VSF Belgium Audit Job in Kenya

Terms of Reference (ToR’s) for:

(i) Assessment of the Staff Distribution and Resources Allocation to the States to Achieve an Efficient Veterinary Presence in the States of the Republic of South Sudan that Correspond to the Requirements for an Efficient, Effective and Sustainable Livestock Epidemio-Surveillance System, and

(ii) Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Current Veterinary Service Delivery Setup at all Levels

The consultancy is to be carried out under the EC-funded VSF-Belgium / Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRoSS) Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) – implemented Livestock Epidemio-Surveillance Project (LESP), as stated in Activity 5.2.7.1 and 5.2.7.5 of the project document:

5.2.7.1: Assess the staff distribution & resources allocation to the states to get an efficient veterinary presence in the states, corresponding to the requirements

5.2.7.5 Assess the effectiveness of the current veterinary service delivery setup at all levels

Background:

Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Belgium (VSF-Belgium) is an international non – governmental organization whose vision is to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations in developing countries, through improving animal health and production.

We have been a key player in the livestock sector in Southern Sudan since 1995 playing a major role in the establishment of a community-based animal health delivery system and in the ongoing rinderpest eradication, verification and recognition process.

VSF Belgium’s 16 years of animal health service provision in Southern Sudan has impacted positively on the community and changed the lives of many families whose lives are dependent on livestock directly or indirectly.

VSF-Belgium has, since January 2007, been funded by the European Commission to implement in partnership with the MARF, through the provision of management and technical support, the Southern Sub-Project (A Northern Sub-Project of the LESP is implemented in Northern Sudan with EC funding; the Southern Sub-Project is implemented in all ten states (Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Western Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, Lakes, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Western Upper Nile, Jonglei and Upper Nile) of Southern Sudan) of the Livestock Epidemio-Surveillance Project (LESP), the overall objective of which is a long-term reduction of poverty of those involved in livestock farming, through achieving completion of the rinderpest eradication pathway and the development of an efficient, effective and sustainable livestock epidemio-surveillance system, owned and supported by the GRoSS, which for 2011 is committed to contributing 18% of the total implementation cost.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The overall purpose of the assignment is to make an assessment of the effectiveness and sustainability of the delivery of veterinary services to the livestock producer in relation to the livestock epidemio-surveillance system that has been established, and to comment on the suitability, efficacy, staffing and funding of the current livestock epidemio-surveillance system in relation to the detection, reporting and control of important livestock diseases including zoonoses, emergent, trade and transboundary diseases.

There is a need to consider whether the current Livestock Epidemio-Surveillance System (LESS) for South Sudan provides effective surveillance, data collection and reporting and has the capability to efficiently detect emerging or spreading diseases, as well as to document and comment on the achievements of the LESP project and how much or how little it has influenced the development of a structure with the capability to deliver veterinary services throughout the Republic of South Sudan.

However, the assignment cannot be undertaken in isolation, focusing only on the Directorate of Veterinary Services, as other directorates of MARF considerably influence the effectiveness of Veterinary Services; and in particular, there is a need then to consider:

·       the impact of trade and marketing on the spread of livestock disease in the absence of functioning border controls

·       the effectiveness of applied research in providing effective control strategies for both endemic and emerging livestock diseases of importance

·       the supportive role of the extension services and the ability to both develop and deliver effective extension messages

Recommendations resulting from the assessment should guide the MARF with regard to any essential steps that may need to be taken at GRoSS and State level to improve functionality and ensure sustainability of the current livestock epidemio-surveillance system.

Location for the Assignment:

The consultant will be based initially in the VSFB office in the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, but will be required to travel extensively within the Republic of South Sudan in order to conduct the assessment in all 10 states, as well as at the GRoSS (Juba) level.

Key Actions and Responsibilities for the Consultant:

·       Prepare a detailed work/travel schedule for the assignment

·       Analyse recent livestock disease prioritization studies carried out under the LESP, with careful attention to the methodology used and consequent biases, and propose, with justification, a ranking of priority livestock diseases for endorsement by GRoSS/MARF

·       Review the current GRoSS/MARF organigram in relation to the existing physical structure, resources and staffing at the GRoSS/MARF Juba level and conduct an organizational audit of the Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (from GRoSS through State to Payam levels) with a thorough review of existing roles and job descriptions. Document the existing organizational structure.

·       Review the current GRoSS/MARF organigram in relation to the existing physical structure, resources and staffing at the GRoSS/MARF individual States level for all 10 states of the Republic of South Sudan and conduct an organizational audit of the Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (from GRoSS through State to Payam levels) for each state, with a thorough review of existing roles and job descriptions. Document the existing organizational structures and relate to the GRoSS/MARF structure at the Juba level.

·       Conduct analysis of the institutional structure within the Directorate of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (from GRoSS through State to Payam levels), evaluating the relevance and contribution of different Units, special projects and the level of integration of the Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW) system.

·       Consider in depth the role of the CAHWs and the delivery of veterinary services at the livestock producer level. Review the functionality of the CAHW system, how well CAHWs are integrated into the veterinary services delivery structure, whether CAHWs have sufficient incentives to operate, access to adequate inputs supply, and how effectively they are delivering services.

·       Consider inputs supply – the role of government versus NGOs and the private sector – and how best to secure an adequate and reliable supply of affordable quality veterinary pharmaceuticals to the livestock sector.

·       Consult widely with livestock sector stakeholders and review the level and efficacy of recent livestock epidemio-surveillance activities

·       Identify gaps and inefficiencies relating especially to the operation of an effective diseases surveillance system, in particular with regard to geographical coverage, key areas coverage (e.g. border crossings, emergent and trans-boundary diseases), numbers and types of personnel, information flow and decision making.

·       Review resources allocation (and adequacy in relation to an effective diseases surveillance system) from GRoSS to the State Ministry Directorates for Veterinary Services in conjunction with State internal revenue collection and allocation in relation to existing, as well as envisaged personnel and responsibilities.

·       Consider the relevance and efficacy of the current MARF structure at GRoSS and State levels in relation to an effective and sustainable livestock epidemio-surveillance system throughout the Republic of South Sudan.

·       Develop in conjunction with each State Ministry Directorate of Veterinary Services, an effective operational organizational chart with clear reporting lines and detailed jobdescriptions for each actor.

·       At each State Ministry Directorate of Veterinary Services, through development of an effective operational organizational chart and documentation of detailed job descriptions, discussed with each actor, identify and document training gaps and capacity building needs to compile a capacity-building profile and action plan for each State Ministry Directorate of Veterinary Services.

·       Present relevant section of draft report on 5.2.7.1/5.2.5.5 to each State Ministry Directorate of Veterinary Services for discussion, review and adjustment.

·       Compile all state-reviewed State reports with GRoSS report for 5.2.7.1/5.2.5.5 and present to GRoSS Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (to the Directorate of Veterinary Services and Directorate of Planning, Investment and Marketing) for discussion, review and endorsement.

·       Prepare and submit a comprehensive final report in hard bound and electronic copy.

Anticipated Consultancy Outcomes

·       10 Structure and Function Review Workshops held at the State MARF Directorate of Veterinary Services level

·       1 Structure and Function Review Workshop held at the GRoSS MARF level with the Directorates of Veterinary Services and Planning, Investment and Marketing.

·       MARF-endorsed structural organigrams and job descriptions for the Directorate of Veterinary Services at GRoSS and State levels

·       MARF-endorsed livestock diseases prioritization list

·       Comprehensive report

Duration:

The entire assignment is expected to take not more than 47 days. The work is expected to commence in Juba on 15th August 2011 and to be completed on 30th September 2011.

The consultant will be expected to submit a draft comprehensive final report, in duplicate hard copy with CD, by latest COB Friday 07th October 2011. This draft report will be reviewed and commented on by VSFB by latest COB 14th October 2011.

The consultant will be expected to consider the comments and present a comprehensive final report by latest COB Friday 21st October 2011.

Structure of the Report

The proposed structure of the report is as follows:

·       Title Page

·       Executive summary (covering major findings and recommendations).

·       List of Abbreviations/Acronyms

·       Table of Contents

·       Introduction/Background.

·       Objectives

·       Results

·       Analysis

·       Conclusions and Recommendations

·       Annexes - References, Terms of Reference, Maps, photographs, charts/organigrams

Provision of Support to the Consultancy:

VSF-Belgium office in Juba will support the consultant with all logistics in country. Significant supportive work, to review and document existing structures at State and GRoSS levels, will already have been undertaken by the LESP Policy Adviser prior to the onset of the consultancy, and further facilitating support will be provided to enable the consultant to complete the assignment within the 47 day time frame.

The Technical Adviser to the LESP Project will have overall responsibility and accountability for the mission and will provide guidance through all stages of the consultancy.

Qualifications and Experience:

The Consultant is expected to possess the following attributes:

·       Postgraduate degree in Livestock or Veterinary Science, preferably with specialization in Veterinary Epidemiology

·       Significant field experience in East Africa in the livestock sector

·       Good knowledge of the livestock sector and animal health issues in South Sudan

·       Significant experience of working to improve Government veterinary service delivery

·       Excellent communication skills and proven experience in effective workshop facilitation

·       Excellent analytical and report writing skills

·       Excellent organisational ability and respect for meeting operational deadlines

Closing date: Friday 29th July 2011

Application Information:

Only expert consultants with the required qualifications and experience to carry out the assignment, should submit a proposal, highlighting their relevant qualifications and experience, together with a draft assignment execution plan.

Anticipated daily consultancy rate and availability should also be submitted. The proposal, a recent CV and a list of three (3) referees should be sent electronically to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke, not later than Friday 29th July 2011, and contain the name of the consultant and the reference: “LESP MARF Consultancy 08/11” in the e-mail header.

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