MINISTRY : AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
DEPARTMENT : FIELD SERVICES
TITLE : AREA TECHNICAL OFFICER – (LIVESTOCK)
GRADE : E
RESPONSIBLE TO : AREA EXTENSION OFFICER
JOB SUMMARY
UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF AREA EXTENSION OFFICER, THE INCUMBENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILITATION OF IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIAZATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH ALC, DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN, INFORMATI ON DISSERMINATION, PREPARATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL BUDGET, COORDINATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
MAIN DUTIES
- FACILITATION OF IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITISATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH ALC.
- Guides the farming community in identifying their own problems to provide a basis for their own development programmes.
- Guides the farming community in prioritizing problems to give focus to their efforts.
- Guides the farming community in analyzing their prioritized problems so as to identify the underlying causes to the problems.
- DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
- Provides information on crop production technologies to assist the community in finding solutions to their problems.
- Guides the development of the community action plan in order to define roles, responsibilities and targets.
- FACILITATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION
PLAN
- Trains farmers in liaison with SMS on appropriate livestock production techniques as identified by them in their community action plan to improve their skills.
- Conducts study tours and farmer-to-farmer visits to expose farmers to different livestock production methods and ideas.
- Guides the community in monitoring and evaluating their progress in implementation of their action plan to ensure that they learn from their experiences.
- Performs minor veterinary operations where services are far away in order to promote good health of livestock
- INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
- Sensitize farmers and other stakeholders on current livestock policies to ensure effective implementation of those policies.
- Provide information to farmers and other stakeholders on possible market opportunities so they can produce appropriate livestock and livestock products.
- Notify appropriate authorities on outbreaks of notifiable diseases so that immediate action can be taken.
- Sensitize farmers and other stakeholders on vaccination programmes so that a healthy status is maintained.
- Encourage the establishment of anti-stock theft groups in liaison with other stakeholders to reduce the prevalence of stock theft in the area.
- PROMOTION OF PRIVATE SECTOR SERVICE DELIVERY
- Train farmers and other stakeholders to properly and effectively manage dipping, vaccinations and dosing to reduce prevalence of disease in the area.
- Train local breeders on good livestock management skills so as to obtain an improved quality of livestock and livestock products.
- Train Wool and Mohair Associations and other stakeholders on woolshed management, classing and marketing to ensure efficient operation of the woolsheds.
- Encourage traders to stock appropriate livestock inputs to improve their supply to farmers.
- PREPARATION OF THE SECTIONAL BUDGET
- Prepares the overall sectional budget annually to ensure that all sectional programs and projects are funded accordingly and implemented smoothly.
- Negotiates and justifies the horticultural crop research budget at the divisional budget discussions in order to secure the necessary funds to finance sectional activities.
- Recommends the review of the sectional budget to the divisional head whenever the need arises to realign it with the changes in the sectional business plan to facilitate the implementation of the critical programs and activities within the section.
- COORDINATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Liaises with other sub-sectional heads within and outside the resource centre to solicit support in the implementation of crops activities.
- Convenes monthly meetings with sub-center heads for planning and reporting in order to ensure integrated implementation of crops activities.
- Liaises with stakeholders to sensitize them on sub-sectoral developments to facilitate consistency, mutual support and synchronic implementation of crops programmes.
COMPENSABLE FACTORS
- Education and training requirements
- Diploma in Animal/Livestock Production
- Diploma in Agriculture
OR
– Certificate in Agriculture
Experience
Three years (3) experience for certificate holders in agriculture related field with emphasis on some basic veterinary activities and operation.