Consultant Opportunity: Dual Purpose Chicken Parent Stock (STEPS)
Land O'Lakes Venture37
SCOPE OF WORK
Technical Assistance to Support in the Establishment of a Dual-Purpose Chicken Parent Stock Breeding Farm, Mafeteng District, Lesotho
Submissions Opening Date: April 23, 2025
Submissions Closing Date: April 30, 2025
Assignment Title: Dual-Purpose Poultry Breeder Farm Consultant
Assignment Dates: 12 May to 12 December 2025
Estimated Level of Effort: 15 Working Days
Location: Mafeteng District, Lesotho
Assignment Manager: N. Kuleile, Technical Director-Poultry, STEPS
Background:
Land O’Lakes Venture37 is implementing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS) program project in Lesotho together with partners Rural Self-Help Association (RSDA), World Poultry Foundation (WPF), and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and in close cooperation with the Government of Lesotho. STEPS is a five-year project which aims to increase agricultural productivity for poultry producers in Lesotho through improved inputs, services, finance and market linkages. STEPS aims to catalyze private sector-driven transformation enabling local poultry sector actors to access Lesotho’s strong end-markets and reclaim market share. STEPS will transform Lesotho’s poultry sector to enhance the profitability of value chain actors, increase meat, egg production, and improve food security.
Objectives:
STEPS aims improve farmer’s access to quality dual-purpose chicken day-old-chicks. RSDA has significant experience in managing small scale dual-purpose parent stock flocks at its farm in Mafeteng District. Improvements to the facilities, administration, management and breeder husbandry and health are required to guarantee the expected increase in demand. The staff’s capacity to manage dual-purpose breeding flocks, especially health and biosecurity, needs to be significantly strengthened.
A technical report by the World Poultry Foundation (WPF) recommended hiring a specialized consultant to provide hands-on training and oversight to improve the on-the-ground management of the Dual-Purpose Poultry (DPP) Parent Stock (PS) and other recommendations highlighted in WPF’s technical assessment needs report.
Overview:
The Dual-Purpose Poultry Breeder Farm Consultant would be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the optimal management and care of breeder flocks. This role would involve ensuring appropriateness of chick housing designs, and detailed planning and execution of chick placement, maintaining proper feeding and drinking spaces, ensuring correct stocking densities, following appropriate light schedules, implementing biosecurity measures, making feed allocation decisions, ensuring proper record-keeping, and adherence to vaccination schedules. While this position would coach the farm workers as a whole, the consultant would also specifically mentor and train the farm manager on all of these management aspects as well as coach the farm manager on how to track and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
Because of the hands-on nature of the role, candidates will be required to lodge on-site in an isolated rural location.
Key Responsibilities:
- Training and Mentoring: Provide ongoing training and mentorship to staff including the farm manager, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage the farm effectively.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Monitor and ensure attainment of KPIs, including mortality rates, egg production, fertility, and feed efficiency.
- Chick Placement Preparation: Ensure proper preparation for chick placement. This includes assuring appropriateness of designs in terms of size and orientation.
- Feeding and Drinking Space Management: Ensure adequate feeding and drinking space for all age groups to promote healthy growth and development.
- Stocking Density Management: Maintain the correct stocking density for different age groups to avoid overcrowding and ensure the well-being of the birds.
- Light Schedule Management: Follow and implement proper light schedules suitable for the age of the parent stock to enhance productivity and health.
- Biosecurity Implementation: Ensure strict biosecurity protocols are in place and followed to prevent disease outbreaks and maintain flock health.
- Feed Allocation Decisions: Make informed decisions regarding feed allocation to meet the nutritional needs of the birds at various growth stages.
- Weekly Weighing and Growth Monitoring: Conduct weekly weighing of birds to monitor their growth, calculate the Coefficient of Variation (CV %) or flock uniformity, and grade the flock into 2 or 3 groups to manage different weight populations separately, thereby improving flock uniformity.
- Vaccination Schedule Adherence: Ensure vaccination schedules are followed, and vaccines are administered correctly to maintain flock health and prevent diseases.
- Record Keeping: Maintain comprehensive records both manually and electronically for all farm operations, including feeding, health, and production.
- Egg Collection and Storage: Ensure fertile eggs are collected a minimum of 4 times per day at set intervals. Store eggs at the correct temperature and humidity to maintain embryo viability and ensure proper hygiene for fertile eggs.
- Nest Box Hygiene: Ensure proper nest box hygiene, ensuring eggs are laid in clean nests daily. This involves routine cleaning of nests, weekly removal and replacement of nesting material, and adding 5g of paraformaldehyde powder or grains to disinfect the nest and nesting material.
Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this assignment, staff at the RSDA Dual-Purpose Poultry (DPP) Parent Stock (PS) Farm will be equipped with the systems and knowledge to manage the unit effectively including all administrative, management and technical skills.
Timeframe:
The expected start date is 15 of May 2025. The Consultant is expected to support the Dual-Purpose Breeder Unit for approximately 15 working days per month including travel days and report writing. The expected end date is 12 of December 2025.
Outputs:
The consultant will provide a succinct report to RSDA and Land O’Lakes Venture37 at the end of each field trip engagement to include:
- Summary
- Table of Content
- Introduction (Background, Objectives, Scope)
- Details of Activities (Findings, Results)
- Progress to Date
- Challenges
- Conclusion and Recommendations
- Annex: Actual v Forecast Work Plan
- Annex: Photos
Qualifications:
- Minimum, a Diploma in Agriculture specializing in Animal Science or Animal husbandry.
- Preferrable a certificate in Agriculture or Animal Health, (bachelor’s degree in animal science, veterinary science, or related field a degree is an added advantage).
- Extensive experience in parent stock poultry farm management, specifically in dual-purpose chicken breeder operations (minimum 2 years).
- Strong knowledge of poultry nutrition, health, and biosecurity protocols.
- Experience in Lesotho or the Southern Africa Region; Preferably based in Lesotho or the Southern Africa Region.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and make informed decisions.
Work Environment:
· Isolated rural location within Mafeteng District. The role involves supporting in both farm and office settings.
· Regular interaction with farm staff and management to ensure the effective implementation of standard operating procedures.
Submission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a Cover Letter and CV to steps@landolakes.com and indicate their daily rate in US Dollars or Loti.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Selection Criteria:
The proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Cost: Daily rate for the services, including travel costs (30%)
- Qualifications and Past Performance: Consultant holds relevant qualifications (35%)
- Technical Demonstration: relevant past work, experience and performance (35%)