BACKGROUND:

Passing Gifts Private Limited (PGPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heifer International USA and it provides services in educating, consulting, training, advising, and providing professional and technical services to individuals, associations, and entities in India and abroad, particularly those who support or are working in the areas of social advancement and sustainable development. This position may also require service agreements, secondment agreements, between entities, etc.

PGPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION:

Reporting to the Sr. Project Manager, Project Officer will play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of animals through the adoption of improved management practices. The primary focus includes enhancing animal health, husbandry, and product quality assurance in the assigned program area. The incumbent will work closely with Passing Gifts PVT LTD participants, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to maximize animal productivity and minimize production costs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage effort)

Support project partners in effective implementation of the project and achieve the project objectives (25%)

• Assist in social capital building and staff selection for project partners;
• Facilitate various training programs, field trips, and exchange visits;
• Oversee the implementation of project activities, ensuring quality standards;
• Support partners in developing market-oriented quality products;
• Utilize PMD-Pro tools and frameworks for effective project management;
• Staff selected and trained according to Passing Gifts PVT LTD process;
• On-time completion of project activities as per the Project Implementation Plan (PIP);
• Supervision and follow-up instructions for training and activities in the field;
• Implementation of Exponential POG and PSRP following the approved process.

Monitor, review, and report the program (25%)

• Ensure partner compliance with monitoring and evaluation requirements;
• Monthly review of project progress (physical and financial) with partner staff;
• Participate in ongoing partner activities for quality control and improvement;
• Prepare activity-based re-forecasting following participatory methods;
• Document and share best practices and ensure PSRP process at all levels;
• Submission of activity-based forecast and fund request to RPO and CPO;
• Timely review and submission of all project progress reports;
• Monthly joint review of activity-based forecast submitted to RPO;
• Organization of internal and external field visits as per protocol.

Promote scientific practices for rural farmers pertaining to goat, backyard poultry and other livestock for increasing income and nutrition of the family (35%)

• Ensure quality and timely animal healthcare delivery;
• Implement good husbandry practices and ecological production methods;
• Facilitate the development of forage, fodder, and alternative feed methods;
• Provide technical inputs and support in business and marketing activities;
• Integrate One Health Concepts into the community;
• Successful implementation of animal healthcare practices and biosecurity measures;
• Development of forage, fodder, feed mill, and hatchery;
• Innovative models developed based on field situations;
• Timely achievement of project targets in scale-up production and income increase.

Liaison, networking, and collaboration with line agencies (10%)

• Share the Passing Gifts PVT LTD model with stakeholders;
• Promote knowledge exchange and cross-learning;
• Support partners in mobilizing committed co-funding;
• Organize and participate in donor visits and state-level events;
• Facilitate convergence with Line Departments;
• Successful sharing of the model with stakeholders;
• Active participation in state-level events and workshops;
• Convergence with Line Departments in project activities.

May perform other job-specific duties as assigned (5%) QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Minimum Four years of experience in goat and local backyard poultry management with a Bachelor’s

degree in veterinary science (B.V.Sc & A.H);

• Master’s Degree in Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc) with a specialization in Poultry Science and Two years of experience;
• Knowledgeable of and experience in working with poultry and livestock programs, running Campaigns, feed mill and Hatchery Management and Fodder development;
• Knowledge of and experience with or within community organizations.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate challenging situations to achieve goals and deadlines;
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity;
• Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision;
• Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner;
• Ability to work with sensitive information and to always maintain confidentiality;
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule;

• Fluent in Hindi, English, and Local Language spoken as well as written;
• Have an interest in animals/agriculture community development;
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally;
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, web designing, collaboration platform and tools, and electronic mail software (Microsoft preferred);
• Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time.