Volunteer Opportunities

REMOTE ASSISTANCE: Study on the Availability of Livestock Feed Resources in Guinea

Winrock International requests the support of a Guinea-based, national Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer and an American (remote) Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer for a 60 day volunteer assignment located in Coyah The volunteers will work together with the technical staff from the National Confederation of Socio-Professional Livestock Sector Actors in Guinea (CONASEG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to conduct a study on the availability of feed resources for livestock. The study will help CONASEG to design intervention strategies aimed at optimizing feed use and animal production and should follow the approach presented in the Gendered Feed Assessment Tool (G-FEAST) produced by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) https://www.ilri.org/feast . In this study, G-FEAST will be applied to assess the availability and use of local feed resources by characterizing gender aspects influencing feeding practices with the goal of designing livestock feed intervention strategies in Guinea. The national volunteer will conduct the training/technical assistance in person, with the U.S. volunteer participating remotely. 

The US volunteer will work directly with a Guinean local volunteer to develop survey tools similar to those advocated by G- FEAST. The latter in turn will train CONASEG's technical staff to lead field data collection. Farmer-to-Farmer Guinea anticipates that there may later be an opportunity for a follow-on assignment whereby a US volunteer will travel to Guinea to verify survey findings and present the final report. This in-person component is contingent on global travel risk assessments and will be implemented under a separate, stand-alone F2F Guinea assignment number. 

The US volunteer should have the following qualifications and background: 

• Higher university degree in livestock, animal science, or related fields 

• At least 5 years’ experience in livestock feed studies, preparation techniques, genetic improvement, animal nutrition and diet, and management of livestock housing 

• Knowledge in study research and application of improved livestock feed and forage for animals such as cows, pigs, poultry, rabbits and small ruminants (goat and sheep) 

• Knowledge of the feed assessment tool (G-FEAST) 

• Proficiency in French is preferred but a translator will be provided by Winrock if necessary 

• Proficiency with platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and/or Microsoft Teams to participate in or facilitate training. 

Summary of US volunteer role: 

• Discuss objectives and the collaboration approach at the start of the assignment, with the national based Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer, through Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with facilitation by Winrock local staff. 

• Work remotely with the national volunteer to prepare all training materials and training agenda following G-FEAST. 

• If the technology (internet) allows it, facilitate some training sessions. If this is not possible, the local volunteer will conduct the full training in person. 

• Develop tools for processing data from surveys, analyze them and prepare the report. 

• Work with the national volunteer to prepare recommendations, draft a letter to the host, and complete a final End of Assignment report. 

***As part of the Farmer-to-Farmer Consortium, this assignment is made possible through USAID funding. In accordance to USAID guidelines, any candidates submitted for consideration under this project must have a valid US passport or Green Card.***