BACKGROUND
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized Technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. Its mandate is 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 States of the African Union (AU). AU-IBAR accomplishes its mandate through supporting and empowering the AU Member States, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other stakeholders in the sector. AU-IBAR’s vision is of an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to the reduction of poverty and hunger.
AU-IBAR led a multi-stakeholder process that brought together livestock sector actors from across the African continent in the formulation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA). The Strategy, which provides a 20 year framework for the collective, coordinated development and transformation of the livestock sector on the continent, was approved and endorsed by the AU Heads of State and Government in January 2015. The LiDeSA is to be jointly implemented by all sector actors including Member States and Regional Economic Communities.
To kickstart the implementation of the continental components of the LiDeSA, the European Union funded a Pan-Africa Support to the AU-IBAR for the Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa (Live2Africa) Project, which is to be implemented in partnership with Member States, Regional Economic Communities and other key livestock stakeholders. The overall objective of the Project is ‘To support transformation of the African livestock sector for enhanced contribution to environmentally sustainable, climate resilient, socio-economic development and equitable growth. The specific objective of Live2Africa is to strengthen the systemic capacity of continental, regional and national livestock sector stakeholders for the economically, environmentally and socially sustainable transformation of the livestock sector.
The Live2Africa Project pioneers a comprehensive and integrated continental initiative that addresses all the subcomponents of livestock development utilizing a value chain approach, focusing on selected priority regional livestock value chains. The initiative is developed along seven Results aligned to the LiDeSA: Result 1: Investments in livestock value chains (LVCs) are increased; Result 2: Animal Health Delivery Services are improved; Result 3: Animal Production, Productivity and Ecosystem Management are enhanced; Result 4: Resilience of Livestock Production Systems are strengthened; Result 5: Technology adoption in the Livestock Value Chains is increased; Result 6: Access to inputs, services, markets and value addition are increased; Result 7: AU-IBAR capacities are strengthened.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
AU-IBAR is seeking the services of an Individual short-term Investment and Marketing Consultant. Under the management supervision of the Live2Africa Project Officer, and the overall supervision of the Acting Director AU-IBAR, and liaising with the Economics, Trade and Marketing Unit on technical matters, the Consultant will undertake operations related to increasing investments in six priority regional livestock value chains (RLVCs), polices and regulations, partnerships with public and private sector, and other actors to enhance access to inputs, services, processing and value addition, markets and trade.
The specific tasks will include:
- Support/ strengthen analysis and update of the six regional livestock value chains in alignment with broader continental and regional policy frameworks
- Support implementation of strategic investment and marketing interventions and activities identified for the six RLVCs to drive catalytic growth in commercialization in the livestock sector and transformation of livelihoods
- Support studies to create an evidence base to inform policies and strategies to improve investment in and enhance markets for the six regional livestock value chains.
- To boost regional value chain and agribusiness development support identification of business opportunities to attract increased investments for the six priority regional livestock value chains (RLVCs) that have high potential for growth at scale
- Support identification and establishment of innovative Public-Private-Producer Partnerships that provide implementable and profitable solutions to addressing key constraints in the six priority regional livestock value chains
- Contribute to the development/strengthening of national or regional livestock market information systems
- Prepare policy papers and technical reports on investments and marketing in the livestock sector in Africa
- Support documentation and drawing out lessons learn, best practices and approaches for building sustainability and upscale of the various interventions along the six priority regional livestock value chains
- Develop a system for the efficient monitoring of public and private sector investments and markets.
- Support technical backstopping missions in delivery of projects and programmes in livestock agribusiness, investments, trade and marketing.
- Contribute to AU-IBAR’s regular monitoring and evaluation exercises and reporting.
- Provide support and technical back-stopping in other areas of AU-IBAR’s work and undertake other activities as may be required by the Director within the consultancy period
Academic Qualifications & Work Experience Required:
Academic Qualifications:
At least a Masters in agricultural economics (preferably livestock economics), agribusiness, investment, marketing, business, finance, international development or related field from a recognized University, with 7 years of work experience as described below.
Or a Bachelor’s Degree in economics or agricultural economics (preferably in animal resources/livestock economics), agribusiness, finance, investment, marketing, international development from a recognized University with 10 years of work experience as described below.
Work Experience:
A minimum of seven years (with Master’s Degree) or ten years (with Bachelor’s Degree) with progressive experience in investment, marketing, and private sector development is required. Experience working in value chain development and agribusiness, with demonstrated experience with African regional livestock value chains. Experience working with public and private sector agribusiness sector institutions and actors. Experience in project implementation, training and capacity development. Demonstrated experience in undertaking relevant studies and in the development of related knowledge products for a wide range of audiences.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge of livestock development in Africa with skills in investment, value chain analysis and development, agri-business development, marketing and trade
- Capacity for policy analysis, policy formulation and advocacy, development of cooperatives and farmer groups, development of public private partnerships for agribusiness, trade and marketing; and knowledge of inclusive and sustainable development and gender issues;
- Proven relevant computer skills: full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and common internet applications will be required.
- Communication: effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner
- 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.
- Self-motivated with initiative
Evaluation Criteria
Criteria Scores (%)
Qualifications 25
Work Experience 35
Required Skills and Competencies 35
Language and other Skills 5
Language and other skills
Proficiency in English with ability to write reports is required. Working knowledge of French is an asset. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage. Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, and other Project staff)
Reporting:
Monthly Progress Reports:
The consultant is expected to submit monthly progress reports for approval with invoices before payments are made.
Duty Station, Duration of the Contract
The Consultant will be based at AU-IBAR Offices in Nairobi, Kenya. The duration of this assignment is for Six (6) Months
Remuneration
The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed monthly amount of USD 7,000.00 (Seven Thousand United States Dollars). Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations
Tax and Other Legal Obligations
The Consultant will be responsible for any tax obligations.
Medical Cover
The consultant will be responsible for his/her medical and life covers during the period of assignment.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Supervision and reporting
The candidate will be under the direct supervision AU-IBAR’s Live2Africa Project Officer with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR. The Live 2 Africa Project Officer will have the responsibility of approval of reports
How to apply:
Application deadline
The deadline for submission of proposals is 19th May 2022, 17.00 hours, Nairobi Local Time.
The address for submission of applications is:
procurement-20220419-1@au-ibar.org with a copy to albert.obiero@au-ibar.org
Applications should include all the documents listed below. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from further evaluation.
Documents forming part of this Request
Documents to be submitted with the application
- Technical proposal indicating the approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment. The technical proposal should include a detailed curriculum vitae with references, and previous relevant work experience.
- Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates
- Identification documents e.g. national passport or ID with relevant biodata pages
- Signed declaration on exclusion criteria