Context

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC), is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2018-2023 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. AU-IBAR’s intervention in the fisheries and aquaculture sector is guided by the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) which is aimed at improving governance of the sector for increased sustainable contribution to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation. Also within the framework of the African Union 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is endorsed at the highest political level of the continent. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting blue economy development of the continent, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change, environmental sustainability and ecotourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.

AU-IBAR, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy”, for three year’s period. The overall objective of the project is to enhance the policy environment, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities of AU member states and regional economic communities to sustainably utilize and conserve aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

1. Ratify and/or align relevant international/regional instruments related to blue economy themes (with specific reference to protecting and conserving biodiversity)
2. Optimizing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity while minimizing conflicts among blue economy sub-themes
3. Strengthening measures for mitigating the negative impacts of coastal and marine tourism, oil, gas, deep sea mining and climate change on aquatic biodiversity and environment
4. Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management

For the implementation of this project, AU-IBAR seeks the services of an Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist, for a short term consultancy’ to support the implementation of activities relating mainly to sustainable exploitation and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in African blue economy.

Job Description Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Project Team leader at AU-IBAR the incumbent will undertake the following targeted areas of work so as to achieve the objectives of the Project ‘Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’:

1. Provide technical support relating to the implementation of the project
2. Contribute to development of mechanisms, frameworks, guidelines, strategies on conservation of aquatic biodiversity
3. Strengthen capacity for sustainable exploitation, utilization and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy sector
4. Promote mechanisms for restoration of degraded aquatic habitats and depleted aquatic biodiversity
5. Promote mechanisms for sustainable regional cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance systems for exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy
6. Strengthen institutional capacity on marine spatial planning and in transboundary context
7. Strengthen institutional capacity for establishment and governance of marine protect areas as tool for conserving aquatic biodiversity
8. Develop measures to enhance continental capacity for mitigating impact of gas, oil exploration and mining on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
9. Enhance continental awareness on climate impact and mitigating strategies on impacts of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
10. Identification of biodiversity hotspots and support to formulation of regional aquatic biodiversity strategies
11. Support capacity development of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation
12. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader

Deliverables

1. Assessment for strengthening and/establishing sustainable regional cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems in 2 shared ecosystems for exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy facilitated
2. Mapping of existing marine spatial planning (MSP) initiatives (and in transboundary context), review of governance mechanisms conducted and institutional capacity strengthened
3. Mapping of ongoing initiatives on Marine Protected Areas, review of their governance mechanisms conducted; institutional capacity strengthened for establishment and governance of marine protect areas as tool for conserving aquatic biodiversity
4. Guidelines developed to enhance continental capacity for mitigating of gas, oil exploration and mining on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems supported
5. Continental awareness on climate impact and mitigating strategies on impacts of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems enhanced
6. Formulation of regional strategies for aquatic biodiversity conservation facilitated
7. Support capacity development of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation

Duty Stations

The consultants will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The effective duration of this assignment is 6 months. The contract would be renewable depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment as soon as the contract is signed.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed at P-3 Step 5 of the African Union Salary Scale. Payments shall be made on a monthly basis upon approval of a monthly progress report. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.  

Supervision and Reporting

The candidate will be under the direct supervision of the project team leader with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR. The team leader will have the responsibility of approval of reports.

Requirements

Academic Requirements: The incumbent should have an advanced University degree in aquatic biodiversity and conservation; aquatic ecology, environmental sciences, A PhD degree will be an added advantage.

General Experience

1. At least 7 years combined working experience at senior and advisory positions in African blue economy related sector in Africa
2. Evidence of familiarization of functions of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions with mandates in blue economy related disciplines
3. Record of working in multidisciplinary project related to natural aquatic resources management and environment
4. Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops on blue resources development

Specific Experience

1. Record of familiarization of challenges, opportunities and status of national and regional capabilities for protection of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
2. Demonstrated experience in promoting alliances, coalitions and capacity building of stakeholders for environmental sustainability and climate resilience
3. Evidence of experience in capacity building on aquatic ecosystems restoration or recovery measures, degraded aquatic habitats, environments and depleted biodiversity
4. Evidence of indepth understanding of essentials tools for sustainable blue economy development at national levels and in transboundary context, including marine spatial planning, marine protected area, blue accounting
5. Record of experience of formulation of frameworks, guidelines and strategies elated to aquatic biodiversity and environmental conservation
6. Record of familiarization of aquatic biodiversity hotspots and on external factors that threaten aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems in Africa

Required Skills

1. Diplomacy and good interactive  skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa;
2. Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
3. Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster team environment is required
5. Proficiency in at least official AU languages

Evaluation Criteria

The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.

Gender Mainstreaming

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