Livestock Research Officer (SOG/ST 7) - St. James

Summary

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining is inviting suitably qualified persons to fill the post of Chief Livestock Research Officer (SOG/ST 7) at Montpelier, St. James. Under the direction of the Senior Research Director (SOG/ST 8), the Chief Livestock Research Officer (SOG/ST 7) is responsible for the transfer of the technological outcomes of livestock research to livestock practitioners aimed at the conservation, development and utilization of local/introduced animal genetic resources; and the utilization of forage species for the enhancement and sustainability of the production of milk and meat. Salary Range: 💰 $5,198,035 – $6,990,779 JMD per annum

Responsibilities

• Key Outputs:

  • • Farmer visits conducted
  • • Field reports produced
  • • Feedstuff reviewed
  • • Monthly meetings with reports (supervised staff) held
  • • Projects implemented
  • • Forage species evaluated and recommended for utilization
  • • Training delivered
  • • Information disseminated
  • • Staff needs identified and addressed
  • • Competent and productive staff enabled
  • • Staff performance evaluated and assessed

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Collaborates with organizations involved in research and development in livestock to identify priority research projects.
  • • Collaborates with the extension agency in developing and implementing strategies for the dissemination of research findings to farmer clients.
  • • Assists in coordinating the operations of the Animal Nutrition and Forage Research (ANFR) Unit.
  • • Assists in supervising the Animal Nutrition and Forage Research and Milk Testing Laboratories.
  • • Assists in coordinating the daily operations of the Livestock Research and Improvement Unit.
  • • Assists the Senior Research Director (SOG/ST8) with annual inventory of the Animal Nutrition and Forage Research and Milk Testing Laboratories.
  • • Makes representation concerning the provision of materials and equipment necessary for the effective implementation of the Unit’s research and development programmes.
  • • Assists the Senior Research Director (SOG/ST8) and Deputy Research Director (SOG/ST9) with preparation of the ANFR Unit’s budget for inclusion in the overall national agricultural research and development budget.
  • • Assists in the coordination of budgetary allocation for each project / programme in the Unit and the procurement of materials necessary for the Unit.
  • • Initiates and maintains an adequate and effective communication system between members of the ANFR Unit and other Units within the R&D Division.
  • • Represents the Ministry/Division at meetings, conferences and seminars.

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Maintains a current awareness of the work being undertaken at the frontiers of knowledge and maintains contact and collaborates with local and regional institutions.
  • • Ensures the preparation and publication of monographs, scientific reports and articles.
  • • Collates the presentation of research and development projects and programmes and animal reports for dissemination.
  • • Assists the Senior Research Director in the organization of seminars, and meetings in order to communicate and disseminate research findings.
  • • Supervises the utilization of computer hardware and software suitable for the storing, collating, analyzing records of performance.
  • • Acts as liaison in the implementation of collaborative projects with other agencies.
  • • Assists the Senior Research Director in oversight for accuracy of laboratory analyses.
  • • Conducts site visits to local farmers/stakeholders.
  • • Conducts site visits to other research stations where livestock are kept.
  • • Assists the Senior Research Director with laboratory methods/protocol review.
  • • Experience with laboratory equipment and troubleshooting.

• Human Resource:

  • • Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends corrective action where necessary.
  • • Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/Unit.
  • • Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports.
  • • Ensures the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Unit are addressed.
  • • Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork.
  • • Conducts monthly meetings with ANFR laboratory staff.
  • • Assesses and evaluates staff performance.

• Other:

  • • Perform any other related duties which may be assigned from time to time.

• Performance Standards:

  • • Research and development plan prepared and supports the strategic objectives according to set guidelines and within agreed time frame.
  • • Accurate and comprehensive reports prepared and submitted for review within the agreed time frame.
  • • Research projects conducted, data collected and analyzed in accordance with established statistical protocols.
  • • Research findings reported in accordance with established standards.
  • • Technical advice is given in a timely manner and is relevant and accurate.
  • • Operational plan prepared in accordance to set guidelines and within agreed time frame.
  • • Budget prepared according to set guidelines and within agreed time frame.
  • • Document and record preparation in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards.
  • • Staff needs identified and addressed in accordance with the Ministry’s human resource policy.
  • • Staff performances assessed and evaluated in keeping with the Ministry’s Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS).

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Excellent oral communication skills
  • • Excellent written communication skills
  • • Strong leadership skills
  • • Good interpersonal skills
  • • Good people management skills
  • • Strong customer and quality focus skills
  • • Good problem solving and conflict management skills

• Technical:

  • • Knowledge and experience with feed formulation
  • • Excellent knowledge of animal nutrition
  • • Excellent knowledge of farm animals and livestock production and management
  • • Excellent knowledge of livestock research methodologies
  • • Excellent knowledge and experience with nutritional analyses, inclusive of proximate analysis, in-vitro digestibility analysis, NIR and spectrophotometer use
  • • Knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 17025
  • • Knowledge of the operations of Government/Ministry’s policies and procedures
  • • Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications

• Authority:

  • • Recommends termination / continuation of research / development programmes/projects
  • • Recommends implementation of new methodologies and systems for livestock management
  • • Recommends leave

Qualifications

• • MSc. Degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Husbandry or related field with at leasttwo (2) years’ experience
OR
• • BSc. Degree in Livestock Production or related field with at least eight (8) years’experience in the field

Additional Information and Instructions

• Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

  • • Physical interaction with large animals
  • • Exposure to animals body fluids, liquid and solid excretions
  • • Exposure to hazardous chemicals
  • • Exposure to disease conditions
  • • Prolonged exposure to the vagaries of the environment

Applications accompanied by resume should be submitted no later than March 21, 2025 to: Senior Director Human Resource Management and Development Division Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Hope Gardens Kingston 6 📧 Email: jobopportunities@moa.gov.jm ℹ️ Subject: Livestock Research Officer (SOG/ST 7) - Montpelier, St. James. 🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email.

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