Background
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Blue Economy (DARBE) 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.
AU-IBAR led a cross-section of stakeholders in the livestock sector in Africa to formulate the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA), a 20 year framework for the collective and coordinated development of the livestock on the continent. The strategy was approved by the AU Heads of States and Governments of the AU in January 2015. In order to initiate the implementation of LiDeSA, the European Union made available funds to assist AU-IBAR implement the Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa (Live2Africa) project. As part of its coordination strategy and considering the high demand of services from RECs and Member states AU-IBAR is applying part of the funds to employ consultants in various disciplines to support the implementation of Live2Africa.
In this regard, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Consultant, animal production expert with a broad range of competencies in animal production, particularly with vast experience in the coordination and management of animal genetic resources in Africa, natural resources management, governance, policy and strategy development and networking. In addition, experience in technology development, transfer and uptake across livestock value chains, is essential. The consultant must have proven experience in managing and coordinating continental projects in animal resources sector. The consultant will provide technical backstopping to AU-IBAR, RECs and Member States aimed at enhancing the management of animal resources and improving the resilience of communities depending on livestock. The Consultant will also provide specific technical support to selected Member States and RECs on governance, policy and strategy development as well as strengthening networking platforms among stakeholders. This will contribute to the implementation of activities geared at transforming the priority regional livestock value chains (RLVCs) though strengthening systemic capacities of RECs and Member States.
Objective
The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the Live2Africa Project and fast-track the implementation of its Result Areas, particularly the key actions within the priority regional livestock value chains.
Tasks
- Formulate a continental strategy on value addition for the priority regional livestock value chains (Poultry, Dairy and Red Meat and Live animal).
- Carry out desk and field study of livestock market infrastructure, policies and legislation to identify Gaps and Challenges
- Strengthen the governance of national and regional stakeholder institutions such as the inter-professional networks, with particular emphasis on Central and West Africa
- Support the operational capacity of at least two regional gene banks in Africa to provide Member States with cryo-conservation services
- Support domestication and adoption of priority actions and other policy instruments on promotion of the SADC Red Meat and Live animals Livestock value chains
- Strengthen the capacity of regional breeders associations along the priority RLVC for SADC,IGAD and EAC
- Any other relevant activity as assigned by the Director
Expected Outputs and deliverables
The following are the expected outputs:
- A continental strategy on value addition for the priority regional livestock value chains (Poultry, Dairy and Red Meat and Live animal) formulated.
- Livestock market infrastructure, policies and legislation gaps and challenges identified and documented
- Governance of national and regional stakeholder institutions such as the inter-professional networks, with particular emphasis on Central and West Africa strengthened
- Atleast two Regional gene banks in Africa operationalized
- Priority actions and other policy instruments for promotion of the SADC Red Meat and Live animals Livestock value chains domesticated and adopted
- Regional breeders associations capacities along the red meat and live animals RLVC for SADC,IGAD and EAC strengthened
- Assignments by Director achieved
Qualifications
The successful candidate shall have a University degree in Animal Science, and a Post Graduate degree in animal production with strong background in livestock value chains development or other relevant disciplines. A PhD will be an added advantage.
General professional experience
- At least ten (10) years’ experience in the animal resources sector in Africa
- Experience in conducting, facilitating dialogue and organizing discussion platforms with continental livestock sector stakeholders
- Experience in coordinating and managing Natural resources for livestock value chains in Africa
- Experience in natural resources management, resilience, governance, policy and strategy development and networking
- Experience in formulating regional and continental strategies on livestock value chains
- Experience in establishing breeding and reproductive programs
- Experience in strengthening networking platforms among stakeholders, at national, regional and continental levels
Specific professional experience
- Good working experience in implementation and management of continental projects
- Experience in organising and facilitating stakeholder consultative meetings and preparation of reports/ proceedings
- Proven record in editing of technical/scientific papers and manuscripts
- Proven record of scientific publications in refereed journals
- Formulation and development of regional and continental policy frameworks for animal resources
- Experience in interacting with RECs and MS on policy and legislation formulation and development
- Experience in packaging information and data into user-friendly products for the farmer/agribusiness entrepreneur
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 farmer-centered participatory approaches
Language requirement
- Proficiency in English; a working knowledge of Arabic, French or Portuguese will be an added advantage.
Supervision
The consultant will be under the overall supervision of the Director AU-IBAR and reporting to the Animal Health Expert of Live2Africa Project.
Deliverables
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 Final Technical Report.
Monthly progress reports
The consultant is expected to submitted monthly progress reports for approval before payments are made.
Final Technical Report (FTR)
The Final Technical Report (FTR) should take into account contributions and comments from the relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The final report must be submitted at the end of the period of implementation of the tasks.
Duty stations
The consultant will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management
Duration
The duration of this assignment is 6 months. The candidate should be available to undertake this assignment with minimum delay.
Remuneration
The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed amount of USD 7,000 per month. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.
Application deadline
The deadline for the offer is 29th September 2021 17.00 EAT.
How to apply:
Applications including a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) should be submitted through email to: procurement-210915-1@au-ibar.org
All applicants MUST duly complete, sign and/or stamp the attached DECLARATION ON EXCLUSION CRITERIA Form and submit it together with the application. Any application not accompanied by the duly completed DECLARATION form will be disqualified.
A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is also attached as information for the applicants.