Vacancy title:
Programme Officer

[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Professional Services, Category: Management]

Jobs at:
African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

Deadline of this Job:
Wednesday, October 22 2025

Duty Station:
Kenya | Nairobi | Kenya

Summary
Date Posted: Monday, October 20 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

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JOB DETAILS:

• 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, 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 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. Within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA)environed an inclusive and sustainable livestock economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.
• Small ruminants constitute an important part of the African livestock and represent a key element in food and nutrition security on the continent. Small ruminants are well adapted to the different agro-ecological zones and production systems in which they are reared. Farming small ruminants provide a safety net for women and youth who are vulnerable to socio-economic shocks and disturbances.
• Production, productivity, circulation, trade and marketing of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by the presence of high impact transboundary animal diseases. Among those, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) a viral disease affecting only small ruminants and their wild relatives, is the most sensitive one because of its contagiousness and the fatality rate observed.
• For many years, multiple partners and donors have been supporting various PPR control and eradication in different countries/regions, however, the efforts are still fragmented and inadequately coordinated, achieving limited short-term control of the disease and appear insufficient to hope for an eradication at continental level. Around ten years ago, Rinderpest, a viral disease very similar to PPR but affecting cattle and buffaloes, was successfully eradicated from Africa because of a strong continental coordination that was put in place with the support of the European Union. Now, PPR eradication has become a political objective for the African Union reaffirmed at several occasions. A plan of action and a global strategy has been put in place by the FAO/WOAH joint PPR Secretariat that coordinate the PPR Global Eradication Programme under the umbrella of the GF-TADs.
• Le BIRA-UA et ses partenaires, avec l’appui de l’Union européenne, ont mis en place une initiative visant à définir de manière concrète les besoins et les appuis nécessaires au renforcement des acteurs continentaux et régionaux pour faire face aux menaces que représentent les maladies transfrontalières des ovins et des caprins en Afrique subsaharienne (ASS), en particulier la PPR. L’initiative préparera également les mécanismes de gouvernance nécessaires à la coordination de l’éradication mondiale de la PPR en Afrique subsaharienne, ainsi qu’à la coordination à l’échelle continentale. Enfin, l’initiative préparera et organisera la stratégie de vaccination nécessaire à l’éradication de la PPR, en s’appuyant sur l’état d’avancement des différentes initiatives et des capacités existantes. 
• Cette initiative doit être considérée comme la première phase d’une approche plus large d’éradication de la PPR en Afrique dans les années à venir. Elle contribuera à définir une stratégie continentale harmonisée, soutenue par une théorie du changement et un cadre stratégique et opérationnel complet pour l’éradication de la PPR. Les phases ultérieures de mise en œuvre comprendront des interventions ciblées, fondées sur des données probantes, en appui à un processus d’éradication défini dans le temps.
• Dans le cadre de la poursuite de ces objectifs, la Commission de l’Union africaine vise à renforcer ses capacités. À cet effet, elle invite les ressortissants des États membres de l’Union africaine à faire acte de candidature au poste de Chargé de programme pour diriger et coordonner la mise en œuvre et la gestion technique du projet d’éradication de la PPR au sein du Secrétariat panafricain de la PPR (PAPS), hébergé au Bureau interafricain des ressources animales (BIRA), à Nairobi, au Kenya.
• .AU-IBAR and partners with support of the European Union have developed an Action that aims to define concretely the needs and support for strengthening the continental/ regional actors to respond to the threats of transboundary diseases of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), in particular PPR. The Action will also prepare the governance for coordinating the global PPR eradication in SSA and for coordination at continental level. Finally, the Action will prepare and organize the vaccination strategy needed to eradicate PPR on the basis of the state of play of the various existing initiatives and capacities. 
• This Action should be considered as the first phase to initiate a larger approach to eradicate PPR in Africa in the years to come. It will be used to inform a harmonized continental strategy supported by a theory of change and a comprehensive Business Plan for eradication of PPR. Subsequent implementation phases will entail targeted evidence-based interventions for a time-bound eradication process.
• In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union Commission intends to strengthen its capacity and the Commission therefore, invites applicants who are citizens of Member States of Africa Union for the position of a  Programme Officer to lead and coordinate the technical implementation and management of the PPR eradication project at the Pan African PPR Secretariat (PAPS) based at the InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR), located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Main Functions

• Lead, coordinate, supervise and monitoring the technical implementation and management of continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa;
• Strengthen capacities of RECs and AU member states to develop surveillance systems 
• Establish and strengthen a system of governance for coordinating the continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa among RECs, closely linked to global coordination initiatives ; 
• Support the RECs in the implementation of the regional PPR eradication strategy ;
• Develop and support PPR vaccine production and vaccination strategy at continental level ;
• Support member states eligible for recognition  for official PPR free-status and their application to WOAH.

Specific Responsibilities

• Under the direct technical supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer and overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR., he/she shall perform the following tasks:
• Ensure and promote functional implementation and management of continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa;
• Coordinate the implementation  of the project activity plans, preparation of project budget forecast and expense in accordance with approved budgets and prepare quarterly and annual progress reports, and the  final technical report.
• Strengthen collaboration with project partners, and ensure timely implementation, monitoring and documentation;
• Develop evidence-base- for  PPR (epidemiological systems, regions risk mapping and risk management plan) and Enhance scientific and technical networking in different regions of Africa ; 
• Support  epidemiological and laboratory capacity to enhance surveillance systems for early detection of PPR outbreaks ; 
• Strengthen capacities of AU member states and RECs to develop realistic national and regional strategic plans, policies and legislations aligned with the continental PPR eradication strategy and  relevant global instruments ;
• Support the RECs in the implementation of the regional PPR eradication strategy ;
• Identify, establish and support regional reference laboratory for PPR diagnostics
• Identify and support regional PPR vaccine units to increase quality vaccine production and provide vaccines to AU member states; 
• Develop effective mechanisms for a  solid reporting system on the implementation of the continental PPR eradication strategy in Africa, 
• Develop  mechanisms for enhancing  strategic partnerships among  stakeholders  for PPR eradication strategy in Africa  with PPR Global Eradication Programme under the umbrella of the GF-TADs ; 
• Assess project risks and mitigation methods, and promote the achievement of quality results and the timely submission of project technical reports, and the presentation of monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual technical reports as per the AUC  and development partner requirements.
• Perform any other duties as requested by the Director of AU-IBAR

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

The incumbent should have a

• Postgraduate University degree (Master's degree) in Veterinary Epidemiology or Animal Health.  A PhD qualification in the relevant disciplines will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in the public sector at regional or international level, relevant knowledge-based institutions relating to Animal Health, TADs within a particular PPR control program or research program development or related fields, of which at least three (3) years should be at expert level.

OR

• Bachelor university degree in in Veterinary Sciences.  
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant progressive work experience in in the public or private sector, relevant knowledge-based institutions relating to Animal Health, TADs within a particular PPR control program or research program development or related fields of which at least three (3) years should be at expert level

Required Skills

• Diplomacy and good interactive  skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
• Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work and follow-up on implementation;
• Sector related project development, management and implementation skills at national, regional and continental levels;
• Strong skills  in using  computer software (outlook, MS teams, word, excel, Power point), and  project management and monitoring background.
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary;
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster a team-oriented environment is required.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required, fluency in another AU language and or English in particular is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 84

Level of Education: bachelor degree

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