VSF-Belgium Southern Sudan Consultancy - Characterization of Theileria Parva Isolates

Livestock – Epidemio - Surveillance Project Southern Sub – Project (Southern Sudan)

Terms of Reference for a Consultancy on the characterization of Theileria parva isolates in Southern Sudan

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 15 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.
• 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

East Coast Fever (ECF) caused by Theileria parva has increasingly gained recognition as a priority disease in Southern Sudan with a rapidly changing epidemiological pattern extending northwards from the southern parts where it has been endemic in the past.

Over the past few years ECF related cattle deaths have increased dramatically affecting animal production and health as well as the food security of many households whose livelihoods are mainly dependent on livestock.

As part of the above project VSF-Belgium is seeking to engage one or more experts or a recognized livestock research institution to assist with the characterization of Theileria parva (T. parva) isolates in Southern Sudan. The expert(s) / institution will be encouraged to work with local expert(s) in order to facilitate training and capacity building.

The consultancy will provide a framework that will be used by GoSS MARF to come up with an evidence based strategy for the control and treatment of ECF.

The consultancy is expected to start towards the end of April 2010.

Objectives of the consultancy

The overall objective of the consultancy will be to characterize isolates of T. parva in order to obtain data on the genotypes of the protozoa that are in circulation in Southern Sudan in order to assist the GoSS MARF to come up with control and treatment strategies for ECF in Southern Sudan.

Specific objectives will be:

• Assessment of the current situation of ECF in South Sudan.
• Provide baseline data on the genome diversity for T. parva in Southern Sudan.
• Contribute towards the development of a strategy for the control and treatment as well as mapping of ECF by GoSS MARF.

Location

• The consultancy will be carried out in Juba and selected field locations in Southern Sudan.

Key activities

• Review of project reports and other relevant documents including proceedings of the 2007 workshop on ECF in Southern Sudan.
• Design the consultancy (including sampling strategy) and carry it out in Juba and other field locations together with MARF and VSF-B staff where applicable.
• Organize and facilitate field activities for collection of ticks and cattle blood samples.
• Collect appropriate quantities of unfed live Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks for production of a stabilate that can possibly be used for vaccine trials.
• Carry out relevant laboratory tests.
• Prepare a comprehensive report with recommendations on intervention and treatment for ECF in South Sudan.

Execution

• The expert(s) / institution will draft a detailed workplan for the consultancy.
• A participatory approach will be expected with maximum stakeholder participation and appropriate involvement of MARF and project target groups at all stages.
• The whole mission is expected to be completed within 30 days (subject to final workplan).

Deliverables

The expert(s) / institution 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 findings of the consultancy on the characterization of T. parva isolates in Southern Sudan.

The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of VSF-B and GoSS MARF. A hard copy and a soft copy must be submitted.

A draft report will be expected twenty one (21) days after the workshop and the final report is expected 7 days after VSF-B and MARF’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.
• The findings of the mission of the characterization of T. parva in Southern Sudan.
• 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.

Qualifications

The expert(s) are expected to have the following attributes:

• Experience with participatory methodologies.
• A degree in Veterinary Medicine with at least ten (10) years experience as well as a Masters degree or better in a relevant veterinary specialty.
• Experience of carrying out similar studies and a proven track record of excellent results delivery.
• Experience with social analysis of development in a rural and post-conflict environment.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation is desirable.
• Working experience in Southern Sudan is desirable.

Closing date: 4 May 2010.

Contact Information

Interested expert(s) / institutions 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 5/10.

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