Zonal Coordinator

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 two vacant project positions ofZonal Coordinator 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).

AU-IBAR is implementing a project for Enhancing Somali Livestock Trade (ESOLT) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. To support the implementation of this project, the Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are Somali nationals for positions at the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, Nairobi/Kenya.

Post

Job Title: Zonal Coordinator
Number of Posts: (2 Positions)
Grade: P1, Step 5
Supervisor: Coordinator – ESOLT Project AU-IBAR
Duty Station: Garowe or Hargeisa (Somalia)
Department: Rural Economy and Agriculture

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent shall include the following:

• Under the direction of the ESOLT Project Coordinator, Liaise with the line ministries and the NGO Implementing partners at the field level to initiate the implementation of ESOLT field activities;
• Assist in the organization of meetings, workshops and consultations for sensitization of the Somali Veterinary Authorities, local authorities, and representatives of the private sector and other key Somali Livestock sector stakeholders on the objectives, expected results and modalities for implementation of the project;
• Assure effective communication to all stakeholders on the programme on wider technical issues prior to the start of field activities;
• Oversee the financial and accounting management of the project at Zonal Advise and support the relevant personnel of the respective line Ministry in leading the planning, management, coordination, implementation and reporting of the project activities in the Puntland State of Somalia/Somaliland;
• Provide technical support, facilitate, coordinate and participate in implementation of field based project activities including field assessments, training sessions, workshops and seminars in Puntland State of Somalia/Somaliland identification of gaps analysis and policy development for export standards and procedures;
• Support, backstop, liaise and interact as AU-IBAR focal point at the highest level with managers of public and private organizations involved in implementation of this Project including central and local government and authorities, traders’ associations, producers and the newly established quality control commission (Somaliland/Puntland Quality Control Commission) to ensure that all project activities are achieved and delivered in a timely manner;
• To provide managerial and organizational skills in support to private associations (traders and farmers groups) for effective implementation of project activities;
• Provide technical support and advice in procurement of services to enhance functional market support infrastructure of the export livestock marketing;
• Develop and submit project activity technical and financial reports in both word, excel or access format;
• Assist in the production/translation of training materials, documents and conversations and other awareness documents in Somali language;
• Liaise with his/her counterpart Zonal Coordinators stationed in other project areas to ensure coordination and harmonisation of approaches in the implementation of project activities at the field level;
• Ensure that all project activities at field level comply with the Project accounting and reporting procedures and regulations and ensure smooth operation of the Zonal office;
• Perform any other duties as requested by the AU-IBAR ESOLT project Coordinator.

Educational Qualification Required

A Bachelor’s degree degree in animal sciences from a recognised University. A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline and additional training or proven experience in the delivery of livestock export certification services is an added advantage.

Work Experience Required

• A minimum of six (6) years of proven working experience in the livestock sector in Somalia. Experience working with international organisations. Proven experience in development projects with a background in livestock trade, livestock policy formulation and animal health certification for export, is highly desirable.
• Must have at least three years’ experience in in a senior advisory role in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural project environment in Somalia and in the implementation of country-wide export procedures and livestock trade projects in Somalia.
• Conversant with requirements for processing of livestock products, value addition and organization of value chain actors particularly in pastoral production systems.
• Good knowledge of Somalia, the Somali language and the Somali culture and socio-political context.
• Conversant with the institutional arrangements and operations in Somalia.
• Conversant with international (OIE) animal health standards and Somalia livestock trade policies.

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.
• 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.
• Excellent knowledge of the Somali clan dynamics and ability to use conflict sensitive approaches.

Language Requirement

Proficiency in English and the Somali language.

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$50,540.59 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than 25 February 2016.

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