The Dairy Livestock Value Chain in North Africa, Status and Perspectives within the scope of LiDeSA

Introduction

The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized Technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. Its mandate is to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the people’s wellbeing and prosperity in the Member States of the African Union (AU). AU-IBAR accomplishes its mandate through supporting and empowering the AU Member States, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders in the livestock sector.

As part of providing leadership and coordination in the continent’s Animal Resources’ sustainable development, AU-IBAR is implementing a 5-year project on “Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa (Live2Africa).” Live2Africa pioneers a coherent continental program approach to building systemic capacity in seven livestock result areas; one of the key areas is “To enhance the implementation of breeding and conservation programs for sustainable utilization and management of African livestock”.
In line with the mandate and mission of AU-IBAR, it is essential to purposefully generate new knowledge through the promotion of the continent’s research on sustainable livestock development; among others.

To road map the AU-IBAR Live2Africa supporting interventions for the Dairy Livestock Value Chain in North Africa, AU-IBAR conducted a regional consultation in August 2020, to assess the status of the Dairy Livestock Value Chain in North Africa; and to develop the road map for the implementation of interventions and to strengthen the Inter-Professionals Networks. Four (4) North Africa Member States (Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) were involved in the study. The regional report developed a detailed status-analysis of the North Africa Dairy Livestock Value Chain (NA-DLVC) analysis and the road map for catalytic actions to support the Regional value chain and its stakeholders. A stakeholder validation workshop was then conducted for validation and building consensus on the Regional Report findings, by Dairy Livestock Sector Stakeholders from the four (4) North Africa Member States.

Aim of the Consultancy

AU-IBAR seeks to engage individual researchers or scientists with outstanding track records in peer-reviewed journals, and with demonstrated editorial skills for short term consultancy assignments to produce high-quality research publications for the peer-reviewed specialized journal on: “The Dairy Livestock Value Chain in North Africa, Status and Perspectives within the scope of LiDeSA”. The publication and contained information will support policy and decision-making and contribute to learning on current practice, policy and regulatory frameworks and tools for systemic capacity development across Africa’s livestock sector with a focus on North Africa Dairy Livestock Value Chain.

Objectives of the Assignment

The research consultants will contribute towards strengthening AU-IBAR’s research and development agenda and its role as a continental knowledge node across the livestock sector, with the specific objectives of:

• Finalizing research outputs to the highest technical quality standards for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Generating development communication article that presents the human face of the issues raised, for publication and dialogue platforms to reach policy and decision-makers;
• Disseminating new knowledge products and research for development outputs, innovation, and services for socio-economic development in the livestock sector; and
• Providing information for the development of sustainable solutions and the deepening of livestock research for development on the continent.

Scope of Work

The consultants are expected to work closely with the Program Officer and Experts under the Live2Africa project and use a robust research plan to ensure the publication of the research for development outputs.

The consultants will be expected to verify and triangulate the findings and results of the research for development, capture case studies and human face stories to demonstrate the issues and or impacts, and provide comprehensive support throughout the compilation process, including topic development, literature review to provide a strong background and rationale, methodological specification, data analysis, and interpretation, and development and or selection and integration of graphics and photographs to strengthen illustration of the issues.

The support will include but not be limited to:

1. Developing a publication plan;
2. Manuscript/ grey literature revision;
3. Compilation and development into the specified article;
4. Integration of peer and other stakeholder feedback (if needed) and finalization for publication; and
5. Where needed to provide editorial expertise to refine articles to publication quality.

Publication Plan

Assist in developing a publication plan for each research output in current journals and mainstream media by outlining a clear set of goals and target journals to publish the finalized peer-reviewed articles through an in-depth analysis of manuscripts and identification of target journals/ publications.

Manuscript Revision for submission to specific journals

• Identifying journal(s) and using the journal’s online submission criteria as a guide to developing the final manuscripts;
• Revise manuscript for specific peer-reviewed / industry journal or electronic platform submission criteria and requirements and style guides to match the submission criteria selected journal; and
• Provide editing and proofreading services based on the agreed style guide provided by AU-IBAR or the selected peer-reviewed journals.

Article Compilation

• Undertake topic development and literature search of incomplete or early-stage manuscripts;
• Provide analysis based on the initial hypotheses developed by reviewing previously conducted studies to assist in documenting detailed and critical findings; and
• Offer a high-level editing service tailored to meet target journal requirements. This includes undertaking desk reviews, writing and rewriting of content based on manuscript information provided by AU-IBAR; review and revise content for completeness, accuracy, and quality, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, consistency of language and syntax; and provide recommendations on structure and composition of the manuscripts.

Deliverables

The Research Consultants will be expected to produce:

1. Publications and dissemination plan for each research output: to facilitate the process of manuscript compilation for submission to two (2) peer-reviewed high-impact journals/publications (and follow up until the acceptance stage)
2. Research for development outputs (peer-reviewed article and a policy brief) from available project reports on the “Dairy Livestock Value Chain in North Africa, Status and Perspectives within the scope of LiDeSA”.

Research Theme

The consultant will be expected to develop content under the general theme of “Dairy Livestock Value Chain in North Africa”.

Competences and Experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in animal sciences, livestock value chain, livestock production system, livestock-sector related policies, or relevant field of expertise. A Doctoral degree in a related field would be of added advantage;
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in research publication and editing, preferably for the livestock/animal resources sector and related value chains, and agricultural development. Sector-related initiatives in Africa would be beneficial;
• Understanding of the research-to-publication process and a proven record of publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Excellent copy-editing skills, including professional use of grammar, punctuation, and citation and strong attention to detail.
• Experience in high-level scientific research – evidence of both original research in the field and ability to add to previously conducted studies;
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking, innovation and creativity; knowledge management and strategic thinking;
• Knowledge of scientific editing and adherence to style guidelines and formatting requirements for scientific publications in different journals;
• Extensive experience working with technical content, preferably relating to livestock and their value chains, agriculture, and natural resources research;
• Knowledge of the practical application of the principles, frameworks, techniques, and technologies that underpin the value of the livestock sector to promote socio-economic development in Africa;
• Fluency in English (the outputs will be produced in English, but will be translated into other AU working languages);
• Planning, organizational skills, and ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Remuneration and Duration

Selected consultants will be awarded a maximum of 30 working days depending on publication types at a daily fee of US $300 (Three hundred US Dollars). The days will be drawn on a need by need basis and the agreement will clearly state the actual number of days depending on the need.

Supervision

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the assigned Live2Africa Project Officer or Expert, with support from the Senior Knowledge Management Officer.

Timeline and Budget

Interested consultants are required to provide proposals to demonstrate suitability highlighting their technical capacity to deliver the required quality outputs and a detailed updated CV that demonstrates the required competencies and experience and illustrating similar experience.

The deadline for submission of documents is Wednesday 21^st April 2021.