Intern – Animal Health – Illeret at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Intern – Animal Health – Illeret at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Location: Illeret ward, North Horr Sub-County, Marsabit, Kenya

Duration: 6 months

About Catholic Relief Services: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is dedicated to assisting the poor and vulnerable worldwide. Our Catholic identity is the cornerstone of our mission, welcoming individuals of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. As an international non-governmental organization (NGO), we operate in over 100 countries, providing aid based on need, without discrimination. CRS partners with local organizations, including governments, to implement programs effectively.

Background: CRS leads the USAID Nawiri Program in Kenya, funded by the USAID Office of Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The program’s goal is to sustainably reduce acute malnutrition levels in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), specifically Isiolo and Marsabit counties.

Nawiri is addressing acute malnutrition in 12 wards of Marsabit county, including Illeret, by enhancing livestock production and management practices to increase milk production and reduce malnutrition among Under-5 children, Pregnant, and Lactating Women (PLW).

Why: Illeret ward, located about 520 kilometers from Marsabit town, has limited support for livestock production and veterinary services. To bridge this gap, Nawiri is collaborating with county departments to engage an Animal Health Intern. The intern will enhance animal health service delivery, improve livestock disease management, and sensitize herders on zoonotic diseases.

How: The Intern – Animal Health will work closely with the Nawiri production officer and County Department of Veterinary Services. Responsibilities include:

1. Building strong coordination with county departments for effective interventions.
2. Collaborating with public and private animal health providers to deliver services.
3. Facilitating training on improved animal health practices.
4. Strengthening disease surveillance and reporting.
5. Promoting nutrition-sensitive practices in livestock production.
6. Monitoring production-related outputs and community feedback.
7. Compiling activity and field visit reports.

Role: Reporting to the Project Officer – Production (Livestock and Agriculture), the intern will:

• Coordinate with county departments for effective interventions.
• Collaborate with animal health providers to deliver services.
• Strengthen disease surveillance and reporting.
• Facilitate training on improved animal health practices.
• Promote nutrition-sensitive practices.
• Monitor production-related outputs.
• Compile activity and field visit reports.
• Participate in team meetings.

Personal Skills:

• Strong relationship management abilities.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

• English, Swahili, and Dassanach language (added advantage).

Travel Required:

• 90% of the time to targeted sub-counties of Marsabit.

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervision: Reports to Project Officer Production.
• Internal: Nawiri production officer (agriculture & livestock), SPO livelihood, Nawiri Markets Systems and Value chain officer, Caritas Production officers, and Caritas Markets Systems and Value chain officer.
• External: Local implementing partners, government departments, and local communities.

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Diploma in animal health from a Kenyan recognized institution.
• Registered by Kenya Veterinary Board (K.V.B.) or member of a relevant professional association.
• Completed relevant studies within the last two years.
• Computer literacy.
• Willingness to learn in a dynamic context.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Collaborates with Others
• Open to Learn

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change
• Develops and Recognizes Others
• Strategic Mindset

Note: This internship provides a monthly stipend and medical and Group Personal Accident cover, but it does not offer a salary or guarantee employment with CRS.

What We Offer: CRS provides an opportunity for graduates to learn and work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture dedicated to improving the lives of the poor worldwide.

About Us: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We work to save, protect, and transform lives in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. Our relief and development work covers areas such as emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

About the Team: CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, to live free from abuse and harm. We welcome candidates from the countries and regions where we work. If the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the assignment’s duration is determined by the job type, level, and agency needs.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Job Info:

• Job Identification: 3000973
• Job Category: Program Management
• Posting Date: 10/05/2023, 06:55 AM
• Apply Before: 10/19/2023, 03:59 PM
• Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
• Job Schedule: Full-time
• Job Shift: Day
• Location: APHIA IMARISHA Project Field Office, MARSABIT, Marsabit, KE (On-site)

Expert Tips To Be A Successful Applicant:

1. Show Passion: Demonstrate your passion for animal health and community development by citing specific examples from your experiences or coursework.
2. Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize your ability to work with diverse teams and your commitment to building strong relationships with colleagues, partners, and communities.
3. Communication Skills: Showcase your excellent communication and presentation skills, providing evidence of when you effectively conveyed information or ideas.
4. Proactive Attitude: Mention instances where you took the initiative, found creative solutions, or adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles or projects.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: Given the diverse contexts you may work in, illustrate your commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including experiences related to gender equality.
6. Adaptability: Share how you’ve coped with rapidly changing environments or learned new skills quickly, demonstrating your readiness for dynamic situations.
7. Learning Orientation: Provide examples of your openness to learning new things and how you’ve applied new knowledge in challenging contexts.

Remember, your application is your first impression. Make it count!