Technical Manager (BRDLSC) at TechnoServe

Program Overview:

• The Building a Resilient Dairy Local Supply Chain in Nigeria Project aims to build a sustainable and productive local dairy value chain in Ogun, Osun, and Oyo States over 4 years in a way that increases the incomes, resilience, and carbon footprint of dairy suppliers.

Job Summary:

• The primary responsibility of the Technical Manager is to provide technical oversight and strategic direction to all technical aspects of program operations to achieve the project’s goals. This role requires expertise in dairy production, milk quality, animal nutrition, and value chain development, as well as experience with Nigeria’s dairy sector. The ideal candidate should have a proven track record of working with herders, milk collection centers, and processors to build their capacity and improve their performance.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight of the project’s interventions related to dairy production, milk collection, and animal nutrition.
• Offer technical solutions to implementation challenges related to milk quality, feed strategies, and supply chain efficiencies.
• Adapt project approaches, as needed, to reach targets and milestones related to milk production and quality.
• Mentor and build the technical capacity of field staff on dairy best practices.
• With the MEL Specialist, assess the impact of the project’s interventions and ensure high-quality data is being collected to demonstrate project results, particularly related to productivity, milk quality improvements and herd health.
• Contribute to donor reports and presentations, and work with the Program Manager to represent the project at external meetings and events.
• Assess the gaps in herders’ technical knowledge and capacity and develop adequate technical trainings to enhance performance

Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Agronomy, or other relevant field and at least 7 years of relevant professional experience with a bachelor’s degree. Alternatively 5 years with a Masters’ degree.
• Experience in international development, particularly in the dairy sector, is preferred.
• Prior work experience or collaboration with private sector dairy companies and businesses.
• Experience in designing and delivering technical training programs in dairy production and animal husbandry is highly desirable.
• Experience working in Nigeria is preferred.

Required Languages: Fluency in English is required.

Travel: Local travel 40-50%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of dairy production systems, milk quality management, and animal nutrition, particularly in the Nigerian context.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work with tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to contribute to well-written, cohesive analyses and reports.