Animal Health Expert at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

Overall Objective

• The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support for the implementation of the “Support for the Participation of African Nations in the Work of the World Organisation for Animal Health Project” and the Animal Health Facilitating Trade” (AHSFT) Project. The lead institutions for the AHSFT project are International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and University of Missouri, Regional Animal Health Centre of ECOWAS. AU-IBAR provides coordination role for smooth implementation of the project.

Tasks

The Animal Health Expert will undertake the following tasks

• Support coordination of activities and mechanisms aimed at enhancing the effective participation of AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities in the standard setting work of WOAH.
• Support the coordination of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and AU Member States to facilitate the development and presentation of African Common Positions on draft Chapters of WOAH on priority animal health issues.
• Support the monitoring and regular reporting on the adoption, implementation and compliance to WOAH standards by AU Member States.
• Coordinate dialogue platform to exchange views and comments on WOAH standards among the Africa Region, the Region of the America’s and other regions as may be necessary.
• Support the delivery of capacity building activities to build core competencies for the design and implementation of evidence-based SPS measures, improving compliance with standards and trade facilitation in the animal health sector.
• Support implementation of food safety measures and animal health related SPS measures in member states.
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting trends on the performance of Africa’s animal resources.
• Develop a database of national, regional and continental association or federations of animal resources producer, traders as well as business councils and facilitate their networking
• Provide coordination support in partnership with University of Missouri, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), ECOWAS in the implementation of the Animal Health System Facilitating Trade project
• Develop relevant policy briefs, based on the above-mentioned tasks, for decision making
• Support regular project management meeting between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners.
• Prepare technical reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• Enhanced AU Member States participation in WOAH: Streamlined coordination activities resulting in increased engagement of AU Member States and RECs in the standard-setting processes of WOAH.
• African Common Positions developed: Consolidated African Common Positions on WOAH draft chapters developed and submitted to WOAH Specialist Commissions and presented at WOAH general Assembly through effective REC and AU Member State coordination.
• WOAH Standards Adoption Report: Regular reports on the status of adoption, implementation and compliance to WOAH standards by AU Member States.
• Interregional Dialogue on WOAH Standards strengthened: Established platforms for exchanging views on WOAH standards between Africa, the Americas, and other regions as necessary.
• Capacity Building for SPS Measures undertaken: Implementation of capacity building activities that enhance competencies for evidence-based SPS measures in the animal health sector.
• Food Safety and SPS Measures Implemented: Successful support for the implementation of food safety and animal health-related SPS measures in AU Member States.
• Reports on Animal Resources Performance Trends: Reports monitoring and detailing performance trends in Africa’s animal resources sector prepared and published.
• A database of national, regional and continental association or federations of animal resources producer, traders as well as business councils developed and maintained and their networking facilitated.
• Coordination of Animal Health Systems Facilitating Trade project: Effective coordination in partnership with global and regional bodies for the Animal Health System Facilitating Trade project.
• Policy Brief Development: Development and publication of policy briefs that inform and guide decision-making processes.
• Project Management Meetings: Regular project management meetings between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS, and other partners conducted.
• Technical Progress Reports: Well-documented technical reports detailing progress and achievements in project implementations.
• Adaptable Operational Support: Flexibility to undertake additional responsibilities as directed by the Director of AU-IBAR to meet evolving project needs.

Requirements

Academic Qualification

• At least an advanced University Degree in veterinary medicine, veterinary public health, epidemiology or relevant animal health related field.

General Experience

• At least 7 years of proven experience in public sector animal health services at national, regional or continental levels.
• At least 5 years’ working knowledge the WTO SPS Agreement and the AfCFTA Agreement on SPS.
• At least 5 years relevant experience in project management.

Specific Experience

• Experience in coordinating the development of animal health standards at the national, regional or continental level
• Experience in delivering capacity development interventions for SPS-related animal health services for prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases and safe trade of animals and animal products based on WOAH standards;
• Proven knowledge and experience on harmonization of disease prevention and control especially in cross border areas;
• Experience in formulating animal health strategies, policies or frameworks and familiarization with and participation in policy processes for adoption of instruments, initiatives and development of recommendations by RECs and AU Policy Organs
• Demonstrated experience in the principles and practice of risk analysis as a tool for facilitating safe trade in animals and animal products
• Proven working knowledge and experience on livestock values chains development.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in establishment and implementation of sanitary agreements/protocols and undertaking technical negotiations to facilitate safe trade in animals and animal products;
• Diplomacy and excellent communication skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
• Experience in the use of data analysis tools for decision making in the field of animal health and food safety aspects of AMR.