Background
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) 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. Initially founded in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation and fight rinderpest in Africa, AU-IBAR’s mandate now covers all aspects of animal resources across the entire African continent and fills a unique and strategic niche by working at continental and regional levels, with the RECs being key partners.
Animal diseases are among the main constraints that lower the performance of the livestock sector in Africa. By reducing the productivity of livestock, diseases significantly lower the quantity and quality of animal products and consequently erode household nutrition, income and food security. In this regard, diseases also contribute to increased vulnerability and weakened resilience of livestock-dependent communities to natural disasters.
AU-IBAR led a cross-section of stakeholders in the livestock sector and international organization and research institution in Africa to formulate the Animal Health Strategy for Africa (AHSA), a framework for delivering a sustainable animal health system that meets global standards. The AHSA was translated into action plan and it was established of a Continental Platform for Animal Health (AHSA) for coordinated effort, complementarity and synergy of action of various partners and stakeholders intervening AH related issues. The strategy was approved by the AU Heads of States and Governments of the AU summit in January 2020. It was recommended to cascade the implementation of the strategy at national and regional levels. To this effect, AU-IBAR is providing support to the Union of Maghreb Arab to develop their regional animal Health strategy for North Africa (RAHS-NA) in line with the continental strategy (AHSA). To this effect, AU-IBAR in partnership with UMA Secretariat is seeking for a suitable consultant to develop the regional AH strategy for North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia).
Overall Objective
The overall objective is to develop a regional animal health strategy and a 5-year action plan for North Africa.
Specific Objective
- Assess animal health status in the region and in Africa;
- Review the different strategic documents of AH in member states in North Africa, RECs and other international organizations;
- Develop a comprehensive regional animal health strategy for the region for 2020-2035 in line with LiDeSA and AHSA;
- Develop a 5-year action plan to initiate the implementation of the RAHS-NA
- Propose an implementation framework of the strategy with UMA; RAHC-NA and other partners such as OIE and FAO among others.
Methodology and Technical Approach
The consultant will work in close collaboration with AU-IBAR’s animal health unit staff, UMA secretariat and relevant government institutions, local and international organisation mainly OIE and FAO, CBOs, tertiary institutions, private sectors, civil societies and technical partners at national and international level etc. The methodology applied should be clearly stated to include participatory and interactive approaches. The consultant will be expected to collate and compile data enabling sound analysis of the socioeconomics situation to better assess the impact of the disease and cost/benefit or effectiveness of possible control programs.
The consultant will perform the following tasks:
- Attend a briefing meeting with AU-IBAR and UMA secretariat
- Review and analyse the all the relevant strategic documents on AH of RECs and other international organizations such as OIE, WHO, FAO, etc.
- Review of relevant documents and field visits if feasible to gather as much as possible information enabling adequate analysis.
- Discuss with relevant institutions in charge of risk assessment and analysis linked to animal diseases.
- Consult livestock sector stakeholders to understand the livestock industry in central African countries to understand animal health related issues.
- Propose options for possible control and eradication for some priority diseases based on cost/benefit or effectiveness analysis.
Deliverables
The deliverables for the consultancy will cover the following:
- Produce a technical note on the methodology used for assessing AH status and the cost benefit analysis (hypotheses, parameters, etc.)
- Production of the inception report with detailed work plan and anticipated stakeholders to be met.
- Review of the strategic AH documents of RECs and international organization including AHSA
- Co-coordinate consultative meetings with animal industry stakeholders and institutions of the continent.
- Produce a comprehensive AH strategy for North Africa
- Produce 5-year action plan 2021-2025
- Propose an implementation framework with MSs, North-RAHC-NA and international organization (role and responsibility).
- Submit a final comprehensive report of the consultancy.
Key Deliverables
- Inception report - 1 week from start
- First draft report - 3 weeks from start
- Second draft report - 5 weeks from start
- Validation workshop - 6 weeks from start
- Final report (word document & summary Power Point) - 7 weeks from start
Management and Organization
The successful consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Director, AU-IBAR. He/her will work closely with the Animal health unit staff and UMA secretariat. The consultant should plan a provision of his/her own laptop.
The consultant will work closely with RECs Livestock and Fisheries desk officers for Central Africa including CEBEVIRHA, academia, and research institution. AU-IBAR and UMA secretariat who will provide logistical support for the planning and implementation of the consultancy.
Qualification, Specialized Knowledge and Experience
The successful firms’ candidates shall have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine and a post-graduate degree in economics applied to animal resource sector. A postgraduate qualification in socio-economics, impact assessment, and diseases surveillance, control and management will be an asset.
Others requirements are:
- At least 10 years of hands-on relevant professional experience with proven record in socioeconomics assessment and livestock policies;
- Proven experience in animal assessment and animal health or vet services strategic plans;
- Good knowledge of the African animal health institutional environment and national, regional international actors involved,
- Solid animal health consultancy experience, analytical, diplomacy and facilitation skills required.
- Strong writing and reporting skills
- Good communication skills and ability to work in a team and with minimum supervision.
- Fluency in English or French with excellent facilitation skills and knowledge of Africa socioeconomics context and readiness to travel to AUC MSs.
- Working experience in African region and/or RECs in animal health sector particularly is commendable.
Duty Stations
The consultant will be stationed in his/her own country with the process involving a virtual collaborative process with countries. Exceptional travel on specific assignments will be agreed with the AU-IBAR Management and UMA Secretariat.
Consultancy Duration
The consultancy will be for 30 days from the signing of the contract spread over a period three months.
Remuneration
The Remuneration will be a lump sum amount of USD 9,000$
How to apply:
Submission of Proposals
Technical and Financial Proposals should be sent in separate PDF files on or before 26 November 2020 to procurement@au-ibar.org with subject “Development of a Regional Animal Health Strategy for North Africa (RAHS-NA) and 5-Year Action Plan”.