AU-IBAR within the scope of its mandate, and with the overall objective to enhance the information and knowledge management capacity of the Member States and Regional Economic Communities to swiftly respond to disease emergencies and to properly plan interventions in animal production, marketing and trade as well as to attract investment into the sub-sector has developed the Animal Resources Information System (ARIS). ARIS was initially developed in 2000 as the “PACE Integrated Database” (PID) to facilitate animal resource information sharing as a component of the Pan-African Programme for the Control of Epizootics (PACE) project. The need for evidence-based, high-quality, and timely information on animal resources for planning, decision making, and monitoring of the animal resource subsector has become ever more relevant.
Since the introduction of ARIS in 2002, there has been an enhancement of the capacity of members in data collection, analysis, and reporting. However, there were challenges with regards to the scope of coverage and technical quality of the reports from the Member States. Some of these flaws in data quality are being addressed from ARIS 2 with the introduction of special features that improve data quality and allow validation of reports within modules before submission. In terms of operationalization of ARIS, Member States were trained and have tested Animal Health data transmission through successive administrative levels using the system from the sub-national, national, regional, and continental levels. However, in terms of actual operationalization and reporting on Animal Production (including Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Bees), few Member States have so far not used the system to send data to AU-IBAR. The Animal Production modules in ARIS are yet to be populated, fully utilized, and reported on; with relevant data and information drawn from the Member States, thus fulfilling its function. Based on the above, AU-IBAR is seeking the services of a consultant to support the review of ARIS modules under Animal Production and Regional Livestock Value Chains Themes.
Responsibilities
- Develop/Prepare a module help page content for each identified module under Animal Production and Regional Livestock Value Chains Themes;
- Review the content of the reference data tables related to the modules under Animal Production and Regional Livestock Value Chains Themes including their internal relations;
- Review the modules under Animal Production and Regional Livestock Value Chains Themes and recommend the related access levels to be assigned based on the final users. The methodology used to review the modules will be based on the relation between the sector, the information to generate, the data content, the actors/end users, the decision making, the source of the information, the frequency of updating/collecting the information and the cost of collecting the information;
- Extract the relevant content which can be used to support the development of specialized dictionaries for English and French languages and if possible, Arabic or Portuguese languages to support the customization of Systran;
- Review the existing charts, maps, and charts linked to the modules under Animal Production and Regional Livestock Value Chains Themes and Advise about additional relevant indicators that can be used to design new charts, maps, and charts for decision making.
Eligibility
- An advanced University degree in relevant field (Animal Sciences with in-depth knowledge and experience in Animal Production, Livestock Development, Climate Change, Natural Resources Management, Policy Formulation).
- At least 10 years in the field of animal resources with a good knowledge of Data Collection concepts for Information System
- Proven 5 years working experience in areas associated with this consultancy, such as Animal Production and Value Chain;
- Advanced knowledge of questionnaires/surveys design, database modeling, and design;
- Good knowledge of data collection tools like ARIS, DHIS, or ODK;
- Proven ability to collect, verify and analyze information and to finish and present work with a high degree of accuracy and technical quality; A knowledge of any software used to organize the work methodologically will be an advantage;
- Excellent knowledge of the office application, in particular Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and Data Analyses/Statistics Software; Knowledge on any translation software will be an advantage;
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills in English and French. Portuguese and Arabic will be an advantage;
- Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.
The assignment will be undertaken in a total period of 3 months. There will be no field activities associated with the completion of this assignment.
Application Deadline is Friday, 23 April 2021 – 15:00
