Background
The Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihood in Africa (Live2Africa) project is a project being implemented by the AU-IBAR with support from the EU as part of implementation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDESA). The overall goal of the project is to transform the African Livestock sector for enhanced contribution to socio-economic development and equitable growth. The project’s specific objective is to strengthen the systemic capacity of the continental, regional and National livestock sector stakeholders for the transformation of the livestock sector.
The project has six result areas and result area two (2) aims at improving animal health Service Delivery in Africa. Among the key areas for improvement are the strengthening of PVS competencies in the AU Member States and the adoption of several ‘One Health’ initiatives including changes in inter-sectoral approaches. The TORs are addressing: Live2Africa (animal health Component) activity 2.1.4.3 on review of the state of play of the veterinary public health function in Africa's National Veterinary Services and develop a road map for their enhancement to strengthen food and public health safety of livestock products.
Given the important role veterinary services play in Public Health in areas such as Zoonoses, control of antimicrobial resistance and food safety among others there is a need to strengthen the Veterinary public health functions in AU Member States. Cognizant of the complex inter-relationships between animal health, human health, wildlife and their environment, working towards optimal animal, human and environmental health requires an increasing emphasis on the one health approach. It is therefore important for veterinary public health functions to evolve in tandem with the principles of ‘One Health’.
The study aims to document the current status of the VPH functions in AU Member States in order to identify the systems and measures in place to support VPH functions including the extent of integration of the principles of ‘One Health’ and their alignment with OIE standards on veterinary public health and the quality of veterinary services.
The study will place emphasis on governance/systems and measures put in place to support the veterinary Public health function particularly in the areas of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance and other priority areas of VPH in the AU Member States. It will also assess the levels of inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration especially in activities related to the control of priority zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.
The results from the study will be used to design a road map for strengthening of the VPH functions in selected AU Member States.
The objectives of the consultancy
The broad objectives of the study will be to establish the current status of the veterinary public health functions in AU Member States and to develop a road map for piloting activities to strengthen the VPH functions in selected Member States based on the findings.
Specific Tasks
The indicative tasks to be undertaken for this study will include:
To design a questionnaire for collection of relevant data to:
determine the status of VPH functions, governance including the position in the departmental organograms;
determine the levels if any, of inter-sectoral collaboration, in implementing programs, policies, legislation and research and levels in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes
determine the current priority areas for VPH function in each country in relation to the activities being carried out at national levels as it relates to surveillance, prevention and control of zoonotic diseases and also in relation to addressing issues related to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), food safety among others in the respective countries
With support of AU-IBAR convene a virtual consultative meeting of key stakeholders in VPH.
To carry out interviews with identified stakeholders in selected Member States, to enrich the information collected using questionnaires
To review best practices from other continents, in relation to the VPH functions
To analyze and compile the key issues and propose intervention required to improve and upgrade the VPH functions in the countries in compliance with OIE standards on quality of veterinary services and veterinary Public Health including the ‘One Health’ approach
To prepare a roadmap for proposed interventions for strengthening of the VPH functions and present and discuss it with the relevant stakeholders for validation
Expected Outputs and deliverables
The outputs and deliverables will be as outlined below:
- A questionnaire
- An inception report
- A report outlining key findings and very clear recommendations for intervention areas
- A proposed road map for strengthening of the VPH functions
Approach and Methodology
A consultant will be engaged for the study. The scope of the work will include reviewing the current VPH status and functions in AU Member States and determination of how the functions relate to the emerging concept of one health, identify gaps and propose how the gaps can be addressed and propose interventions for improving the VPH function. The work will be done through use of questionnaires and a desk top study, with exploratory visits to selected countries (1 country per each of the 5 regions). A questionnaire will be designed to collect relevant data on the functions of the VPH and shared with respective departments for feedback. The consultant with support of AU-IBAR will convene an online workshop with all 55 departments of Veterinary Services to collect information.
Reference to the OIE PVS tool for competencies of VPH, and VPH in relation to National policies, strategies and legislation; documented administrative and institutional arrangements; National reports and relevant studies will be vital. The consultant will also be expected to consult and reflect on the trends of the VHP functions in relation to compliance with OIE standards.
Based on the feedback from stakeholders, the consultant will be required to use the information gathered to inform development of a road map as well as probable interventions for the improvement of VPH functions.
Consultant profile
Education
At least a post graduate degree in Veterinary Public Health or One Health
General Professional Experience
The candidate must have at least 10 years of proven experience in delivery of veterinary services and demonstrated experience in conducting similar studies in Africa
Specific Professional Experience
Demonstrated experience in various aspects of Veterinary Public Health including, governance, legislation, emerging and re-emerging disease including Zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.
Other skills and Competencies
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Proven Knowledge and experience of using participatory approaches
- Proven proficiency in either English and/French /Arabic/ and Portuguese.
Operational period of the consultancy
The assignment will be designed to take a total of 45 days to be used for collection of data and development of a road map for strengthening VPH functions.
Location of Assignment
Desktop studies and dissemination of questionnaires will be carried out in consultants’ work station with occasional visits to selected countries in each region.
Logistics
AU-IBAR will take the responsibility of contacting relevant departments in MSs as well as introducing the consultants to the departments. Consultants will be required to plan for their visits in liaison with AU-IBAR and the responsible officers on the ground. In case of travel outside the consultant’s country, AU-IBAR will provide all travelling logistics. Consultants will be required to take care of their own medical/travel
Maximum budget for the consultancy
The maximum budget for the consultancy is USD 13,500. Travel expenses will be met by AU-IBAR.
Evaluation Criteria
The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the technical quality, experience and competence of the candidates and a Financial Bid/proposal.
Technical and financial offer will have to contain the following information
- Introduction
- Contacts and addresses of the consultant
- Proposed methodology and approach
- Proposed work plan
- Estimated budget
Application deadline
The deadline for the offer is 12th of October 2021 17.00EAT.
How to apply:
Applications including a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) should be submitted through email to: procurement-210913-1@au-ibar.org
All applicants MUST duly complete, sign and/or stamp the attached DECLARATION ON EXCLUSION CRITERIA Form and submit it together with the application. Any application not accompanied by the duly completed DECLARATION form will be disqualified.
A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is also attached as information for the applicants.