Antimicrobial Resistance 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.

Animal resources are a key contributor to Africa’s Agricultural GDP. However, animal disease burden in Africa is responsible for annual losses of over US$4 billion in Sub- Saharan Africa alone, equivalent to 25% of the total value of animal production in the continent. Management of some of the diseases require the use of Anti-microbials. However, the lack of knowledge, inadequate capacities, weak enforcement of regulation, and inadequate engagement of stakeholders have led to irrational use of drugs leading to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The World Bank estimates that unless urgent action is taken, AMR will have far reaching impacts on public health, agricultural systems and socio-economic development.

AU-IBAR’s intervention on tackling AMR is guided by the African Union Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Control (2020–2025) and the African Position on Antimicrobial Resistance which were both endorsed at the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government. The AU Framework for AMR control seeks to strengthen AMR control activities by establishing a coordination mechanism for AMR control at the continental level, facilitating implementation of AMR actions in Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and coordinating AMR interventions with partners, including UN agencies, research and academia, industry, development partners, donors and non-governmental agencies for amplified impact.

The strategic objectives of the Framework are:

1. Improving surveillance of antimicrobial use and AMR microorganisms.
2. Delaying emergence of AMR.
3. Limiting transmission of AMR.
4. Mitigating harm from AMR microorganisms.

An AU Task Force for AMR control (involving all relevant AUC institutions and RECs working on AMR) has been established to work with Member States, RECs and Partners to prioritize continent-wide efforts to increase political commitment, mobilize resources, and promote policies that improve AMR control.

AU-IBAR, with support from the United Stated Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA-FAS), is implementing a project on “Containing the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa (CES-AMR Africa) Project. The overall objective of the project is to enhance AMR governance and capacity building for the control of AMR.

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to hire an AMR Expert to provide technical support to the implementation of the project “Containing the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa (CES-AMR Africa) Project”.

Main Functions

1. Support implementation of the CES-AMR Africa Project
2. Support implementation and review of the AU Framework for AMR control.
3. Provide policy advisory services on AMR and recommendations for related policy improvements.
4. Provide technical advice to member states and RECs in developing science-based AMR prevention and mitigation measures.

Tasks

The AMR Expert will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support implementation of activities that reduce the need to use antimicrobials
2. Support advocacy and awareness campaigns on AMR and AMU particularly among farmers, consumers and veterinary professionals
3. Support the review of the AU Framework for AMR control
4. Convene fora of the Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET)
5. Maintain a database of AMR reference laboratories in Africa to provide specialty testing, training and capacity building in national laboratories, including through twinning approaches.
6. Develop and maintain a database of relevant Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Media Professionals for advocacy and awareness raising on antimicrobial resistance
7. Support the delivery of trainings aimed at building laboratories capacities to undertake AMR surveillance
8. Support AMR surveillance activities in priority regional and national value chains
9. Monitor and report on the state of AMR and AMU in the animal health and food safety sector in Africa
10. Contribute to the review and or development of AMR policies, strategies or National Action Plans at the national, regional or continental levels
11. Support AU Task Force on AMR to coordinate, monitor and report trends on AMR and AMU in Africa to relevant AU accountability mechanisms
12. Support implementation of food safety measure and animal health related SPS measures in member states
13. Support regular project management meeting between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners.
14. Prepare technical reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
15. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Based on the listed activities, the corresponding expected outputs are as follows:

1. Reduction in Antimicrobial Use: Implementation of practical alternatives and strategies to reduce reliance on antimicrobials in animal health.
2. Increased AMR Awareness: Successful execution of awareness campaigns leading to enhanced understanding of AMR and AMU among farmers, consumers, and veterinary professionals.
3. Enhanced AU AMR Framework: A revised and strengthened AU Framework for AMR control reflecting the latest knowledge and practices in the field.
4. Strengthened AMR Surveillance Network: Effective convening of the Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET) forums to facilitate regional collaboration on AMR surveillance.
5. AMR Reference Laboratory Database: An up-to-date database providing comprehensive information on reference laboratories capable of specialty testing and serving as hubs for training and capacity building.
6. Database of relevant Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Media Professionals for advocacy and awareness raising on antimicrobial resistance developed and maintained.
7. Laboratory Capacity Building: Enhanced capabilities of laboratories across Africa to conduct AMR surveillance through targeted training programs.
8. Enhanced Surveillance in Value Chains: AMR surveillance activities successfully integrated into priority regional and national value chains.
9. AMR and AMU Reporting: Comprehensive reports detailing the status of AMR and AMU within the animal health and food safety sectors in Africa.
10. Policy and Strategy Advancement: Contribution to the review and development of robust and comprehensive AMR policies, strategies, or National Action Plans at various levels of governance.
11. Task Force Support: Assisting the AU Task Force on AMR with coordination, monitoring, and reporting of AMR and AMU trends across Africa.
12. Food Safety and Animal Health Measures: Effective support provided for the implementation of food safety and animal health-related SPS measures in member states.
13. Regular project management meetings between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners organized
14. Reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
15. Implementation of other AMR related projects and programmes at the African Union Commission supported

Duty Stations

The 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 on or around 1st June 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 candidate will be under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, Economics, Trade and Marketing Unit of AU-IBAR and under the overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR.

Requirements

Academic Qualification

At least a Master’s Degree in veterinary medicine, microbiology, biochemistry, veterinary public health, public health, pharmacy, or relevant field related to antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in the animal health and food safety domains.

General Experience

1. At least 7 years working experience in the animal health, animal production, food safety, public health or environment sectors on AMR at national regional or continental levels. Experience in multiple AMR sectors will be an added advantage.
2. At least 5 years relevant experience in project management

Specific Experience

1. Proven working experience in either AMR stewardship, AMR advocacy and communication, diagnostics or AMR policy or action plan development or a combination of the above.
2. Proven working experience in conducting awareness and advocacy campaigns on AMR or related fields to different stakeholders especially community based.
3. Demonstrated knowledge in biosecurity, husbandry practices, and infection prevention and control.
4. Proven experience in the standard setting work of WOAH and Codex that impact on AMR.

Skills and Competencies

1. Diplomacy and excellent communicative skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
2. 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 based on 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