AU-IBAR Consultancy : Support Capacity Development of Veterinary Services for Harmonization and Cooperative and Coordinated Prevention and Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) in AU Member States

Re-Advertisement : Closing Date : Monday, 21 August, 2023

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 (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). 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.

In terms of trade economics, the health of traded livestock and safety of livestock products are the most critical factors – without good health and controlled priority diseases, there cannot be safe trade. An SPS approach that improves and stabilizes livestock health and controls priority transboundary and zoonotic diseases, levels the trading platform and allows for significantly increased safe trade and movement of livestock and livestock products between Member States (MSs) of Africa Union and with intercontinental trading partners.

However, outbreak of trans-boundary animal diseases has limited the ability of the AU MSs to trade in livestock and livestock products. Strengthening capacities to prevent and control diseases and harmonizing disease control and surveillance in the different regions of Africa is key in opening livestock trade within the regions and accessing lucrative markets outside Africa. It was based on this background that the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) Project was implemented in, 2012 to 2017 in the Greater Horn of Africa Countries. The project covered the following countries Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.

The SMP-AH project Phase II commenced in 2021 and is funded by the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA-FAS). The project has undertaken a number of activities to promote regional harmonization and coordination of the prevention and control of TADs.

The development hypothesis of the SMP-AH Project is that if governments in the region can control the endemic, trade-sensitive and devastating diseases through coordinated and cooperative efforts, then livestock owners will experience less debilitating diseases, increase production and productivity of their livestock. This in turn will lead to increases in trade improving both household livelihoods, food security, nutrition and political stability in the region.

The objective of SMP-AH approach is to provide regional Standard Methods and Procedures framework (guidelines), in line with WOAH standards and adapted to the African context, that will guide in the prevention and control of trans-boundary animal diseases (TADs) and subsequently provide a stable foundation for both live animal trade and livestock commodity-based product trade.

Various African Union member states have identified their priority animal diseases and some have developed their corresponding disease control programs and plans. The SMP-AH could potentially be used to operationalize these disease control programs and plans to ensure a more harmonized approach for disease control especially with the commencement of trading within the Agreement of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

AU-IBAR and partners are desirous of consolidating the gains made by the SMP-AH project and therefore seeks to recruit a short time consultant to support this objective.

Overall Objective

To support capacity development of veterinary services for harmonized, cooperative and coordinated prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) in AU Member States.

Tasks

Under the Direct supervision of the Animal Health Expert and Under Overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR, the consultant will provide support to the implementation of the SMP-AH Project and will perform the following tasks.

• Working with Partners to support development of curriculum, course/module contents for TADs prevention and control in line with the SMP-AH approach;
• Support the delivery of on-line training modules by AU-IBAR in collaboration with the participating RECs;
• Support the RECs to develop advocacy approaches for enhancing the institutionalization of the SMP-AH approach;
• Support capacity building for RECs to develop/cascade SMPs and SOPs for disease surveillance and other priority activities to field levels for implementation;
• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• An Inception Report with details on proposed methodology, work plan and an outline of the contents of the Final Technical Report;
• Curriculum, course/module contents for TADs prevention and control in line with the SMP-AH approach developed;
• Delivery of on-line training modules by AU-IBAR in collaboration with the participating RECs and partners supported;
• RECs supported to develop advocacy approaches for enhancing the institutionalization of the SMP-AH approach;
• Capacity building for RECs to develop/cascade SMPs and SOPs for disease surveillance and other priority activities to field levels for implementation supported;
• Statutory reports as per the development partner’s requirements;
• Monthly progress reports;
• A Final Consultancy report.

Qualifications

The candidate must have at least an Advanced University degree in any field of veterinary science. 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 management at national and/or regional levels.

Specific Professional Experience

1. Proven experience working with African Union member states to develop and implement Standards Methods and Procedures for Animal Health (SMP-AH)
2. Understanding of the procedures and processes of USDA-FAS and their approach to capacity building
3. Evidence of engagement and facilitation of MoUs and other tools for harmonisation of disease prevention and control especially in cross border areas;
4. Evidence of delivery of capacity development for veterinary services in key competency areas for prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases;
5. Evidence of evaluation and assessment conducted on various aspects of veterinary services using tools such as, PVS and JEE, etc.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work and to work independently, with minimum supervision, to high professional standards
• Knowledge and experience of using participatory approaches

Language Requirement

Proficiency in English. A working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.

Criteria for Scoring

Duty Stations

The consultants will be stationed in AU-IBAR Offices in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management

Duration

The duration of this assignment is for 6 Months.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed amount of USD 7,000. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.

Submission of Applications

Application Process

Documents to be submitted with the application

Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

• i.    A Detailed CV outlining the following: Educational and Professional Qualification and Certifications; Relevant experience in similar assignment;
• ii.    A brief (2-5 pages) technical Proposal (as an Appendix to the CVs) outlining the approach and methodology to the assignment, description of proposed key activities to be undertaken and deliverables
• iii.    Identification documents e.g. passport with relevant biodata pages
• iv.    Signed declaration on exclusion criteria

Deadline for Submission

The deadline for submission of proposals is 21^st August 2023, 17.00 hours, Nairobi Local Time.

The address for submission of applications is: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to Irene.ohaga@au-ibar.org

Note

If you have applied in the earlier RfP, you are encouraged to review the amended TORs and if necessary, submit fresh applications or confirm that earlier applications will suffice.

Closing Date : Monday, 21 August, 2023