This role is for one of Weekday’s clients
Salary range: Rs 1000000 - Rs 1400000 (ie INR 10 - 14 LPA)

Min Experience: 3+ years
Location: Patna, Bihar, India
JobType: full-time

We are seeking a technically proficient Program Officer – Livestock & Animal Health to support the design, implementation, and scaling of advanced livestock breeding, reproductive biotechnology, animal health, and productivity enhancement initiatives.

The role will focus on technically intensive interventions involving Artificial Insemination (AI), Sex-Sorted Semen deployment, Embryo Transfer (ET), In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), herd health management, and scientific feeding strategies. The candidate should possess deep expertise in reproductive biotechnology, veterinary science, fertility management, and livestock productivity improvement.

The position will involve working closely with government departments, veterinary institutions, dairy cooperatives, and private technology providers to strengthen breeding and animal health systems. The primary objective is to improve fertility outcomes, genetic advancement, animal productivity, and overall herd health at scale.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Artificial Insemination and Breeding Systems Strengthening

• Strengthen Artificial Insemination (AI) service delivery models, including doorstep AI services and cluster-based breeding systems.
• Monitor and improve conception rates, reproductive efficiency, and the quality of AI services.
• Establish and monitor quality-control protocols for semen handling, storage, Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) chain management, and field deployment.
• Develop and implement protocols for repeat breeding management and improved reproductive performance.

2. Sex-Sorted Semen and Genetic Improvement Programs

• Support the implementation, rollout, and monitoring of sex-sorted semen programmes.
• Identify high-potential livestock clusters for targeted genetic improvement interventions.
• Track key performance indicators, including conception rates, calving rates, and female calf ratios.
• Train and guide AI technicians on the appropriate handling, storage, and deployment of sex-sorted semen.
• Support the adoption of improved breeding practices to enhance the genetic quality of livestock populations.

3. Embryo Transfer and IVF Programs

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of Embryo Transfer (ET) and IVF-based genetic improvement initiatives.
• Support donor and recipient animal selection and management protocols.
• Monitor pregnancy confirmation rates, embryo survival, and overall breeding outcomes.
• Coordinate with certified ET practitioners, veterinary universities, and biotechnology partners.
• Develop strategies to scale advanced breeding interventions and promote high-genetic-merit herd development.

4. Animal Health Systems and Disease Management

• Strengthen preventive animal health programmes, including vaccination, deworming, and disease surveillance.
• Develop and improve herd health management protocols and strategies to reduce livestock morbidity.
• Monitor livestock mortality, disease incidence, and coverage of veterinary health services.
• Coordinate with state veterinary infrastructure and government disease-control programmes.
• Support the implementation of effective animal health interventions at the field and cluster levels.

5. Feeding, Nutrition, and Productivity Enhancement

• Support scientific feeding interventions, including ration balancing and fodder system improvements.
• Promote Total Mixed Ration (TMR) and cluster-based feeding models wherever feasible.
• Integrate nutrition and feeding strategies with reproductive performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitor productivity indicators, including milk yield, body condition scores, and livestock growth parameters.
• Identify opportunities to improve animal productivity through better nutrition and herd management practices.

6. Capacity Building and Technical Supervision

• Train veterinarians, AI technicians, para-veterinarians, and field workers on advanced reproductive technologies and animal health practices.
• Develop technical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational guidelines for AI, ET, IVF, and herd health management.
• Conduct technical reviews, field assessments, and performance audits of breeding and animal health service delivery systems.
• Provide technical guidance to field teams and implementation partners to ensure quality and consistency.

7. Monitoring, Data Analytics, and Reporting

• Monitor and report on key technical performance indicators, including:
• Number of AI services delivered and conception rates.
• Sex-sorted semen deployment and performance metrics.
• ET and IVF pregnancy success rates.
• Disease incidence and vaccination coverage.
• Improvements in milk yield and reproductive cycle efficiency.
• Develop dashboards, monitoring tools, and analytical reports for internal and donor reporting.
• Analyse programme data to identify performance gaps and recommend corrective interventions.
• Support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement of livestock breeding and animal health systems.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Educational Qualification (Mandatory)

• PhD or Master of Veterinary Science (MVSc) in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry is mandatory.

Experience Requirements

• For MVSc candidates: Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience in Artificial Insemination, reproductive technologies, or advanced livestock breeding programmes.
• For PhD candidates: Both freshers and experienced professionals will be considered.

Candidates should demonstrate experience or technical exposure in:

• Artificial Insemination programme management.
• Sex-sorted semen deployment.
• Embryo Transfer (ET) programmes.
• IVF-based breeding initiatives.
• Herd health and reproductive management.
• Livestock productivity enhancement.

Experience working with State Animal Husbandry Departments (AHD), dairy federations, veterinary institutions, or livestock development partners will be preferred.

Core Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of reproductive physiology, fertility management, and livestock breeding systems.
• Hands-on knowledge of semen handling, cryopreservation logistics, and Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) chain management.
• Understanding of ET protocols, reproductive synchronisation, and donor-recipient animal management.
• Knowledge of animal disease surveillance, vaccination planning, and preventive health systems.
• Ability to integrate breeding, nutrition, herd health, and productivity improvement interventions.
• Strong technical supervision, analytical, coordination, and reporting capabilities.

Must-Have Skills

• Artificial Insemination (AI)
• Sex-Sorted Semen
• Embryo Transfer (ET)
• Reproductive Biotechnology
• Livestock Breeding and Reproductive Management
• Animal Health and Herd Management