Location
Nairobi with travel to Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa
(1st -30th December 2014)
Background
The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the African Union under the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. AU-IBAR is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of animals (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) as a resource for human well-being in the Member States of the African Union and to contribute to economic development, particularly in rural areas.
AU-IBAR is implementing a project for Reinforcing Animal Health Services in Somalia (RAHS) in partnership with two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) namely, Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) and Terra Nuova with financial support from the European Union (EU). The RAHS project aims to enhance the quality, access and sustainability of animal health services in Somalia. Towards this, the project is supporting the public animal health institutions in Somalia to develop and implement appropriate strategies to improve the control of priority diseases of livestock. AU-IBAR is seeking the services of a Consultant Epidemiologist to support the Line Ministries to conduct a review of the current surveillance and control systems and propose options for their improvement.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Overall Objective
- The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide assistance to the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range of the Federal Somali Republic, the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Husbandry of the Puntland State of Somalia and the Ministry of Livestock in Somaliland to review, improve and document the existing livestock disease surveillance and control systems.
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the consultancy are as follows:
- The consultancy will review the existing livestock disease surveillance and control systems in Central/South Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland.
- Review available livestock disease strategies in Somalia.
- Review existing national policies and plans and identify the roles ascribed to livestock disease surveillance and control in national development.
- Review the IGAD Animal Health Policy in the context of vulnerability and the AU-IBAR disease control strategies and programmatic frameworks.
- Propose and document options for improvement of the livestock diseases surveillance and control systems in Central/South Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland with emphasis on reinforcement and consolidation through improved coordination between the actors within Somalia and integration into animal disease surveillance and control initiatives coordinated at a regional level by AU-IBAR and IGAD.
- Provide technical support for each of the three line Ministries to convene stakeholder workshops in Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa to validate proposals for the improved disease surveillance and control systems.
Qualifications
A degree in Veterinary Medicine from a recognised University. A Masters or PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology will be an added advantage.
General Professional Experience
- At least 10 years of proven experience in public sector animal disease control at national and/or Regional levels in the greater Horn of Africa.
- Prior knowledge and experience in the design of national or regional livestock disease surveillance and control systems.
- Knowledge of disease dynamics in pastoral communities (especially in the Somali ecosystem) is essential.
- Experience in conducting and facilitating dialogue with livestock sector stakeholders at national level.
Specific Professional Experience
- A good understanding of livestock diseases surveillance and control particularly in the IGAD region.
- Conversant with international animal health standards related to surveillance, prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
- Previous working experience in the Somali livestock sector.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with fluency in English
- Knowledge and experience of using participatory approaches
- Strong analytical skills
- Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work and to work with minimum supervision and withstand stress under different field conditions including high insecurity
Duration
The consultancy will be for a period of 30 days.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
The following are the expected outputs:
- An inception report including the methodology and the work plan to undertake the task.
- A documented comprehensive assessment of the disease surveillance and control systems in Somalia with recommendations for improvement.
- Guidance of national animal health experts on facilitation and presentations for a stakeholders' validation workshop.
- Following completion of the tasks the consultant will prepare and submit a brief report to the Respective Ministers of Livestock and the RAHS Project Coordinator within 15 days of completion of the task.
- A detailed final consultancy report capturing all the elements of the improved disease surveillance and control systems submitted to each line Ministry and the RAHS Project Coordinator within 15 days of completion of the task.
Remuneration
The professional fee to be paid for this Consultancy is a fixed amount of USD Nine Thousand (USD 9,000.00). Expenses for field missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission Travel rules and regulations.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your CV including three references, a motivation letter and a technical proposal of how you intend to conduct the consultancy not later than 27 November 2014 to the Director of AU-IBAR, Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road, PO Box 30786-00100 Nairobi, Kenya or by email at applications@au-ibar.org and a copy to hro@au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line"Consultancy Services (Individual) to Review and Document the Livestock Disease Surveillance and Control Systems in Somalia".
