Introduction and Context

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC). The vision of AU-IBAR is: An Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. Its Mission is to provide leadership and integrated support services for the development of animal resources in Africa.

AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the Member States of the AU.  AU-IBAR is the main vehicle for the AU to develop appropriate and independent expertise to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources to enhance food and nutrition security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the AU Member States.

AU-IBAR is implementing an emergency three-year action titled ‘Evidence Driven Short Term Solutions to Build Resilience and Address the Adverse Effects of Crises on African Feed and Fodder Systems’, with short title of Resilient African Feed and Fodder System (RAFFS). The purpose of RAFFS action is to understand the impact of the Triple Global Crises (3C’s: Climate-Change, Covid-19, and Russia-Ukraine Conflict Crisis) on feed and fodder systems, and to build systematic capacities for data analytics for evidenced based decision making; policy, regulatory and institutional reform; and promotion of viable business and partnership models and solutions to address the vulnerabilities of Africa’s feed and fodder systems.
The action Goal is to respond to the worsening food and nutrition security occasioned by recent crises that have negatively impacted on African feed and fodder systems and production of animal sourced foods.
Purpose: To harness evidence driven solutions for short term interventions to enhance access to affordable and quality feed and fodder critical to ensuring sustainable production of animal sourced foods.

Objective

AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Consultant for the position of Information Systems and Data Analytics Expert will support delivery of the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems Project through analytical capacity; enhancing data management infrastructure; fostering partnerships for innovative and integrated data management ecosystems; facilitating capacity upgrades and promoting innovative solutions including back-end analytics and dashboard metrics to track the feed and fodder sector development and investment, and front-end apps for data as a service to enhance access to feed and fodder data. The successful candidate will coordinate the establishment and implementation of knowledge and analytical ecosystem(s) for informing evidence-based solutions including in-depth analyses, data management processes and support the implementation of the strategies to ensure the data analytics are effectively deployed and executed in a timely manner and reported.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Coordinate in-depth analysis and presentation of results of the continental survey and assessments that were conducted in multiple Member States in 2023.
• Support improvement in integrated data ecosystems infrastructure including architecture and management processes.
• Support the implementation of harmonized data management strategies in the livestock sector.
• Undertake data analytics to support decision making, investment and institutional reform.
• Provide technical support and mentoring for improved digital capacities.  
• Ensure the requisite digital infrastructure, institutional and technical capacities for are built and utilized   
• Support systematic capacity building for data ecosystems and analytics.
• Support Countries to strengthen capacities for reporting against the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa and the CAADP Malabo Declaration.
• Support upgrade and operationalization of AU-IBAR data management platforms

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• Take the lead in design and methodological work for the RAFFS Project assessments.
• Take lead in data analytics and generation of reports on the RAFFS Project assessments.
• Promote operationalization of data management platforms and ecosystem at continental, regional and national levels.
• Take lead in working with the Member States in consultative processes to support implementation of country-action plans for improved integrated data management systems for enhanced capacities to response to feed and fodder shortages.
• Improvement and support of integrated multi-actor data infrastructure upgrade and capacity development for the implementing Member States
• Build systemic capacity for data analytics for decision making, policy, regulatory and institutional reform and attracting increased investment.  
• Promote sustainable planning and data management in the feed and fodder sub-sector ecosystems.

Duty Stations

The Expert will be stationed in the AU-IBAR offices in Nairobi, Kenya with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The duration of this assignment is 6 months.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy shall be an all-inclusive monthly fee equivalent to P3 Step 5 on the AUC Salary Scale i.e. US$6,252.37 – US$ 7,499.12. The expert will be responsible for his/her medical and travel insurance cover for the duration of the consultancy. Expenses for travel on official missions will be covered separately by AU-IBAR in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.

Supervision and Reporting

The candidate will be under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and under the overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR.

Requirements

Academic and Professional qualifications

• A minimum of post-graduate University degree (Master’s degree) in Computer Science or Information Technology or related degree. A PhD will be considered as an added advantage.
• Any relevant industry professional certification (e.g. System Engineer, Digital Transformation, etc.).
• Professional qualification in Data Science or Statistics.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive work experience in the field of digital innovation, digital strategies, digital change management and corporate ICT services in agriculture/livestock industry.
• Proven experience in implementing Big Data analytics project (s).
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience at senior level and in managing complex agriculture and livestock data processes.
• Experience in identification and application of digital innovation and technologies in agriculture or livestock industry sectors.
• Experience in managing agricultural data as a service, including advancing the use of mobile applications.

Other Skills

• Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work and follow-up on implementation;
• Sector related project development, management and implementation skills at national, regional and continental levels;
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary;
• Ability to complete assignments and tasks on time;
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster team environment is required.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Competencies

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk
• Building Relationships
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation

Gender Mainstreaming

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Evaluation criteria

The applications will be evaluated based on the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.

Applicants who meet the technical requirements (minimum score 70) may be invited for an interview (virtual or in person as is appropriate).