Consultancy Service: Animal Health Delivery Systems Expert

Introduction

The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) will be leading the implementation of the regional Project “Strengthening Integrated One Health Capacities for Enhanced Pandemic Preparedness and Response in the Lake Chad Basin” funded by the Pandemic fund. The SCOPE project will be implemented across five Lake Chad Basin (LCB) member states namely Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and Chad.  The afore-mentioned project overall goal is to strengthen cross-border capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response through an integrated and inclusive One Health approach in the Lake Chad Basin. The SCOPE Project will be implemented through three result areas; Result Area 1: By 2029, Enhance capacity for cross-border One Health prevention, detection, notification and response for pandemics in the Lake Chad Basin; Result Area 2: By 2029, strengthen the cross-border governance and coordination mechanisms for inclusive and equitable One Health Systems; Result Area 3: By 2029, foster sustainable innovative financial flows, strategic partnerships and stewardship for PPR in the Lake Chad Basin. AU-IBAR will be working in close partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). 
The Lake Chad Basin remains vulnerable to zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), transboundary animal diseases, climate-sensitive health threats, and public health emergencies. Effective prevention, detection, reporting, and response require integrated, interoperable, and sustainable digital systems that support data sharing across sectors and countries. The SCOPE Programme   seeks to strengthen regional and national digital One Health ecosystems through establishment of interoperable surveillance systems, enhancement of cross-border disease reporting, integration of laboratory and surveillance platforms, strengthening of data governance frameworks, and alignment with the African Union Digital One Health Platform (AU-DOHP) at AU-IBAR.
To support implementation of these activities, AU-IBAR seeks to recruit an Animal Health Delivery Systems Expert to provide strategic leadership and technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle

Purpose of Job

The Animal Health Delivery systems Expert will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership in designing, strengthening, and reforming animal health delivery systems — including veterinary service structures, animal disease surveillance, private-public delivery models, and community-based animal health services — ensuring alignment with national policy, WOAH international standards, and One Health objectives.

Main Functions

1. Provide expert technical guidance on strengthening animal health delivery systems (veterinary services, vaccination programs, disease control, extension services) within a One Health framework.
2. Advise on the design of resilient, decentralized veterinary service delivery models, including community-based animal health systems and private sector.
3. Support follow-up PVS assessment and mainstreaming PVS and veterinary legislation recommendations.
4. Promote a One Health approach by ensuring coordination between animal, human, and environmental health delivery systems.

Specific Responsibilities

Strengthening Service Delivery Systems 

1. Assess existing animal health delivery systems (veterinary services, vaccination programs, disease control, extension services) and identify gaps and opportunities for strengthening especially in fragile and Conflict settings areas.
2. Design sustainable delivery models that bridge gaps between state veterinary departments and private sector.
3. Facilitate the establishment/strengthening of veterinary supply chains (vaccines, medicines, diagnostics) to ensure availability and accessibility.
4. Coordinate the deployment and operationalization of Rapid Mobile Laboratories (RMLs), including emergency deployment plans, operational protocols, and surge response mechanisms.
5. Strengthen regional coordination mechanisms, cross-border collaboration, and multisectoral implementation of One Health initiatives.
6. Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of animal health service delivery systems at national, regional and continental levels.
7. Strengthen linkages between veterinary services, animal health workers, laboratories, and regulatory/policy bodies.
8. Facilitate collaboration among public health, veterinary, wildlife, environmental, academic, and research laboratory to strengthen integrated One Health diagnostic systems across the region.
9. Support institutional capacity assessments (e.g., WOAH PVS Evaluation/Gap Analysis) and follow-up action plans.
10. Support the design and rollout of community-based animal health programs, para-veterinary training, and last-mile, hard-to-reach conflict-affected areas veterinary service models.
11. Support Member States and regional institutions to establish and operationalize cross-border animal health delivery systems coordination mechanisms, networking frameworks, and referral pathways.
12. Support the establishment and strengthening of genomic surveillance programmes, bioinformatics systems, and analytical pipelines for priority zoonotic diseases and AMR.
13. Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Duty Station

AU-IBAR office based in Nairobi, Kenya with regular travel to participating countries within the Lake Chad Basin region.

Criteria for Scoring

Academic Requirements

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine.
2. Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Laboratory Sciences, Epidemiology, One Health, or a related field is an added advantage

General Experience

1. Minimum 5 – 10 years’ experience in animal health service delivery, veterinary systems strengthening, or One Health programming.
2. Proven track record veterinary systems assessments (e.g., WOAH PVS Pathway), and institutional capacity building.
3. Demonstrated experience in leading multisectoral/One Health coordination initiatives (human-animal-environment interface).
4. Field experience in low- and middle-income country contexts, particularly in zoonotic disease control or AMR programs.

Specific Experience

1. Good understanding of capacity development for veterinary services in key competency areas for prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases based on international standards.
2. Proven experience in managing animal health related project at national, regional or continental levels.
3. Proven experience in laboratory systems strengthening and diagnostics – at national and regional levels. 
4. A good understanding of policies, strategies and veterinary legislation.
5. Proven knowledge on WOAH standards.
6. Proven knowledge and experience on harmonisation of disease prevention and control especially in cross border areas.
7. Experience in organising and facilitating stakeholder consultative meetings and preparation of reports/ proceedings.
8. Proven knowledge and experience in networking and knowledge sharing.
9. Proven knowledge on One Health (OH) approach and operationalization of OH in the continent.
10. Experience in an international work environment is highly desirable

Competencies

1. Strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving.
2. Strong commitment to One Health principles and cross-sectoral collaboration.
3. Integrity, professionalism, and adherence to international animal health/biosafety standards.

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.

Duration

The project life-span is for three (3) years but the duration of this consultancy is 6 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. 
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 P3 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 – SCOPE project with overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR.

Gender Mainstreaming

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

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit Applications should include the following:

i.    Detailed curriculum vitae;
ii.    Copies of academic and professional qualifications;
iii.    Completed declaration on exclusion criteria in the format attached; and,
iv.    Copies of identification documents.

to the email procurement@au-ibar.org and a copy to albert.obiero@au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line “Animal Health Delivery Systems Expert” The deadline for applications will be 06th November 2026 at 23:45 Nairobi Local Time.