Consultancy Service: Donkey Expert (INDIVIDUALS ONLY)

Background

The African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a technical institution under the Department of Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) whose mission is to provide leadership and integrated support services for the development of animal resources in Africa. 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). The core functions of AU-IBAR within the field of animal resources development in Africa are: Strengthening and promoting veterinary governance and animal health systems; Strengthening and promoting access to inputs, services and markets for animal and animal products; Enhancing the utilization, management and conservation of animal resources and their ecosystems; Promotion of the effective management of animal resources information and knowledge.

For thousands of years, working animals in general, and donkeys in particular, have been supporting the daily life of many communities, through playing a crucial role in the tilling of agricultural land, transport of goods, clean water and people. These animals help build resilience to aspects of challenges in life, such as climate change, and make a transformative socioeconomic impact in many parts of the continent. Donkeys play an important role in some urban areas, where they help in the transportation of bricks for the construction industry, animal feeds and farm produce, in many African countries.  

The role played by the donkey in the community and its contribution to overall socio-economic development is often neglected in policy frameworks and other initiatives that could drive its contribution to the ‘agro-socio-economic ’ development of Africa. The chronic neglect by institutions and governments, and hence the decimation of its population by the donkey skin trade, implies depriving the donkey-dependent communities; especially women, of the benefits they could obtain from them. The lack of recognition of the donkey’s role in development and the emerging threats to its existence is suspected to contribute to the runaway unsustainable exploitation of the animal for its skin and illegal bush slaughter for meat, in Africa consequently threatening the livelihoods of donkey dependent communities.

It is against this backdrop that AU-IBAR in close partnership with the International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE) has spearheaded the development and endorsement of the Pan African Strategy for the Preservation of Donkey Species in Africa 2026 – 2035. The Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA) is also critical to the preservation and sustainable utilization and therefore and the domestication of  the two strategies at national and regional levels is critical.

AU-IBAR therefore seeks the services of a Donkey Expert with vast knowledge on donkey health, production and productivity at national, regional and continental levels and with knowledge and experience on the status of working equines in the continent. The expert is further required to provide technical support for the domestication of the animal welfare strategy for Africa (AWSA) and the Pan African Strategy for the Preservation of Donkey Species in Africa 2026 – 2035 and related activities    

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the consultancy is to support the implementation of the animal welfare strategy for Africa (AWSA) and the Pan African Strategy for the Preservation of Donkey Species in Africa 2026 – 2035 which will promote a coordinated intervention that will safeguard the welfare of the donkeys, rebuild Africa’s population of donkeys and other working equines, as well as promote the sustainable utilization of the donkey across the continent.

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultancy will be undertaken under the overall oversight of the Director of AU-IBAR and direct supervision of the Coordinator of Animal Health Unit/ and in close consultation with the AU-IBAR/ICWE Partners Technical Working group and the Secretariat of the Animal Welfare platform for Africa (APAW).

The consultancy shall perform the following tasks:

1. To lead and coordinate the implementation of the Pan African Strategy for the Preservation of Donkey Species in Africa 2026 – 2035 and the animal welfare strategy for Africa (AWSA) in African Union member States and Regional Economic Communities
2. To initiate the drafting and formulation of an implementation Pan African program for the development of donkey species and costed Action plan
3. Facilitate the pre-engagement of member states and RECs in the preparations to the Third Pan African Donkey conference [PADCO-3]
4. Generation of advocacy materials for sustainable utilization of the donkey
5. Support in the operationalization of APAW and co-ordinate the technical and annual general assembly meetings
6. Lead, coordinate, supervise and monitoring the technical implementation and management of continental Donkey Species preservation strategy in Africa
7. Perform and other duty assigned by the Supervisor and the Director of AU-IBAR. 

Deliverables

The consultancy will cover and deliver the following:

1. Inception report with detailed work plan and anticipated stakeholders to be met, which will include a technical note on the methodology used for delivery of the above-mentioned objectives
2. Technical Working Group (TWG) and ICWE/AUIBAR consultative meeting and writeshops undertaken
3. Production of advocacy materials for sustainable utilization of the donkey
4. Co-ordination of consultative meetings at national and regional levels for the domestication of the Pan African Strategy for the Preservation of Donkey Species in Africa 2026 – 2035 and AWSA
5. Draft Pan-African implementation program for the development of the donkey species and costed Action plan available

Duty stations

The consultant will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management under the supervision of the Coordinator of Animal Health Unit and the overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR. The selected candidate will be responsible for all costs related to assumption at the duty station. The candidate should ensure that they have the capacity and status to undertake the assignment at the duty station.

Duration

The duration of this assignment is six (6) months. The contract would be renewable depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment as soon as the contract is signed.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy shall be an all-inclusive monthly fee of USD 6,000.00
The consultant will be responsible for his/her medical and travel insurance cover for the duration of the consultancy. Expenses for travel on official missions will be covered separately by AU-IBAR in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.

Medical and travel cover for consultant/s

The consultant will responsible for their medical and travel insurance cover/s during the duration of the consultancy.

Requirements of Consultant

Qualifications

Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine, animal sciences and or animal production sciences, Post-graduate degree Veterinary Medicine, animal sciences and or animal production sciences preferred. A PhD in the relevant disciplines will be an added advantage.

General Experience

The criteria for selection will be based on:

1. At least 10 years of hands-on relevant professional experience with proven record in animal resources sector interventions.
2. At least 10 years experience in donkey health care and animal welfare in Africa.
3. At least 5 years in donkey breeding and breeding programmes especially community based.
4. At least 10 years in working with member states and Regional Economic communities on Animal welfare.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of the African working animals’ status especially on donkey species institutional environment and national, regional plus international actors involved.
6. Sound knowledge and experience in animal genetic characterisation, improvement and breeding in Africa skills required.

Specific experience

1. At least 10 Years experience in African region and/or RECs in animal welfare sector especially donkey health care and welfare.
2. Extensive knowledge in the African Union governance frameworks including - Pan African Strategy for the Preservation of Donkey Species in Africa 2026 – 2035 and Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA).
3. Sound knowledge in the governance and co-ordination mechanism for Animal welfare including APAW, CCAWA.
4. Proven track record in multi-stakeholder facilitation, awareness and advocacy on animal welfare.
5. Extensive knowledge on issues of Africa Animal health and welfare, and production and knowledge on ongoing African Union initiatives and interventions in the sector.
6. Working experience in African region and/or RECs in animal welfare sector especially donkey health care and welfare.

Other Skills

1. Strong writing and reporting skills.
2. Good communication skills and ability to work in a team and with minimum supervision.

Language requirement 

Proficiency in English and French or any other AU working languages

Gender Mainstreaming

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Evaluation Criteria

The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates. 

CRITERIA	SCORES
Qualifications	20
General Experience	30
Specific Experience	40
Other skills	5
Language	5
Total	100

Submission of Proposals

Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to emma.boro@au-ibar.org and should include the title “DONKEY EXPERT”

The application should include the following documents:

i.    Detailed curriculum vitae with names and contacts details of professional references 
ii.    Copies of academic and professional certificates 
iii.    Signed declaration on exclusion criteria (format provided in website)
iv.    Copy of identification documents

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted to the address given above by 14th August, 2026 at 23:45hrs Nairobi Local Time.