Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) 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 Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy envisioned an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The Global Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy was organized in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2018. African leaders at the Conference directed the African Union to work with relevant stakeholders to develop a blue print of Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy that will guide sustainable development and utilization of resources of the Oceans, Seas, Lakes and Rivers for blue economy growth and livelihoods.

Accordingly the African Union Inter-African Bureau Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) was requested by the Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission to lead the process of formulation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. The Africa Blue Economy Strategy was eventually developed and subsequently endorsed in October 2019 by the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE).

The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is consolidated based on the following five detailed thematic areas considered critical to the Africa blue economy growth:

1. Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems
2. Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement
3. Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, environment, infrastructure
4. Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries
5. Policies, institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing. The Africa Blue Economy Strategy and the Annexes are attached.

The STC-ARDWE in October 2019 made further recommendations as follows:

1. The African Union Commission to support adequate awareness creation, capacity building and sharing of best practices of the application of the Blue Economy concept;
2. The African Union Commission to support setting up Blue Governance mechanisms to ensure planning and coordination at continental, regional and national levels; and
3. The African Union Commission to mobilize resources for the implementation of Blue Print for Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy.

In the light of the above recommendations the African Union through AU-IBAR and Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) Directorate, with support from the Kingdom of Norway, is planning to provide technical assistance to 6 (six) African Union Member States (AU MS) towards formulation of their National Blue Economy Strategies, implementation plans and corresponding framework for setting up National Blue Governance Mechanism in each of the selected AU member states. In this regard individual consultants with relevant qualifications, expertise and experience in blue economy related disciplines, would be required to undertake this technical assistance in each of these countries.

This support for development of National and Regional Blue Economy Strategies for to AU member states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) is an ongoing exercise in a systematic fashion; thus, eventually it is anticipated that all AU Member States and RECs that are in need would receive this support from AU-IBAR within the framework of the Kingdom of Norway Support to implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy.

The Technical Assistance to the Development of National Blue Economy Strategies would target the following African Union member states

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of this assignment is to recruit suitably qualified individual consultant for each of the AU member states, with expertise on issues that are critical to Africa blue economy development, to develop national blue economy strategies, implementation plans and corresponding frameworks for blue governance coordination mechanisms for 6 (six) African Union member states.

The specific objectives will be:

• To conduct review of existing instruments, institutions relevant to blue economy in the selected AU member states;
• To develop national blue economy strategies for the selected Africa Union Member States and   the implementation plans;
• To design develop framework, specific to each selected AU member states, for setting-up a national blue governance and coordination mechanism;
• Facilitate stakeholders’ consultative workshops, virtual or physical, for validations of the draft national blue economy strategies, implementation plans and the blue governance coordination mechanism in each selected AU member state;
• To prepare report on the consultancy, including lessons and best practices;

Methodology of conducting the assignment

During the consultancy, the individual consultant for each of the member states is expected to:

• Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the Implementation Plan, framework for blue governance coordination mechanism documents and other relevant documents (related global initiatives, instruments and best practices);
• Review national instruments related to blue growth in the selected AU member states;
• Identify and interview with national institutions with mandates in blue economy sector
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, and relevant AUC Depts and incorporate their inputs in the draft;
• Participate and support facilitation of national stakeholders’ consultative workshops to validate the draft national blue economy strategies, implementation plans and frameworks for national blue governance coordination mechanisms;
• Incorporate comments / input from the stakeholders’ consultative and validation workshop and submit a final comprehensive version of the document to the AU-IBAR;
• The formulation of the national blue economy strategies, implementation plans and the national blue governance coordination mechanisms should be guided by the Africa Blue Economy Strategy and its Implementation Plans, continental framework for blue governance coordination mechanism as well as global best practices;
• Present the communique on the last day of the national stakeholders’ consultative workshops;
• Draft a workshop report and submit within two weeks of the meeting.

Deliverables/Outputs

The successful consultant for each AU member state will be expected to submit to the Director, AU-IBAR:

• A draft inception report within five days (5) calendar days of signing the contract. The inception report should demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment by the individual consultant. The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment;
• First draft (after 20 days) of the national Blue Economy Strategy, implementation plans  and framework for Blue Governance Coordination for each of the selected African union member states that will be circulated electronically for inputs by the AU member states, AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Departments;    
• The second draft (after 30 days) of national blue economy strategy, implementation plans and framework for blue governance coordination mechanisms will incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the above institutions;
• Final draft of the documents will be validated at the national validation workshops (virtually or physically as appropriate) with comments and suggestions incorporated to produce final validated documents;
• A comprehensive report on the consultancy with lessons and best practices is submitted

Qualification

The individual consultant selected for each member state should possess advanced degree in blue economy related discipline: i.e. natural (marine) resources economics; ocean sciences; including climate change and environmental related studies. PhD degrees in relevant discipline would be an added advantage.

General experience

The successful individual consultant selected for each AU member state is expected to have the following experiences:
1.    At least 5 years’ experience or familiarization on blue economy sector development
2.    Record of awareness creation and capacity building of stakeholders (member states, NSAs,) on Africa blue economy concepts
3.    Record of formulation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for implementation of strategies for natural resources governance
4.    Record of formulation of relevant policies, strategies and frameworks in AU member states to support elements of blue economy resources development in Africa
5.    Evidence of facilitating workshops on blue economy related issues

Specific experience

1. Evidence of formulation of blue economy strategies at national levels in Africa
2. Good record of working with relevant national institutions dedicated to Africa blue economy sector
3. Evidence of designing mechanisms for coordinating blue governance for e inclusive blue economy resources development in Africa
4. Familiarization of relevant AU instruments supporting blue growth  in Africa
5. Record of field experiences and familiarization  with priority issues in AU member states with blue economy development initiatives

Other essential attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields or disciplines in blue economy
2. Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
3. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

Selection Criteria

Proposals received will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

Time frame for conducting the assignment

The assignment should be undertaken over three (3) calendar months and all reports should be submitted no later than 31^st October 2024.

Remuneration

The maximum budget for each consultancy, i.e. per member state, shall not exceed US$ 12,000.
Payments for fees due shall be made upon approval of all deliverables and reports. Any costs related to travel will require the prior approval of AU-IBAR and will be covered separately by AU-IBAR in accordance with the AUC Travel Policy.

Supervision and approval of report

Under the supervision of the AU-IBAR Sustainable Blue Economy Expert - (Project Coordinator) with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Equipment

The consultant will be required to use their own computers and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.

Insurance cover

The consultant will be responsible for their own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.