Home-based Consultancy Opportunity: Strengthening Cross-Border Control Measures for African Swine Fever (ASF) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Organization: African Union – InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
Deadline: 7 November 2025
Location: Home-based with some in-person/hybrid engagements
Background
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and wild pigs, posing severe risks to food security, livelihoods, and intra-regional trade across Sub-Saharan Africa. Unregulated and informal cross-border movement of pigs and pig products remains one of the primary vectors for the transmission of ASF across national boundaries.
In response, the Regional Strategy for the Control of ASF in Africa—developed collaboratively by AU-IBAR, FAO, ILRI, and other partners—calls for urgent improvements in border control systems, harmonization of protocols, and more robust management of informal livestock trade. As part of the implementation of a Letter of Agreement (LoA) between FAO and AU-IBAR, a regional workshop will be convened to drive coordination, advocacy, and resource mobilization around these goals.
To support this initiative, AU-IBAR seeks to engage a consultant to develop a Practical Approach and Guidance Document on cross-border control measures for pigs and pig products tailored to ASF-affected Sub-Saharan countries.
Objectives of the Assignment
The consultancy’s primary objective is to design a practical, regionally relevant framework for enhancing official border control measures and managing informal cross-border pig movements to prevent the spread of ASF.
Specific objectives include:
- Reviewing current regional policies and regulations on cross-border pig movement in ASF-affected Sub-Saharan countries;
- Identifying implementation gaps in both formal and informal movement control;
- Recommending practical, harmonized measures for coordinated ASF control;
- Drafting clear, actionable guidance for national and regional authorities;
- Participating in a validation workshop and presenting recommendations;
- Finalizing the guidance document in both English and French.
Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Conduct a comprehensive review of regional and international animal health policies and SOPs relevant to cross-border pig trade.
- Analyze existing frameworks, drawing lessons from other transboundary animal disease control efforts (e.g., rinderpest, PPR, avian influenza).
- Develop practical, context-specific guidelines to improve official border inspection protocols, quarantine enforcement, and risk-based surveillance systems.
- Propose strategies to engage informal livestock traders and communities in ASF risk reduction initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to enhance bilateral and multilateral collaboration between neighboring countries.
- Present initial findings at a regional workshop for stakeholder validation.
- Integrate workshop feedback and finalize a Practical Approach Document with step-by-step implementation guidance.
- Submit a concise summary report including policy recommendations for AU-IBAR, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and national governments.
Deliverables and Timeline
| Deliverable | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Inception Report (5 pages) outlining methodology and work plan | Within 1 week of contract signature |
| Draft Practical Approach Document (30 pages) | By week 5 |
| Presentation of draft at regional workshop | October 2025 |
| Final Document (revised and translated) | Within 2 weeks post-workshop |
Candidate Profile
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants may be individual consultants or a consortium of experts and must demonstrate the following:
- An advanced degree in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Health Policy, Transboundary Disease Control, or a related discipline.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in animal health systems, border control, or managing transboundary animal diseases in Africa.
- In-depth understanding of informal livestock trade dynamics in the Sub-Saharan African context.
- Strong skills in facilitation, stakeholder consultation, and policy engagement.
- Proven ability to produce high-quality technical documents in English or French; proficiency in both is an advantage.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated according to the following weighted criteria:
| Evaluation Area | Weight (%) |
|---|---|
| Relevant Qualifications | 20 |
| Experience in Related Work | 30 |
| Methodology and Work Plan | 35 |
| Additional Skills (e.g., stakeholder engagement, bilingualism) | 10 |
| Language Proficiency | 5 |
| Total | 100% |
Duration and Remuneration
The consultancy will require approximately 20 working days spread across October 2025, including participation in the regional workshop. The consultant will receive a lump sum of USD 6,000, with mission expenses covered separately per AU Commission rules.
Reporting & Supervision
The consultant will report to the Head of the Animal Health Unit at AU-IBAR and work in coordination with AU-IBAR staff, FAO technical experts, and regional stakeholders. Regular progress updates will be conducted virtually.
Note: Consultants are responsible for their own medical and travel insurance during the assignment.
Gender Mainstreamin
AU-IBAR is an equal opportunity organization. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application via email to [email protected] with the subject line:
“Cross-Border Control Measures for ASF Prevention & Control”.
Deadline: 7 November 2025 at 23:59 (Nairobi local time)
Applications should include:
- A detailed CV
- Copies of academic and professional qualifications
- A 3–5 page Technical Proposal (Methodology and Work Plan)
- Signed declaration on exclusion criteria (template attached)
- Valid ID or passport copy
A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is also provided for applicants’ reference.
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