Individual Consultancy Service: Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist

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 national and regional capacities for establishment of marine spatial planning and in transboundary context
7. Strengthen institutional capacity at national and regional levels for establishment and governance of marine protected areas and in monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) as tools for conserving aquatic biodiversity
8. Enhance mitigation measures and climate action to minimize climate impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
9. Identification of biodiversity hotspots and support to formulation of regional aquatic biodiversity conservation strategies
10. Support capacity development of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation
11. Identification and development of new initiatives or projects for sustainable blue economy development
12. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader

Academic Requirements

The incumbent should have a minimum of Masters of Science degree in disciplines related to aquatic biodiversity and conservation; aquatic ecology, environmental sciences.

General Experience

1. At least 5 years combined working experience at senior, advisory positions or capacity building with regards to African blue economy sectors particularly in the areas of aquatic biodiversity conservation 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 at African Union level

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, including supporting transboundary aquatic ecosystems management
3. Evidence of experience in capacity building and implementing of aquatic ecosystems protection, conservation, restoration or recovery measures (including application of frameworks such as Marine protected areas (MPAs); Monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS); climate change mitigation measures, closed areas etc) for protection of aquatic biodiversity resources, and rehabilitation of degraded aquatic habitats, environments and depleted biodiversity
4. Evidence of in-depth understanding of essential 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 governance plans, frameworks, guidelines and strategies related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental conservation
6. Evidence of working experience in similar or related position for at least 18 months

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 two official AU languages

Deliverables

1. Strengthening capacity on monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems in shared ecosystems for exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity facilitated
2. Institutionalization of marine spatial planning (MSP) process in AU member states enhanced
3. Capacity enhanced for establishment and Governance for Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
4. Climate change mitigations measures and promote climate actions in identified communities for restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems supported
5. Formulation of regional strategies for aquatic biodiversity conservation facilitated
6. Effective African position and adherence to global processes and best practices related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation supported
7. At least 3 knowledge products developed relating to aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management
8. Support to sustainable blue economy development in Africa
9. Support to identification and development of new initiatives in aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management
10. Other duties performed (assigned by supervisor and the Director)

Criteria for Scoring

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

Criteria Scores (%)

Qualifications 20

General Experience 15

Specific Experience 50

Other Skills 10

Proficiency in AU languages (at least 2) 5

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Duty Stations

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

Duration

This assignment shall be carried out over a six (6) month period. 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 P3 Step 5 of the African Union Salary Scale, Monthly Payment after submission of satisfactory 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.

Evaluation Criteria

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

How to apply

Application Deadline

The deadline for submissions is 01 October 2024 at 17:00 hours. Nairobi Local Time.

Applications including detailed curriculum vitae (CV) should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with copy to albert.obiero@au-ibar.org

Documents forming part of this request for proposals:

• Terms of reference
• Declaration on exclusion criteria
• Data protection and privacy statement

Documents to be submitted with the application

• Technical proposal including references of previous relevant work experience
• Curriculum Vitae
• Identification documents e.g. passport with relevant biodata pages
• Tax status/registration documents
• Signed declaration on exclusion criteria

Attachments

Terms of Reference (English Version)

AU-IBAR Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement

AU-IBAR Declaration Form