Milk Quality Advisor

Prime International Consulting Ltd is seeking a Part time Milk Quality Advisor to work under the Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme (ZDTP).

ZDTP’s long term goal is to ‘sustainably strengthen the Zambian dairy value chain by increasing the quantity and quality of milk produced by smallholder farmers for commercial sale’.  The Programme team are working to do this under four output areas:

Output 1: On-farm production, inputs, systems and processes improved

Output 2: Capacity of farmers, extension officers and other dairy industry personnel increased

Output 3:  Market-led milk handling, quality and processing capacity increased

Output 4:  Policy and regulatory framework improved

Since the programme’s inception in January 2017, ZDTP has been providing business and extension support to six smallholder dairy cooperatives and their farmer members in the Central and Copperbelt Provinces.  This has focused on supporting the safe, temperature controlled and hygienic movement of milk from the cow to the storage facility at the Milk Collection Centre (MCC), in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders (extension staff from milk processors, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dairy Association of Zambia and NGO’s/donor funded programmes).

To date, capacity building in Milk Quality for ZDTP’s business and extension team has been provided by a short time New Zealand based Milk Quality Expert.  As part of ZDTP’s approach to sustainability beyond the term of the programme (December 2021) and ensuring MCC and ZDTP staff have readily available access to quality advice, we are recruiting for the part time role of Milk Quality Advisor.

The Milk Quality Advisor will work closely with the Business and Extension teams to develop the capacity of extension staff, farmers and MCC staff to ensure safe, temperature controlled and hygienic movement of milk from the cow to the storage facility at the MCC and onward transfer to the processor.  He / she will initially be supported by the short-term Milk Quality Expert who will continue to make occasional visits to the programme to ensure continuation of the progress made to date.  It is expected that the Milk Quality Advisor will be available to work for ZDTP for approximately 4 – 5 days per month, with much of this work centred around visits to the MCCs and field teams in the Central and Copperbelt Provinces.

As necessary, the Milk Quality Advisor will provide expert advice to support ZDTP to work with milk processors, relevant Ministries and Standard Setting Bodies, and the wider industry to ensure there are uniform standards for milk quality and a transparent mechanism for pricing and testing milk.

Areas of work focus

• Support the business and extension teams to continue to develop, implement and report on Milk Quality Improvement Plans for ZDTP supported Cooperatives in Central and Copperbelt Province;
• Work closely with the Senior Dairy Field Extension Officer to provide training, capacity building and support to Extension Officers to develop their capacity to support farmers to produce safe, hygienic milk, which is transported to the local MCC;
• Work closely with Cooperative Business Support Officers to help Cooperative Boards and MCC staff efficiently manage and administer MCCs;
• As necessary, provide training to milk attendants at ZDTP supported Milk Collection Centres;
• Work with national and international staff to develop / update simple SOPs for all procedures necessary for hygiene production of milk, from farm to storage at the MCC and transfer to the processor;
• Develop a tool(s) which can be used to independently monitor and audit progress made at each MCC which aligns with good industry practice;
• Dependent on skills and experience, provide advice on milk processing, testing / lab establishment, solutions for ‘off grid’ storage, assessment / maintenance of milk chilling / transfer solutions;
• Provide any necessary support on policies, standards and legislation related to Milk Quality.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s in Food Hygiene / Safety or related area of study;
• Over ten years’ equivalent experience in Milk Quality, Processing, Standards and related areas;
• At least 10 years’ experience working in a range of settings to improve milk hygiene and quality;
• Excellent understanding and working knowledge of industry good practices which relate to milk quality;
• Solid understanding of the smallholder dairy industry and challenges farmers face in producing and transporting milk, such as issues with distance, cold chain, hygiene, etc;
• Critical thinker with demonstrated ability to use initiative to find appropriate solutions in developing countries;
• Experience developing, implementing and monitoring SOPs to assure the production, transport, storage, processing and testing of safe milk and milk products;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral;
• History of collaboration with other actors, preferably to include governments or regulatory authorities;
• Is able to work as part of team, adapt to emerging situations and support the personal development of ZDTP’s team of extension and business professionals and MCC staff;
• Strong skills in relevant Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).

Desirable

• Masters in a relevant subject, e.g. Veterinary Public Health;
• Experience reviewing and inputting into the development of legislation, policies and standards in the area of milk quality.

Application Process Required Documents

1) Cover letter which highlights how your skills and experience align with the areas of work focus and states your expected daily rate in USD.

2) An up-to-date Resume/C.V.

3) A minimum of three (3) up-to-date referees.

NOTE: applications that use a generic cover letter will not be considered.

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