Hunger
Hunger
Heifer South Africa: Thusanang Dairy Project Assistant
Heifer International South AfricaPlease note: this opportunity closing date has passed and may not be available any more.Opportunity closing date:Wednesday, November 14, 2012Heifer International (Heifer) is a nonprofit organisation that works with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth.Opportunity type:Employment
Heifer International South Africa’s (Heifer) mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty in South Africa and care for the Earth. As a means to reach our mission, the organisation is scaling up its programme work and impact in order to reach more families at a faster pace using appropriate enhanced systems.
Heifer seeks to appoint a Project Assistant for the Thusanang Project, based near Kokstad/Matatiele, Eastern Cape.
Heifer International South Africa’s (Heifer) mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty in South Africa and care for the Earth. As a means to reach our mission, the organisation is scaling up its programme work and impact in order to reach more families at a faster pace using appropriate enhanced systems. This position will provide hands-on, professional and technical support to the Thusanang Dairy Coordinator to implement the Thusanang Dairy project based on Heifer’s proven global model.
The Dairy Project Assistant will be fully involved and provide hands-on, professional and technical support in project activity planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in the Thusanang Dairy Project under the supervision of the Dairy Project Coordinator. Eighty per cent of the Project Assistants time will be spent on the field on implementation and supporting farmers and 20% for administrative and other activities.
This is a fixed –term, three-year contract position in the Programmes/Thusanang Dairy Project division/department.
The persons will report to the Thusanang Dairy Project Coordinator.
Responsibilities:
Programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and documentation- Support implementation and adherence to Heifer’s system of planning, monitoring and evaluation to assure that all projects are well implemented, achieve desired impact and scale, and well documented;
- Support the Dairy Project Coordinator to develop and implement Thusanang Dairy Project plans and budgets;
- Support the Dairy Project Coordinator to monitor progress toward project objectives and goals; adjusting plans and activities as necessary in order to achieve project goals;
- Conduct baseline surveys and support periodic, mid-term and final evaluations;
- Compile and submit accurate reports (weekly updates, field visit reports and any other reports requested by the Dairy Project Coordinator) thereby supporting monthly project reports and project progress reports preparation;
- Support maintenance of accurate records of project activities including trainings, financial expenditure, resource placement, and project participants as directed by the Dairy Project Coordinator;
- Support documentation of important project activities like placement of animals, POG Ceremonies through photographing and videotaping for fundraising and other purposes as directed by the Dairy Project Coordinator;
- Support establishment and maintenance of accurate records of productivity of dairy cattle, milk collection and facilitate delivery of raw milk for processing as needed;
- Support value chain development and actor empowerment so that project participants derive optimum benefits from the chain.
- Support the Dairy Project Coordinator to provide Heifer prescribed trainings and other relevant trainings to Thusanang project participants and other project areas as need be;
- Support Dairy Project Coordinator to train Thusanang Dairy project participants in dairy production, milk management and other relevant aspects of the dairy enterprise;
- Support the development of effective training reinforcement and follow-up strategies for encouraging on-going commitment to training.
- Assist groups in procurement of necessary equipment and supplies;
- Prepare for receiving livestock shipment, quarantine and acclimatisation measures should livestock shipment take place;
- Provide animal health support to ensure that Thusanang Dairy project animals are healthy and productive.
- Responsible for assets and materials under his/her charge;
- Support Dairy Project Coordinator to establish and maintain good relationships with livestock and other inputs suppliers and link farmers with such suppliers as need be;
- Support Dairy Project Coordinator to create linkages with Government departments and other partners in the field in a way that promotes Heifer’s visibility and raises its profile;
- Support Dairy Project Coordinator to ensure adherence to Heifer principles and that POGs are done according to plans.
- Diploma in agriculture, animal sciences, livestock (dairy) management or other related field;
- Minimum of two years hands-on working experience in rural community - smallholder dairy.
- Knowledge and ability to facilitate training sessions that effectively build capacity and provide the relevant skills to dairy project participants to manage their animals, milk and other enterprises;
- Working knowledge and experience in dairy animal husbandry including, housing, fodder production, health, milking etc.;
- Ability to use computer to prepare reports and other relevant documents;
- Ability to follow directives and to take basic initiative in the absence of the Dairy Project Coordinator;
- Ability to communicate via telephone and e-mail as required;
- Good public relations skills;
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, isiZulu, Sotho or isiXhosa;
- Ability to work amicably with other staff and travel independently within the country;
- Honesty and professionalism in dealing with colleagues, project participants, partner organizations and other project stakeholders;
- Valid driver’s licence.
Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.
Should you not hear from Heifer International South Africa within two weeks after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more about Heifer International South Africa, refer to www.heifer.org.za.
For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.
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Heifer South Africa: Thusanang Dairy Project Coordinator
Heifer International South AfricaPlease note: this opportunity closing date has passed and may not be available any more.Opportunity closing date:Wednesday, November 14, 2012Heifer International (Heifer) is a nonprofit organisation that works with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth.Opportunity type:Employment
Heifer International South Africa’s (Heifer) mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty in South Africa and care for the Earth. As a means to reach our mission, the organisation is scaling up its programme work and impact in order to reach more families at a faster pace using appropriate enhanced systems.
Heifer South Africa seeks to appoint a Project Coordinator for the Thusanang Project, based near Matatiele, Eastern Cape.
Heifer International South Africa’s (Heifer) mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty in South Africa and care for the Earth. As a means to reach our mission, the organisation is scaling up its programme work and impact in order to reach more families at a faster pace using appropriate enhanced systems. This position will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the Thusanang Dairy Project, based on Heifer’s proven global model, sound planning, monitoring, and evaluation practices for improved livelihoods in community project areas.
Under the supervision of and in consultation with the Director of Programmes, the Thusanang Dairy Project Coordinator will lead and manage programme planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project activities. Seventy per cent of the Project Coordinator’s time will be spent on the field on implementation and supporting project participants and 30% for administrative and other activities.
This is a fixed –term, three-year contract position in the Programmes/Thusanang Dairy Project division/department.
Responsibilities:
Programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and documentation- Lead implementation and adherence to Heifer’s system of planning, monitoring and evaluation to assure that Thusanang dairy project is well implemented, achieve desired impact and scale, and well documented;
- In collaboration with the Director of Programmes and the Fundraising, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, develop and implement the Thusanang Dairy project plans and budgets within the Jobs Fund agreement parameters;
- Monitor progress toward project objectives and goals; adjusting plans and activities as necessary in order to achieve project goals;
- Coordinate out baseline survey and support periodic, mid-term and final evaluations;
- Compile and submit accurate reports (weekly updates, field visit reports, monthly project reports and project progress reports) within prescribed guidelines and deadlines to Director of Programmes;
- Maintain accurate records of project activities including trainings, financial expenditure, resource placement, and project participants;
- Document important project activities like placement of animals, POG Ceremonies through photographing and videotaping for fundraising and other purposes;
- Establish and maintain accurate records of productivity of dairy cattle, milk collection and facilitate delivery of raw milk for processing as needed;
- Facilitate value chain development and actor empowerment so that project participants derive optimum benefits from the chain;
- Monitor developments in the dairy sector and advise project participants appropriately in terms of milk quality, sanitation etc. and ffacilitate identification and participation in other business opportunities related to the dairy enterprise.
- Provide Heifer prescribed trainings and other relevant trainings to project participants in the Thusanang Dairy project;
- Train Thusanang Dairy project participants in dairy production, milk management and other relevant aspects of the dairy enterprise;
- Develop effective training reinforcement and follow-up strategies for encouraging on-going commitment to training.
- Assist groups in procurement of necessary equipment and supplies;
- Prepare for receiving livestock shipment, quarantine and acclimatisation measures should livestock shipment take place;
- Have animal health oversight to ensure that Thusanang Dairy project animals are healthy and productive;
- Assist partner organisation with the purchase of livestock where appropriate.
- Map and analyse value chains;
- Build engagements and relationships;
- Develop strategies for chain empowerment;
- Chain monitoring and evaluation.
- Financial management;
- Responsible for assets and materials under his/her charge;
- Establish and maintain good relationship with livestock and other inputs suppliers and link farmers with such suppliers as need be;
- Liaise with Government departments and other partners in the field in a way that promotes Heifer’s visibility and raises its profile;
- Ensure adherence to Heifer principles and that POGs are done when due.
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal sciences, livestock (dairy) management, agricultural economics, rural development or other appropriate and related field;
- Minimum of five years working experience in the dairy sector, rural/community development sector with strong project management skills;
- Knowledge and ability to facilitate training sessions that effectively build capacity and provide the relevant skills to Thusanang dairy project participants to effectively manage their dairy animals, milk and related enterprises;
- Knowledge and experience in dairy animal husbandary including, housing, fodder production, health, milking etc;
- Project management skills;
- Ability to facilitate value chain development;
- Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office;
- Ability to communicate via telephone, e-mail, instant messenger, as required;
- Ability to make decisions and to take initiative without close supervision;
- Excellent public relations skills including courteousness, tact and good verbal and written communication;
- Self-motivated person with ability to work independently, and cooperatively with other staff;
- Ability to travel independently within or out of the country;
- Ability to maintain the highest level of honesty and professionalism when dealing with Heifer staff, donors, project participants, and partner organisations;
- Results oriented person capable of coordinating and executing multiple tasks;
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, IsiZulu, Sotho or isiXhosa;
- Valid driver’s licence.
Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.
Should you not hear from Heifer International South Africa within two weeks after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more about Heifer International South Africa, refer to www.heifer.org.za.
For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.
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Follow and support the 2012 SANGONeT "No Pain No Gain" fundraising and awareness-raising campaign. Refer to www.ngopulse.org/npng for more information.
African Farmers Can End Food Insecurity - WB
A new World Bank report states that Africa’s farmers can potentially grow enough food to feed the continent and avert future food crises, if countries remove cross-border restrictions on the food trade within the region.
The bank maintains that the continent could also generate an extra US$20 billion in yearly earnings if African leaders can agree to dismantle trade barriers that blunt more regional dynamism.
With as many as 19 million people living with the threat of hunger and malnutrition in West Africa’s Sahel region, the Bank report urges African leaders to improve trade so that food can move more freely between countries and from fertile areas to those where communities are suffering food shortages.
To read the article titled, “World Bank: African farmers can end food insecurity,” click here.Source:This Day LiveSouthern Africa Food Insecurity Worsen
The United Nations deputy humanitarian head says food shortages are ‘a chronic problem’ in Southern Africa and more than 5.5 million people in eight countries need aid this year, a 40 percent increase compared to 2011.
Catherine Bragg, winding up a five-day Southern Africa trip, said worsening food shortages are the result of drought or floods and rising world food prices.
Braag states that in Zimbabwe, 1.6 million people are affected by food shortages and many rural families have begun selling village livestock, often kept as a symbol of status and wellbeing, to cope with the ‘dire situation’.
To read the article titled, “Southern Africa food shortages worsen,” click here.Source:News24World Grain Reserves Low - FAO
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says that world grain reserves are so dangerously low that severe weather in the United States or other food-exporting countries could trigger a hunger crisis next year.
FAO senior economist, Abdolreza Abbassian, points out that, "We've not been producing as much as we are consuming. That is why stocks are being run down. Supplies are now very tight across the world and reserves are at a very low level, leaving no room for unexpected events next year.”
In addition, the agency’s figures released this month suggest that 870 million people are malnourished and the food crisis is growing in the Middle East and Africa.
To read the article titled, “UN warns of worldwide food crisis in 2013,” click here.Source:Mail & GuardianNGO, Govt, Fight Hunger and Poverty
Zambia has experienced more than a decade of food production declines which has resulted in widespread hunger and poverty in rural communities.
The organisation works with rural communities specifically and priority is given to income generating projects, which include small-scale enterprises in farming, beekeeping, aquaculture, agro-processing, carpentry and other skills training, in targeted communities.
This is good especially in a country where many rural poor people - both children and adults (especially women) - face hunger and poverty, which has increased malnutrition cases among children below five years.
To read the article titled, “Chipata NGO joins govt in rural hunger, poverty fight,” click here.Source:All Africa868 Million People Starve Worldwide, Says FAO
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says that one out of every eight people in the world is chronically undernourished.
The UN agency warns that progress to reduce hunger has slowed since 2007/08 when high food prices sparked riots in several poor countries.
In its latest report on food insecurity, FAO estimates that 868 million people are suffering hunger in 2010-2012, or about 12.5 percent of the world's population, down more sharply than previously estimated from about 1 billion, or 18.6 percent in 1990-92.
To read the article titled, “1 in 8 in the world going hungry: UN,” click here.Source:News24ADB Invests in SMMEs to Overcome Poverty
The African Development Bank (ADB) says it has ploughed about R17.5 billion into small and medium businesses in Africa to create jobs and fight ‘endemic’ poverty.
Disclosing the figure at the Innovation Africa summit, which was held in Cape Town, the bank stated that the continent needs decisive and ambitious leadership, warning that poverty, poor infrastructure development and corruption all hamper the continent's development.
To read the article titled, “ADB pumps billions into business in Africa,” click here.Source:SABC NewsRemittances Lift Many Out of Poverty - Biyase
According to a research paper published by University of Johannesburg economics lecturer, Mduduzi Biyase, remittances that mine and other workers send to family members and relatives are lifting 20 percent of the population out of absolute poverty.
Biyase states that despite the long history of migrant labour in South Africa, surprisingly little work has been done to measure the effects of remittances on poverty.
Biyase, who used a newly available data set compiled by the University of Cape Town’s Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Group, found if remittances were excluded from actual incomes, then the percentage of people living in absolute poverty would be 67 percent.
To read the article titled, “Remittances keeping 20 percent of citizens above poverty line,” click here.Source:Business Day LiveCall to End Poverty and Inequality in SA
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) must work on a social contract to address growing poverty and inequality in South Africa.
Motlanthe points out that, “Now is the time to begin laying the basis for a social contract for our labour relations and our labour market that will contribute to achieving a more equitable and inclusive form of economic growth.”
Addressing the annual summit of NEDLAC, the negotiating chamber for the government, labour and business, he said the judicial commission of inquiry into last month’s massacre at Lonmin’s Marikana mine will help the government to deliberate fully on the events and decide on an appropriate course of action.
To read the article titled, “Motlanthe, Vavi focus on inequality,” click here.Source:Independent Online
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