Job Description

The Livestock Zootechnician will work under the overall supervision of JS L.I.S. Jaunpils and technical guidance of the Director. He/she will work in close cooperation with the programme unit and stakeholders involved in the operation of the enterprise

Zootechnician  Specialist in Livestock Production

1. Set production targets, plan and deadlines to achieve them;
2. Controls and monitors teamwork, animal husbandry and welfare requirements;
3. Knowledge of all farm work processes, staff job descriptions;
4. Maintains close liaison with staff in monitoring the performance and quality of daily work;
5. Organises regular team meetings to discuss the work already achieved and the tasks still to be achieved;
6. Performs zootechnical record keeping, animal identification, (tagging and data entry in LDC, performance records, grouping of animals for evaluation);
7. Formulate feed rations;
8. Controls animal nutrition and welfare;
9. Monitoring compliance with the rules of the milking process and with the established norms;
10. Planning of feed utilisation;
11. Monitor feed quality, feed resource adequacy, storage and feeding rules;
12. Keep zootechnical records: identify animals, monitor animal performance. Records, enters information into computerised databases: DairyPlan, AllFllex, and DelPro systems;
13. Drawing up herd reproduction plans, targeting pairs of animals, drawing up breeding (species conservation) plans both for the period concerned and for the future;
14. Prepare documentation for entry of animals in the Studbook;
15. Select animals for sale, culling and organise animal movements;
16. Organise and plan routine activities on the farm (pregnancy check, hoof trimming, foot baths)
17. Order the goods and feed materials needed for the work in good time;
18. Carry out training of new staff;
19. Draw up a monthly staff roster;
20. Supervise and comply with hygiene and occupational safety requirements in the establishment;
21. Compile reports on zootechnical indicators, performance results achieved and future production challenges and targets

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Tertiary education/ university degree/ technical diploma of animal engineer or veterinary surgeon;
• At least 2 years work experience in animal husbandry and veterinary science, especially in poultry;
• Working knowledge of Russian, English or Latvian;
• Latvian citizen or resident.

FAO CORE COMPETENCIES

• Results Orientation
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Experience in planning, executing and coordinating project and programme activities;
• Knowledge of the project area will be an advantage;
• Flexibility, ability to work as part of a team in a multicultural environment and under pressure;
• Demonstrate good organisational skills, rigour and justify good moral character.
• Good interpersonal communication skills and excellent writing skills;
• Excellent proficiency in Windows operating system and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and DairyPlan, AllFllex, un DelPro.
• Previous experience in emergency relief projects will be highly appreciated.

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