Animal Health Expert

Organization

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of new organization structure and the filling of regular and short-term vacant posts.

Department

Post title: Animal Health Expert
Grade: P3 Step 5
Directorate: DREA-IBAR
Duty station: AU-IBAR, Nairobi, Kenya
Number of Positions: 1

Project

AU-IBAR led a cross section of stakeholders in the livestock sector on the African continent 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. To initiate the implementation of the LiDeSA, the European Union has made available funds to assist AU-IBAR implement the Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa (Live2Africa) project, which will initiate the implementation of the LiDeSA. In this regard, AU-IBAR seeks the services of an Animal Health Expert who will be responsible for implementing the Animal Health Delivery Services component of the project.

Supervision

Under the direct supervision of the Live2Africa Project Officer and the overall supervision of the Chief Animal Health Officer, the Animal Health Expert will be responsible for the overall operations relating to Animal Health Systems and Services Delivery:

Tasks

• Carry out an assessment of the status of implementation of recommendations of Performance of veterinary services missions, gap analysis missions, veterinary legislation missions and support national veterinary services develop and implement strategic plans
• Support member states develop and utilise TADs and zoonoses preparedness and response capacities ;
• Assess AU-IBAR achievements in promoting OH and develop and pilot innovative approaches to OH sustained capacity utilisation and intersectoral collaboration
• Develop, pilot and broaden models of coordination mechanism for animal health services delivery and control of TADs and zoonosis.
• Develop, pilot and broaden models of public private partnerships in the animal health system.
• Support implementation of policies and compliance with legislation including roadmaps for regional harmonisation.
• Backstop the ARIS manager in the analysis of member states animal health reports and the drafting of the Pan African Animal Resources Yearbook
• Contribute to the monitoring and analysis the state of animal health in Africa and the generation of annual policy briefs
• Assist the Unit Head in planning and reporting
• Perform any other duty the Unit Head may deem fit to assign

Requirements

Educational qualification and Work experience

• Master’s Degree in Veterinary epidemiology with a 7 years’ experience as Animal Health Expert in none-state or government institutions or international organizations dealing with animal health and a minimum of 3 years in senior management position. A PhD in Veterinary epidemiology will be an added advantage.
• A University Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary science and a certification in epidemiology in lieu of the Master’s Degree in Veterinary epidemiology is accepted with a 10 years’ experience as Animal Health Expert in non-state or government institutions or international organizations dealing with animal health and a minimum of 5 years in senior management position may be accepted.
• Experience in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of animal health services delivery programmes.
• Strong knowledge and experience on result based management.
• Strong knowledge and experience on livestock values chains development.
• Experience in an international work environment is highly desirable.

Other relevant skills and Competencies

• Professionalism - Proven expertise in animal production science, policy formulation and advocacy related to animal production and sustainable development; demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge and proven analytical skills on issues related to animal production and sustainable development;
• Planning and organizing - Proven ability to plan and organize work within a project; ability to make timely decisions;
• Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view.
• Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organisational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
• Judgement/Decision-making - Good judgement and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact, ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve institution’s goals.

Language Requirement

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages, proficiency of two or more in other of one or several other working language(s) would be an added value.

Tenure of Appointment

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of One years, of with three month will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewable, subject to satisfactory performance, deliverables and funding availability.

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Remuneration

The salary attached to the position is a fixed annual lump sum of US$ 84,477.46 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff and US$ 70,613.43 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

Contract Type

Short Term

Employment Fraction

Full-time

Branch

IBAR, Nairobi

HOW TO APPLY:

How to Apply Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website not later than 17 April 2017.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.