Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Expert

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC), is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2018-2023 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace.

Animal resources are a key contributor to Africa’s Agricultural GDP. However, animal disease burden in Africa is responsible for annual losses of over US$4 billion in Sub- Saharan Africa alone, equivalent to 25% of the total value of animal production in the continent. Management of some of the diseases require the use of Anti-microbials. However, the lack of knowledge, inadequate capacities, weak enforcement of regulation, and inadequate engagement of stakeholders have led to irrational use of drugs leading to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The World Bank estimates that unless urgent action is taken, AMR will have far reaching impacts on public health, agricultural systems and socio-economic development.

AU-IBAR’s intervention on tackling AMR is guided by the African Union Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Control (2020–2025) and the African Position on Antimicrobial Resistance which were both endorsed at the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government. The AU Framework for AMR control seeks to strengthen AMR control activities by establishing a coordination mechanism for AMR control at the continental level, facilitating implementation of AMR actions in Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and coordinating AMR interventions with partners, including UN agencies, research and academia, industry, development partners, donors and non-governmental agencies for amplified impact.

The strategic objectives of the Framework are:

1. Improving surveillance of antimicrobial use and AMR microorganisms;
2. Delaying emergence of AMR;
3. Limiting transmission of AMR;
4. Mitigating harm from AMR microorganisms.

An AU Task Force for AMR control (involving all relevant AUC institutions and RECs working on AMR) has been established to work with Member States, RECs and Partners to prioritize continent-wide efforts to increase political commitment, mobilize resources, and promote policies that improve AMR control.

AU-IBAR, with support from the United Stated Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA-FAS), is implementing a project on Containing the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa (CES-AMR Africa) Project, for two years period. The overall objective of the project is to enhance AMR governance with focus on regional approaches that strengthen capacities to undertake surveillance of AMR microorganisms.

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to hire an AMR Expert to provide technical support to the implementation and coordination of the project “Containing the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa (CES-AMR Africa) Project”

Main Functions

1. Have responsibility for implementation of the CES-AMR Africa Project, under direct guidance of the Primary Program Contact at AU-IBAR
2. Support implementation of the AU Framework for AMR control
3. Provide policy advisory services on AMR and recommendations for related policy improvements
4. Provide technical assistance and guidance to member states and RECs in developing science-based AMR prevention and mitigation measures

Tasks

The AMR Expert will undertake the following tasks

1. Coordinate the establishment of the Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET)
2. Convene fora of the Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET)
3. Collaborate with relevant technical partners, laboratory standards organizations and other partners, in order to harmonize susceptibility testing and interpretation in Africa.
4. Develop a database of AMR reference laboratories in Africa to provide specialty testing, training and capacity building in national laboratories, including through twinning approaches.
5. Support the delivery of trainings aimed at building laboratories capacities to undertake AMR surveillance through south-south and north-south cooperation
6. Coordinate AMR surveillance activities in priority regional value chains
7. Contribute to the review and or development of AMR policies, strategies or National Action Plans at the national, regional or continental levels
8. Support AU Task Force on AMR to coordinate, monitor and report trends on AMR and AMU in Africa to relevant AU accountability mechanisms
9. Support the development of relevant advocacy, policy briefs and communication materials to advance AMR work in Africa
10. Support regular project management meeting between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners.
11. Prepare technical reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
12. Support the implementation of other AMR related projects and programmes at the African Union Commission
13. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

1. Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET) established
2. Forum of Africa AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSNET) convened at least annually
3. Trainings conducted to build laboratories capacities to undertake AMR surveillance
4. AMR surveillance undertaken in priority regional animal resources value chains
5. Member States and RECs supported on needs bases to review and or develop their AMR policies, strategies or National Action Plans
6. Report on trends on AMR and AMU and progress in combatting AMR in Africa produced and shared with relevant AU accountability mechanisms and Partners
7. Advocacy, policy briefs and communication materials to advance AMR work in Africa developed and disseminated to relevant stakeholders
8. Regular project management meetings between AU-IBAR, USDA-FAS and other relevant partners organized
9. Reports on progress in project implementation and achievements
10. Implementation of other AMR related projects and programmes at the African Union Commission supported

Academic Qualification

At least an advanced University Degree in veterinary medicine, microbiology, veterinary public health, public health, pharmacy, epidemiology or relevant field related to surveillance of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance. A PhD degree will be an added advantage.

General Experience

1. At least 10 years working experience in the animal health and animal production in either the livestock, fisheries and aquaculture sectors at national, regional or continental levels
2. At least 5 years demonstrated working experience in the field of One Health with emphasis on AMR and disease prevention and control
3. At least 5 years relevant experience in project management and

Specific Experience

1. Proven working experience in diagnostic testing; use of standardized protocols and laboratory quality assurance; collection and testing of specimens for AMR surveillance
2. Evidence of providing training and capacity building of AU Member States’ national AMR
3. Demonstrated knowledge in antimicrobial resistance, biosecurity, and infection prevention and control.
4. Working experience in coordinating and managing laboratory networks at national, regional or continental levels
5. Demonstrated working experience in developing policies, strategies, legislations and National Action Plans on AMR
6. Proven record of familiarization with and participation in policy processes for adoption of instruments, initiatives and development of recommendations by AU Policy Organs

Skills and Competencies

1. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
2. Working knowledge of internationally recognized AMR surveillance systems such as the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), Assessment Tool for Laboratories and AMR Surveillance Systems (ATLASS) etc.
3. Experience in the use of data for decision making, including AMR surveillance, outbreak investigation and demonstrated writing-skills through peer-reviewed AMR-related publications

Language

Proficiency in at least two official AU languages.

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Duty Stations

The consultants will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The effective duration of this assignment is 6 months. The contract is renewable depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment on the 1st March 2023.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed amount of USD6800 (Six Thousand and Eight Hundred US Dollars) per month.

Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.

Supervision and Reporting

The project is being implemented under the Standards and Trade Secretariat (STS) for Animal Health of AU-IBAR. The successful candidate will be under the direct supervision of the Coordinator for STS and overall supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Evaluation Criteria

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

Criteria Scores (%)

Qualifications 15

General Experience 20

Specific Experience 50

Skills and competencies 10

Language 5