Jobs 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.

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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.