AU-IBAR Coordinator of Standards and Trade Secretariat Job in Nairobi, Kenya

The African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialised technical office reporting to the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission.

AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilisation of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the member states of the African Union.

The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resaources (AU-IBAR) has established a secretariat to facilitate the coordination of African positions on draft animal health and food safety standards of interest to African Union Member States.

The secretariat will contribute to the improvement of the quality of participation (more consistent, more relevant, more science based) of African States in the work of international standards setting organizations and facilitate intraregional and inter-regional trade in animals and animal products on the continent by assisting countries to improve participation of stakeholders at national level in standards setting and promoting intraregional and interregional trade.

Post title: Coordinator of Standards and Trade Secretariat

Post level: P3 Step 5

Duty station: AU-IBAR, Nairobi, Kenya

This position is subject to availability of funds.

Major duties and responsibilities:

The position is based within the headquarters of AU-IBAR with frequent travel to African Union Member States and the headquarters of Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Under the supervision of the senior policy officer, trade and marketing, the incumbent will:

Select priority topics of shared or common interest for the Continent on animal health (AH) and food safety (FS);Collate information from countries and African delegates, from Code Commission and other OIE working groups, Codex Committees or working groups;Analyse information, with help of experts when necessary, and suggest positions/comments/additional work;Propose common positions for validation by CVOs, National Codex contact points, Codex committees and Codex Alimentarius Commission;Promote the drafting of new standards for consideration by ISSOs;Establish a database of experts to be proposed for representation of Africa in committees and ad-hoc groups, and institutions to be considered as centres of excellence;Organise and participate in the training of delegates and focal points• Circulate relevant technical information to CVOs and National Codex contact points;Coordinate the activities of the PAFLEC secretariat• Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor and the Director of AU-IBAR.A Postgraduate Degree (Msc) in animal or food science. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Seven years proven working experience in the livestock trade or food safety sector of which 3 years proven experience in management position at international level;Experience in dealing with senior government, regional and international organization officials.Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own workBe conversant with international standard setting organisations (OIE, IPPC and Codex Alimentarius) procedures and cycles;Good networker with the ability to maintain a positive and fruitful dialogue and relationship with the main institutions operating on the Continent;Excellent communication skills? Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organisational boundaries;Good judgement/Decision-making skills.Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages is a requirement.
Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.Age requirement:

Must be preferably between the age of 35 and 50 years.

Tenure of Appointment:

The initial appointment will be for 11 months including a 3 months probation period.
Contract extension will be subject to performance and availability of funding.Gender Mainstreaming:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application:

To apply, please submit the following:

A letter stating your motivation for seeking employment with the AU Commission;A detailed and updated CV, indicating your nationality, age and gender;Names and contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three references;Certified copies of degrees, diplomas and other academic certificates.Remuneration:

The lump-sum salary attached to this position will be USD 6,783.14 per month all inclusive.

Applications must be received not later than 24 January 2011 and should be addressed to:

Director of AU-IBAR
P.O.Box 30786
Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254-20-367-4143
E-mail: applications@au-ibar.org, office@au-ibar.org

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