Development of a Regional Animal Welfare Strategy (RAHS), Action Plan and Structure for Regional Animal Welfare Network (RAWN) for Central Africa

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR is mandated to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the Member State of the AU. The specific areas of the mandate include to contribute to the development of relevant standards and regulations and enhance compliance by Member States, and to strengthen institutional capacity and support policy development and harmonization. These are deemed critical requirements for the implementation of the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa [AWSA]. AU-IBAR accomplishes its mandate through supporting and empowering the African Union Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). AU-IBAR’s vision is of an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to the reduction of poverty and hunger. Founded in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation and fight rinderpest in Africa, AU-IBAR’s mandate covers all aspects of animal resources, including livestock, fisheries and wildlife, across the entire African continent, but fills a unique and strategic niche by working at continental and regional levels, with the RECs being key partners.

AU-IBAR led a cross-section of stakeholders in the livestock sector and recognized animal welfare organization in Africa to formulate the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA), a framework for the collective and coordinated promotion of AW practices for responsible and sustainable development of the livestock on the continent. The AWSA was translated into action plan and it was established of Africa Platform for Animal Welfare (APAW) for coordinated effort, complementarity and synergy of action of various partners and stakeholders intervening AW areas. The strategy was approved by the AU Heads of States and Governments of the AU summit in January 2019. It was recommended to cascade the implementation of the strategy at national and regional levels. To this effect, AU-IBAR is providing support to the Economic Commission for Central Africa States (ECCAS) to develop their regional animal welfare strategy for central Africa (RWAS-CA) in line with the continental strategy (AWSA). To this effect, AU-IBAR in partnership with ECCAS Secretariat is seeking for a suitable consultant to develop the regional AW strategy for Central Africa.

Overall Objective

The overall objective is to develop a regional animal welfare strategy and action plan, and to complete with a structure for the regional animal welfare network for central Africa (RAWN-CA).

Specific Tasks

1. Attend a briefing session with the task force to agree on work plan, methodology and deliverables before embarking on the consultancy;
2. Prepare a template that will be filled by stakeholders in contribution to the development of the strategy and structure for RAWN-CA.

3. Draft the strategy for the region on animal welfare

   1. Review the strategy documents of AWSA and APAW.
   2. Review IGAD’s and ECOWAS strategy documents for key learning and areas that should guide the process Develop draft strategy
   3. Review UDAW’s strategic fit and compatibility with the strategy
   4. Conduct an Animal Protection Index [to establish the policies and legislations] for the REC’s Member States in order to elicit gaps and interventions [action plans] through the RAWN-CA
   5. Carry out interviews with identified stakeholders in member states (MSs) and AW organizations and international organization to enrich the analysis
   6. Submit templates, collect and collate information to be included in the strategy
   7. Review best practices from other continents particularly European, Asia, Middle East and Americas.
   8. Analyse and compile the key issues [including outputs from the API evaluation] and intervention areas required to improve animal welfare in the region;

4. Translate the strategy into action plan for its effective implementation

5. Design suitable structure and institutional arrangements for RAWN in line with APAW to support implementation of regional strategy

6. Present and discuss the strategy and structure with IBAR, ECCAS, FAO and OIE including AW organizations such as Brooke Hospitals for Animals, World Animal Protection, Donkey Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare among others

7. Attend and facilitate the validation workshop according to contractual obligations and put base guideline for the establishment of RAWN

8. produce and submit a consolidated version of strategy and action plan 3 weeks after the validation workshop
9. Carry out any other functions as may be relevant to this TOR

Methodology

The process guiding the development of the strategy will be both consultative and participatory. The work will build on the experiences and best practice from IGAD RAWS and ECOWAS ongoing process on animal welfare strategy development process, and in addition involve analysis of knowledge, practice and compliance to various animal welfare and related policies, statutes and standards including OIE standards in Africa. The work will mainly be a desk study but with aspects of exploratory visits especially to areas that have not been captured in previous scoping studies. References to animal welfare related regional and national policies, strategies and legislation; documented administrative and institutional arrangements; national, regional and international reports and relevant studies will be vital. The Consultant will also be expected to consult and reflect on animal welfare related international initiatives, debates and trends particularly those under the auspices of the OIE, AU-IBAR, FAO and other relevant organizations where appropriate.

Timeframe

The assignment is designed to take a total of 30 working days. The strategy will be developed in October/ November. Specific timelines for the delivery of the tasks will be agreed upon between the AU-IBAR and ECCAS secretariat and the consultant, but the consultant shall be guided by four key milestones:

1. Roadmap for strategy development, including TOC and timelines: 1^st week from start
2. Zero Draft strategy and APAW structure: 2^nd week from start
3. Revised Draft strategy and RAWN structure: 4^th week from start
4. Validation of draft report and action plan 6^th week from start
5. Presentation of Strategy, action plan and RAWS structure: 7^th Week from start submission of Final draft

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The following are the expected deliverables:

• Roadmap for strategy development, including TOC and timelines
• Zero Draft strategy, action plan and RAWN structure
• Revised Draft strategy, action plan and RAWN structure
• Final draft strategy, action plan and structure of the network

Management and Organization

The successful consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Director, AU-IBAR. He/her will work closely with the Animal health unit staffs. The consultant should plan a provision of his/her own laptop.

The consultant will work closely with ECCAS Secretariat, the Regional Animal Health Center for Central Africa, FAO subregional office for Central Africa AU-IBAR and ECCAS Secretariat will provide logistical support for the planning and implementation of the consultancy.

Qualification, Specialized Knowledge and Experience

A graduate degree in a relevant discipline (Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Animal Production, Agricultural Economics, and Economics) coupled with proven experience in strategy development and animal welfare related policy and institutional development work.

At least 10 years of hands-on relevant professional experience with proven record in animal health, animal production and animal welfare interventions;

• Proven experience in Animal resource sector in Africa;
• Proven experience in conducting similar exercises in African regions and countries;
• Good knowledge of the African animal and production health institutional environment and national, regional international actors involved,
• Solid animal health and welfare consultancy experience, analytical, diplomacy and facilitation skills required.
• Strong writing and reporting skills
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team and with minimum supervision.
• Fluency in English and French with excellent facilitation skills and knowledge of Africa socioeconomics context and readiness to travel to AUC MSs.
• Working experience in African region and/or RECs in animal health and production sector particularly is commendable.

Duty Stations

The consultant will be stationed in his/her own country with the process involving a virtual collaborative process with countries. Exceptional travel on specific assignments will be agreed with the AU-IBAR Management and ECCAS Commission

Consultancy Duration

The consultancy will be for 30 days from the signing of the contract spread over a period three months.

Remuneration

The Remuneration will be a lump sum amount of USD 12,000$