Main Functions
Under the direct supervision of the APMD Platform Coordinator at AU-IBAR, and the overall oversight of the Director of AU-IBAR. The Project Expert for "Strengthening and diffusing functional data Ecosystems" will lead the design and implementation of activities aimed at supporting the accurate collection, organization, and utilization of data to inform and optimize pastoral sector policies, investments, and interventions. He/she shall perform the following tasks:
Support strategic planning and project implementation
Support planning, implementation and reporting on monthly, quarterly and annual project progress
Lead market research data collection, analysis, and reporting in target geographies
Lead data assessment and management of the Pastoral Livestock Marketing Chain in the targeted geographies.
Support capacity assessment and developing and delivery of Training and capacity building activities / products
Promote availability, accessibility and utilization of data on investment in pastoral livestock marketing chain
Assist project coordinator to Prepare Annual work plans, and budgets
Assist the project coordinator to collect, collate and disseminate data / information on all aspects of promoting pastoral livestock marketing chain.
Promote Pan-Africa pastoral livestock data stakeholders' engagement and coordination
Support Monitoring and Evaluation, resource management and reporting on status of project implementation on the data pillar.
Assist in preparation of AU-IBAR APMD Annual project / Programme action plans, budget and implementation progress reports
Assist in co-ordination and liaison with Member States Data National authorities, Regional Economic Communities, Inter-Governmental and International Organizations/partners on matters of pastoral livestock data
Assist in strengthening the networking and management of pastoral livestock data stakeholders
Perform any other relevant duties that may be assigned by the project coordinator and AU-IBAR Director.
Specific Responsibilities
Strategic planning :
Develop and lead the implementation of a comprehensive strategy for enabling functional data ecosystems and data diffusion in the pastoral sector in Africa
Support planning for sustainable data infrastructures and systems at targeted geographies unscalable to the Pan-Africa level
Provide input and feedback on country strategic planning related to strengthening data ecosystems and data diffusion
Contribute to high-level Platform strategic planning, governance, and project management as key member of the Platform Management Committee (PMC)
Project implementation and management for data ecosystem development :
Facilitate research to identify key data ecosystem gaps in pastoral sector
Build Platform expertise on frameworks, methodologies, tools, etc. that enable data ecosystems and diffusion (e.g., Livestock Marketing Information System, LMIS, Resource Management Information System, livestock identification and traceability system, LITS, etc.)
Support the identification and adoption of effective Knowledge Sharing Hub(s) / platform(s), KSH for pastoral livestock data collection, analysis, diffusion and utilization among policy makers, value chain actors, and other key stakeholders
Enhance continental awareness of pastoral sector data gaps and promote the implementation of solutions to minimize gaps and advance data informed pastoral sector policy and investment decision-making
Stakeholder engagement and coordination :
Coordinate and support the Data Pillar Working Group, ensuring the working group operates cohesively and effectively towards informing and executing pillar goals
Foster a conducive working group environment that encourages continuous engagement, creative thinking, and a bias for action
Stakeholders capacity building :
Oversee the development of training curriculum for pastoral sector data ecosystems (frameworks, methodologies, tools, etc.)
Support training and adoption of pastoral data ecosystem tools and best practices among member states experts and other stakeholders
M&E, reporting, resource management :
Collaborate with AU-IBAR M&E officers to support Platform M&E requirements
Support data collection, management, and analysis related to data pillar activities for Platform M&E
Report on pillar performance against established KPIs regularly
Support preparation of M&E reports for internal and external stakeholders (donors, Platform Steering Committee, etc.)
Utilize pillar resources in line with defined activities and related budget
Monitor pillar budget utilization and provide regular updates on financial status
Identify potential risks to activity implementation and resource management and develop mitigation strategies
Other relevant duties as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator and/or AU-IBAR Director.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Information Technology, Statistics or a related field in data management, analysis and utilization.
Degree holder to have a minimum of five (5) years of progressive work experience in agriculture / livestock and/or pastoral sector in Africa, and Master's degree holder to have two (2) years experience.
Demonstrated experience in livestock and/or pastoral sector, with a strong understanding and knowledge of sector data ecosystem, methodologies, tools, etc.
Demonstrated experience in data collection, data analysis and demonstration, database management tools and approach, ideally in the context of the pastoral or livestock sector
Experience in project management, including budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
Demonstrated experience in data stakeholder convenings and coordination of collective activities
Demonstrated experience in project management, including budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
Proven experience in livestock data collection, management, and analysis
Certification in project management applications like PMP or Prince2 or certification in a related field, will be an added advantage.
Supervisor experience not mandatory, but an added advantage.
Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required, fluency in another AU language and or English in particular is an added advantage.
Required Skills
Effective interpersonal and communication, from project kick offs to stakeholder meetings
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams is required.
Possess leadership skills
Self-starter with the ability to plan work and follow-up on implementation
Self-motivated, creative, and a reliable team player
Ability to work in a multicultural setting
Sound project management skills
Professional ability to use Information / Data Management Technology tools and approaches to enhance assigned tasks
Sound communication, networking, and interpersonal skills
Ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions and partners operating in the sector/ targeted geographies.