Coordinator, Enhancing Somali Livestock Trade (ESOLT) Project

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 people of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

The African Union Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the African Union under the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. AU-IBAR is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of animals (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) as a resource for human well-being in the Member States of the African Union and to contribute to economic development, particularly in rural areas. More information on AU-IBAR can be obtained from its web site: www.au-ibar.org

AU-IBAR is implementing a project for Enhancing Somali Livestock Trade (ESOLT) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. To support the implementation of this project, the Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union for a position at the

Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources, Nairobi/Kenya.

1. Post:

Job Title:Coordinator, Enhancing Somali Livestock Trade (ESOLT) Project
Grade: P3-Step5
Supervisor: Senior Policy Officer, Economics, Trade and Marketing, AU-IBAR
Duty Station: AU-IBAR Nairobi, Kenya

2. Main Duties And Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Officer, Economics, Trade and Marketing, AU-IBAR, the Coordinator, Enhancing Somali Livestock Trade (ESOLT) Project shall:

I. Assist the Senior Policy Officer, Economics, Trade and Marketing to develop working procedures with FAO-Somalia, the project implementing partner, the Somali Line Ministries and representatives of the private sector.
II. Ensure coordination and harmonization of the design and implementation of field interventions with FAO-Somalia.
III. Lead the planning of project activities with FAO-Somalia and Somali public and private sector institutions and assist the Senior Policy Officer, Economics, Trade and Marketing to assure effective use of the project’s human, financial and technical resources.
IV. Liaise with other AU-IBAR projects and initiatives and IGAD/ICPALD to provide guidance and support to Somali Line Ministries for the development of policies, frameworks and strategies for improved marketing of Somali livestock and livestock products
V. Liaise with other AU-IBAR projects and initiatives and IGAD/ICPALD to provide guidance and support to Somali Line Ministries for the development of policies, frameworks and strategies for improved marketing of Somali livestock and livestock products.
VI. Liaise with other AU-IBAR projects and initiatives and IGAD/ICPALD to provide guidance and support to Somali Line Ministries for the development of policies, frameworks and strategies for improved marketing of Somali livestock and livestock products
VII. Serve as the focal point for liaison with other related initiatives implemented by national, regional and international organizations in Somalia, in the IGAD region as well as at the continental and global levels.
VIII. Perform any other duties as requested by the Senior Policy Officer, Economics, Trade and Marketing or the Director AU-IBAR.

3. Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and a postgraduate degree in a relevant field. A PhD will be an added advantage.

4. Professional Experience Required:

At least ten (10) years of proven working experience in the livestock sector in Africa, particularly in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) region with at least three (3) years in an international organization.

Previous experience in Somalia will be an added advantage. Proven experience in development projects with a strong background in project management and coordination in the livestock sector is highly desirable. Applicants should also have:

a) Proven working experience in Livestock trade and marketing institutional development in countries with special needs.
b) Proven experience in managing livestock trade and marketing interventions in post conflict areas.
c) Conversant with requirements for processing of livestock products, value addition and organization of value chain actors particularly in pastoral production systems.
d) Familiarity with pastoral areas of the Horn of Africa Region and Somalia in particular.
e) Good knowledge of Somalia, Somali culture and socio-political context.
f) Conversant with international animal health standards related to surveillance and control of trans-boundary animal diseases (TADs) and animal welfare.

5.Skills and competencies:

• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work.
• Excellent communication skills with Effective written and oral presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view
• Proven Leadership capacities
• Diplomacy and the ability to deal with senior officials in Government and donor organizations.
• Good networker with the ability to maintain a positive and fruitful dialogue and relationship with the main institutions operating in the livestock sector in Somalia and the GHoA region.

6. Other Relevant Skills:

a) Relevant computer skills;
b) Planning and organizing - Proven ability to plan and organize work within an institutional setting and ability to make timely decisions;
c) Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
d) Judgment/Decision-making - Good judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, energy and tact with ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve institutional goals.
e) Self-motivated and able to work under pressure

7. Language Requirement:

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Proficiency of two or more in other of one or several other working language(s) would be an added value.

8. 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 may be renewed for 11 months, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

9. Gender Mainstreaming:

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

10. Remuneration:

The lump-sum salary attached to this position is an annual lump-sum of USD 84,447.48 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website

http://www.aucareers.org not later than 15 December 2014

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