Antimicrobial Resistance Expert at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

Objective

• The objective of this consultancy is to hire an AMR Expert to provide technical support to the implementation of the project “Containing the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa (CES-AMR Africa) Project”.

Main Functions

• Support implementation of the CES-AMR Africa Project
• Support implementation and review of the AU Framework for AMR control.
• Provide policy advisory services on AMR and recommendations for related policy improvements.
• Provide technical advice to member states and RECs in developing science-based AMR prevention and mitigation measures.

Tasks

The AMR Expert will undertake the following tasks:

• Support implementation of activities that reduce the need to use antimicrobials
• Support advocacy and awareness campaigns on AMR and AMU particularly among farmers, consumers and veterinary professionals
• Support the review of the AU Framework for AMR control
• Convene fora of the Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET)
• Maintain a database of AMR reference laboratories in Africa to provide specialty testing, training and capacity building in national laboratories, including through twinning approaches.
• Develop and maintain a database of relevant Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Media Professionals for advocacy and awareness raising on antimicrobial resistance
• Support the delivery of trainings aimed at building laboratories capacities to undertake AMR surveillance
• Support AMR surveillance activities in priority regional and national value chains
• Monitor and report on the state of AMR and AMU in the animal health and food safety sector in Africa
• Contribute to the review and or development of AMR policies, strategies or National Action Plans at the national, regional or continental levels
• Support AU Task Force on AMR to coordinate, monitor and report trends on AMR and AMU in Africa to relevant AU accountability mechanisms
• Support implementation of food safety measure and animal health related SPS measures in member states
• 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

Based on the listed activities, the corresponding expected outputs are as follows:

• Reduction in Antimicrobial Use: Implementation of practical alternatives and strategies to reduce reliance on antimicrobials in animal health.
• Increased AMR Awareness: Successful execution of awareness campaigns leading to enhanced understanding of AMR and AMU among farmers, consumers, and veterinary professionals.
• Enhanced AU AMR Framework: A revised and strengthened AU Framework for AMR control reflecting the latest knowledge and practices in the field.
• Strengthened AMR Surveillance Network: Effective convening of the Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET) forums to facilitate regional collaboration on AMR surveillance.
• AMR Reference Laboratory Database: An up-to-date database providing comprehensive information on reference laboratories capable of specialty testing and serving as hubs for training and capacity building.
• Database of relevant Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Media Professionals for advocacy and awareness raising on antimicrobial resistance developed and maintained.
• Laboratory Capacity Building: Enhanced capabilities of laboratories across Africa to conduct AMR surveillance through targeted training programs.
• Enhanced Surveillance in Value Chains: AMR surveillance activities successfully integrated into priority regional and national value chains.
• AMR and AMU Reporting: Comprehensive reports detailing the status of AMR and AMU within the animal health and food safety sectors in Africa.
• Policy and Strategy Advancement: Contribution to the review and development of robust and comprehensive AMR policies, strategies, or National Action Plans at various levels of governance.
• Task Force Support: Assisting the AU Task Force on AMR with coordination, monitoring, and reporting of AMR and AMU trends across Africa.
• Food Safety and Animal Health Measures: Effective support provided for the implementation of food safety and animal health-related SPS measures in member states.
• Regular project management meetings between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners organized
• Reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
• Implementation of other AMR related projects and programmes at the African Union Commission supported

Requirements

Academic Qualification

• At least a Master’s Degree in veterinary medicine, microbiology, biochemistry, veterinary public health, public health, pharmacy, or relevant field related to antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in the animal health and food safety domains.

General Experience

• At least 7 years working experience in the animal health, animal production, food safety, public health or environment sectors on AMR at national regional or continental levels. Experience in multiple AMR sectors will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years relevant experience in project management

Specific Experience

• Proven working experience in either AMR stewardship, AMR advocacy and communication, diagnostics or AMR policy or action plan development or a combination of the above.
• Proven working experience in conducting awareness and advocacy campaigns on AMR or related fields to different stakeholders especially community based.
• Demonstrated knowledge in biosecurity, husbandry practices, and infection prevention and control.
• Proven experience in the standard setting work of WOAH and Codex that impact on AMR.

Skills and Competencies

• Diplomacy and excellent communicative 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.