Livestock – Epidemio - Surveillance Project Southern Sub – Project (Southern Sudan)
Terms of Reference for a Consultancy to train Juba Veterinary Staff
Background
Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Belgium (VSF-Belgium) is an international non –
governmental organization whose vision is to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations in developing countries, through improving animal health and production.
We have been a key player in the livestock sector in Southern Sudan since 1995 playing a major role in the establishment of a community based animal health delivery system and the ongoing rinderpest eradication process.
VSF Belgium’s 14 years of animal heath service provision in Southern Sudan has impacted positively on the community and changed lives of many families whose lives are dependent on livestock directly or indirectly.
In order to build on past successes VSF-Belgium was identified by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) and contracted by the European Community (EC) to provide technical assistance to MARF on a 4 year project entitled the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Southern sub-project (LESP).
The project runs from January 2007 to December 2010 and is being implemented in Southern Sudan at the same time as a similar EC funded project in the North.
The overall objective of the project is the long-term reduction of poverty of those involved in livestock farming.
The specific objectives are:
Terms of Reference for a Consultancy to train Juba Veterinary Staff
Background
Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Belgium (VSF-Belgium) is an international non –
governmental organization whose vision is to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations in developing countries, through improving animal health and production.
We have been a key player in the livestock sector in Southern Sudan since 1995 playing a major role in the establishment of a community based animal health delivery system and the ongoing rinderpest eradication process.
VSF Belgium’s 14 years of animal heath service provision in Southern Sudan has impacted positively on the community and changed lives of many families whose lives are dependent on livestock directly or indirectly.
In order to build on past successes VSF-Belgium was identified by the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) and contracted by the European Community (EC) to provide technical assistance to MARF on a 4 year project entitled the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Southern sub-project (LESP).
The project runs from January 2007 to December 2010 and is being implemented in Southern Sudan at the same time as a similar EC funded project in the North.
The overall objective of the project is the long-term reduction of poverty of those involved in livestock farming.
The specific objectives are:
- Completion of the rinderpest eradication pathway in Southern Sudan by 2008.
- Establishment of an effective and sustainable epidemio-surveillance system (ESS) owned and supported by the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) in order to support timely and effectively livestock disease control
- Ensure that the GoSS Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) has an informed and fully-costed strategy addressing main animal health issues affecting Southern Sudan
The target groups for the project are the livestock owners of Southern Sudan, Community-based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), Animal Health Auxiliaries, (AHAs), public and private veterinarians, Southern Sudan State Ministries of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) Directorate of Veterinary Services.
Job description
Consultancy summary
As part of the above project VSF-Belgium is seeking to engage a veterinary laboratory diagnostic expert to carry out additional in service training in veterinary laboratory diagnostic techniques for MARF laboratory staff. This will include specialized training in ELISA and Polymerase Chain Reaction Unit (PCR Unit) techniques at the newly established Juba Central Veterinary laboratory.
The consultancy will also provide information that will be used by GoSS MARF to prepare for the eventual complete take over of the veterinary laboratory diagnostic aspect of the animal disease epidemio-surveillance system after the end of the project for sustainability.
The consultancy is expected to start in mid – September 2009.
Objectives of the consultancy
The consultancy will be carried out through theoretical training, laboratory and field practicals and review of existing documents in Southern Sudan.
The overall objective of the consultancy will be to improve veterinary laboratory diagnostic capacity for Southern Sudan and contribute towards the development of a fully functional animal health epidemio-surveillance system both at MARF and State level throughout Southern Sudan.
Specific objectives will be:
Job description
Consultancy summary
As part of the above project VSF-Belgium is seeking to engage a veterinary laboratory diagnostic expert to carry out additional in service training in veterinary laboratory diagnostic techniques for MARF laboratory staff. This will include specialized training in ELISA and Polymerase Chain Reaction Unit (PCR Unit) techniques at the newly established Juba Central Veterinary laboratory.
The consultancy will also provide information that will be used by GoSS MARF to prepare for the eventual complete take over of the veterinary laboratory diagnostic aspect of the animal disease epidemio-surveillance system after the end of the project for sustainability.
The consultancy is expected to start in mid – September 2009.
Objectives of the consultancy
The consultancy will be carried out through theoretical training, laboratory and field practicals and review of existing documents in Southern Sudan.
The overall objective of the consultancy will be to improve veterinary laboratory diagnostic capacity for Southern Sudan and contribute towards the development of a fully functional animal health epidemio-surveillance system both at MARF and State level throughout Southern Sudan.
Specific objectives will be:
- Set up the PCR unit.
- Assess the capacity of the current laboratory staff.
- Assess the current diagnostic capacity.
- Design a short in-service training programme.
- Recommend future set up of an effective veterinary diagnostic laboratory for the Juba Central veterinary diagnostic laboratory with defined equipment (in line with capabilities of current staff) and staffing needs.
- Estimate the potential running cost of a fully functional veterinary diagnostic laboratory fully supported by GoSS MARF.
- Recommend future short and long term training necessary to improve diagnostic capacity of the laboratory.
Location
The consultancy will be based in Juba.
Key activities
The consultancy will be based in Juba.
Key activities
- Review of project documents and reports.
- Design the consultancy study and carry it out in Juba and in the field together with MARF and VSF-B staff where applicable.
- Prepare a comprehensive final report.
Execution
- The expert(s) will draft a detailed workplan for the studies.
- A participatory approach will be expected with maximum stakeholder participation and appropriate involvement of MARF and project target groups at all stages.
- Fieldwork will be carried out in selected counties in Central Equatoria.
- The whole mission is not expected to take more than 30 days.
Deliverables
The expert will be expected to submit a hard and soft copy of a detailed workplan within two (2) days of signing the consultancy contract.
A detailed final report will be presented to the VSF-B Regional Programme Manager based on the in – service training in basic veterinary diagnostic skills and related activities at the Juba Veterinary Laboratory.
The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of VSF-B. A hard copy and a soft copy must be submitted.
A draft report will be expected seven (7) days after the end of the mission and the final report is expected 5 days after VSF-B’s comments.
The contents of the report shall be as follows:
The expert will be expected to submit a hard and soft copy of a detailed workplan within two (2) days of signing the consultancy contract.
A detailed final report will be presented to the VSF-B Regional Programme Manager based on the in – service training in basic veterinary diagnostic skills and related activities at the Juba Veterinary Laboratory.
The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of VSF-B. A hard copy and a soft copy must be submitted.
A draft report will be expected seven (7) days after the end of the mission and the final report is expected 5 days after VSF-B’s comments.
The contents of the report shall be as follows:
- Executive summary (covering major findings and recommendations).
- Background.
- Description of the objectives of the mission and execution methodology.
- Findings
- Problems encountered
- Recommendations;
- Annexes covering Terms of Reference, abbreviations, data collection formats and questionnaires used, references, graphs, tables, etc.).
Responsibilities
The LESP Technical Advisor based in Juba, Southern Sudan will ensure the overall coordination of the mission in conjunction with the Project Coordinator (PC) also based in Juba. The expert(s) will be expected to work closely with MARF and relevant stakeholders.
The LESP Sub-Project Coordinator will have overall responsibility and accountability for the mission and will provide guidance through all stages of the consultancy.
The expert(s) will be part of the Project Management Unit which reports to the PC.
Qualifications
The expert is expected to have the following attributes:
The LESP Technical Advisor based in Juba, Southern Sudan will ensure the overall coordination of the mission in conjunction with the Project Coordinator (PC) also based in Juba. The expert(s) will be expected to work closely with MARF and relevant stakeholders.
The LESP Sub-Project Coordinator will have overall responsibility and accountability for the mission and will provide guidance through all stages of the consultancy.
The expert(s) will be part of the Project Management Unit which reports to the PC.
Qualifications
The expert is expected to have the following attributes:
- Minimum ten (10) years in veterinary diagnostic laboratory work including expertise in the polymerase chain reaction unit.
- Background in veterinary medicine and livestock expert with experience of carrying out similar work and a proven track record of excellent results delivery.
- Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic and facilitation skills.
- Experience with analysis of development in a rural and post-conflict environment.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Working experience in Southern Sudan is desirable.
- Knowledge of Arabic or Local Sudanese language will be desirable.
Contact Information
Interested expert(s) should submit proposals indicating relevant qualifications and experience as well as detailed execution plan they would use for the mission. They should also indicate daily consultancy rates and possible starting dates. The proposals, CV and letter of motivation as well as three (3) referees should be sent electronically to recruitment @ vsfb.or.ke
Ref: LESP Consultancy 5/09
