VSF Belgium Technical Advisor to the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Southern Sub-Project (LESP) Job in Juba South Sudan

VSF-Belgium is a recognized developmental International NGO founded in 1995 working with disadvantaged communities to increase their standards of living, improve food security and livelihood sustainability through improved animal health and animal production.

In East Africa, our programmes focus on community based animal health services, capacity building of local institutions and governments, conflict mitigation and sustainable natural resource management.

Position: Technical Advisor to the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Southern Sub-Project (LESP)

Duty Station: Juba, South Sudan

Deadline for Application: 11/11/2011

Availability: Immediately

Context

VSF Belgium has been supporting the eradication of rinderpest from Southern Sudan and the development of epidemio-surveillance systems since 2001.

With the advent of peace in 2005 and the establishment of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) in South Sudan, the LESP Southern Sub-Project supported the final stages of rinderpest eradication and building the capacity of MARF to establish an effective and sustainable disease surveillance system and to develop policies on control of priority livestock diseases, animal health service delivery and other key livestock development issues.

LESP is a 5 year European Union (EU) funded project with a total budget of EURO 3,55 million and is implemented in partnership with the Republic of South Sudan MARF.

Role

• Manage the Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Southern Sub-Project in close co-ordination with MARF, Government of South Sudan, and ensure objectives and targets are met.
• Provide technical advice to MARF on all aspects of LESP.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for management of LESP funds and inputs, follow up of expenditure and checking of financial reports in line with EU procedures and assist MARF to plan for and report on the utilisation of LESP funds & inputs.
• Responsible for the timely submission of necessary reports and other documents to the donor in line with EU procedures and assist MARF to prepare work plans, budget amendments & narrative reports.
• Support the day-to-day implementation of project activities by MARF, working closely with the MARF LESP Co-ordinator and other personnel designated to work on the project.
• Attend and act as secretary for LESP North-South Steering Committee meetings and attend LESP Southern Sub-Project Technical Committee meetings and working group meetings.
• Manage the LESP project personnel; work plans, performance management, project meetings and recruitment
• Assist in the identification of short-term consultants to conduct studies and training for the project. Manage and provide advice and support to project consultants to ensure their missions are successful.
• Advise and support MARF to develop the epidemio-surveillance system for South Sudan: organise and facilitate meetings and workshops, establishment of animal health database, training of veterinarians and animal health workers in epidemiosurveillance.
• Support the improvement of veterinary diagnostic capacity.
• Promote good communication and information-sharing between MARF and other stakeholders in the livestock sector; support and attend livestock co-ordination meetings, support the preparation of newsletters and other communication materials.
• Support MARF policy development process for priority animal diseases.
• Co-ordination with other stakeholders in the livestock sector and other related livestock projects that are being implemented in South Sudan.
• Support the implementation of the LESP exit strategy
• Promote and participate in knowledge management within VSF Belgium.

Essential or Minimum Requirements

Education

• Degree in Veterinary Medicine
• Post-graduate qualification in relevant discipline preferably in Veterinary Epidemiology

Knowledge and experience

• At least 10 years of experience at programme management level in livestock development
• Experience with Community based animal health and use of participatory methods
• Experience in training, facilitation, coaching, capacity-building of local partners
• Experience in working with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in working with government
• Experience of livestock disease surveillance
• Experience of working with of pastoralist communities
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Skills

• Excellent managerial skills (planning, organizing, leading, controlling)
• Excellent coordination skills
• Strong communication skills
• Good reporting skills,
• Ability to prepare and present issues at all levels
• Good networking skills
• Good negotiation skills
• Good team builder
• Computer literacy

Attitudes

• Identify him/herself with the mission, vision and values of VSF-B
• Display intercultural and gender sensitivity
• Respect in dealing with others

Flexibility

• Affinity for NGO work in general
• Ability to cope with uncertain and difficult working and living environment.
• Transparent and accountable
• Willingness to travel

Desirable Requirements

• Fluency in written and/or spoken Arabic an advantage.
• Experience in South Sudan is an advantage

Please send your application letter, CV and list of 3 references by e-mail (reference “LESP advisor”) on or before 11/11/2011 to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

For more information: www.vsfbelgium.org