Consultancy To Conduct Studies To Identify Priority Issues And Actions For Sustainable Coastal And Marine Tourism And Mining Activities

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 envisioned an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The objective of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) is to guide the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that becomes a significant contributor to continental transformation and growth, through advancing knowledge on marine and aquatic biotechnology, environmental sustainability, marine ecosystem utilization, management and conservation and carbon sequestration, the growth of an Africa-wide shipping industry, the development of sea, river and lake transport, the management of fishing activities on these aquatic spaces, and the exploitation and beneficiation of deep sea mineral and other marine resources. The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is consolidated based on the following five thematic technical areas:

1. Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems;
2. Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement;
3. Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, marine ecosystem, environment, infrastructure;
4. Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries; and,
5. Policies, institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication and innovative financing

To support the implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy, AU-IBAR, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a three-year project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity and ecosystems in African Blue Economy’

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.

RATIONALE

Africa is abundantly blessed with a coastline of over 30,000 Kilometers, adjacent to a vast expanse of oceans and seas. Maritime zones under Africa’s jurisdiction total about 13 million square kilometres including territorial seas and approximately 6.5 million square kilometres of the continental shelf. Thirty nine of the fifty-five African Union Member States are coastal or island States.
The continent is also endowed with huge networks of rivers, lakes, lagoons, floodplains, waterways, and wetlands with massive potential for socio-economic advancement of the continent. Africa’s ocean, sea and inland waters (lakes, rivers and reservoirs) provide significant benefits in the continent in terms of: i) food and nutrition security from fisheries and aquaculture, ii) economic and social development from fisheries and aquaculture, marine and coastal tourism, shipping, mining, energy and iii) ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, atmospheric and temperature regulation, protection from erosion and extreme weather events.
However, the resources of the oceans and inland waters are under serious threat and the current associated benefits are being rapidly eroded due to diverse reasons paramount of which include overfishing, pollution from land-based sources, mangrove deforestation, climate change and ocean acidification.
The Blue Economy is being promoted as a concept which encapsulates the development of such resources underpinned by principles of environmental sustainability, social access and justice and transparent governance, to harness the potential of marine and aquatic natural capital. This concept thus seeks to promote inclusive economic growth and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans, coastal areas, inland water, and lakes.
Throughout history, coastal environments have had a strong appeal to tourists, and many coastal areas, including in Africa, have developed into thriving tourism destinations. Coastal environments are often sensitive and fragile, containing important habitats and rich biodiversity, whereas land, water and other natural resource can be relatively scarce. Developing tourism in a sustainable manner in coastal areas in Africa is of utmost importance to preserve the environment and the well-being of host communities, and should receive a high priority in governance and management processes at local and national level

Tourism stimulates infrastructure development accelerating economic growth by increasing the number of available jobs in a tourism sector, both directly and indirectly. However the sector needs to be climate resilient and environmentally friendly. The threats to aquatic biodiversity include urban development and resource-based industries, such as mining, coastal tourism activities, plastic pollution, coastal infrastructure development that destroy or reduce natural habitats; and also oil and gas exploration where oil deposits have been discovered in highly productive water bodies (e.g. shrimp fishing grounds).

Therefore the project provided for studies to establish impacts of coastal and marine tourism development; oil and gas exploration; as well as, mining activities, gas exploration on biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. The studies would be followed by five national stakeholder’s consultations in five selected AU member states to develop national master plans on sustainable coastal, marine tourism; oil and gas exploration; and, mining development with reference to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. The master plans would guide and promote sustainable development of coastal, marine tourism; oil and gas exploration as well as mining activities that would take into account due consideration environmental sustainability and aquatic biodiversity conservation.

OBJECTIVES:

The main objective of this consultancy is to identify priority issues and actions for the development of issues papers and guidelines for: (i) sustainable coastal and marine tourism, mining, oil and gas exploration, for aquatic biodiversity conservation; and, (ii) provide guidance to key stakeholders in the AU Member States on the reform of sustainable tourism governance and management as it relates to coastal and marine tourism.

The specific task will include but not limited to:

1. Liaise with relevant personnel at AU-IBAR for detailed briefings on the tasks;
2. Identify sources of environmental threats from coastal and marine tourism on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems and facilitate the long term sustainability of tourism and identify gaps, needs and options for sustainable tourism governance and management;
3. Identify of sources of environmental threats from mining, oil and gas exploration on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems;
4. Identify priority actions for sustainable coastal and marine tourism development in Africa;
5. Identify priority actions to mitigate the negative effects of mining and oil and gas exploration in Africa;
6. Appraise existing institutions that support sustainable coastal and marine tourism and suggest policy guidelines to develop sustainable coastal and marine tourism policy and practice in Africa;
7. Appraise existing institutions that support sustainable mining and oil and gas exploration and suggest policy guidelines to develop sustainable mining and oil and gas exploration policy and practice in Africa;
8. Develop mechanisms for integrating sustainable tourism development in Coastal and Marine Zone Environment;
9. Develop mechanisms for integrating mining and oil and gas exploration in Coastal and Marine Zone Environment;
10. Develop issue papers on measures and guidelines to enhance i. sustainable coastal and marine tourism and ii. sustainable mining, oil and gas exploration in Africa;
11. Facilitate national conductive workshops (in selected AU member states) to develop and validate national master plans on sustainable coastal and marine tourism as well as sustainable mining and gas exploration for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection;
12. Detailed recommendations are provided to strengthen governance and management to ensure that tourism serves as a positive force in coastal areas, helping to conserve environments and biodiversity, minimizing environmental impact and contributing to the wellbeing of local communities;
13. 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 environmental studies (with bias in aquatic ecosystems) or mining and oil and gas exploration, tourism development, aquatic ecosystems conservation studies.

EXPERIENCES:

General Experience

1. Familiarization of and/or working experience with national institutions in in AU member states in charge of tourism, mining, oil and gas exploration
2. Familiarization with and knowledge on the operations of coastal and marine tourism industries in Africa, including sources of impacts on environments and communities in coastal settlements;
3. Familiarization with and knowledge on the operations of oil and gas industries in Africa, including their impacts on environment and communities in coastal settlements;
4. Knowledge of existing continental and global initiatives or instruments promoting environmental best practices, conservation measures as well as sustainable goals;
5. Record of experience on conducting assessments on conservation measures to minimize mitigating impacts of externalities on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.

Specific Experience:

1. At least 5 years of working experience in tourism or mining industries or oil and gas sector
2. Familiarization with existing national and regional regulatory instruments for coastal and marine tourism, oil and gas exploration;
3. Evidence of developing guidelines and strategies for sustainable operations of tourisms, mining enterprises or closely related enterprises;
4. Evidence of global understanding of coastal tourism, mining, oil and gas exploration and of sector governance and management for sustainability;
5. Evidence of involvement in policy development processes, including strategies for tourism, the environment and sustainable development.

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, computer skills are necessary;
• Proficiency in at least 2 AU official languages.

DELIVERABLES:

1. Sources of environmental pollution, and impacts on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity from coastal and marine tourisms identified and priority actions (issue paper) developed for their sustainable development and operations
2. Sources of environmental pollution, and impacts on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity from mining activities, oil and gas exploration identified and priority actions (issue paper) developed for their sustainable development and operations
3. Guidelines, strategies developed (with recommendations) to support AU member states sustainably manage coastal and marine tourism and reduce their negative effects on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
4. Guidelines, strategies developed to support AU member states to sustainably manage mining activities, oil and gas exploration and reduce their negative effects on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
5. Implementation mechanisms developed for rolling out the guidelines in AU member states
6. National workshops facilitated to support development of master plans for sustainable coastal and marine tourisms, mining activities, oil and gas exploration
7. A comprehensive report (with recommendations) of the consultancy developed

Location:

This consultancy would mainly be based on desk studies, desk research and online correspondences,

Criteria for scoring

Criteria Scores (%)
Qualifications 20
General Experience 25
Specific Experience 40
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.

Duration:

The effective duration of this assignment is 30 days but should be accomplished in not more than 60 days.

Remuneration:

The remuneration for this Consultancy is USD 9000 (Nine Thousand United States Dollars) after submission of satisfactory report.

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:

The deadline for submission of proposals is 17th March 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-220217-1@au-ibar.org with a copy to alexander.eyong@au-ibar.org

Documents forming part of this application:

• 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