Consultancy- Livestock and Climate Change Expert

Introduction

The AU-IBAR which is a specialized technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) with the mandate to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as a resource of both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU). Its mission is to provide leadership in the development of animal resources in Africa through supporting and empowering AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). 
Climate change continues to be a major threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa, and the achievement of continental and global Development Goals especially AU Agenda 2063 Goal 7 (Climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economies) and SDG 13 (Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters) remains a mirage. Indeed, climate change represents perhaps the greatest environmental and political challenge the world has faced to date because it requires innovative global governance approaches. Currently, the African continent is losing between 7-15 billion dollars every year because of climate change, with a projected rise of up to $50 billion per year by 2030. As indicated nine out of the 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change (40%) are in Africa and yet Africa accounts for only 6% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 
AU IBAR in part of its mandate is building partnerships and expanding collaboration to tackle the problem of climate change. In the context of enhancing partnerships, collaborations and networks, the Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), a global project Catalyzing Transformation towards Sustainable Livestock Systems (LIVESYs) was commissioned for a period starting from 2024 to 2027. The project aims at supporting key players at global, regional and national levels to increase support for financing and development of policy instruments for the transformation of agricultural and food systems towards sustainable livestock systems, protecting climate change and biodiversity. LIVESYs partners participate in the Africa Food Systems Forum to strengthen advocacy and position sustainable livestock systems in the wider discussion around transformation of agricultural food systems. The LIVESYs is a joint project of AU-IBAR, ILRI and CIAT. The partners work in an agile and innovative way in response to rapidly evolving challenges. In which they establish relationships with governments, communities and organisations in order to deliver effective systems and services for those who need them most, and undertaking science-evidence based research to inform policy articulation and formulation and raise awareness on the project and enhance advocacy to strengthen African common positions on sustainable livestock management in global discussions with focus on addressing climate change issues.
 

Rationale

The LiveSYS project is aimed at achieving four main outputs (i) global agendas and advocacy (ii) Capacity development (iii) Knowledge exchange and networking and financing for climate action. AU-IBAR leveraging on its continental mandate aims to implement the project through (i)Promoting enabling institutional and policy environment for climate smart production systems;(ii)Supporting deployment, adoption and upscaling of climate smart, environmentally friendly and gender inclusive technologies, tools and innovations (iii)Supporting the generation and dissemination of knowledge products and (iv) Promoting advocacy and awareness creation on climate finance and opportunities. These interventions are dovetailed with the other implementing partners activities to ensure the realization of the common vision “driving the resilient and nature positive livestock food systems”.
Additionally, in Africa there is need to raise the profile of livestock within the national systems but leveraging on the AU-CAADP strategy and action plan (2025-2035), a transformative strategy that aims to foster economic competitiveness, social cohesion, human capacity development, innovation and commercialization, industrialization and agri-business. Its inclusivity of livestock components has presented relevant stakeholders with a framework to drive specific livestock interventions at national, regional and continental levels. Access to climate finance remains a mirage for member states, there is need to build capacity at member state levels and Regional Economic Communities.

To enable this action, AU-IBAR intends to commission a short-term consultancy to provide technical support in the implementation of LiveSYS project activities.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support for the implementation of the LiveSYS project
The specific objectives will include;

1. Offer strategic guidance to member states and RECs to elevating livestock in nature-positive Food Systems through CAADP framework.
2. Support the adoption and domestication of the African Common Position for Sustainable, resilient and nature-positive livestock food systems at the AU-STC and the Member States respectively.
3. Support the establishment and operationalization of the Africa Climate and Livestock Think Tank to spearhead synergy and coherence in climate action for nature-positive livestock food systems.
4. Undertake the development and validation of the African Union Communication and Advocacy strategy for climate resilient and nature positive Animal production systems.
5. Support member states in advocating and negotiating for livestock-sensitive positions at regional and global fora including COPs, AFS, UNFCCC etc.
6. Offer technical support and guidance of livestock priority actions to the Senior Advisor on Livestock Policy for H.E Commissioner`s Office.
7. Draft policy briefs and reports aligned to climate change and livestock actions.
8. Support dissemination and adoption of the Capacity development activities at national, regional and continental levels.
9. Support adoption of climate finance guidelines, climate smart technologies and innovations at MS and REC levels.
10. Support member state to access climate finance – Advance member states to next Tiers.
11. Offer advisory services in identification, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and preparation of climate change briefs.
12. Support drafting of LiveSYS project monthly, annual reports amongst other relevant reports.
13. Develop and Draft LiveSYS travel plans and workplans aligned to regional and global climate and livestock meetings.
14. Attend to any other duties assigned by the Director - AU-IBAR.

Expected Outputs/deliverables of the consultancy

 It is expected that the following will be achieved under this assignment:

1. Increased awareness of Livestock position in continental and global climate.
2. Functional Africa Climate and Livestock Think Tank.
3. Domesticated African Common Position for Sustainable, resilient and nature-positive livestock food systems.
4. Increased adoption of climate-sensitive practises.
5. Validated African Union Communication and Advocacy strategy.
6. Adoption of climate finance guidelines and climate finance accessed.

Duty Station

This consultancy will be home-based.

Criteria for Scoring

Criteria	Scores (%)
Qualifications	25
General Experience	25
Specific Experience	40
Other Skills	10
Proficiency in language	5
Total	100

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Academic Requirements

Qualifications

A Master or PhD in animal science/genetics, Climate change Science or related topics

General Experience

1. At least 10 years’ experience in the animal genetic resources sub-sector and climate change actions including climate governance and finance.
2. Previous experience with GCF project proposal development will be an added advantage.

Specific Experience

1. Proficient in with GHG emission reductions accounting methodologies.
2. Demonstrated experience in climate change / livestock / agrifood systems at national, regional and continental levels.
3. Experience in development of regional and continental policies, strategies and climate change, livestock conservation amongst others.
4. Knowledge in assessment of environmental and climate related risks and identification of strategies to strengthen institutional capacities.
5. Experience with climate change data collection and analysis related to rangeland, livestock, and their related value chain.
6. Knowledge in climate finance access and management.

Competencies

1. Professionalism – good understanding and knowledge of animal resources development, agricultural economics, communication, advocacy or other relevant disciplines. 
2. Planning and Organizing – Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
3. Writing and Communication – excellent writing skills; ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate messages effectively.
4. Facilitation – Excellent facilitation skills.

Required Skills

1. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa.
2. Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions or stakeholders operating in the regions.
3. Very strong writing, analytical and communication, computer skills are necessary.
4. Proficiency in at least any of AU official languages.

Submission & Approval of Reports

Copies of the approved technical report referred must be submitted to AU-IBAR. AU-IBAR is responsible for approving the progress reports.

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 monthly remuneration for this Consultancy is P2 step 5. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.  

Supervision and reporting

The consultant will be under the Direct Supervision of the Project Co-ordinator – LiveSYS project with overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR.

Submission of Applications

Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to emmah.boro@au-ibar.org and should include the title “Livestock & Climate Change Expert” in the subject of the email.

Applications should include the following: 

i.    Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and brief cover letter. 
ii.    Copies of academic and professional certification documents. 
iii.    Declaration on exclusion criteria (see format attached). 
iv.    Identification documents.

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

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted to the address given above by 02nd March, 2026 at 23:45hrs Nairobi Local Time.