Consultancy Service: One Health Workforce 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). 
One Health approach to be fully domesticated will require building of technical capacities and competencies to across the multisectoral and stakeholder workforce. The need to strengthen regional gender-inclusive OH workforce competences and institutional capacities for PPR as well as strengthen cross border multisectoral workforce collaboration for emergency response in fragile and conflict affected settings is pertinent. To support implementation of these activities, AU-IBAR seeks to recruit a One Health Workforce Specialist to provide strategic leadership and technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle.

Purpose of Job

The One Health Workforce systems Expert will provide technical support towards the strengthening the capacity, readiness, and sustainability of the One Health workforce across the Lake Chad Basin. The position supports regional and national efforts to develop a competent, multidisciplinary workforce through workforce planning, competency-based training, leadership development, emergency preparedness and response initiatives, and institutional capacity strengthening. Working closely with Member States and regional institutions, the Specialist promotes workforce resilience, cross-sectoral collaboration, country ownership, and alignment with regional and global One Health priorities.

Main Functions

1. Strengthen regional and national One Health workforce planning, competency development, and institutional capacity.
2. Ensure support to mainstream JEEs, SPAR and PVS recommendations.
3. Lead the development, harmonization, and implementation of competency-based training curricula, learning resources, and professional development programmes.
4. Coordinate regional learning initiatives, capacity-building programmes, mentorship, and knowledge management systems.
5. Strengthen institutional mechanisms for workforce performance, knowledge retention, continuous learning, and sustainability.
6. Monitor and evaluate workforce development interventions to improve competency, training effectiveness, and institutional learning.

Specific Responsibilities

1.1.1    Workforce Planning and Competency Development

1. Support Member States to conduct One Health workforce capacity assessments, competency mapping, and training needs assessments.
2. Support the development and implementation of regional One Health workforce strategies and workforce development plans.
3. Develop and harmonize competency frameworks for multidisciplinary One Health professionals across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
4. Promote gender-responsive, inclusive, and equitable workforce development approaches.

1.1.2    Curriculum Development and Training

1. Lead the development, review, harmonization, and periodic updating of competency-based One Health training curricula.
2. Develop standardized training packages, facilitator guides, learner manuals, job aids, and other learning resources.
3. Coordinate regional, national, and sub-national Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programmes.
4. Support Member States to institutionalize One Health training programmes within universities, professional training institutions, and in-service training systems.
5. Promote accreditation and certification of competency-based training programmes where applicable.

1.1.3    Learning Systems and Knowledge Management

1. Establish and strengthen e-learning platforms, digital learning systems, and blended learning approaches.
2. Develop strategies for continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
3. Design and implement knowledge management systems to capture, retain, and disseminate technical knowledge and best practices.
4. Promote communities of practice, peer learning networks, and regional knowledge exchange platforms.
5. Document and disseminate lessons learned, innovations, and success stories from workforce development initiatives.

1.1.4    Capacity Building and Mentorship

1. Coordinate implementation of regional and national capacity-building programmes.
2. Provide technical mentorship to national institutions responsible for workforce development.
3. Strengthen institutional capacities to plan, deliver, and evaluate competency-based training programmes.
4. Support development of succession planning and institutional knowledge retention mechanisms.
5. Support joint risk assessment, joint surveillance, and coordinated outbreak investigation/response for zoonotic diseases and AMR.
6. 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

Selection criteria

Criteria	Scores (%)
Qualifications	20
General Experience	25
Specific Experience	40
Other skills	10
Proficiency in language	5
Total	100

Academic Requirements

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine; Public Health; Epidemiology; Environmental Sciences.
2. Master's degree in Public Health, Veterinary Public Health, Epidemiology, One Health, Education, Health Systems, Emergency Management, Workforce Development, or related discipline.

General Experience

1. At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development, capacity building, emergency preparedness, or One Health programmes.
2. Atleast 5 years’ experience in development, harmonization, and implementation of competency-based training curricula, learning resources, and professional development programmes

Specific Experience

1. Experience in regional learning initiatives, capacity-building programmes, mentorship, and knowledge management systems.
2. Experience designing and implementing large-scale competency-based training programmes at sub-national, national and regional scales.
3. Proficient in usage of e-learning platforms, digital learning systems, and blended learning approaches.
4. Experience facilitating simulation exercises and preparedness drills.
5. Experience working in regional programmes within Africa is an added advantage.

Competencies

1. One Health workforce development. 
2. Adult learning methodologies.
3. Knowledge retention strategies.
4. Emergency preparedness and response systems. 
5. Field epidemiology.
6. E-learning platforms.
7. Leadership and institutional development.

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 successful consultant will be based in AU-IBAR offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and will be required to maintain the AUC office hours
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 – 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 “One Health Workforce Specialist” The deadline for applications will be 06th November 2026 at 23:45 Nairobi Local Time.