Animal Health Expert (FISHGOV 2 ) – OHDAA Project

Background

The African Union Inter African Bureau is a technical institution under the Department of 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.

The African Union One Health Data Alliance Africa project (AU-OHDAA) is a two-year project whose objective is "Digitalised One Health Governance and Management in Sub-Saharan Africa is Strengthened". The AU-OHDAA is achieved through two outputs namely; 1) Information Policy (IP) and Information architecture (IA); 2) Operational One Health (OH) information Platform at the continental level for the integration, analysis and exchange of One Health information to strengthen evidence-based cross-sectoral and cross-border OH governance and management.

The African Union Inter-African Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is implementing the above-mentioned project which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The Animal Health Strategy for Africa (AHSA-2019-2035) provides a common vision and goals for the African continent for the improvement of animal health delivery systems including promoting the One Health approach and in tandem to executing her mandate of improving animal health delivery systems, the need for strengthening and operationalizing digital OH especially in Africa is paramount. AU-IBAR is keen to ensure that a strong unified drive towards integrating and sharing information, knowledge and experiences on all the three OH domains (Animal Health, Human Health and Environmental health) is operationalized and institutionalized.

AU-IBAR therefore seeks the services of an Animal Health Expert with vast knowledge on animal health delivery systems, disease prevention, preparedness, detection and response at national, regional and continental levels and with knowledge and experience on the status of One Health in the continent, One Health actors, One Health Data governance to provide technical support for the implementation of the OHDAA project. 

 Overall Objective

Within the framework of The African Union One Health Data Alliance Africa project (AU-OHDAA), the objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support for the implementation of the Project.

Tasks and responsibilities

1. Develop an Inception Report within 5 days of commencing duty. The Inception report of not more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, activities, timeline and an outline of the contents of the final technical report.
2. Support the operationalization of the One Health Information Policy (IP) and One Health Information Architecture (IA).
3. Support the rollout of the Africa Union Digital One Health Platform (AU-DOHP) in AU Member States.
4. Strengthen multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary collaboration and coordination in the delivery of the One Health Approach.
5. Provide support to strengthen national and regional capacities to efficiently operationalize One Health through training needs assessments, building capacities and sustainability mechanisms (including curriculum development and Training of Trainers)
6. Provide technical expertise to participating countries in the generation, documentation and information sharing on digital One Health activities amongst OHDAA partners and stakeholders.
7. Support organization, preparation and finalization of technical and project steering committee reports.
8. Prepare and submit Monthly report on progress of implementation of the tasks and deliverables.
9. Prepare and submit a comprehensive Final report on all tasks and deliverables at the end of the six months period.
10. Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Expected Outputs/deliverables

1. Inception Report developed outlining methodology, workplan and approach for the consultancy.
2. Operationalization of the One Health Information Policy (IP) and One Health Information Architecture (IA) supported.
3. Africa Union Digital One Health Platform (AU-DOHP) rolled out in two Member States and two RECs.
4. Strengthened multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary collaboration and coordination in the delivery of the One Health Approach.
5. National and regional capacities to efficiently operationalize One Health enhanced.
6. Generation, documentation and information sharing on digital One Health activities amongst AU-OHDAA partners and stakeholders enhanced.
7. Technical and project steering committee reports prepared and submitted.
8. Monthly report on progress of implementation of the tasks and deliverables submitted in a timely manner.
9. Comprehensive report on all tasks and deliverables at the end of the six months prepared and submitted in a timely manner.
10. Duties assigned by the Director delivered effectively and efficiently and on time.

Duty stations

The consultant will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The duration of this assignment is 4 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 monthly remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed sum of USD 6,718. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.

Selection Criteria 

Proposals received will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

Criteria	Scores(%)
Qualifications	30
General Experience	20
Specific Experience	35
Other skills	10
Proficiency in language	5

Supervision and reporting

The consultant will be under the Direct Supervision of the Project Co-ordinator – African Union One Health Data Alliance Africa (AU-OHDAA) with Overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR.

Requirements

Academic requirements

1. A university degree in Veterinary Medicine and at least an advanced degree MSc degree in Animal health and demonstrated knowledge and experience in One Health approach. A  PhD in animal health disciplines  will be an added advantage.
   General professional experience.
2. At least 10 years of proven experience in public and/or private sector animal health services, disease prevention, preparedness, detection and response at national, regional and continental levels.
3. Demonstrated experience on harmonization and coordination of animal disease control including in close border areas.
4. Knowledge of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) standards.
5. Experience in an international work environment is highly desirable.    

Specific professional experience

1. Proven experience in managing national, regional or continental animal health projects and interventions.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and vast experience in formulation and implementation of regional and continental policy frameworks.
3. Proven knowledge on One Health approach and operationalization of One Health in the continent.
4. Familiar with African Union (AU) policy processes.
5. Demonstrated Knowledge on One Health Data Governance.
6. Proven knowledge on the Africa Union data policies in particular the African Union Digital One Health Information Policy and associated Information Architecture Framework.
7. Proven knowledge and experience working with African Union Member States to support integration of One Health data in appropriate platforms.
8. Knowledge of the procedures and processes of BMZ/GIZ and their approach to development projects in Africa. 
   
    

Other Skills and competencies

1.  Professionalism - Proven expertise in animal health, policy formulation and advocacy related to animal health management; demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge and proven analytical skills on issues related to animal health and sustainable development.
2. Planning and organizing - Proven ability to plan and organize work within a project; ability to make timely decisions.
3. Efficient communication skills and demonstrated experience in working with multi- disciplinary, multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral actors across the African continent. Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view.
4. Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
5. Judgement/Decision-making - Good judgement and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact, ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve the institution’s goals.

Language requirement

 Proficiency in English and/or French and or any other AU working languages

Medical and travel cover for consultant/s

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

Submission of Applications

The deadline for submission of proposals is 17th October 2025, 17.00 hours, Nairobi Local Time.

Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to albert.obiero@au-ibar.org and should include the title “Animal Health Expert (OHDAA Project)” in the subject of the email.

Applications should include the following:

a)A Letter of Interest highlighting competence and suitability for the consultancy;
b)Detailed curriculum vitae;
c)Copies of academic and professional qualifications;
d)Completed declaration on exclusion criteria in the format attached;
e)Copies of identification documents.

A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is attached as information for the applicants.