Project Officer – Animal Genetic Resources

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve this objective, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver through, among others, the implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of the vacant project position ofProject Officer – Animal Genetic Resources in the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in Nairobi, Kenya. The Inter-African Bureau for Animal Health Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU).

The Commission of the African Union invites citizens of the Member States to apply for the below specified position at the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources in Nairobi, Kenya.

Post

Job Title: Project Officer – Animal Genetic Resources
Grade: P3, Step 5
Supervisor: Chief Animal Production Officer
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Department: Rural Economy and Agriculture

Major duties and responsibilities

The incumbent shall perform the following tasks:

• Assist the Chief Animal Production Officer to develop working procedures and contractual arrangements with the implementing partners
• Assist Chief Animal Production Officer to ensure effective use of the project’s human, financial and technical resources
• Assist to Coordinate the execution of the programme and follow up activities implemented at continental, regional and national levels
• Brand the project in partnership with implementing partners, and all other identified stakeholders during the execution of the project;
• Ensure effective communication to all stakeholders on the programme on wider technical issues
• Prepare reports according to agreed formats and standards of AU-IBAR, steering committee and donors
• Prepare annual report on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action to be submitted to FAO
• Compile periodic reports on the status of AnGR in Africa in liaison with partners, AU-MS and all relevant stakeholders.
• Support MS and RECs to mainstream AnGR priorities in National and regional Agricultural investment plans through the CAADP process
• Perform all other duties as requested by the supervisors

Educational qualification required

• A Postgraduate Degree (Msc) in animal production and genetics, or agricultural economics with a strong understanding of agricultural/livestock policy and strategy analysis and formulation.
• A university degree in animal science.
• A PhD in animal production ore related field will be an added advantage.

Work experience required

• At least seven years of proven working experience in the livestock sector of which 5 years of proven experience in animal breeding and genetics
• A minimum of three years of experience in agricultural/livestock policy and strategy analysis and formulation

Other relevant skills

• Professionalism: High standards of personal integrity and professional work skills. Diplomacy and good negotiating skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government and donor organizations.
• Leadership: Ability to influence a team of professionals from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Planning and organizing: Ability to plan and organize work within a project and ability to make timely decisions.
• Communication: Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly the ability to present information in a concise yet accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view. Good networker with the ability to maintain a positive and fruitful dialogue and relationship with the main institutions operating in the region
• Teamwork: Good networker with the ability to maintain a positive and fruitful dialogue and relationship with the main institutions operating on the continent
• Computer literacy: Working knowledge of data analysis; SAP ERP System, etc.
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work

Language requirement

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages is a must. Knowledge of one or several other working languages is an added advantage.

Tenure of appointment

The appointment will be made on a short term contract for a period of eleven (11) months, of which the first three months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewed subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Gender mainstreaming

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

Remuneration

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$84,477.46 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$70,613.43 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website not later than 05 September 2016.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)