Background
The African Union Inter African Bureau is a technical institution under the Department of DARBE whose mission is to provide leadership and integrated support services for the development of animal resources in Africa. AU-IBAR is mandated to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the Member State of the AU. AU-IBAR accomplishes its mandate through supporting and empowering the African Union Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). AU-IBAR’s vision is of an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to the reduction of poverty and hunger. Founded in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation and fight rinderpest in Africa, AU-IBAR’s mandate covers all aspects of animal resources, including livestock, fisheries and wildlife, across the entire African continent, but fills a unique and strategic niche by working at continental and regional levels, with the RECs being key partners.
AU-IBAR led a cross-section of stakeholders in the livestock sector in Africa to formulate the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA), a 20 year framework for the collective and coordinated development of the livestock on the continent. The strategy was approved by the AU Heads of States and Governments of the AU in January 2015. In order to initiate the implementation of LiDeSA, the European Union made available funds to assist AU-IBAR implement the Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa (Live2Africa) project. As part of its coordination strategy and considering the high demand of services from RECs and Member states AU-IBAR is applying part of the funds to employ consultants in various disciplines to support the implementation of Live2Africa.
In this regard, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a consultant, animal health expert with a broad range of competencies in animal health, particularly with vast experience in the management of transboundary animal diseases in Africa, veterinary governance including policy and strategy development and networking. In addition, experience in livestock value chains, is essential. The consultant must have proven experience in managing and coordinating continental projects aimed at strengthening animal health systems.
Overall Objective
The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support for the implementation of the animal health component of the Live2Africa Project.
Tasks
- Provide technical support to Member States to review/update veterinary legislations and to undertake performance of veterinary services (PVS) self-evaluation;
- Support national veterinary services to develop and implement strategic plans;
- Support capacity development in key areas of veterinary services to enhance veterinary services delivery;
- Support member states develop and utilise TADs and zoonoses preparedness and response capacities ;
- Support operationalization of One Health (OH);
- Provide support to the Africa Association of the Veterinary Education Establishments (2A2E-V);
- Provide support to regional and continental coordination and harmonisation mechanisms to enhance animal health services delivery and control of TADs and zoonosis;
- Provide technical support to Member States to undertake disease prevention and control;
- Provide technical support for efficient implementation and coordination of live2Africca project;
- Provide technical support for the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) Secretariat;
- Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR.
Educational Qualifications
The successful candidate shall have a Master’s degree in Animal health discipline. A PhD will be an added advantage.
General professional experience
- At least 10 years of proven experience in public and/or private sector animal health services at national, regional or international levels;
- A good understanding of management of priority transboundary animal diseases in the different regions of Africa;
- Knowledge of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) standards;
- Knowledge of evaluation and assessment of various aspects of veterinary services using tools such as, needs assessment tools, expert opinion, PVS, JEE among others;
Specific professional experience
- Good understanding of capacity development for veterinary services in key competency areas for prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases based on international standards;
- Proven experience in coordinating national, regional or continental animal health projects;
- Proven experience working with and strengthening of regional animal health networks;
- A good understanding of veterinary legislation;
- Proven knowledge on the quality of veterinary services in line with OIE standards;
- Proven knowledge and experience on harmonisation of disease prevention and control especially in cross border areas;
- Experience in organising and facilitating stakeholder consultative meetings and preparation of reports/ proceedings;
- Proven record of scientific publications in refereed journals;
- Experience in formulating regional and continental animal health strategies and frameworks;
- Strong knowledge and experience on livestock values chains development;
- Proven knowledge of the coordination and knowledge sharing mechanisms for animal trypanosomiasis in the continent;
- Proven knowledge on One Health (OH) approach and operationalization of OH in the continent
- Experience in an international work environment is highly desirable
Skills and competencies
- Professionalism - Proven expertise in animal health, policy formulation and advocacy related to animal health management; demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge and proven analytical skills on issues related to animal health and sustainable development;
- Planning and organizing - Proven ability to plan and organize work within a project; ability to make timely decisions;
- Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view.
- Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
- Judgement/Decision-making - Good judgement and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact, ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve institution’s goals.
Language requirement
Proficiency in English; a working knowledge of Arabic, French or Portuguese will be an added advantage.
Supervision:
The consultant will be under the supervision of the Director AU-IBAR.
Deliverables:
Inception Report
An Inception Report within 5 days of commencing duty. The Inception report of not more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timeline/calendar and programme of activities and an outline of the contents of the Final Technical Report.
Monthly progress reports
The consultant is expected to submitted monthly progress reports for approval before payments are made.
Final Technical Report
The Final Technical Report should take into account comments from AU-IBAR staff. The final report must be submitted at the end of the period of implementation of the tasks.
Duty stations:
The consultant will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.
Duration:
The duration of this assignment is 6 months. The candidate should be available to undertake this assignment with minimum delay.
Remuneration
The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed monthly lump sum of USD 6,800.00. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.
Application deadline
The deadline for application is 5th November 2021
Medical and travel cover for consultant/s
The consultant/s will responsible for their medical and travel insurance cover/s during the duration of the consultancy.
How to apply:
Submission of proposals
Applications including a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) should be submitted through email to: procurement-211022-1@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