Rolling Out of Standard Methods and Procedures (SMP) for Export Quarantines in the IGAD Region

Background

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region’s 60-70% landmass comprises of arid and semi-arid lands that are home to substantial livestock resources including large and small ruminants. Livestock production and trade play a key role in supporting people’s livelihoods, food security and economic growth in the region. However, the livestock sector in the different IGAD Member States faces common challenges, with trade sensitive Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) posing a major challenge to livestock production and trade. The impact of TADs is not only aggravated by differing animal health regulations amongst the countries and uncoordinated disease surveillance and control programs, but also by recurrent livestock trade bans by importing countries arising from weak compliance with import sanitary requirements.

Through the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) project funded by USAID/EA, coordinated by AU-IBAR and IGAD and implemented from 2013 to 2017 in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) i.e. Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, standard methods and procedures (SMPs) for export quarantines were developed and validated. The goal was to contribute to harmonized quarantine procedures to facilitate trade to reduce poverty, enhance regional economic growth and integration through improved access of live animals and animal products to regional and international markets. The SMPs aimed at improvement of regional quarantine standards in inspection through certification and thereby enhance disease control, improve the health and welfare of exported animals. This approach would allow countries in the region to access livestock markets despite the difficulty of achieving country or zonal disease free status.

AU-IBAR is providing support to IGAD to stimulate the application of harmonized export quarantine procedures in the region. AU-IBAR seeks to recruit a suitably qualified Consultant to train quarantine managers and inspectors from Somalia (Berbera, Bosasso, Kismayu, Jazeera), Ethiopia (Mille and Jijiga), Sudan (Swakini and quarantine serving trade with Egypt), Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti and South Sudan on the SMPs for export quarantines. The consultant will also be expected to facilitate discussions between the competent veterinary authorities (CVOs). regulatory bodies, and private sector quarantine proprietors on operationalization of the SMPs and related standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve export quarantine procedures, promoting self-regulation and the role of the competent authority in implementing sanitary measures to meet the import requirements of trading partners for live animals.

Objectives of the Consultancy

• To train quarantine station and technical staff on quarantines SMP and SOP
• Facilitate a consultative meeting of CVOs, regulatory bodies and quarantine owners on operationalization of the SMP and enhance collaboration between the regulatory bodies and the private sector in this business

Tasks

• Prepare an inception report detailing the methodology and work plan for conducting the assignment.
• Develop tailored training materials based on the SMPs and SOPs for quarantines and other relevant literature
• Conduct training of staff from selected quarantine stations on the application of SMPs and SOPs for export quarantines
• Facilitate a consultative meeting of CVO’s, regulatory bodies and quarantine station owners on the operationalization of the SMPs and SOPs and prepare a report of the meeting.
• Prepare and submit a detailed final report of the assignment to AU-IBAR and IGAD

Expected Outputs

• Tailor-made training materials for quarantine SMPs and SOPs
• Trained quarantine personnel
• Training report
• Consensus on modalities for regular collaboration and monitoring of implementation between CVOs, regulatory bodies and quarantine owners

Qualifications

Education

Post-graduate degree in veterinary medicine, animal health, animal production, or equivalent in addition to prior training and experience in animal health and the standard methods and procedures approach for priority TADs in the IGAD region, as well as quarantines and reporting.

Work Experience

• At least 10 years of experience and knowledge in animal health service delivery or training institutions out of which at least 5 years’ experience should be in disease surveillance, prevention and control.
• Must be familiar with the development of training manuals and curricula on TADs emergency management, livestock holding grounds and quarantine procedures, and reporting
• Knowledge of the livestock sectors in the IGAD or East African regions will be an added advantage
• Knowledge and experiences on the sanitary and halal requirements of the Middle East and north African livestock markets
• Comprehensive understanding of animal health and other relevant emergencies in the IGAD region,
• Excellent skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare reports
• A good command of oral and written English is essential. A working knowledge of French will be an added advantage
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria will include education and work experiences (as described above), a good track record of delivering assignments, experience of working in the IGAD region and familiarity with the livestock production systems, quarantine procedures, animal health, marketing and information sharing and sanitary and halal requirements of the Middle East and northern Africa livestock markets.

Consultancy Location and Office Accommodation

For desk review, the consultant will use his/her own office accommodation and facilities

Assignment Duration & Payment Schedule

The consultant will be paid a lump sum of USD 6,000.00. The duration of this consultancy is 20 days.

Travel Outside Duty Station (Home Country)

Air tickets or road transport and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be covered based on approved travel schedules.

Insurance Cover

The consultant will be responsible for his/her own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.

Taxes

The consultant will be responsible for remitting his/her own taxes.