Animal Health Officer (AU-IBAR)

AU - African Union

Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose of Job

The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for a position in the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR) Nairobi, Kenya which is mainly in charge of being the vehicle for the AU to develop an appropriate and independent expertise in the area of animal health and production for the alleviation of poverty of those involved in livestock farming and food security in Member States.

The Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialised technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU).

The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for a position at the Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources, Nairobi/Kenya.

Main Functions

Contribute to the strategic leadership of the institution in the domain of animal health;
Provide strategic and technical guidance to member states and regional economic communities in the domain of animal health and diseases control;
Coordinate programmes for the control of animal diseases in Africa and provide support to regional economic communities and member states;
Maintain, strengthen and diversify partnerships with international organisations and technical partners in the animal health domain.

Specific Responsibilities

Assist in co-ordinating activities in AU-Member States in the field of animal health and welfare including control of epizootics and applying the One health approach;
Assist in co-ordinating the control and eradication of trans-boundary diseases in member states;
Support ARIS system to collect, collate and disseminate information on all aspects of animal health in Africa;
Assist in co-ordination and liaison with appropriate authorities of Member States, Regional groups, Inter-Governmental and International Organizations on matters of animal health;
Assist in monitoring and react to changes and requirements of the International Animal Code;
Assist in facilitating the collaboration framework with the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) such as GF-TADs Africa, and other strategic partners;
Contribute towards planning and decision-making to formulate IBAR’s response to any major animal disease outbreak in a member state;
Assist the Chief Animal Health Officer in the networking and management of the numerous animal health programmes and projects housed within IBAR;
Support monitoring the general sectoral issues related to animal health and support formulation of strategies, programmes and projects and facilitate the quarterly and annual reporting of animal health;
Maintain a continental platform of public and private actors involved in animal health and assist RECs and AU MSs to work together to address issues of animal health with a focus of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and zoonoses, curriculum content and quality of veterinary services delivery;
Support the epidemiology, laboratory and veterinary public health networks in Africa to efficiently address the main diseases, emerging and re-emerging diseases and issues of veterinary public health concern including food safety;
Support risk analysis along regional and continental priority livestock value chains;
Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the Supervisor and the Director.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

Bachelors in Veterinary Science, Animal Health or Epidemiology or related field, with at least five (5) years of progressive relevant experience in Veterinary and/or Animal Health with a strong background of Veterinary Epidemiology;
Or a Master’s Degree in any of the above or related field, with a minimum of two (2) years of progressive relevant experience in Veterinary and/or Animal Health with a strong background of Veterinary Epidemiology;
Supervisory experience is an added advantage;
Professional work experience in identifying stakeholder’s capacity gaps in animal health and formulating and implementing capacity building strategies;
Experience in an international work environment is highly desirable;
Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Required Skills

Sound project management skills and ability to multi task;
Effective interpersonal and communication, from project kick offs to stakeholder meetings;
Strong negotiation skills;
Possess leadership skills;
Self-motivated, creative, and a reliable team player;
Ability to work in a multicultural setting;
Possess the ability to use IT tools to enhance any assigned tasks.