Technical Advisor – Livestock Production

About Us

We are International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a global consulting firm working some of the most complex and impactful development problems worldwide. We work on programs that help government agencies, private companies and donors improve the lives of others. At IBTCI you will be part of an inclusive team that provides expert solutions and advice to understand and address critical problems while giving you opportunities to succeed and grow.

Job Title: Technical Advisor – Livestock Production

Department/Location: USAID/Dominican Republic

Type: Consultancy

Classification: Consultant

Overview:

Since the arrival of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Hispaniola in late 2021, eradication of this disease from the island of Hispaniola remains a priority for the United States. USAID is part of a coordinated Interagency response to assist the governments of the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti to respond to ASF in their respective countries. USDA/APHIS is leading the overarching eradication response, and the USAID role is to support farmer livelihoods and address any food security issues resulting from ASF and the control efforts.

In the DR USDA/APHIS has established an Incident Management Team (IMT) to work with the government on ASF eradication. Since the beginning of the ASF outbreak, the USAID Agricultural Threats Working Group (ATWG) has had an ASF Technical Observer to this IMT for the coordination of USAID programming with USDA activities and other interagency efforts. This position has been filled by a rotating roster of short-term technical experts from both RFS and BHA. In July of 2022 USAID signed an Interagency Agreement for $10 million with USDA/APHIS for programming supporting rural smallholder farmers impacted for both the DR and Haiti. The first activity under this IAA was programmed through the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO) organization to improve outreach and support for ASF impacted households.

With the USDA/APHIS IMT now fully staffed in the DR, and activities under the USAID-FAO ASF Program starting implementation, more field support will be needed to assist the ATWG, the USAID DR and Haiti Missions in interagency ASF response coordination. This position will support USAID in management and oversight of the FAO ASF program for the DR and Haiti and serve as the liaison between the USDA/APHIS IMT, the DR Post Interagency Working Group, USAID Mission Staff, the ATWG and other relevant stakeholders in the field.

This position will rotate between the DR USAID office or at the IMT Office as indicated for the execution of duties. Support for USAID/Haiti will be virtual unless the security situation improves to permit travel.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with the USDA/APHIS IMT in the DR through participation in IMT meetings, fieldwork, and other activities as an observer.
• Meet regularly with FAO staff to monitor progress of IAA-funded ASF activities.
• Liaise with and meet regularly with USAID/DR and USAID/Haiti POCs for ASF updates.
• Serve as a senior leadership advisor to the Mission Director and Embassy Front Office on the status of USAID support to ASF in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
• Inform and regularly update the USAID Agricultural Threats Working Group (ATWG), Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS) and Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) on relevant field information on ASF in Hispaniola.
• Draft a bi-weekly field report for the ATWG and Mission. As a component of this report, include a modified report for the Embassy ASF working group.
• Provide field-level input for USAID for interagency reports, briefers, talking points, memos, or other documents on ASF for USAID Missions and USAID Washington.
• Brief USAID senior staff participating in ASF IPC, sub-IPC, and MAC meetings with relevant information from the field; joining the meetings as requested by USAID.
• Monitor the ASF situation in both the DR and Haiti, identifying any potential socio-economic and food security impacts of USG supported disease control and eradication efforts to inform USAID programs and planning.
• Work collaboratively with Government partners, private sector, community organizations and other vital stakeholders to build sustainability across USAID ASF operations.
• Advise missions on future opportunities for USAID engagement in ASF, including budget, programmatic and staffing needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Should have at least 10 years’ experience working in international development and the livestock sector.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively through oral and written communications in both English (required) and Spanish are strongly preferred, working knowledge of French would also be an asset.
• Proven ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required, as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with USG staff and colleagues, local counterparts, and other development partners.

Education: A university degree in an area related to veterinary medicine or livestock production

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Field experience responding to animal disease outbreaks in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Knowledge of USAID structure, processes and reporting requirements for both HA and DA assistance.

Working Environment:

• Access to the Embassy will be required to perform the duties outlined in this scope of work.
• Travel to Post and local travel will be required for this position.
• Work is typically performed in an office environment. Currently the company is allowing for remote work due to COVID 19 in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area. This can be updated by the company.

COVID Vaccine status: As a condition of employment, IBTCI requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Candidates should be prepared to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon hire or request for an accommodation with HR that is consistent with our COVID-19 safety protocols and policies.

Physical Requirements: This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Travel: International travel may be required and may include travel to fragile and/or conflict-prone zones.

Work Authorization: Candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

About the Organization:

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP); Social & Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Building. We provide these services across many sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, resilience & food security, conflict & crisis, democracy & governance, economic growth & trade, education, energy & Infrastructure, environment & climate change, global health & WASH and humanitarian and disaster assistance. At IBTCI, our colleagues are encouraged to collaborate and be part of the solution while getting the tools and guidance needed to grow and support our clients’ missions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws. We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected] (Do not send your resume to this account, for consideration please apply in our career page).