Publication of handbook on lessons learnt and best practices for technology uptake and transfer in animal resources sector

Background

The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR's mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as a resource for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU). The mission of AU-IBAR is to provide leadership in the development of animal resources in Africa through supporting and empowering AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

AU-IBAR recognizes the adoption of a 10-year Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) by the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit. It further recognizes the continent’s transformation agenda which re-affirms the impact envisioned through the Livestock development strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) and Agenda 2063. Therefore as part of providing leadership and coordination in the sustainable development of the continent, AU-IBAR is implementing a 5-year project on “Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa - Live2Africa”. The project pioneers a coherent continental programme approach to build systemic capacity in seven livestock components, that include: Investment in Value Chains, Animal Health; Animal Production, Productivity and Ecosystem Management; Resilience Building; Technology adoption in the Value Chains to inputs, services and markets; and strengthening institutional capacities.

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" while the specific objective 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.

One of the key project’s focus areas is to increase the utilization of innovation and technologies, and enhance the capacities and entrepreneurship skills of livestock value chain actors. Over the years, a large amount of technologies and innovations have been developed for the animal resources sector. Some of these technologies and innovations have been put to very good and productive use by the end-users. However, a large number of these technologies and innovations has not been utilized as intended, mainly due to lack of promotion and/or documentation, packaging and dissemination by extension services in many African countries. It is clear that documentation and/or packaging of technologies and innovations is the best way of increasing access to their end-users.

AU-IBAR is currently developing a compendium of technologies and innovations in the animal resources sector in Africa as well as a continental strategy on how best to implement successful research-extension-farmer linkages (REFILS). These two assignments will produce a collection and collation of technologies and innovations available as well as a strategy of how best these can be packaged for ready utilization by the farmers, as the main recipients. Given, the important role that the animal resources national extension service departments has in the transfer and uptake of technologies and innovations. It is imperative to tap on the experiences of national extension services (public and private) and identify lessons learnt and best practises on the transfer of technology and innovation to animal resources keepers. These need to be well synthesised and documented for ease of adoption by livestock keepers. . The challenges faced due to lack of funds for: training and, equipping national farmer schools, the disjointed linkages between research, extension and livestock keepers, weak policies and inadequate knowledge bases, amongst others, are issues that need to be addresses by the national extension services with the lessons learnt as well as best practises from these experiences, clearly articulated and documented for upscaling.

The proposed handbook will be used to interrogate the REFILS situation in Member States. The handbook will offer a springboard to propel the adoption of technologies and innovations by all stakeholders across the animal resources value chains. The handbook will offer a robust knowledge and evidence-based guide to inform policy formulation. This will guarantee seamless transmission and greater chances of adoption and utilization of the technologies and innovation by the users of animal resources.

There is therefore, need to develop a handbook of technologies and innovations for the animal resources sector to ensure the effective transmission and sustainable utilization of the products of innovation and technologies for the development of the animal resources sector in Africa.

Context of the Consultancy

One of the Results of the Live2Africa project seeks to ensure that Technology adoption in the Livestock Value Chains is increased. Under this Result it is envisioned that a handbook of technologies and innovations is published and disseminated to the end-users, the keepers of animal resources. This will ensure that innovations and technologies developed over the years on animal resources are best captured, synthesized, packaged and disseminated to the final beneficiaries for adoption and utilization. The consultancy should identify, compile, synthesize, document and package Best Practises and Lessons Learnt that will influence technology and innovation uptake by keepers of these resources as well as sustained transfer by national extension services, both public and private.

The assignment can take advantage of the products of two commissioned consultancies on the development of a compendium of technologies and innovations in the animal resources sector in Africa as well as the continental strategy on how best to implement successful research-extension-farmer linkages (REFILS). This assignment must produce a handbook of lessons learnt and best practises on utilization of technologies and innovations, which can be emulated and upscaled by keepers of these resources. The lessons learnt and best practises should be drawn from national extension services’ experiences and success stories on the use of existing technologies and innovations by the livestock keepers. This also applies to selected government or development partner funded initiatives on technology and innovation transfer.

The handbook, through the documented Best Practises and Lessons Learnt (from success stories and other challenging experiences), is expected to provide a catalyst that will promote improved technology transfer and utilization by stakeholders ultimately resulting in increased r productivity and production of animal resources in Africa.

Objectives

The main objective of this consultancy is to publish a handbook documenting Best Practices and Lessons Learnt in technologies and innovations for animal resources in Africa.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

1. Facilitate e-discussion or online survey on lessons learnt and best practises for technology and innovation transfer and uptake in the animal resources sector with national extension services (public and private)
2. Review, identify, analyse and synthesize national technology transfer strategies and identify gaps and entry points for interventions
3. Review existing policies and legislative frameworks on technologies and innovations, and identify gaps and entry points for interventions
4. Identify lessons learnt and best practices in technology transfer and uptake in animal resources sector by national extension services
5. Review institutional arrangements and capacity building practices in technology transfer and utilization in Member States.
6. Produce print-ready copy of handbook on Best Practises and Lessons Learnt on technologies and innovations for animal resources.

Expected Outputs of The Consultancy

Working closely with the Live2Africa Technology, Innovations and Skill development expert, the expected outputs of the consultancy will be:

1. An e-discussion on lessons learnt and best practises for technology and innovation transfer and uptake in the animal resources sector with public and private national extension services conducted and documented
2. A review, analysis and synthesis of existing Best Practises and Lessons Learnt on technology transfer and uptake of existing technologies and innovations for animal resources including identification of gaps and entry points for interventions, produced
3. A review existing policies and legislative frameworks on technologies and innovations, including identification of gaps and entry points for interventions, produced
4. Compilation of Best Practises and Lessons Learnt on technologies and innovations transfer and uptake for animal resources produced
5. A review of institutional arrangements and capacity building practices in technology transfer and utilization in Member States produced
6. Draft publication of handbook on Best Practises and Lessons Learnt for technology uptake and transfer in national animal resources sector extension services in Africa produced
7. Print-ready final copy of handbook on Best Practises and Lessons Learnt for technology uptake and transfer in national animal resources sector extension services in Africa produced

Inception Report (IcTR)

An Inception Report (IcTR) within 5 days of commencing duty. The IcTR 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 handbook on Best Practises and Lessons Learnt on available technologies and innovations for animal resources.

Handbook on Best Practises and Lessons Learnt on available technologies and innovations for animal resources (Final Technical Report FTR)

The handbook on Best Practises and Lessons Learnt on available technologies and innovations for animal resources/Technical Report (FTR) should take into account contributions and comments from the relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The print-ready copy of the handbook must be submitted at the end of the period of implementation of the tasks.

Duration

The assignment will be done over (50 days) for a maximum of 3 months, starting from the day of the last signature on the contract.

Remuneration

The consultancy fee will be a lump sum of USD 15,000 (fifteen thousand US dollars), covering all the costs incurred during the conduct of the consultancy. Any travel and daily subsistence costs under this consultancy will be borne by AU-IBAR as per the Rules and Regulations of the AUC.

Method of payment will be as follows:

1. 20% upon contract signature and receipt of the Inception Report (including clear methodology of how the Handbook will be developed)
2. 30% upon receipt and approval of Draft Handbook
3. 50% upon receipt and approval of Final Print-ready copy of the Handbook

There shall be no other entitlements

Qualifications

A minimum post-graduate degree in Animal Science, agricultural economics, communication or related field is required. A PhD is an added advantage.

Experience: Minimum ten (10) years’ work experience research, extension and development work in the animal resources sector. Experience in working with social development programmes is also essential. Must have at least five years’ experience working in international settings, with practical experience in the development, adaptation and application of technologies and innovations in animal resources.

Language: Excellent grasp of both written and oral English and/or French is a must.

Competencies

Professionalism – good understanding and knowledge of animal resources development, agricultural economics, communication, advocacy or other relevant disciplines.
Planning and Organizing – Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
Writing and Communication – excellent writing skills; ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate messages effectively

Supervision and Coordination

The consultant will work closely with the Live2Africa Technology, Innovations and Skill development expert.

How to apply:

How to Apply

Please submit your CV including three references and a proposal latest 7^th July 2020 to the Director of AU-IBAR, Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road, PO Box 30786-00100 Nairobi, Kenya or email at procurement@au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line “**Publication of handbook on lessons learnt and best practices for technology uptake and transfer in national animal resources sector extension services in Africa**”. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.