Animal Health Expert

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC), is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2018-2023 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) entered into effect on January 1, 2021, creating one of the largest free trading areas in the world. Implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement Annex 7 on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures highlights the pressing need to support Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States (MS) in strengthening animal health measures that are based on risk analysis, science and international standards to facilitate the trade of animals and animal products. Recognizing the importance of SPS measures in facilitating intra-African and global trade, the AU Heads of States endorsed the AU SPS Policy Framework and Animal Health Strategy for Africa (AHSA) in 2020. AHSA is aligned with the SPS Policy Framework which is the primary tool for implementing the Annex 7 of the AfCFTA Agreement. AHSA serves as the implementation framework for the animal health component of the AU SPS Policy Framework.

The implementation of AHSA will lead to improved capacity to anticipate and mitigate the negative impacts of animal diseases, zoonosis, climate change, and disasters for healthy and productive animal populations and increased access to regional and international markets for African animals and animal products. AU-IBAR, with support from the United Stated Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA-FAS), is implementing a project on “Support for the Participation of African Nations in the Work of the World Organisation for Animal Health” and “Animal Health Systems Facilitating Trade”. The overall objective of the projects is to improve animal health standards, animal health related SPS governance and management at continental, regional and bilateral levels.

The strategic objectives for the projects are:

Objective 1: To enhance the effective participation of African Union Member States in the work of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)
Objective 2: To generate evidence to inform capacity development and disease risk management
Objective 3: To harmonize SPS processes for trade facilitation in animals and animal products with WOAH standards as the basis
Objective 4: To build core competencies for the design and implementation of evidence-based
SPS measures

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support for the implementation of the “Support for the Participation of African Nations in the Work of the World Organisation for Animal Health Project” and the Animal Health Facilitating Trade” (AHSFT) Project. The lead institutions for the AHSFT project are International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and University of Missouri, Regional Animal Health Centre of ECOWAS. AU-IBAR provides coordination role for smooth implementation of the project.

Tasks

The Animal Health Expert will undertake the following tasks

1. Support coordination of activities and mechanisms aimed at enhancing the effective participation of AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities in the standard setting work of WOAH.
2. Support the coordination of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and AU Member States to facilitate the development and presentation of African Common Positions on draft Chapters of WOAH on priority animal health issues.
3. Support the monitoring and regular reporting on the adoption, implementation and compliance to WOAH standards by AU Member States.
4. Coordinate dialogue platform to exchange views and comments on WOAH standards among the Africa Region, the Region of the America’s and other regions as may be necessary.
5. Support the delivery of capacity building activities to build core competencies for the design and implementation of evidence-based SPS measures, improving compliance with standards and trade facilitation in the animal health sector.
6. Support implementation of food safety measures and animal health related SPS measures in member states.
7. Contribute to monitoring and reporting trends on the performance of Africa’s animal resources.
8. Develop a database of national, regional and continental association or federations of animal resources producer, traders as well as business councils and facilitate their networking
9. Provide coordination support in partnership with University of Missouri, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), ECOWAS in the implementation of the Animal Health System Facilitating Trade project
10. Develop relevant policy briefs, based on the above-mentioned tasks, for decision making
11. Support regular project management meeting between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners.
12. Prepare technical reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
13. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

1. Enhanced AU Member States participation in WOAH: Streamlined coordination activities resulting in increased engagement of AU Member States and RECs in the standard-setting processes of WOAH.
2. African Common Positions developed: Consolidated African Common Positions on WOAH draft chapters developed and submitted to WOAH Specialist Commissions and presented at WOAH general Assembly through effective REC and AU Member State coordination.
3. WOAH Standards Adoption Report: Regular reports on the status of adoption, implementation and compliance to WOAH standards by AU Member States.
4. Interregional Dialogue on WOAH Standards strengthened: Established platforms for exchanging views on WOAH standards between Africa, the Americas, and other regions as necessary.
5. Capacity Building for SPS Measures undertaken: Implementation of capacity building activities that enhance competencies for evidence-based SPS measures in the animal health sector.
6. Food Safety and SPS Measures Implemented: Successful support for the implementation of food safety and animal health-related SPS measures in AU Member States.
7. Reports on Animal Resources Performance Trends: Reports monitoring and detailing performance trends in Africa’s animal resources sector prepared and published.
8. A database of national, regional and continental association or federations of animal resources producer, traders as well as business councils developed and maintained and their networking facilitated.
9. Coordination of Animal Health Systems Facilitating Trade project: Effective coordination in partnership with global and regional bodies for the Animal Health System Facilitating Trade project.
10. Policy Brief Development: Development and publication of policy briefs that inform and guide decision-making processes.
11. Project Management Meetings: Regular project management meetings between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS, and other partners conducted.
12. Technical Progress Reports: Well-documented technical reports detailing progress and achievements in project implementations.
13. Adaptable Operational Support: Flexibility to undertake additional responsibilities as directed by the Director of AU-IBAR to meet evolving project needs.

Duty Stations

The Animal Health Expert will be stationed in Nairobi, Kenya with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The effective duration of this assignment is 6 months. The contract is renewable depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment latest by 31st May 2024.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy shall be an all-inclusive monthly fee equivalent to P3 Step 5-8 local on the AUC Salary Scale, i.e. US$ 6,252.37 – US$ 6,718.01.

The expert will be responsible for his/her medical and travel insurance cover/s during the duration of the consultancy. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.

Supervision and Reporting

The project is being implemented under the Standards and Trade Secretariat (STS) for Animal Health of AU-IBAR. The successful candidate will be under the direct supervision of the Coordinator for STS and overall supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Requirements

Academic Qualification

At least an advanced University Degree in veterinary medicine, veterinary public health, epidemiology or relevant animal health related field.

General Experience

1. At least 7 years of proven experience in public sector animal health services at national, regional or continental levels.
2. At least 5 years’ working knowledge the WTO SPS Agreement and the AfCFTA Agreement on SPS.
3. At least 5 years relevant experience in project management.

Specific Experience

1. Experience in coordinating the development of animal health standards at the national, regional or continental level
2. Experience in delivering capacity development interventions for SPS-related animal health services for prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases and safe trade of animals and animal products based on WOAH standards;
3. Proven knowledge and experience on harmonization of disease prevention and control especially in cross border areas;
4. Experience in formulating animal health strategies, policies or frameworks and familiarization with and participation in policy processes for adoption of instruments, initiatives and development of recommendations by RECs and AU Policy Organs
5. Demonstrated experience in the principles and practice of risk analysis as a tool for facilitating safe trade in animals and animal products
6. Proven working knowledge and experience on livestock values chains development.

Skills and Competencies

1. Demonstrated experience in establishment and implementation of sanitary agreements/protocols and undertaking technical negotiations to facilitate safe trade in animals and animal products;
2. Diplomacy and excellent communication skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
3. Experience in the use of data analysis tools for decision making in the field of animal health and food safety aspects of AMR.

Language

Proficiency in any of the AU language, proficiency in English is desirable.

Gender Mainstreaming

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women and young African professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.

Criteria Scores (%)

Qualifications 15

General Experience 20

Specific Experience 40

Skills and Competencies 20

Language 5