Purpose of Job

• The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources AU-IBAR, a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment DARBE of the African Union Commission, is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2024-2028 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. Within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa LiDeSAenvironed an inclusive and sustainable livestock economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.
• Small ruminants constitute an important part of the African livestock and represent a key element in food and nutrition security on the continent. Small ruminants are well adapted to the different agro-ecological zones and production systems in which they are reared. Farming small ruminants provide a safety net for women and youth who are vulnerable to socio-economic shocks and disturbances.
• Production, productivity, circulation, trade and marketing of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by the presence of high impact transboundary animal diseases. Among those, Peste des petits ruminants PPR a viral disease affecting only small ruminants and their wild relatives, is the most sensitive one because of its contagiousness and the fatality rate observed.
• For many years, multiple partners and donors have been supporting various PPR control and eradication in different countries/regions, however, the efforts are still fragmented and inadequately coordinated, achieving limited short-term control of the disease and appear insufficient to hope for an eradication at continental level. Around ten years ago, Rinderpest, a viral disease very similar to PPR but affecting cattle and buffaloes, was successfully eradicated from Africa because of a strong continental coordination that was put in place with the support of the European Union. Now, PPR eradication has become a political objective for the African Union reaffirmed at several occasions. A plan of action and a global strategy has been put in place by the FAO/WOAH joint PPR Secretariat that coordinate the PPR Global Eradication Programme under the umbrella of the GF-TADs.
• AU-IBAR and partners with support of the European Union have developed an Action that aims to define concretely the needs and support for strengthening the continental/ regional actors to respond to the threats of transboundary diseases of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa SSA, in particular PPR. The Action will also prepare the governance for coordinating the global PPR eradication in SSA and for coordination at continental level. Finally, the Action will prepare and organize the vaccination strategy needed to eradicate PPR on the basis of the state of play of the various existing initiatives and capacities. 
• This Action should be considered as the first phase to initiate a larger approach to eradicate PPR in Africa in the years to come. It will be used to inform a harmonized continental strategy supported by a theory of change and a comprehensive Business Plan for eradication of PPR. Subsequent implementation phases will entail targeted evidence-based interventions for a time-bound eradication process.
• In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union Commission intends to strengthen its capacity and the Commission therefore, invites applicants who are citizens of Member States of Africa Union for the position of a Communications Officer for the PPR eradication project at the Pan African PPR Secretariat PAPS based at the InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources IBAR, located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Main Functions

• Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Regional Animal Health Center RAAHC/Livestock desk Officer/Head of Livestock of the RECs and the Coordinator of Animal Health Unit/Team Leader PPR Eradication and the overall oversight of the Director of AU-IBAR. He/she shall perform the following tasks:
• Coordinate and Supervise the technical implementation of PPR eradication program at regional level;
• Coordinate the development of project activity plans, oversee preparation of project budgets and expenses in accordance with approved budgets, and prepare interim and final activity reports.
• Support REC member states in the implementation of continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa at regional level;
• Strengthen capacities of REC member states to develop surveillance systems at regional and national level;
• Strengthen capacities of REC member states to develop reference diagnostic laboratories at regional and national level;
• Establish and strengthen a system of governance at regional and national level for the implementation of continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa, closely linked to global coordination initiatives ; 
• Support PPR vaccine production units at regional level;
• Prepare, coordinate and organize the vaccination strategy in response to PPR at regional level,
•  Support REC member states eligible for official PPR freedom and their application to WOAH;  
• Strengthen collaboration with project partners, and ensure relevant documentation is in place;
• Liaise with national Chief veterinary Officers and other relevant partners and stakeholders for the implementation of PPR activities as well as develop policies, strategies, knowledge products and advocacy material to prepare country livestock master plan.
• Develop concept notes, project proposals, projects monitoring and evaluation frameworks that are quality assured following RECs Project Cycle/logical framework to attract extra-budgetary commitments as well as identify, appraise and formulate these extra-budgetary commitments.
• Undertake any other official responsibilities as delegated.

Specific Responsibilities

• Carry out an assessment of the status of implementation of recommendations of performance of veterinary services missions, gap analysis missions, veterinary legislation missions and support national veterinary services, develop and implement strategic plans 
• Support member states to develop and utilize TADs and zoonoses preparedness and response capacities
• Generate based-evidences to inform capacity development and PPR risk management epidemiological systems, regions risk mapping and risk management plan 
• Promote data sharing and enhance scientific and technical networking at regional level; 
• Undertake mapping of PPR interventions within the region
• Carry out mapping of animal health actors and their intervention areas at regional level
• Support and enhance laboratories capacities in PPR diagnostic;
• Support laboratory capacity to enhance surveillance systems for early warning of PPR outbreaks ; 
• Identify and support PPR vaccine production units at regional level;
• Strengthen capacities of REC member states to develop realistic national strategic plans, policies and legislations aligned with the continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa relevant global instruments;
• Prepare, coordinate and organize the vaccination strategy in response to PPR at regional level;
• Backstop the ARIS manager in the analysis of member states animal health reports and the drafting of the Regional Animal Health Yearbook
•  Contribute to the monitoring and analysis of the state of animal health in Africa and the generation of annual policy briefs 
• Provide advocacy, communication strategies, planning and implementation and social mobilization support to PPR eradication strategy at regional level.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

The incumbent should have a

• Postgraduate University degree Master's degree in Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Epidemiology or Animal Health Economics and Planning from a recognized academic institution.  A PhD qualification in the relevant disciplines will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of seven 7 years of relevant experience in the public or private sector, in animal disease prevention, surveillance and control for International Organizations, Government or Donors funded Projects relating to Animal Health, TADs control, surveillance and management with in particular PPR control program or research program development or related fields, of which at least 3 years should be at expert level.

OR

• Bachelor university degree in in Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Epidemiology or Animal Health Economics and Planning from a recognized academic institution and a certificate in project management.  
• A minimum of ten 10 years of relevant progressive work experience in the public or private sector, in animal disease prevention, surveillance and control for International Organizations, Government or Donors funded Projects relating to Animal Health, TADs control, surveillance and management with in particular PPR control program or research program development or related fields of which at least 3 years should be at expert level.

Overall

• A certificate in Project Management and Planning is desirable

Required Skills

• Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
• Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work and follow-up on implementation;
• Sector related project development, management and implementation skills at national, and regional levels;
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary;
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster team environment is required.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required, fluency in another AU language and or English in particular is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight
• Change Management
• Managing Risk
• Core Competencies
• Building Relationship
• Accountable and Complies with Rules
• .Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence