CNFA-AMD Project
US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development
SCOPE OF WORK
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Project Name
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CNFA-AMD/ Project Number AID-391-C-15-00003
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Consultancy Assignment
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Assist to develop Feed database, library building for ration program & calibration of NIR.
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Consultant Title
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Feed & Large Ruminant Nutrition Specialist
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Reports to
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Sector Lead/ Chief Technical Advisor-AMD
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Place of Performance
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Lahore , with frequent visits to different areas of Punjab and Sindh , Pakistan
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LOE:
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180 working days
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Estimated Period of Performance:
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February 1, 2018 to December 30, 2018
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Project Description:
The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) is a USAID funded project that aims to improve the ability of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture and livestock sectors to compete in international and national markets in four targeted product lines: meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes and citrus. AMD will act as a catalyst for development and investment in its targeted product lines by actively promoting cooperation and coordination amongst the value chain actors and ancillary service providers. AMD’s implementation strategy is underpinned by a strictly commercial and market driven approach with a clear focus on strengthening market access for its partner organizations, and supporting international marketing and sales efforts.
AMD encourages investments in its four target product lines through offering matching grants and technical assistance, and empowering stakeholders by developing synergies, upgrading and streamlining supply chains, providing technical assistance to optimize profit margins, and increase participation of women entrepreneurs, thereby helping make Pakistani meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes and citrus more profitable and competitive.
Objectives of Technical Assistance:
The objective of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to AMD team in developing Updated and researched database of the feed ingredients including grains, by products, non-conventional and fodder available in Pakistan livestock industry. The STTA will conduct this assignment through collection of ingredients samples from different parts of the country and oversee the laboratory tests from registered and credible feed testing labs in public / private sector. The results of lab tests will provide a data base of feed ingredients with nutrient profile on standard parameters. The STTA will further support in building library for ration formulating software programs for feedlot grantees. The STTA will also help in calibration of NIR machines of grantees with available database.
In the duration of 180 days STTA assignment, the Consultant will conduct field visits to feed markets, feedlot, backgrounding and dairy beef farms, feed testing labs in public and private sector, meetings with stakeholders of livestock / feed industry for data base generation assignment, library building of software programs and calibration of NIR machines.
Tasks
The STTA tasks will include but not be limited to:
1) Background reading of AMD Work Plan and published studies on previous feedlot studies conducted and marketing assessments of related businesses in Pakistan.
2) Onsite visits to feed markets, feedlot, backgrounding and dairy operations to understand the variety of all feed ingredients available in industry including grain products, by products, non-conventional feed resources and cereal / fodder crops.
3) Micro level survey of feed industry including markets, feed testing labs , academia / R&Ds through detailed on site visits and held meetings with their key management personnel.
4) Field visits to private companies / suppliers of feed, fodder and silage.
5) Collection of required samples (as per standard guidelines) of feed ingredients and submits to feed testing labs for nutrient profile testing.
6) Oversee the lab testing activities and re verify the random sample tests from reference labs to ensure the quality and authenticity of the database generated.
7) Build the library of the ration formulation software programs for approved feed lot grantees and partner feedlot (if required).
8) Onsite visits to all AMD feedlot and backgrounding grantees and partners in industry to suggest cost effective feeding regimes.
9) Backstopping to all software program users in Punjab and Sindh on need basis.
10) Calibration of NIR machines on updated feed database and backstopping to the grantees.
11) Oversee the trainings on feed, software program and NIR operation.
12) Any other assignment on feed assigned by sector lead / CTA / COP.
Deliverables:
The STTA deliverables will include but not be limited to:
1) Generate the list of conventional / non-conventional feed and fodder ingredients needed for laboratory tests.
2) Identify the appropriate laboratory from public / private sector inland or abroad for feed ingredients nutrient profile testing.
3) Develop the SOPs for sample collection, transportation, lab testing and validation from reference labs to generate the authenticated database for the industry.
4) Collect the feed ingredients from feedlot, backgrounding, corporate dairies and feed markets and submit to feed laboratories for nutrient profile testing.
5) Oversee the quality of feed testing practice in the laboratories and validate the lab testing reports through sample testing from reference labs.
6) Develop the final feed database through compiling the validated feed testing reports from laboratories.
7) Build the library for ration balancing software programs and the NIR machines of feedlot grantees.
8) Provide onsite technical backstopping to grantees / Users of ration formulation programs and NIR machines on need basis as suggested by sector lead.
9) Conduct onsite visits and suggest customized feeding regimes for feedlot operations on need basis as suggested by sector lead.
10) Conduct technical sessions in industry to guide the investors / existing feedlot on least cost feeding regimes to get optimum beef production.
Knowledge, Skill and Ability Requirements:
The consultant should have:
- An advanced degree in the field of veterinary sciences and animal nutrition.
- Extensive knowledge and vast experience of having worked with Pakistan feed industry especially in ruminant nutrition.
- Experience of working with commercial livestock organizations and livestock based development programs inland or abroad.
- Well understanding and sound knowledge on feed testing labs protocol and ruminant nutrient as per International recommended parameters.
- Sound knowledge and skill on library building of ration formulation software programs.
- Knowledge and skill on the calibration of NIR machines.
- Sound knowledge of feedlot feed management, backgrounding and dairy beef production.
- Excellent computer skills, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team
- Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills