African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources
Position Title: Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Management Expert
Background
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, 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. 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 first continent-wide intervention in the African fisheries and aquaculture was framed to address the following challenges: poor coordination among actors, lack of coherence in governance instruments and approaches, increasing incidences of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing due to weak capacity in the AU member states to foster reform, generally weak capacity and poor infrastructure, and lack of inclusive governance.
Towards the implementation of the Policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) implemented the European Union (EU) funded Project ‘Strengthening institutional capacity to enhance governance of the fisheries sector in Africa, commonly called Fisheries Governance Project (FishGov 1)’ between 2014 to 2018. The FishGov 1 facilitated development of synergies and coherence in fisheries management and aquaculture practices by aligning national and regional polices with PFRS; it enhanced the profile of the sector as well as fostered coordination in the governance of the sector, among other achievements.
Following the first phase (FishGov1), a second phase was developed with the support of the EU. The scope of second phase (FishGov2) is to enhance sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development in Africa thus accelerating reform in the sector and achieving the objectives of the AU Agenda 2063, notably food security, livelihoods and wealth creation.
The specific objectives of FishGov2 are as follows: (i). African Union decisions on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies are evidence based; (ii). Fisheries and aquaculture policies in Africa are coherent with the PFRS and other AU priorities and coordinated at continental, regional and national levels and (iii). Africa is adequately represented and effectively participates in international fisheries and aquaculture fora and ably domesticates relevant global instruments.
AU-IBAR, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD with support from the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The implementation the FishGov 2 project commenced in January 2021. The project is now nearing the third year of implementation. There is a need to engage a suitable expert to support implementation of fish trade and investment related activities in the project.
In the above regard, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources management Expert on a short-term basis to support implementation of the FishGov 2 project. The expert would work with the project team at AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD on specific tasks.
Specific Responsibilities
Under the direct technical supervision of the Project Team Leader (Senior Fisheries Officer) at AU-IBAR, with overall supervision by the Senior Animal Production Officer at AU-IBAR, the consultant shall perform the following tasks.
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
- Liaise with the direct supervisor for briefing on tasks
- Preparation of Inception report after 10 days of signing contract, outlining methodology and approach
- Support institutionalization of fisheries and aquaculture database at AU-IBAR and piloting in AU member states and other institutions
- Facilitate review and align national fisheries and aquaculture polices and laws with the PFRS, regional instruments and global best practices in at least 10 AU member states and 3 RECs
- Dissemination of study report, through various platforms, on best practices and lessons learnt on functional institutional anchorage between RECs and Regional fisheries Bodies/ Regional Sea conventions (RFBs/RSC) and promote implementation of proposed framework for effective anchorage among regional institutions;
- Enhance institutional cooperation and coordination in regional fisheries through established AFRM platforms
- Strengthening linkages between specialized regional fisheries institutions and environmental agencies to support implementation of the proposed mechanism
- Enhance operationalization of the platform for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and enhance strategic positions for effective participation in continental and global fora
- Enhance operationalization of the biennial forum for reporting progress of domestication of continental and global instruments.
- Prepare a roster of fishery and aquaculture experts in the different Member States and set up a consultation mechanism to draft common positions
- Facilitate review of national instruments for domestication of prioritized global instruments in at least 15 AU member states
- Development of knowledge products to enhance utilization of best practices in fisheries and aquaculture
- Support to STC process, including development of documentations
- Support selected AU member states to participate in global fora
- Preparation of monthly reports on progress of implementation of task
- Perform all other duties as requested by the supervisors
Deliverables
- Satisfactory Inception report is developed, submitted and approved
- The Fisheries and aquaculture database transferred to AU-IBAR, functional and piloted in AU member states
- Policy and legislative review conducted in at least 10 AU members and 3 RECs, validated and aligned to the PFRS and global instruments
- Study reports by Centres Excellences finalized and disseminated to wider stakeholders though various platforms – AU-IBAR websites, Zoom links etc
- Institutional linkages and coordination promoted among regional institutions with mandates in fisheries, aquaculture and environment– RECS, RFBs, RFMOs and RSC within the framework of APRIFAAS
- The operationalization of SIDS platform for effective participation in global fora and Biennial forum for domestication of continental and global instruments enhanced
- A roster of experts developed and consultative mechanism set up facilitate to drafting of common positions
- 15 knowledge products developed and disseminated through various platforms
- Documents developed for presentations to STC
- Selected AU MS supported to participate in global fora
- Other assigned performed as may assigned by supervisors
Duty Station
The duty station shall be the AU-IBAR offices in Nairobi, Kenya unless otherwise agreed with the Contracting Authority.
Duration
The duration of this assignment is 6 months but renewable based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment with minimum delay.
Remuneration
The remuneration for this Consultancy is based on AU salary scale of P3 step 5. Payments will be done on monthly basis after satisfactory report, strictly consistent and compliant with the deliverables.
Supervision
The successful expert will be under the direct supervision of the Senior Fisheries Officer at AU-IBAR who shall have the responsibility of approval of reports.
Consultant’s Requirements
Academic Requirements
The incumbent should have a Post-graduate University degree (Master’s degree) in fisheries sciences, aquaculture or related aquatic sciences. PhD qualification in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage.
General experience
- At least 7 years proven working experience in the African fisheries and aquaculture sector
- At least 5 years demonstrated experience working for donor funded fisheries and aquaculture related projects at regional or continental level
- Record of policy and strategy formulation related to fisheries and aquaculture
- Proven Knowledge of regional and global instruments, initiatives and regimes relevant to African fisheries management and aquaculture development
- Record of supporting policy development and establishment of functioning mechanisms in fisheries and aquaculture sector
Specific experience
- Proven experience in promoting regional cooperation and coherence in the sector and knowledge on the activities and roles of RECs and RFOs in fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Record of capacity building for management of shared and transboundary fisheries and aquaculture resources
- Experience of promoting adherence to global process relevant to fisheries and aquaculture
- Record of formulating and publication of knowledge products in fisheries management approaches and aquaculture development practices
- Sound knowledge on issues of high seas fisheries and governance of large marine ecosystems
Required Skills
- Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials and development partners;
- Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
- Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work;
- Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Evaluation Criteria
The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the criteria set out above and marks awarded as follows:
Criteria Scores (%)
Academic Qualifications 20
General Experience 20
Specific Experience 50
Other Skills 10
Total 100
How to apply
Submission of Applications
Documents to be submitted:
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- Signed declaration on exclusion criteria (format provided)
- Copies of academic qualifications
- Copy of identification documents
Application Modalities
Applications should be submitted via email to procurement@au-ibar.org.
The deadline for submission of applications shall be 7th November 2023 at midnight, Nairobi local time.
Attachment
Terms of Reference (English Version)