Individual Consultancy Service: Legal, Institutional – Natural Resources & Environmental Law Expert

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; and,
4. Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.

For the implementation of this project, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Legal, Institutional – Natural Resources & Environmental Law Expert, for short term consultancy, to support the implementation of activities relating mainly to Legal, Policy and instructional aspects of the project.

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 Legal, Policy and institutional aspects of the project;
2. Strengthen capacity for effective participation in Continental and Global Fora on aquatic biodiversity and environmental management;
3. Drafting of MoUs, Protocols or Agreements for Regional cooperation on transboundary issues in shared aquatic ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and environmental management;
4. Actively coordinate the formulation of Policies, Strategies, frameworks, regulations in the project to support the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management in the context of African Blue Economy;
5. Identify and strengthen capacity of negotiators to guide and provide technical support to AU stakeholders for effective participation in Continental and Global regimes related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental sustainability;
6. Develop priority issues for enhancing ratification and implementation of Continental and Global Instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management;
7. Assist AU Member States for review of their National Instruments (e.g. Policies and legislations) for alignment or coherence with relevant Continental and Global Instruments;
8. Develop harmonized Regional biodiversity frameworks and technical guidance to AU Member States to mainstream biodiversity strategies in relevant National Instruments;
9. Support to gender mainstreaming in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management;
10. Identification and development of new initiatives or projects for sustainable Blue Economy development in Africa; and,
11. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader.

Academic Requirements

The incumbent should have a Minimum of a Master’s degree in Marine or Ocean Policy and Law, Environmental sciences, Natural Resource Law and Policy. A qualification in public Law would be an added advantage.

General Experience

1. Record of familiarization of African Blue Economy Sector;
2. Record of working experience with and/or familiarization with Regional Economic Communities and specialized Regional institutions with mandates related to management of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management;
3. Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops;
4. Familiarization of Continental and Global Instruments related to aquatic biodiversity;
5. Experience in formulation or supporting formulation of Policies, Strategies, Frameworks, regulations to support governance of transboundary aquatic ecosystems in Africa; and,
6. Recommendation of experience in promoting harmonized frameworks for management of transboundary aquatic ecosystems.

Specific Experience

1. Record of experience in drafting of involvement in MOUs, Protocols, Agreements, legislations at National and Regional levels in Africa;
2. Demonstrated experience of facilitating reviews of Policies and legislations for alignment with best practices in Continental and Global Instruments related to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management in Africa;
3. Proven record of articulating (or facilitating) coordinated common positions for effective participation of African stakeholders in Global Fora;
4. Experience of supporting development of mechanism and capacity building of AU Member States and Regional institutions in negotiation skills for effective participation in Continental and Global initiatives; and,
5. Record of familiarization with and knowledge on Continental and Global Fora related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental governance.

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; and,
5. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

Evaluation Criteria

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 Language 5

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Deliverables

1. At least 3 AU Member States supported to domesticate relevant Continental and Global instruments related to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environment;
2. At least 5 Relevant Continental and Global Fora identified for engagement on strengthening conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems in Africa;
3. Effective Participation of at least five AU Member States coordinated at relevant Continental and Global for a on aquatic biodiversity;
4. Communication established with African group of ambassadors to support coordinated African positions in relevant continental and Global fora;
5. At least 2 African positions coordinated supported or facilitated at Continent and Global fora on aquatic biodiversity and environmental management;
6. Regional and National mechanisms supported to enhance aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management;
7. Support to enhancing institutional and regional cooperation on conservation of shared aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems management;
8. The implementation of African Blue Economy Strategy and blue governance coordination mechanism facilitated;
9. New initiatives or projects identified supporting sustainable Blue Economy development in Africa; and,
10. Any other duty as may be assigned by supervisor.

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.

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