Somalia: Community Animal Health Workers training - Phase one

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 30 countries throughout the world. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and its sister organization DDG has been providing relief, humanitarian community safety, and early recovery/development services in the East Africa since 1997. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief. Danish Demining Group (DDG) aims to recreate a safe environment where people can live without the threat of landmines, unexploded ordinances and small arms and light weapons. These goals can be effectively advanced through cooperation and joint action with other organization as well as with integration of operations and programs with its sister organization, the DRC.

In Somalia, DRC is providing relief and development services using a human rights framework, aiming at supporting IDPs, returnees and host communities affected by conflict and natural disasters. Currently, the main sectoral programs include; Food Security and Livelihoods; NFI/Shelter; WASH and Infrastructure; Protection and Advocacy; Community-Driven Recovery and Safety; as well as rapid emergency response on a case-by-case basis. DRC HoA & Yemen 2016 Strategic Program Document is aimed at ensuring synergy and complementarity of all humanitarian interventions in the region.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Repeated crises linked to political, economic, social and environmental factors have eroded the social, institutional, livelihood, and environmental bases of Somali communities and rendered them increasingly vulnerable to recurrent shocks. The frequency and severity of crises in Somalia that have resulted in crop failure, depletion of livestock, rising food prices, and deteriorating purchasing power have led to an almost perpetual state of livelihood crisis. Although the Somali population is, by necessity, extremely resilient, over time there has been a deterioration of relative wealth and a slowing pace of recovery after shocks. Despite the implementation of repeated large-scale disaster relief efforts aimed at saving lives and protecting livelihoods in the short term, communities have continued to slip further into crisis with each failed rain, crop failure or flair up of conflict. This demonstrates the vulnerability of communities whose resource base has been eroded by both predictable and unpredictable shocks and stresses.

Livestock are the mainstay of livelihoods for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Somalia. The livestock sector is the largest contributor to Somali livelihoods with more than 60% of the population engaged in the industry. However, despite the important role of livestock, and its economic contribution there are few official veterinary services available in these rural areas. As a result of lack of functioning government in Somalia, animal health services are among one of worst affected services by the conflict. This means that pastoral/agro-pastoral communities often lack access to quality veterinary care, both for treating existing diseases and preventing disease outbreak. As a result, livestock productivity is constrained.

Addressing animal health is crucial to increase pastoral production and support livelihoods. SomReP (Somali Resilience Programme) plans to address gaps on animal health in Baidboa by supporting the establishment of sustainable, community-based animal health services with recognition from certifying authorities, and training on herd management strategies (such as de-worming small stock during the dry season) and mechanisms for disease surveillance, treatment and vaccination.

PURPOSE

The overall objective of this assignment is to conduct CAHWs training using Minimum Standards and Guidelines. The training should also be tailored to the local context, using the information gathered in the needs assessment. The minimum duration of the course should be 22 days.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific Terms of Reference:

The training will deliver the following:

1. Participatory training should build on the existing knowledge of the CAHWs, so the training should begin by finding out the knowledge, husbandry and management practices of the participants.

2. The consultant shall use SomReP provided training manual.

3. Principles of adult learning should be applied and facilitators should use a range of participatory training techniques.

4. An hour of basic literacy can be arranged every day to help participants distinguish concepts such as expiry dates and drug concentrations.

5. At the end of the training a graduation ceremony should be organized for CAHWs that pass the assessment. This should bring together community leaders/elders, government administration representatives, private practitioners and other stakeholders. This will enhance the recognition and acceptance of the community and facilitate linkages between the CAHWs and other existing actors

Key Issues to Guide the Training:

Participatory tools and approaches will be used. Adequate review should be done of training materials for Community Animal health (CAH) in Somalia to ensure the training is in the Somalia context.

The practical work will practically be done on the ground making use of locally available materials. This will be important in imparting technical skills to participants whose literacy level is low. The following approach to the training content delivery will be adopted:

v Experience sharing where participants present challenges encountered in the field that can be addressed during the training. These will then be included in the topics to be covered in the refresher training.

v Brief presentation of the topic: the trainer will highlight in a summarised form of the contents of the topic. This is what the trainer would like the trainees to know in the topic and why they need to know the same.

v Task for trainees: the trainer will outline the questions or exercises to be given to the trainees to aid in their learning and participation in the learning process. Brainstorming sessions, discussions in pairs or group work will be employed.

v Plenary presentations and discussions.

v Summary by the facilitator and recaps on the next days.

It will be emphasized that the trained persons will remain as local resource for their community to deliver quality animal health services. The whole process will encompass ‘hands-on’ approach focusing on knowledge transfer to users since without capacity there can be no long term sustainability.

In addition the trainer shall give special emphasis on the following topics which were identified during the training needs assessment:

Disease transmission

• Diseases transmitted via direct contact with infected herds.
• Types of Airborne Diseases
• Diseases spread when animals rub against each other.
• Diseases transmitted via parasites (Parasite carries or transmits disease from a sick animal to a healthy animal)
• Diseases transmitted via contaminated soil, feed and water (Soil, food and water can be contaminated by excretion or secretion from Sick animal and thus transmitted to other animal while grazing / drinking or walking through contaminated soil, food or water)

Drugs

• Drugs which can treat several diseases e.g. animals suffering different diseases at the same time like Pneumonia, and tick borne diseases.
• Vaccinations - diseases which can be prevented through vaccination like PPR, Black leg and FMD diseases; when to vaccinate, how vaccination is done for each, how each vaccine is stored and handled etc
• Injections sites in drugs administration, e.g. sub-cutaneous, intra-muscular, and Intra-venous and examples of the drugs administered through each site - Rationale for drugs administration using these sites.

Problems requiring surgical procedures

How each of them is done.

ü Closed (bloodless) castration

ü Wound treatment and dressing

ü Dehorning

ü Management of simple fractures and dislocations

ü Management of haemorrhage

ü Hoof trimming

ü Decision Reaching/making on appropriate procedure to undertake.

Community animal health provision and entrepreneurship

ü Business management and sustainability of CAHWS’ programme

ü Record keeping

ü Financial management

ü Drug purchasing strategies

ü Keeping sufficient stocks of drugs

WORK PLAN

On the basis of the proposed time schedule outlined in the Terms of Reference, the Consultant will prepare work plan for the training and include this in their offer, and report on the approach taken in the training. The Consultant shall provide his/her financial proposal in response to this ToR and as per their work plan.

DRC responsibilities

The Contracting Authority will make available the following information and facilities to the Consultant:

• Share any relevant reports, documents, maps, and data at DRC disposal;

• Office space, furniture, access to printers and communication facilities in the field where and when available;

• Avail the training venue for the participants.

• Arranging for various meetings in the field (Consultant to make advance request);

• Counterpart staff to be used for tasks such as translation in the field;

Reporting Arrangements

The study will result in the drawing up of a final report written in a straightforward manner. The report should be written in English and the draft submitted within 5 days of coming after CAHWS training. The final report incorporating comments / feedback from the Contracting Authority should be submitted within two days of getting feedback from Contracting Authority. The report must be produced and submitted in 2 hard copies and also in soft copy (in MS WORD or PDF Formats) to the Contracting Authority.

The following report format will be strictly adhered to:

1. Cover page (Title of the study with the name of the operation, Consultant’s name, Date of the study).

2. Table of contents.

3. Executive summary, max 2 pages (Brief background description of the training, objectives, methods used in the training, to include training proceedings, Main feedback and lessons learnt from the training, Main conclusions and recommendations referring to the specific objectives of these terms of reference. [There must be a clear link between the conclusions and the supporting evidence in the main body of the report]).

4. Main body of the report, max 15 pages

5. The main body of the report should provide the detailed background to the points listed in the Executive Summary. The report will suggest project implementation approaches; identify requisite factors for ensuring sustainability of animal health services; and requirements for monitoring and evaluation. Conclusions and recommendations should be the subject of separate chapters.

6. Annexes (terms of reference, list of literature and documents consulted; list of persons / organizations consulted; List of workshop participants / itinerary; curricula vitae of the consultants [1 page per person]).

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment will last for the period of 22 days with at least 6 days spent in the field. It will be implemented within a contractual period that will begin with the date of signature of the contract and that will end on the last day of the contract. The suggested time schedule is as follows;

Briefing and desk appraisal including design of tools for training: 1 day

(During a briefing at DRC Baioda Office all relevant documents and necessary clarifications will be provided).

Field Assignment - The Consultant will be required to conduct CAHWs training Workshop for minimum of 22 days.

Debriefing, drafting and finalizing of the study reports: 3 days.

EXPECTED PROFILE OF CONSULTANT

The Consultant should have at minimum a basic degree in veterinary public health or related fields, and at least 5years post qualification experience in undertaking related tasks. He should be registered or have certification of the relevant professional bodies. The Consultant should have a solid experience in both the humanitarian field and in the veterinary public health profession; sound knowledge of the pastoralist context as well as demonstrated ability to manage the available time and resources and to work to tight deadlines. He/she should be independent from the parties involved in the animal health and trade impediments under assessment.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Security of Baidoa remains unpredictable, DRC will not be responsible for any security or cost outside the agreed

General

DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an expression of interest including:

i. CV with details of qualifications, experience and names of three professional referees.

ii. Technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and tools to be used.

iii. Work-plan clearly indicating the activity schedule.

iv. Financial proposal providing cost estimates and consultancy fees.

POSTING DETAILS

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications and requirements are encouraged to apply. Applicants should send their application to the email address drcjobs@drcsomalia.org

Please indicate “**COMMUNITY ANIMAL HEALTH WORKERS TRAINING PHASE ONE (CAHW)**” as the subject heading.

The deadline for applications is 20^th February 2018**

ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.