Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany
VSF Germany is an international Non Governmental organization providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in Southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Ethiopia. With support in animal health, Agriculture, Marketing, Food Safety, but also with developing the capacity of communities and governmental institutions or initiating peace and conflict resolution we work towards food security and strengthening livelihoods and pastoralist communities.
Closing date: 15 Nov 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Somalia - Somaliland
Job title: The Somali Animal Health Services Project Phase II(Sahsp II) - Risk Management of Livestock Trade Limiting Animal Diseases
Additional location information: Somaliland (Hargeisa) and Puntland (Bosaso and Galkaio)
1. Introduction
The Somali Animal Health Services Project phase II (SAHSP II) is funded by EC and implemented by four partners namely Terra Nuova, FAO, COOPI and Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Germany (VSF-G). The objective of SAHSP II is to improve the capacity of Somali institutions and communities for sustainable risk management of trade limiting animal diseases. To achieve this objective, SAHSP II is providing training, technical and financial support to enable Somali communities and institutions to undertake key components of risk management of trade limiting animal diseases which includes surveillance, disease reporting, early warning and the establishment of preparedness and response systems to outbreaks of priority animal diseases. In this regard trade limiting animal diseases are Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Foot and mouth disease (FMD), Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Camel pox.
The Somali Animal Health Services Project (SAHSP II) is providing support for the establishment of laboratory facilities within the Ministry of Livestock (MoL) in Somaliland, the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Husbandry (MoLAH) in Puntland. Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Germany (VSF-G) is in charge of laboratory trainings for participants from all over Somalia (Somaliland, Puntland, Central and South Somalia).
The Project seeks the inputs of an experienced laboratory technologists/technician as a short-term consultant to assist Somali personnel to routinely operate laboratory facilities for bacteriological, serological and parasitological processing and testing of specimens.
The, training sessions will be carried out in the existing laboratory facilities in Somaliland and Puntland.
2. Objectives and scope
The objectives of the consultancy are:
- To assist the Ministry of Livestock in Somaliland and the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Husbandry in Puntland to identify and establish modalities for the sustainable operation of Veterinary Laboratory facilities in Hargeisa (Somaliland), Bossaso and Galkaiyo (Puntland).
- To undertake on-the-job training of laboratory technicians in Somaliland and Puntland to enable them to routinely carry out basic laboratory procedures for processing and testing of samples for serology, parasite infections/infestations and bacterial infections.
- To assist the laboratory personnel to develop work plans and undertake field visits for the collection of samples for laboratory testing.
3. Tasks for the consultants
The consultants will be expected to perform the following tasks:
- Hold consultations with the Ministers and senior technical officers and laboratory staff of the Ministry of Livestock (MoL) in Somaliland and the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Husbandry (MoLAH) in Puntland to explore options for ensuring continued operations of veterinary laboratory services.
- Prepare a training strategy and work plans for carrying out the assignment in Somaliland and Puntland. These will be discussed with SAHSP II staff prior to the start of activities in Somaliland and Puntland.
- Guide Somaliland and Puntland laboratory personnel in the planning and implementation of laboratory work schedules.
- Guide the laboratory personnel to prepare work plans for field visits for the collection of samples for serological, parasitological and bacteriological testing.
- Provide refresher training of laboratory staff in processing, labelling, storage and transportation of samples for serological, bacteriological and parasitological testing.
- Provide refresher training for laboratory staff in the use of laboratory tests for identification of blood and helminth parasites and examination of specimens for bacterial infections.
- Provide practical refresher training in preparation and maintenance of laboratory records and the preparation and submission of laboratory reports
- Prepare activity reports for submission to VSF-Germany, SAHSP II and MoL/MoLAH on completion of each training session.
4. Methodology
The consultant will be expected to be familiar with the SAHSP II Project document particularly the sections that outline support for the rehabilitation of laboratories and the training of laboratory personnel. The consultant will prepare a training strategy and work plan for discussion and approval by VSF-Germany and SAHSP II PMU prior to the start of activities in Somaliland and Puntland. The consultants will carry out on-the-job training for laboratory staff, evaluate their performance and make recommendations for further training requirements.
5. Reporting and feedback
The consultant will be expected to present the draft training strategy and work plan for approval by VSF-Germany and SAHSP II. The consultant will then conduct the training in Somaliland and Puntland following a time schedule and sequence to be agreed upon with VSF-Germany, SAHSP II, MoL and MoLAH.
Following completion of each training session, the consultant will debrief the respective Ministers in Somaliland and Puntland, VSFG representative and the SAHSP II Area Veterinary Coordinator for Somaliland and Puntland and subsequently prepare and submit activity reports to VSF-Germany and the SAHSP II Project Management Unit (PMU) in Nairobi within 10 days of return from the field mission. Hargeisa.
6. Expertise required
- Senior Laboratory Technologist/technician with an advanced diploma in medical laboratory technology.
- Experience in a busy veterinary laboratory with practical knowledge of laboratory procedures for serological, bacteriological and parasitological diagnosis.
- At least 5 years experience in on-the job training of laboratory personnel from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Previous experience in training Somali personnel will be an added advantage.
- Excellent report-writing and analytical skills
7. Time schedule
The training should be carried out for a total of 60 calendar days( 30 days in Puntland and 30 days in Somaliland) commencing not later than 20th November and ending in December 2009. The schedules for travel to Somaliland and Puntland will be arranged depending on the availability of flights and assessments of the prevailing security situation by VSF Germany
Reference Code: RW_7XMAYQ-82
