Basic Function:

Teagasc is seeking to appoint a Technologist to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within Teagasc’s Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme (AGRIP) and Rural Economy and Development Programme (REDP) in collaboration with research-orientated organizations in 4 other European countries that are involved in the Greensheep project. Greensheep will tackle the challenge of reducing sheep carbon footprint whilst ensuring the technical, economic, environmental, and social sustainability of sheep production. The appointee will have a key role in implementing and managing the Greensheep project. The role of the technologist will include: maintaining a network of national and international stakeholders in the small ruminant industries; developing a common European framework on GHG emission and environmental sustainability in sheep production; developing a national action plan for sheep production to reduce GHG emissions and improve overall sustainability; monitoring and co-ordaining with a network of Demonstration and Innovative farms to improve farm level sustainability; quantifying the effect of technologies that can mitigate GHG emissions on sheep farms; ensuring efficient and extensive dissemination (including peer review publication); and analysis of the socio-economic impacts of the project.

Background:

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is the leading research, advisory and education organization in Ireland, focused on the needs of the agriculture and food industry, with both an applied and basic research programme. At Athenry, Co Galway Teagasc operates a research programme that focuses on technologies that impact many aspects of sheep production including grassland/grazing management, nutrition, sheep breeding and reproduction, flock health and welfare, precision livestock technologies, thematic networks and carbon footprint of sheep production. Currently the EU is only 85% self-sufficient in sheep meat and is the second largest sheep meat importer worldwide. Globally small ruminants account for 56% of the domestic ruminant population and 7.4% of global GHG emissions (methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide). The overall objective of the Green Sheep project is to reduce sheep carbon footprint by 12% whilst ensuring the technical, economic, environmental and social sustainability of sheep enterprises, thus improving interaction between climate change and livestock production. The project also aims to evaluate innovative practices that can mitigate GHG emissions, and develop and assess methodologies that have the potential to reduce GHG emissions and the environmental foot print of sheep meat production.

• To implement and manage the agreed Greensheep programme.
• Liaise closely with staff members of the Greensheep project (both within Teagasc, international collaborators and stakeholder groups), Teagasc Research and Knowledge Transfer Specialists/Advisors to ensure effective delivery of the programme.
• Develop the Teagasc NFS data collections requirements to produce relevant data for the Teagasc Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Sheep model to generate estimates of the carbon footprint of Irish sheep production.
• Work collaboratively with Teagasc colleagues on the use of the Teagasc Sheep LCA model to deliver Sheep Green project outputs.
• Evaluate current systems/tools for assessing carbon footprint of sheep production systems.
• Ensure the smooth and timely transfer of results to the relevant partners and stakeholders.
• Interpret and publish research results in the scientific and popular press, at conferences (nationally and internationally) and to stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively with project members and stakeholders through different media.
• Regularly update social media platforms.
• Be proficient in the use of IT software and regularly add updates to the project’s website.
• Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Raise purchase orders for equipment and supplies as required.
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• To take up additional duties as may arise or as assigned by management

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.