Artificial Insemination Technician

Title: RefresherTraining of Artificial Insemination Technicians

Location of Assignment: Sri Lanka, Regional

Proposed Level of Effort: 25 days

Anticipated Start Date: February 15, 2024

Anticipated End Date: March 15, 2024

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this assignment is to provide hands-on training to selected public and private Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians to improve their success rate.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a US based nonprofit that creates and expands economic opportunities, helping to lift those we support out of poverty. We believe that helping enterprises grow is the most sustainable way for communities to have access to jobs and for families and people to have opportunities for a better quality of life. We have helped businesses in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, create or save more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries across the world. Our major funders today are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

Sri Lanka’s dairy sector is currently not reaching its productive and economic potential. This is primarily due to farmers: not implementing best practices in dairy management resulting in low productivity and poor animal health, the lack of a sufficient amount of quality feed available which is subject to seasonal variation, inefficient management and utilization of available resources for livestock production, and limited extension services including artificial insemination services.

The Department of Animal Production and Health is giving private sector companies an opportunity to participate in complementing the on-going AI services provided by them. As such, several private sector companies have indicated interest and are taking a proactive approach in providing AI services to their respective farmers, especially in areas where AI services are lacking. They have requested refresher training for the identified AI service providers already trained, in addition to a monitoring process of services provided. MOD has introduced MOD-TRADE’s AI module to link farmers with AI service providers and offer a monitoring process for the DAPH and respective companies. In addition, MOD will provide AI training for the selected AI technicians.

APPROACH:

Under the leadership of the Productivity Director and with the assistance from Productivity Specialist, the AI expert will meet with the participating private sector companies and their selected AI technicians to obtain a first-hand understanding of existing AI practices. While introducing global best practices, the AI expert will also focus on addressing gaps identified during her/his field assessment in developing a comprehensive training program. The training will comprise both theory and hands-on practical session.

TASKS:

· Develop a training program introducing global best practices with the use of sexed semen, its success rate, appropriate methods of heat detection, the importance of timely AI services and farmer contribution for AI success rate.

· Develop training notes and power-point presentations in English. (MOD Field Office will assist in getting these translated into the two local languages)

· Conduct approximately five training sessions with 20-30 trainees that include theory and hands-on training in the field.

· Submit a report on the training assignment, including findings and recommendations. All written products need to be in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Power Point.

DELIVERABLES:

· Power point presentations used for training.

· List of participants in each training session.

ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS:

MOD Project Office will provide all logistical support including hotel accommodations and transport. The consultant is required to have her/his own computer.

LEVEL OF EFFORT:

The assignment will commence on/about February 15, 2024, and will continue through March 15, 2024.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP/OTHER CONDITIONS:

The consultant will work closely with the leadership of DAPH, the Ministry of Livestock Development, Provincial DAPH offices, and MOD’s Productivity Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive training on conducting AI on dairy cattle.
• Undergraduate university degree in an animal science or veterinary sciences.
• Exceptional understanding of reproductive problems and methods of overcoming them and hygienically accurate understanding of best AI practices in dairy cattle.
• Training skills, including participatory training in group settings specifically on AI.
• Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, mature, professional team player with excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to address issues, challenges, questions, and concerns in a professional, respectful, logical, and timely manner.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural contexts; prior experience working overseas—especially in South Asia—is beneficial