Environmental Expert

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 IUU fishing due to weak capacity in the AU member states, weak evidence 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 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; enhanced the profile of the sector as well as fostered coordination in the governance of the sector, among other achievements.

As a follow up of First phase of Fisheries Governance project (FISHGOV1), the second phase, also with EU support, “Enhancing sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development in Africa: A programme for accelerated reform of the sector (FISHGOV2)’ is aimed at enhancing the contribution of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to the achievement of the AU Agenda 2063’s objectives, notably in terms of food security, livelihoods and wealth creation.

The specific objectives 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. For the implementation of this second phase, AU-IBAR seeks the services of an Environmental Consultant to assist in the implementation of the activities of the project.

Post

Job Title: Consultant - Environmental Expert
Grade: P3 step 5
Duty Station: Nairobi, KENYA

* This position is subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Job Description Summary

Under the direct technical supervision of the Project Team Leader (Senior Fisheries Officer) at AUIBAR, the incumbent will provide general technical support to the Project. He/ she shall perform the following tasks:

1. Assist in the implementation of all environmental related activities of the project
2. In collaboration with the African Union Centres of Excellence for fisheries and aquaculture, assist AU member states and RECs to mainstream sustainable and climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture in NAIPS, RAIPs and other Investment programmes
3. Assist RECs and AU member states to mainstream biosecurity and environmental issues in their fisheries and aquaculture policies, regulations or laws
4. In collaboration with the Centres of Excellence, develop guidelines and assist AU member states and regional institutions to implement biosecurity and environmental measures in aquatic fish production systems
5. Develop mechanisms for monitoring the implementation and reporting on EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) by AU member states and regional institutions
6. In collaboration with Centres of Excellence develop knowledge products on climate change, biosecurity and environmental issues in aquatic fish production systems; these should include biosafety, conservation and environmental safeguards.
7. In collaboration with African Union Centres of Excellence, support preparation of African common positions on climate change and related environmental issues in continental global fora
8. Initiative actions for implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures; climate change mitigation measures, for other environmental disasters; these should include climate change mitigation measures, adaptation actions and resilience; including the impact of CC in freshwater and marine ecosystems, including on sensitive areas such as coral reef ecosystems;
9. In collaboration with Centres of Excellence, develop a mechanism for establishing/strengthening linkages between specialized regional fisheries institutions and environmental agencies. (e.g. Regional Sea Conventions)
10. In collaboration with the Centres of Excellence and the relevant FishGov 2 Staff, support the operationalization of aquatic animal health networks, identification and selection of regional reference laboratories for fish and fish products
11. Perform all other duties as requested by the supervisors

Qualifications and skills for a P3 position

The incumbent should have a post-graduate University degree in Environmental Studies related to natural resources governance, including environmental and natural resource economics, and or equivalent relevant discipline. A PhD Degree will be an added advantage

General Experience

1. Familiarization of African fisheries and aquaculture sector
2. Evidence of familiarization with functions of regional sea conventions, other environmental organizations and specialized institutions relevant to freshwater and marine ecosystems
3. Record of familiarization of continental and global instruments related to supporting, in particular, aquatic environmental governance and sustainability
4. Evidence of experience and deep understanding of global processes and regimes on climate changes issues, monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems
5. Experience on mechanisms for reducing impact of environmental related post-harvest hazards relating to fish processing technology, especially for women and youth

Specific Experience

1. At least 5 years’ working experience in the environmental or related sector in Africa
2. Demonstrated experiences of capacity building of AU member states and other stakeholders on issues of climate change, environmental sustainability in the context of African blue economy
3. Experience in designing policies and strategies relevant to climate change mitigation and environmental governance in aquatic ecosystems
4. Evidence of articulating or supporting common positions in regional or global processes or frameworks relating to climate change, environmental issues
5. Record of formulation of knowledge products and best practices on biosecurity and environmental issues, climate change, marine ecosystem to support sustainable aquatic fish production systems and blue growth initiatives

Skills and competencies

1. Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
2. Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials and international development partners
3. Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work;
4. Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary
5. Proficiency in at least two official AU languages

Deliverables:

1. AU member states and regional institutions supported to mainstream environmental and climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture in National and regional investment plans (NAIPs and RAIPs)
2. At least 10 knowledge products developed on climate change, biosecurity, environmental or related blue economy issues in aquatic production systems
3. Mechanisms developed for monitoring implementation of EIP and SEA by AU member states and AU member states and regional institutions supported to implement biosecurity and environmental measures in aquatic fish production systems
4. 10 Common positions supported for effective participation of AU member states in continental and global regimes related to climate change and environment
5. Institutional linkages between Regional Sea conventions and regional institutions supported
6. Animal health networks operationalized and capacity development of AU member states on SPS issues supported
7. Information paper developed on impact of CC on freshwater and marine ecosystems
8. Any other related functions as assigned by the Senior Fisheries Officer and the Director of AU-IBAR

Criteria for scoring

Criteria Scores (%)
Qualifications 20
General Experience 25
Specific Experience 40
Other skills 10
Language 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:

The effective duration of this assignment is 6 months. The contract is renewable depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment on the 1st January 2022.

Remuneration:

The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed at P3Step 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 (Senior Fisheries Officer) 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 submission of proposals is 18th November 2021, 15.00 hours, Nairobi Local Time.
The address for submission of applications is: Applications including detailed curriculum vitae (CV) should be submitted through email to: procurement-211018-2@au-ibar.org with a copy to alexander.eyong@au-ibar.org

Documents forming part of this RfS

• 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
• Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates
• Curriculum Vitae
• Identification documents e.g. passport with relevant biodata pages
• Tax status/registration documents
• Signed declaration on exclusion criteria