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Dairy Technologist (AAKTP Associate)

Anolei Women Camel Milk Cooperative Ltd.

Position/ Job Title: Africa Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Program (AAKTP) Associate – Dairy Technologist     

Post Number/Job Reference Number: EGKTP001

Application closing date/deadline: 1^st Feb 2022

Department: Dairy and Food Science and Technology Department

P.o box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya, Tel: 051-2217639, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Location: Isiolo County, Kenya

Salary: Circa KES 180,000 per month Consolidated

Hours: Full time (approximately 40 hours per week)

Tenure: 15 months of a fixed-term contract.

Accountable to:  KTP Knowledge Base Supervisors

Project Background and Company Information

Egerton University, in partnership with the University of Greenwich, UK, has gained funding for a 2-year project with the Anolei Women Camel Milk Co-operative. The project objective is to add value to camel milk value chain in Northern Kenya and to strengthen capacity for new value-added products and enhance productivity in camel milk production, collection, and marketing. This project is funded and supported by the UK Government through its African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (AAKTP) scheme.

Anolei Women Camel Milk co-operative has been in existence for the last 15 years selling camel milk to people living in towns. Currently the co-operative processes between 5000 to 7000 litres per day during dry and wet seasons respectively. The emphasis of the co-operative is on the marketing of fresh milk. The Anolei women group is now listed as an aggregation group in the Isiolo County strategic plan. The challenges they face as a co-operative include meeting the required quality and safety standards and diversification of its products. The co-operative currently occupies a unique niche in the camel milk industry in Kenya.

Qualifications and Skills Required  

• A BSc/MSc degree in dairy Technology OR registered for an MSc/PhD program in Dairy and Food Innovation Sciences.
• Must have worked in a Dairy Processing Plant for a minimum of one year. More work experience is an added advantage.
• Be versed with milk handling, processing, preservation, product development and marketing.
• Be versed with methods of Dairy value chain functional activities, sanitation, storage, and transportation of milk and milk products.
• Have attributes of understanding socio-economic, gender and cultural practices of pastoral communities and possibly camel milk production and processing.
• Knowledge of local geography, language, and geopolitical situation are an added advantage

The Role

The Anolei Women Camel Milk Cooperative is seeking applications from a dynamic and highly innovative Dairy Scientist to work in a camel milk value chain to develop innovative and improved methods of production, preservation, and utilisation of camel milk. This will entail product development and consumer/market research. The successful candidate will be based at the Anolei Women Camel Milk co-operative in Isiolo County, Kenya, supported by a team of Academic Experts from Egerton University, Department of Dairy and Food Science and Technology in collaboration with a team of Academic Experts from the University of Greenwich, based in the UK.

The Associate should be able to apply the basic principles of dairy microbiology, chemistry, physics, engineering, technology and economics to develop innovative and improved methods of production, preservation, and utilisation of camel milk. The Associate should be able to carry out experiments which relate to product development and consumer/market research. Moreover, the Associate should also have a good understanding of dairy equipment, milk handling, processing, packaging, storage, distribution and marketing.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

The general responsibility of the KTP Associate is to deliver the following project requirements as per the KTP program and work plan. The tasks include:

• Work on enhancing the company sanitary and milk hygiene practices and diversify its product range (dry camel meat, camel milk, yoghurt etc.)
• Work to create a coherent brand identify for the company and increase its overall efficiency.
• Engage with various stakeholders in the camel milk value chain, to build a trust-based relationship, to provide higher quality and safety standard of products.
• Enhance collaboration with suppliers and consumers.
• Enhance the company's capability to train and equip the camel milk producers with skills and knowledge in food safety aspects.
• Work towards building the company's capability to engage in the long-distance and international market for their products.
• Explore the possibilities for Export of camel milk-based functional food and nutraceutical products to the international market as one of the high goals of the women co-operative.
• Explore the UK retail and food industry market as one of the potential future markets for camel milk.

The Associate must, at all time, take responsibility for his/her health and safety and comply with rules and guidance relating to health and safety matters. He/she shall take any other responsibilities that may fall under the scope of the project work plan. He/she should work as part of the team and organise his/her work to ensure it is completed within the agreed timeframe.

Benefits 

• Funding for personal training and development @ 10% of the time from project work mentored and supported by partners.
• Excellent opportunity to work with national and international academic researchers.
• Training in project management, KPT residential modules in the UK.

For Applying for this position, please send your full CV and a Cover Letter to the following contacts, before the closing date:

Prof. Joseph Matofari, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Dr Aditya Parmar, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Standard Notification

This job description is indicative, not prescriptive, and the balance of duties will be in accordance with the contract of employment. These guidelines are provided to assist the candidate to understand the general nature of the responsibilities and duties and perform the contract. The Associate is employed by Egerton University for the duration of the project. The university is a dynamic organisation; therefore, changes may be required from time to time. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post-holder. The principal duties and responsibilities and Role description are not intended to be an exhaustive list of tasks performed. Other associated technical tasks are likely to be performed as directed by the line manager.

It is accepted that individual staff will have specialist skills and knowledge base in relation to the role they have been appointed. In addition to this, Egerton University expects that the members of staff will conduct themselves professionally and courteously at all times and have particular regard for their responsibilities under Egerton University's Equalities, Financial, Human Resources and Health and Safety policies and procedure.