Livestock – Epidemio - Surveillance Project Sudan
Terms of Reference for a Consultancy for the revision of the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance project (LESP)
Background
The Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Project (LESP) is a National programme composed of two separate sub-projects, one for Northern Sudan and one for Southern Sudan.
Both sub-projects have similar objectives, and each one has its own budget and separate implementation arrangements.
Key problems to be addressed related to animal health are i) the extreme poverty of livestock owner, ii) the permanent threat of Rinderpest and other diseases hampering the livestock production, iii) the low level of capacity of the Sudan Governments (North and South) to manage the development of the livestock health and production sector.
The purpose of the LESP (since 1 January 2007) was to complete the Rinderpest eradication pathway in Sudan by 2008 and to ensure that the national epidemio-surveillance system (ESS) is made sustainable for the control of priority diseases through improvement of related animal health issues, enabling better access to local and international markets.
Expected results of the LESP can be summarized thus:
Terms of Reference for a Consultancy for the revision of the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance project (LESP)
Background
The Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Project (LESP) is a National programme composed of two separate sub-projects, one for Northern Sudan and one for Southern Sudan.
Both sub-projects have similar objectives, and each one has its own budget and separate implementation arrangements.
Key problems to be addressed related to animal health are i) the extreme poverty of livestock owner, ii) the permanent threat of Rinderpest and other diseases hampering the livestock production, iii) the low level of capacity of the Sudan Governments (North and South) to manage the development of the livestock health and production sector.
The purpose of the LESP (since 1 January 2007) was to complete the Rinderpest eradication pathway in Sudan by 2008 and to ensure that the national epidemio-surveillance system (ESS) is made sustainable for the control of priority diseases through improvement of related animal health issues, enabling better access to local and international markets.
Expected results of the LESP can be summarized thus:
- May 2008: Sudan is recognised by OIE as free of Rinderpest infection.
- The Epidemio-Surveillance System (ESS) is efficiently used and is an integral and sustainable unit within the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Administrations.
- Action plans for improvement of the control of the main infectious animal diseases (i.e. HPAI, CBPP, FMD, PPR, RVF, and tick-borne diseases), zoonotic diseases and priority animal health related issues are formulated and supported for implementation by the Sudan Administrations (North, South), thereby enhancing rural economies and enabling greater market opportunities.
The LESP was planned to be implemented over a four year period, divided into two operational phases of 2 years each.
Phase I
During Phase I, the LESP was to provide support to the Sudan Government of National Unity (GNU) and Government of Southern Sudan to execute the wide range of surveillance activities required for the international recognition of freedom from Rinderpest infection in the Sudan by 2008.
The project was also to support policy analysis for other priority diseases, by conducting socio economic impacts surveys and preparing technical and financial plans to be submitted to the GNU and GoSS for their control.
Result 1: To prepare a dossier for submission to OIE in a bid to get recognition as free from Rinderpest infection. And to maintain a capacity to carry out sero-surveillance surveys for Rinderpest in the event there is evidence of infection.
Result 2: To ensure that the Epidemio-Surveillance System (ESS) in Sudan is developed and extended to other priority diseases including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI),Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD), Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and other important diseases of public health concern including zoonotic diseases.
Result 3: to establish the relative importance of identified priority diseases both geographically and socio-economically and to develop appropriate disease control action plans (technical and financial).
Phase II
During Phase II, the project will contribute to the support of all surveillance activities required for the annual verification of the Rinderpest infection-free status of the country to the OIE until 2010 which is the deadline set by FAO for the final eradication of Rinderpest from the globe. The ESS will be made sustainable and action plans for priority animal health issues will be drafted and proposed to the Administrations.
At the end of Phase I, a Mid Term Review (MTR) mission to assess the progress was carried out. This report is available on request. In line with the findings and recommendations of this mission the project seeks to engage a consultant to facilitate the redefinition of the project and development of a detailed work plan and cost estimate for Phase 2 that will take into consideration the findings and recommendations of the Mid Term Review mission.
Job description
Consultancy summary
The LESP MTR has recently been carried out after completion of Phase 1 of the project. The MTR has recommended that the project be redefined. As part of this process the project is seeking to engage a consultant to facilitate this process. It is expected that the same consultant will carry out the process for both sub – Projects (North and South).
The consultant will facilitate participatory workshops to plan the second phase of LESP. Workshops will be held separately for the Southern and the northern sub-Projects. This will then be followed by a combined facilitated workshop for both sub - Projects in Khartoum in February. The consultancy is expected to start in late January – early February 2010.
Objectives of the consultancy
The overall objective of the consultancy will be to lead and facilitate the two sub – Projects to redefine and re-plan the LESP culminating in the production of an log frame for Phase 2 and some elements of the operational plan.
Specific objectives will be:
Phase I
During Phase I, the LESP was to provide support to the Sudan Government of National Unity (GNU) and Government of Southern Sudan to execute the wide range of surveillance activities required for the international recognition of freedom from Rinderpest infection in the Sudan by 2008.
The project was also to support policy analysis for other priority diseases, by conducting socio economic impacts surveys and preparing technical and financial plans to be submitted to the GNU and GoSS for their control.
Result 1: To prepare a dossier for submission to OIE in a bid to get recognition as free from Rinderpest infection. And to maintain a capacity to carry out sero-surveillance surveys for Rinderpest in the event there is evidence of infection.
Result 2: To ensure that the Epidemio-Surveillance System (ESS) in Sudan is developed and extended to other priority diseases including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI),Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD), Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and other important diseases of public health concern including zoonotic diseases.
Result 3: to establish the relative importance of identified priority diseases both geographically and socio-economically and to develop appropriate disease control action plans (technical and financial).
Phase II
During Phase II, the project will contribute to the support of all surveillance activities required for the annual verification of the Rinderpest infection-free status of the country to the OIE until 2010 which is the deadline set by FAO for the final eradication of Rinderpest from the globe. The ESS will be made sustainable and action plans for priority animal health issues will be drafted and proposed to the Administrations.
At the end of Phase I, a Mid Term Review (MTR) mission to assess the progress was carried out. This report is available on request. In line with the findings and recommendations of this mission the project seeks to engage a consultant to facilitate the redefinition of the project and development of a detailed work plan and cost estimate for Phase 2 that will take into consideration the findings and recommendations of the Mid Term Review mission.
Job description
Consultancy summary
The LESP MTR has recently been carried out after completion of Phase 1 of the project. The MTR has recommended that the project be redefined. As part of this process the project is seeking to engage a consultant to facilitate this process. It is expected that the same consultant will carry out the process for both sub – Projects (North and South).
The consultant will facilitate participatory workshops to plan the second phase of LESP. Workshops will be held separately for the Southern and the northern sub-Projects. This will then be followed by a combined facilitated workshop for both sub - Projects in Khartoum in February. The consultancy is expected to start in late January – early February 2010.
Objectives of the consultancy
The overall objective of the consultancy will be to lead and facilitate the two sub – Projects to redefine and re-plan the LESP culminating in the production of an log frame for Phase 2 and some elements of the operational plan.
Specific objectives will be:
- Facilitate incorporation of findings and recommendations of the MTR mission into the LESP redefinition and replanning process.
- Facilitate 3 workshops (1 for each sub- Project and a combined one) for all relevant stakeholders to discuss the findings of the MTR in accordance with redefined and replanned project activities.
- Facilitate the re-planning of the LESP covering some elements of operational aspects. The replanning should focus on achievable and sustainable results.
- Produce a comprehensive project log frame outlining the LESP Phase 2.
Location
- The consultancy will be carried out in Juba and Khartoum.
Key activities
- Review of the two sub – Projects’ documents and relevant reports.
- Review the report of the LESP Mid Term Review mission.
- Design the consultancy and carry it out in Juba and in Khartoum together with GNU MARF, GoSS MARF, VSF-B staff and all relevant stakeholders where applicable.
- Prepare a comprehensive final report to be presented to the LESP N-S Steering Committee in Khartoum.
Execution
- The consultant(s) will draft a detailed workplan for the studies. Tentatively the workshop for the Southern sub – Project will be held in the second half of January 2010 with that for the northern sub – Project following closely after that.
- A participatory approach (special consideration for participatory epidemiology) will be expected with maximum stakeholder participation and appropriate involvement of GNU MARF, GoSS MARF, VSF B and project target groups at all stages.
- The whole mission is not expected to take more than 30 consultancy days allocated as follows:
- Travel days - up to 5 days.
- Workshops (3 days x 2 each in Juba and Khartoum).
- Joint workshop including 1 day for preparation 3 days (Khartoum).
- Review of documents – 4 days.
- Preparation for the workshops – 2 days.
- Report writing x 6 days.
There will be a six day working week (only per diem paid on rest days).
Deliverables
The expert(s) will be expected to submit a soft copy of a detailed workplan within two (2) days of signing the consultancy contract.
A detailed final report will be presented to the LESP N – S Steering Committee based on the outcome of the LESP re-planning process for Phase 2. The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of GNU MARF, GoSS MARF and VSF-B. A hard copy (CD) 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 comments by members of the Steering Committee.
The contents of the report shall be as follows:
Deliverables
The expert(s) will be expected to submit a soft copy of a detailed workplan within two (2) days of signing the consultancy contract.
A detailed final report will be presented to the LESP N – S Steering Committee based on the outcome of the LESP re-planning process for Phase 2. The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of GNU MARF, GoSS MARF and VSF-B. A hard copy (CD) 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 comments by members of the Steering Committee.
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 Advisors based in Juba and Khartoum will ensure the overall coordination of the mission in conjunction with the Project Coordinators (PC) also based in Juba and Khartoum.
The consultant(s) will be expected to work closely with FMARF and GoSS MARF and other relevant stakeholders.
The LESP Sub-Project Coordinators 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 PCs.
Qualifications
The expert(s) are expected to have the following attributes:
The LESP Technical Advisors based in Juba and Khartoum will ensure the overall coordination of the mission in conjunction with the Project Coordinators (PC) also based in Juba and Khartoum.
The consultant(s) will be expected to work closely with FMARF and GoSS MARF and other relevant stakeholders.
The LESP Sub-Project Coordinators 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 PCs.
Qualifications
The expert(s) are expected to have the following attributes:
- Experience with participatory methodologies and all phases of the project management cycle.
- A degree in veterinary medicine with good knowledge of veterinary epidemiology and disease control
- Experience of at least ten years.
- Good knowledge of economics of livestock diseases.
- Experience of carrying out similar studies and a proven track record of excellent results delivery.
- Experience with analysis of development in a rural and post-conflict environment.
- Excellent report writing and communication skills in English.
- Previous working experience in Sudan is 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 02/10.
VSF Belgium
3rd Floor
Titan Complex
Chaka Rd
PO Box 13986
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: 254 3 2734518, 273451, 2734520, 2734524
Fax: 254 2 2734533
e-mail: vsfb @ vsfb.or.ke
