Documenting Studies Conducted on Characterization, Inventory, Monitoring of Trends and Risks Associated with Animal Genetic Resources in West Africa at African Union (AU)

Background

The project "Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources" aims at strengthening the capacity of African countries and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably use and conserve animal genetic resources (AnGR) through institutionalizing national and regional policy, legal and technical instruments and implementing actions that will result in judicious exploitation of AnGR in Africa. This is achieved through:

• Establishing the status and trends of animal genetic resources in Africa
• Developing policy frameworks for the sustainable utilization and conservation of AnGR
• Establishing national and regional utilization, conservation and improvement strategies and initiatives
• Increasing knowledge, attitude and practice on the use and contribution of livestock to economic growth, food security and poverty reduction.

Context of the Consultancy

Conservation, as well as the use of local animal genetic resources, plays a fundamental role in development in rural areas. Biodiversity, in the livestock sector, is an indispensable component of the complex and changing system that characterizes a particular rural area. Phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture is the practice of systematically documenting observed characteristics, geographical distribution, production environments, and uses of these resources. The information obtained through the characterization process fosters informed decision-making about resource management priorities by different interest groups, including farmers, governments at national and regional level, and international agencies. The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources recognizes that « a good understanding of the breed characteristics is required to guide decision-making in breeding development and selection programmes ». The West African region is the domestication center for several animal species and breeds, and they are more likely than others to have unique and valuable genetic diversity. The region’s climate and production environments vary widely and include many challenging environments that combine high temperatures and arid conditions. These conditions are more advantageous to the region’s breeds than exotic breeds that have been raised in temperate climates and in more favorable production environments. Unfortunately, this important wealth is significantly under-utilized and does not contribute to its fair value to the people’s well-being because of the lack of knowledge of the real genetic potential, the poor management of local breeds (food, environmental and sanitary constraints). Phenotypic and / or molecular characterization studies have been conducted in cattle in some countries in the region. At the regional level, a CORAF-funded project investigated the introgression of zebu blood into bull populations in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. The studies have demonstrated that there are signs of introgression in bull populations (Baoulé and N'Dama). In small ruminants, national genetic characterization studies are conducted in various countries on various populations or "breeds". This is true as regards sheep and goats in Burkina Faso. Additionally at the regional level, the project on the "Valorization of local animal and aquaculture genetic resources in the UEMOA space," PROGEVAL funded by UEMOA and led by CORAF with the NARSs is characterizing numerous species such as the Fula zebu, the N’Dama bull, the Peul peul sheep, the local guinea fowl, Tilapia.

In this context, the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) seeks to identify and hire a consultant to emphasize the importance of characterization, inventory and monitoring trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa.

Objectives

The objective of the consultation is to highlight the importance of characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa. Specifically, the consultant will have to:

• Take stock of the research studies and activities undertaken, the various projects and programmes on (phenotypic and molecular) characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa;
• Map and describe the various information systems established in relation to animal genetic resources in West Africa;
• Document the achievements, successes and lessons learned about (phenotypic and molecular) characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa;
• Produce a policy brief on the current and potential contribution of research work and activities, of various projects and programmes on the development of animal genetic resources in West Africa (implementation of genetic improvement programmes).

Expected Results

• Review of research studies, activities, of various projects and programmes on (phenotypic and molecular) characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa are available.
• Better knowledge of the importance of characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks associated with animal genetic resources in West Africa.
• Recommendations on implementing genetic improvement programmes have been made.

Deliverables

Inception Report (IR)

An inception report (IR) within 5 days of signing the contract. The IR coming in no more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timetable and activity schedule, the sites to be visited, the persons to interview and an overview of the contents of the final technical report.

Technical Interim Report (TIR)

The technical interim report is considered the initial draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR) before a final copy is formally and officially submitted to AU-IBAR for acceptance.

Final Technical Report (FTR)

The final technical report (RTF) should take into account inputs and comments from relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The draft final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance. Once validated, three (03) copies of the consultation’s final report, in which the raw data obtained is annexed, must be submitted to AU-IBAR. The final report must be submitted at the end of the time allocated to task performance within a maximum of three calendar months from the date of signing of the contract.

Term of Consultation

The consultation will be carried out within 30 working days, from the day of the signing of the contract.

Payment

The total cost for the consultation will be 9000 (nine thousand) US$, not comprising travel expenses and daily subsistence allowance for field visits if available.

Consultant Profiles

General qualifications and competences:

• Be a national of West Africa.
• Ability to communicate and write fluently in French and / or English with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Perfect knowledge of French/English.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Specific qualifications and competences:

The consultant shall have an excellent knowledge of livestock development in West Africa and will have extensive experience in characterization of animal species and breeds.
In particular, he or she should:

• Advanced university degree in animal sciences, animal genetics or socio-economics.
• Have at least 5 years professional experience in the livestock industry and in conducting and implementing animal phenotypic characterization studies.
• Have a good drafting ability, good knowledge of production systems, and statistics.
• Have relevant knowledge on socio-economic dynamics and cross-border trade in the sub-region.