Assessment on Livestock Slaughter Facilities in Five States of the Republic of South Sudan

Livestock – Epidemio - Surveillance Project Southern Sub – Project (Southern Sudan)

A study to assess the health regulations, management and ownership of livestock slaughter facilities in five states of the Republic of South Sudan

Terms of Reference

Introduction

Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Belgium (VSF-Belgium) is an international non-governmental organization whose vision is to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations in developing countries, through improving animal health and production.

We have been a key player in the livestock sector in Southern Sudan since 1995 with a major role in the establishment of a community based animal health delivery system. Since 2007 VSF Belgium has been involved directly in supporting the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) in the establishment of an effective and efficient disease surveillance system in South Sudan.

This is under Livestock Epidemio-surveillance Southern sub-project (LESP) through a grant from the European Community (EC), a parallel project is being implemented in northern Sudan.

The overall objective of the project is long-term reduction of poverty of those involved in livestock farming.

The specific objectives are:

• Completion of the rinderpest eradication pathway in Southern Sudan completed by 2008.
• Establishment of an effective and sustainable epidemio-surveillance system (ESS) owned and supported by the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) in order to support timely and effectively livestock disease control.
• Ensure that the GoSS Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) has an informed and fully-costed strategy addressing main animal health issues affecting Southern Sudan.

The target groups for the project are the livestock owners of Southern Sudan, Community-based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), Animal Health Auxiliaries, (AHAs), public and private veterinarians, Southern Sudan State Ministries of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF) Directorate of Veterinary Services.

Consultancy summary

In the past four years the project had its focus on addressing the completion of rinderpest eradication pathway as recommended by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE), as well as strengthening the disease surveillance capacity of the government of South Sudan specifically targeting priority and emerging livestock diseases in South Sudan.

In a quest to take the surveillance effort further the project aims to advocate for an improved disease tracking system, linking up with livestock routes and marketing infrastructures. These marketing infrastructures were destroyed during the two decade long civil war.

The study is designed to look at the existing slaughter facilities in the five states of Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Upper Nile, Eastern Equatoria and Unity and assess their conformity with normal operating standards.

Location

This study will take place in the five State capital towns of Juba, Bor, Malakal, Torit and Bentiu.

Objectives of the survey

The objective of this study is to look at the status of the existing slaughter facilities and assess their compliance with normal standards applicable in meat inspection practices, i.e. ante and post mortem, processing as well as management and ownership of the structures.

1. The consultant will look at the structure of the facility in line but not limited to the points list listed below:

• The site of the slaughter facility and the surrounding environ
• Accessibility by the livestock traders and butchers
• Availability of holding pens for ante mortem inspection and isolation
• The size of the facility in relation to output
• The design including various compartments i.e. slaughtering and skinning, carcass hanging facility, viscera processing and inspection space, slaughter by-products disposal and/or processing
• Availability of necessary slaughtering equipments
• Availability of potable water; power and adequate ventilation
• Availability of adequate drainage as well as disposal facilities
• Availability of offices and lavatories

2. Health regulations; the consultant will investigate the existing health regulations in the slaughter facility, this includes but not limited to:

• Ante and post mortem inspection
• Disposal of condemned parts
• Health fitness certificates for the workers
• Identification of inspected carcasses
• Washing and disinfection facilities
• Application of food safety principles on meat products starting within the facility all the way to the consumer e.g. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).
  

3. Assess the processing/utilization/commercialization of slaughter by-products and comment on any unexploited potential for the processing/utilization/commercialization of the same.

4. Management and Ownership: the consultant is expected to document the existing management system in the slaughter facility and how the roles and responsibilities are divided between the veterinary authority, town council, butchers and livestock traders associations.

5. Gauge the knowledge of stakeholders ( cattle owners, traders, butchers, slaughter house staff and consumers) on public health issues especially meat hygiene, and understand their perception about the current systems.

6. The consultant is expected to assess the environmental implications related to the site and operation of slaughter facilities as well as transportation of meat products to retail outlets.

7. Document the findings with clear recommendations.

Execution

• The expert(s) will draft a detailed work plan for the study within the first one (1) week of signing the contract
• A participatory approach will be expected with maximum stakeholder participation and appropriate involvement of MARF and project target groups at all stages.
  

• The whole mission is expected to be completed within 30 days
• Three (3) days desk work
• Twenty five days (25) days field work involving travel between the five states and consultation with the stakeholders
• Two (2) days validation workshop in Juba

Deliverables

The expert(s) will be expected to submit a hard and soft copy of a detailed work plan within one (1) week of signing the consultancy contract.

A detailed final report will be presented to the VSF-B Regional Director and LESP Sub-project Coordinator entailing the findings and recommendation of the survey. The entire report will be presented in English and will remain the property of VSF-B. A hard copy and a soft copy must be submitted.

A draft report will be expected seven (7) days after the end of the mission and the final report is expected 5 days after VSF-B’s comments.

The contents of the report shall be as follows:

• Executive summary (covering major findings and recommendations).
• Background.
• Description of the objectives of the mission and execution methodology.
• Findings
• Problems encountered
• Recommendations;

Annexes covering Terms of Reference, abbreviations, data collection formats and questionnaires used references, graphs, tables, etc.).

Responsibilities

The LESP Technical Advisor based in Juba, Southern Sudan will ensure the overall coordination of the mission in conjunction with the Project Coordinator (PC) also based in Juba. The expert(s) will be expected to work closely with MARF and relevant stakeholders.

The LESP Sub-Project Coordinator will have overall responsibility and accountability for the mission and will provide guidance through all stages of the studies.

The expert(s) will be part of the Project Management Unit which reports to the PC.

Qualifications

The expert(s) are expected to have the following attributes:

• Veterinary public health expert with at least seven years experience in assessment of livestock marketing structures
• Experience in carrying out similar studies, using participatory methodologies and a proven track record of excellent results delivery.
• Experience with livestock market analysis
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Working experience in Southern Sudan is desirable.

Contact Information

Interested consultants should prepare and submit to VSF-B both technical and financial proposal for the assignment by 13th of August 2011

They should indicate their qualifications and experience with a detailed execution plan.

The proposals, CV and letter of motivation as well as three (3) referees should be sent electronically to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke