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The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as an event of great magnitude in the institutional evolution of the continent. On 9.9.1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity issued a Declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view, inter alia, to acc...
Department
Post level: P3
Duty Station: AU-IBAR Nairobi, Kenya
Supervisor: Director, AU-IBAR
Project
Under the direct supervision of the Director, AU-IBAR, the Senior Policy Officer Economics, Trade and Marketing will contribute and provide technical advice for AU- IBAR’s annual/periodic reports/publications; and, as a member or leader of multidisciplinary teams, contribute to the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of livestock development projects and programmes.
Tasks
Requirements
Additional Work Experience
At least three (3) years of work experince in livestock economics in an international organisation.
Proven skills/publication record in areas related to trade modelling, market intelligence and using tools to monitor investments in the livestock sector.
Function Skills
Personal Skills
Language Requirement
Proficiency in English or French. Proficiency in additional one or two other African Union official language(s) would be an added value.
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a regular fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years, of with the first twelve months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.
Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of USD37,453.00 (P3 step 1) per annum, plus other related entitlements such as post adjustment (42% of basic salary), housing allowance (USD18,585 per annum), education allowance (100% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependant up to USD10,000.00 per child and per annum), etc. for internationally recruited staff of the Commission.
The project "Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources" aims at strengthening the capacity of African countries and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably use and conserve animal genetic resources (AnGR) through institutionalizing national and regional policy, legal and technical instruments and implementing actions that will result in judicious exploitation of AnGR in Africa. This is achieved through:
Context of the Consultancy
Just as libraries are resource centers for information, gene banks are resource centers for living genetic material. The gene banks keep germplasm collection for the purpose of keeping them alive and maintaining their characteristics for the future well-being of mankind and the environment. A regional gene bank is established among a number of countries located in the same geographic region and willing to work together cooperatively. The bank keeps the region’s germplasm and supports research. Although all gene banks store germplasm, they are not just cold storage facilities for preservation of seeds. These banks are involved in many other activities, adding more value to germplasm when used by other scientists. Documentation and the exchange of information about the germplasm they hold and collaboration with other genetic resource centers are important aspects to consider when establishing a regional gene bank. The gene bank works in conjunction with other banks or genetic resource programmes in the region. Institutional gene banks often cooperate with national banks as part of a national activity programme on genetic resources. These national gene banks also cooperate with international centers. This cooperation favors mutual development and enables effective action at the international level in the field of genetic resource conservation. Collections management within gene banks is problematic if no reliable, accurate and up-to-date information is available that is systematically recorded and easily accessible. Such a documentation system enables gene banks to use information to plan daily activities, and to maximize often limited resources. That’s why gene banks which do not have an effective documentation system cannot develop in a clearly defined direction, nor can they easily communicate and cooperate with other institutions. The gene bank established at the Centre International de Recherche et de Développement de l'Élevage en zone Subhumide (CIRDES) in Burkina Faso exemplifies regional gene banks. As part of the implementation of the AU-IBAR Genetics Project activities, designing a database for the management of genetic material held in the regional gene bank was planned. It is a database to be accessible to users, researchers, and partners, to ensure the effective management of farm animal genetic resources. This database will consist of information on the characteristics of all the bank’s genetic resources and information on the genetic material reception in the bank, the quantities entering and leaving, the responsibilities, the storage containers management and any other information required to ensure the traceability of the material held in the bank.
In this context, the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) seeks to identify and hire a qualified consultant for developing a documentation and information exchange system for the preserved germplasm and a collaborative network with other animal genetic resource centers in West Africa.
Objectives
The objective of the consultation is to develop a documentation and information exchange system for the preserved germplasm and to provide a collaborative network with other animal genetic resource centers in West Africa. Specifically, the consultant, in close cooperation with the member states and the CIRDES, will have to:
Expected Results
In close cooperation with the member states and the CIRDES, and in the light of the foregoing, the expected results for the consultation will be as follows:
Deliverables
Inception Report (IR)
An inception report (IR) within 5 days of signing the contract. The IR coming in no more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timetable and activity schedule, the sites to be visited, the persons to interview and an overview of the contents of the final technical report.
Technical Interim Report (TIR)
The technical interim report is considered the initial draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR) before a final copy is formally and officially submitted to AU-IBAR for acceptance.
Final Technical Report (FTR)
The final technical report (RTF) should take into account inputs and comments from relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The draft final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance. Once validated, three (03) copies of the consultation’s final report, in which the raw data obtained is annexed, must be submitted to AU-IBAR.
Term of Consultation
The consultation will be carried out within 30 working days, from the day of the signing of the contract.
Payment
The total cost for the consultation will be 9000 (nine thousand) US$, covering all the tasks undertaken.
Consultant Profiles
General qualifications and competences:
Specific qualifications and competences:
The consultant shall have an excellent knowledge of information systems management; he or she shall be a network and computer systems specialist.
In particular, he or she should:
Have excellent organizational skills, for facilitation and communication.
Background
The project "Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources" aims at strengthening the capacity of African countries and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably use and conserve animal genetic resources (AnGR) through institutionalizing national and regional policy, legal and technical instruments and implementing actions that will result in judicious exploitation of AnGR in Africa. This is achieved through:
Context of the Consultancy
Conservation, as well as the use of local animal genetic resources, plays a fundamental role in development in rural areas. Biodiversity, in the livestock sector, is an indispensable component of the complex and changing system that characterizes a particular rural area. Phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture is the practice of systematically documenting observed characteristics, geographical distribution, production environments, and uses of these resources. The information obtained through the characterization process fosters informed decision-making about resource management priorities by different interest groups, including farmers, governments at national and regional level, and international agencies. The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources recognizes that « a good understanding of the breed characteristics is required to guide decision-making in breeding development and selection programmes ». The West African region is the domestication center for several animal species and breeds, and they are more likely than others to have unique and valuable genetic diversity. The region’s climate and production environments vary widely and include many challenging environments that combine high temperatures and arid conditions. These conditions are more advantageous to the region’s breeds than exotic breeds that have been raised in temperate climates and in more favorable production environments. Unfortunately, this important wealth is significantly under-utilized and does not contribute to its fair value to the people’s well-being because of the lack of knowledge of the real genetic potential, the poor management of local breeds (food, environmental and sanitary constraints). Phenotypic and / or molecular characterization studies have been conducted in cattle in some countries in the region. At the regional level, a CORAF-funded project investigated the introgression of zebu blood into bull populations in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. The studies have demonstrated that there are signs of introgression in bull populations (Baoulé and N'Dama). In small ruminants, national genetic characterization studies are conducted in various countries on various populations or "breeds". This is true as regards sheep and goats in Burkina Faso. Additionally at the regional level, the project on the "Valorization of local animal and aquaculture genetic resources in the UEMOA space," PROGEVAL funded by UEMOA and led by CORAF with the NARSs is characterizing numerous species such as the Fula zebu, the N’Dama bull, the Peul peul sheep, the local guinea fowl, Tilapia.
In this context, the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) seeks to identify and hire a consultant to emphasize the importance of characterization, inventory and monitoring trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa.
Objectives
The objective of the consultation is to highlight the importance of characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa. Specifically, the consultant will have to:
Expected Results
Deliverables
Inception Report (IR)
An inception report (IR) within 5 days of signing the contract. The IR coming in no more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timetable and activity schedule, the sites to be visited, the persons to interview and an overview of the contents of the final technical report.
Technical Interim Report (TIR)
The technical interim report is considered the initial draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR) before a final copy is formally and officially submitted to AU-IBAR for acceptance.
Final Technical Report (FTR)
The final technical report (RTF) should take into account inputs and comments from relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The draft final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance. Once validated, three (03) copies of the consultation’s final report, in which the raw data obtained is annexed, must be submitted to AU-IBAR. The final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance within a maximum of three calendar months from the date of signing of the contract.
Term of Consultation
The consultation will be carried out within 30 working days, from the day of the signing of the contract.
Payment
The total cost for the consultation will be 9000 (nine thousand) US$, not comprising travel expenses and daily subsistence allowance for field visits if available.
Consultant Profiles
General qualifications and competences:
Specific qualifications and competences:
The consultant shall have an excellent knowledge of livestock development in West Africa and will have extensive experience in characterization of animal species and breeds.
In particular, he or she should:
Background
The African Union Interafrican 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's mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as a resource for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU). The mission of AU-IBAR is to provide leadership in the development of animal resources for Africa through supporting and empowering AU Member States and regional Economic Communities (RECs). Under this mission, AU-IBAR has developed a framework to mainstream livestock in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development program (CAADP) pillars. Sustainable utilization of AnGR is a priority area under pillar 4 of the AU framework. In order to successfully implement this strategy, AU-IBAR has received a financial support from the European Union (EU) to implement a project which focuses on "Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of African Animal Genetic Resources".
The project "Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources" aims at strengthening the capacity of African countries and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably use and conserve animal genetic resources (AnGR) through institutionalizing national and regional policy, legal and technical instruments and implementing actions that will result in judicious exploitation of AnGR in Africa. This is achieved through:
Context of the Consultancy
Livestock is an important economic activity in many West African countries, characterized by a substantial wealth in animal genetic resources. Indeed, almost all animal species can be found there that are well adapted to their specific environment but unevenly distributed. Several complex and interactive factors such as human needs, adaptability of a species, agro-climatic conditions, selection and rearing practices have resulted in development of cattle breeds. Amongst domestic species, cattle feature prominently in the rearing of productive livestock. There are two main groups or types of cattle in Africa: zebus (Bos indicus), which are cattle with a cervico-thoracic hump and adapted to dry areas, and bulls (Bos taurus) which are cattle without a cervico-thoracic hump, found in forest wetland areas. To these two types are added their crosses. Each breed should be regarded as a specific gene aggregate, serving specific purposes in particular agro-ecological zones. These breeds are full of variability and have many positive traits such as a remarkable resistance to disease, improved tolerance against heat, moisture and nutritional stress, and a host of other characteristics adapted to particular agro-climatic environments. These breeds are more effective in the feed conversion in a crop-residue-based nutritious diet. With imminent threats from climate change and drastic reduction in crop productivity, West African cattle breeds, owing to their qualities, will be sought after, and therefore the conservation of these endangered breeds requires not only a national priority, but also an international one. Any selection or improvement programme requires a detailed inventory of the available animal breeds. The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources recognizes that a good understanding of breed characteristics is required to guide decision-making in breeding development and selection programmes. It is strongly believed that negligence and lack of accurate information on the diversity and status of existing animal genetic resources increase the alarming rate of irreversible loss of genetic diversity. Such losses reduce opportunities to improve food security, to reduce poverty and to achieve sustainable farming practices. The advent of the national sovereignty era over genetic resources under the Convention on Biological Diversity requires an approach for describing and listing livestock breeds. This implies that member states protect their animal genetic resources, which are sovereign and have well-defined characteristics, through a national documentation system.
In this context, in order to ensure the identity and protection of valuable animal genetic resources and to facilitate their access to genetic improvement and economic use, the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU- BIRA) seeks to identify and hire a consultant for the development of a catalogue of cattle breeds in West Africa.
Objectives
The objective of the consultation is to establish a catalogue of cattle breeds in West Africa. The proposed action is a concerted effort to motivate, document and network for in situ conservation and use of underutilized bovine genetic resources in West Africa. In addition to a simple list of breeds, the catalogue will also contain other useful information from an economic, ecological and environmental perspective. Including this useful information appears justified in order to bestow on the catalogue the character of a complete inventory of useful species to the communities, whatever their current commercial status.
Specifically, the consultant will have to:
Expected Results
Deliverables
Inception Report (IR)
An inception report (IR) within 5 days of signing the contract. The IR coming in no more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timetable and activity schedule, the sites to be visited, the persons to interview and an overview of the contents of the final technical report.
Technical Interim Report (TIR)
The technical interim report is considered the initial draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR) before a final copy is formally and officially submitted to AU-IBAR for acceptance.
Final Technical Report (FTR)
The final technical report (RTF) should take into account inputs and comments from relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The draft final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance. Once validated, three (03) copies of the consultation’s final report, in which the raw data obtained is annexed, must be submitted to AU-IBAR. The final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance within a maximum of three calendar months from the date of signing of the contract.
Term of Consultation
The consultation will be carried out within 45 working days, from the day of the signing of the contract.
Payment
The total cost for the consultation will be 13,500 (thirteen thousand five hundred) US$, not comprising travel expenses and daily subsistence allowance for field visits if available.
Consultant Profiles
General qualifications and competences:
Specific qualifications and competences:
The consultant shall have an excellent knowledge of livestock development in West Africa and will have extensive experience in the inventorying of animal species and breeds. In particular, he or she should:
Closing Date for Applications: 27th June 2018
The service offers must include a letter of interest addressed to the AU-IBAR Director, a curriculum vitae highlighting the qualifications and professional experience of the person concerned and a financial offer.
The full service offers marked as as the subject of the mail should be sent by e-mail to the following address:
AU-IBAR Director
P.O. BOX 30786, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
FAX: +254-20-367-4143
E-mail: procurement@au-ibar.org and include in copy: khalid.seid@au-ibar.org
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