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:
- Ratify and/or align relevant international/regional instruments related to blue economy themes (with specific reference to protecting and conserving biodiversity)
- Optimizing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity while minimizing conflicts among blue economy sub-themes
- 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.
- Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management
For the implementation of this project, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Legal and Institutional 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’
- Provide technical support relating to the legal, policy and institutional aspects of the project
- Strengthen capacity for effective participation in continental and global fora on aquatic biodiversity and environmental management
- Drafting of MoUs, Protocols or Agreements for regional cooperation on transboundary issues in shared aquatic ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and environmental management
- 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
- 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
- Develop priority issues for enhancing ratification and implementation of continental and global instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management
- 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
- Develop harmonized regional biodiversity frameworks and technical guidance to AU member states to mainstream biodiversity strategies in relevant national instruments.
- Support to AU member states and Regional institutions on regional cooperation on transboundary MSPs and MPAs as well as regional Monitoring Control Surveillance (MCS) systems
- Provide legal and institutional support of formulation national master plans and regional frameworks for sustainable coastal and marine tourisms and, oil, gas exploration and mining activities
- 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, Public International (institutional) law, Natural Resources law and Policy, Environmental law and Policy
General Experience
- Record of familiarization of African blue economy sector
- 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
- Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops
- Experience in formulation of policies, strategies, frameworks, regulations to support governance of transboundary aquatic ecosystems in Africa
Specific Experience
- Record of experience in drafting MOUs, Protocols, Agreements, legislations at national and regional levels in Africa
- Demonstrated experience of conducting reviews of policies and legislations for alignment with best practices in continental and global instruments
- Proven record of articulating common positions for effective participation of African stakeholders in global fora
- Experience of supporting capacity building of AU member and regional institutions for adherence to continental and global initiatives
- Record of familiarization with and knowledge on continental and global fora related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental governance
Required Skills
- Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa;
- Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
- Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster team environment is required
- Proficiency in at least two AU official languages
DELIVERABLES:
- Inventory of AU member states that have ratified relevant continental and global instruments
- Capacity for effective participation in continental and global fora on aquatic biodiversity and environmental management strengthened
- Drafting of MOUs, Protocols or Agreements for regional cooperation on transboundary issues conducted in shared aquatic ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and environmental management
- 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 coordinated
- Priority issues for enhancing ratification and implementation of continental and global instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management developed
- AU member states assisted to review their national instruments (e.g. policies and legislations) for alignment or coherence with relevant continental and global instruments
- AU member states supported to develop harmonized regional biodiversity frameworks and technical guidance for mainstreaming biodiversity strategies in relevant national instruments
- Mechanisms developed for regional cooperation of AU member states on transboundary MSPs and MPAs as well as MCS systems
- Formulation of guidelines or frameworks national master plans for sustainable coastal and marine tourisms and, oil, gas exploration and mining activities supported
Criteria for scoring
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.
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 3 months. 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 submission of proposals is 25th January 2022, 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-211229-3@au-ibar.org with a copy to alexander.eyong@au-ibar.org
Documents forming part of this application:
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