Consultant: LTOH

Job Description , Consultant – LTOH

Position: Consultant – Livestock Techn ology & O ne Health (LTOH) & G oat E nterprises

Duration: Until June 202 7

Organization: Passing Gifts Pvt. Ltd.

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal ( may need to travel to Bihar and Odisha as per requirement)

Overview

The Consultant will serve as a technical and enterprise resource to strengthen community agro-vet entrepreneurs (CAVEs)/Pashu Sakhis/Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) to equip them for preventive veterinary healthcare for small and large ruminants and goat enterprises in West Bengal and may require travelling to Bihar & Odisha under the projects funded by Zoetis F o undation and IRRI, India .

The position will contribute to Zoetis foundation and IRRI’s objectives of strengthening C ommunity A gro-vet E ntrepreneurs (CAVEs)/Pashu Sakhis/Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) and goat enterprises, improving husbandry practices, and market participation of women-led goat enterprises.

The role combines capacity building training to CAVEs/PS/CAHWs with enterprise development support to:

• Create a trained cadre of CAVEs/PS/CAHWs in West Bengal (120 to 150 Pashu Sakhis)
• Improve livestock productivity and management systems
• Promote market ‑ oriented goat enterprises
• Strengthening market linkages of the goat farmers
• Enhance access to services, inputs, finance, and business opportunities
• Support women’s participation and leadership in goat enterprises

Scope of Work:

• CAVEs/PS/CAHWs training & Strengthening
• Search and select ion of NGOs/ G ovt. Departments /other agencies in West Bengal who work on livestock and CAVE/PS/CAHW development.
• Establish linkages and collaboration with the organizations/agencies for organizing training programs
• Mapping of potential CAVEs/PS/CAHWs for forming training batches in collaboration with the selected organizations/agencies.
• Selection of suitable training venue for conducting training.
• Selection of vendor for first aid kits medicines and/or s election of vendor for procuring bags for first aid kit s.
• Provide training for CAVEs/PS/CAHWs on small and large ruminants management and primary healthcare .
• Writing training reports along with registration of participants and relevant photographs
• Ensure recordkeeping and data collection from trained CAVEs of their services
• Formation of WhatsApp group for the CAVEs/PS/CAHWs for follow up and support
• Goat Enterprise Development & Value Chain Strengthening (in North 24 Pargana district only)
• Implement goat enterprise and value chain strategies
• Promote improved production practices ( selective breeding, strategic feeding, fodder bank, climate reliant housing , better health care & disease prevention) .
• Support aggregation and marketing systems at group and cluster levels
• Facilitate market linkages with traders, buyers, and processors Deliverables: Higher productivity, improved commercial performance, stronger aggregation, better market access .
• Support field-level implementation of goat enterprise initiatives, aggregation systems, and market-linked production systems .

1. Monitoring, Learning & Reporting

• Maintain strong training and enterprise development data
• Field visit for ensuring appropriate implementations
• Periodic virtual call and other digital communications with the CAVEs/PS/CAHWs/farmers.
• Document best practices, innovations, and success stories
• Prepare timely reports and updates Deliverables: Reliable data, documented models, improved monitoring and learning system

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s/ master’s in veterinary science & animal Husbandry, Livestock Production & Management , or related fields
• Experience: 2 – 3 years in livestock and CAVEs/PS/CAHWs development , understanding on goat value chains, or rural livestock-based livelihoods
• Preferred: Experience in livestock extension, goat enterprise development, market linkages, and government linkages /development projects .

Essential Competencies

• Strong knowledge of livestock (small & large ruminant) production systems, animal health, nutrition, and breeding
• Understanding of enterprise development, aggregation, and market led value chains
• Skills in facilitation, training, mentoring, and capacity building
• Analytical, organizational, and problem ‑ solving abilities
• Proficiency in MS Office and digital data tools
• Fluency in Bengali is must , English, and Hindi .
• Willingness to travel extensively mostly within West Bengal.
• 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.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and electronic mail software (Microsoft preferred).