international Non Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

With support in animal health, agriculture, marketing, food safety but also with developing the capacity of communities and governmental institutions or initiating peace and conflict resolution we work towards food security and strengthened livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

VSF-G is implementing a thirty-six months development programme for the milk production and marketing sector in Somaliland (SL) and in Puntland (PL). The programme aims to improve the livelihood of pastoralist milk producers, milk collectors and small to medium-scale milk businesses and of final milk consumers benefitting from safe products. An important issue in this regard is the creation of a regulatory framework to be respected by all stakeholders in the dairy sector. Active support is given to all actors in the informal and formal dairy sector. In regard to this, we are looking for a qualified person to fill in the position below.
The Dairy Technologist is expected to use his working capacities and in particular his dairy expertise to achieve a successful implementation of the SPDDP II programme through knowledge transfer to the stakeholders of the dairy chain. The programmes main activities are decentralised trainings of milk producers, milk collectors, milk processors and of persons working as milk retailers. He will closely work with the Senior Dairy Development Specialist and prepare jointly with him the training manuals for new operations and review if necessary existing training programmes. He will give direct inputs into the ToT for milk producers and milk processors trainers and ensure the quality of trainings. He will coordinate the work of the different dairy field assistant teams in Puntland and monitor the relevant operation in Somaliland implemented by the DDT junior trainer. He will be responsible to organise supplies and distribution of equipment and necessary consumables to milk suppliers, collectors, milk processors and eventually milk retailers.

Key Responsibilities 

Conduct decentralised trainings of milk producers, milk collectors, milk processors and of persons working as milk retailers. Work with the Project Officer - Dairy Development Specialist in the preparation of training manuals for new operations. Review existing training programmes. Coordinate the work of the different Dairy Field Assistant teams in Puntland. Monitor relevant operation in Somaliland implemented by the Field Officer-Dairy Technology. Organize supply and distribution of equipment and other consumables to milk suppliers, Collectors, Processors and eventually Retailers. Review the standard operation procedures (SOP) for Village Milk Committees (VMCs). Monitor the achievement of preconditions (free from tuberculosis, brucellosis)

Conduct general training in milk hygiene according to QAS standards at all levels of the dairy chain-Farm (Producers, milking), VMCs, Transport and retailers. Conduct special training for internal surveyors to monitor compliance with SOP. Prepare appropriate training material. Implement pilot projects including training of trainers and supervision of milk cooling, Pasteurisation, Lactoperoxidase conservation, use of milk separators. Conduct training in milk harvesting of other species (goats, sheep, and cows). Work with the existing VMCs as suppliers. Motivate and supervise the Field Officer Dairy Technology plus 6 Field monitors-dairy hygiene. Any other Job related duties as may be assigned by the line Manager.

Required Qualifications

Be mature with leadership qualities; respect for cultural values Have technical skills in milk processing & milk hygiene, understanding of dairy issues Past field experience in Somalia. Willingness to live under difficult field conditions Computer literate and fluency in English (written and spoken) Good Administrative and reporting skills Communicative and open Straight forward and systematic Practical, self-motivated with ability to take initiative. Past experience working with Somali pastoralist communities will be an added advantage. Familiarity with appropriate technology will also be an added advantage.

Contract Duration: 6 months
Place of work: Based in Burao, Somaliland but working also in Puntland
No of Positions: One
Salary: Competitive package as per the organization scale

Interested and qualified candidates should submit an application letter and CV to: postal address or via email address above indicating the project, position, location and expected salary. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Closing date for receiving applications is open until the suitable candidate if found. This is an urgent position to be filled and screening of the applications will be on going and shall be terminated upon selection of the suitable candidate.

Qualified Somali nationals are encouraged to apply for this position.