Background
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) 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 Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.
Africa produced an estimated 11.9 million metric tonnes of fish in 2017 constituting 7 % of global production (173 million metric tonnes). This total Africa fish production comprised of 3.0 million metric tonnes from inland fisheries, 2.2 million metric tonnes from aquaculture and 6.7 million metric tonnes from marine capture fisheries (FAO 2019). Africa plays an important role in international fish trade in terms of export and import. The continent contributed about 3.4 % (USD 5.0 billion) to the total value of global fish imports (USD 146.3 billion) and 4.6 % (USD 7.2 billion) to the total value of global fish export (USD 156.5 billion). Trade plays a major role in the fishery industry as a creator of employment, food supplier, income generator and contributor to economic growth and development in several African countries. Domestic and intra-regional trade of fish (both marine and inland waters) is important with well developed, but often informal, national and regional trade networks. Many Member States still face several constraints in improving their fish trade and marketing sector. The challenges include lack of limited access to fish marketing information; limited guidelines on best practices, procedures for trade facilitation; lack of organized institutions in the small scale fisheries sector and service providers to disseminate information on cross border trade requirements, rights and responsibilities of small scale traders; weak communication strategy that will promote robust policy responses to fish trade issues and challenges at both Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Partner States levels; and also the dissemination of the policies, agreements and protocols to the users.
The policy objective relating to fish trade of the PFRS is to harness significantly the benefits of Africa’s’ fisheries and aquaculture endowments through accelerated trade and marketing. This objective is to be realized, among others, through the promotion of domestic and regional trade, enhancing access and competitiveness of products as well as ensuring wider participation and empowerment of women in the fish trade sector across Africa. The 2014 Malabo Declaration by the Summit of African Heads of States and Governments set a goal on halving post-harvest loss and tripling intra-Africa trade in agriculture products by 2025 for accelerated African development.
The small scale fisheries in Africa are the most important subsector in terms of contribution to food security and household’s income, especially in the rural coastal settings and riparian communities. This subsector generally contributes to over 60-70 % to total fish production in most African Union (AU) member states and significant portions of the fish produced are sold and consumed within the continent. The products from these fisheries are often informally traded across borders amidst massive constraints as established by the EU funded Fish Trade Project implemented by World Fish, AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD (2014-2018).
Rationale
The First Conference of African Ministers in charge of fisheries and aquaculture CAMFA (2010) recognized the importance of fish trade and thus recommended that ‘Trade barriers be eradicated, including through free trade zones, to facilitate intra and inter regional trade of fish and fishery products’. Similarly, the 2014 Joint Ministerial Conference on Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture urged AU, RECs and Member States to strengthen the capacity of fish stakeholders along the value chain. AU-IBAR, in collaboration with the AUDA NEPAD and WorldFish implemented the EU funded Fish Trade project in 2014-2018 which aimed at improving intra-regional fish trade for food security and poverty reduction. The project deepened the understanding of the extent, challenges and opportunities of cross border informal fish trade and its contribution to food and nutrition security, livelihoods and employment especially for women and youth. A key recommendation of the project was to document the findings and lessons learnt for enhancing intra-regional fish trade, including support to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The fish trade corridor analyses generated lots of information about fish trade within four regions of Africa. A new comprehensive study by AU-IBAR further extended the scope of corridor analysis to cover the whole five regions of the continent; the comprehensive study identified additional fish trade routes within the corridors in the five regions of the continent.
The establishment or mainstreaming fish and fish products in existing One-Stop-Border-Post (OSBP) was conceived as an effective mechanism to formalize cross-border fish trade and promote regional integration. Within the framework of the Fish Trade and Fisheries Governance Projects, activities were undertaken to support the establishment of OSBP at Kyosi to facilitate intra-regional fish trade (between Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea). A key outstanding activity was to carry case studies on existing and functional OSBPs in the continent in order to provide guidance to the multi-sectoral committee that was established for facilitating the establishment of Kyosi OSBP. A comprehensive study was also undertaken by Fisheries Governance and Fish Trade Projects to review existing national and regional policies with respect to enhancing harmonization of regional fish trade policies in four regions of the continent. The outcomes of these studies need to be revisited and repackaged for effect policy change in the continent.
The role of women is crucial in maintaining fish supplies in AU member states. The fisheries and aquaculture sector employs about 12.3 million people with women constituting 27 % of the total employed. The EU funded Fisheries Governance project, implemented by AU-IBAR, with support from AUDA NEPAD, facilitated the establishment of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFishNET) with the objective to contribute to improving the welfare, working conditions and income of women in the fisheries sector (and especially women in the post-harvest sector) within the member states of the African Union. Following-up activities have been implemented to strengthen the capacity of AWfishNet members in small-medium enterprises development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The Fisheries Governance project also initiated the creation of a web platform for AWfishNet to facilitate communication and dissemination of information among women.
The PFRS identified efficient fish-trade information systems as strategic action to facilitate inter- and intra-regional fish trade. The roadmap for strengthening electronic fish market information systems (EFMIS) was developed during a stakeholders’ workshop in Zanzibar 2016, organized by AU-IBAR. Prior to this, the regional economic community, Inter-Government Authority for Development (IGAD ), with support from 2013 FAO TCP-Project, also prioritized establishment of regional electronic fish market information system R-EFMIS), involving IGAD member states, as an effective mechanism to promote intra-regional fish trade. AU-IBAR has continued to engage with stakeholders from the East and Central African Regions on appropriate mechanisms for establishing sustainable and function regional R-EFMIS. The challenge has been the formulation of practical Guides on the most cost-effective ways of establishing R-EFMIS. The approach has been to build upon existing initiatives or concept by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and COREP (Regional Commission for Gulf of Guinea in Libreville, Gabon).
The various interventions, largely aimed, at facilitating inter and intra-regional fish trade on the continent have yielded considerable amount of information which, if consolidated, would support key policy objectives of the PFRS and Malabo Goals. The various endeavours to strengthen capacity and empower women and youth in fisheries and aquaculture can also be concretize further to actualize their effective participation along fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
In light of the above, AU-IBAR seeks the services of suitable consultants to conduct case studies, document lessons and best practices as knowledge products to support evidence-based inter and intra-regional fish trade development in Africa. The services would also entail consolidating mechanisms to enhance the capacity of and empower women and youth for effective and productive participation along fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
The specific consultancy areas are listed in the following Tables below.
Consultancy no. 1Conduct review, document best practices, highlighting challenges and opportunities in existing regional Trade Policies, Agreements or Instruments and their impacts on inter and intra-regional fish development. The study should also entail development of policy orientation paper on impact of international fish trade flows in Africa**2**Conduct case studies, document lessons and best practices on establishing and operationalizing One-Stop-Border–Post (OSBP) that integrates fish and fish products
Consultancy no. 1Develop Practical Guide for establishing and operationalizing self-sustainable functional Regional Electronic Fish Market Information Systems (R-EFMIS); challenges and practical solutions should be highlighted**2**Carry out comprehensive evaluation and upgrade to the AWfishNet Web platform for expansion of scope for enhanced communication and information sharing among members at continental level
Consultancy no. 1Conduct case studies, lessons and best practices for effective engagement of women and youth in fisheries and aquaculture value chains; this study would also entail development of policy orientation paper on enhancing PPP in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.**2**Conduct reviews and develop a practical Guide for strengthening women and youth SMEs in fisheries and aquaculture;
Objectives of the Consultancy
The objective of this suite of consultancies is therefore to conduct reviews, case studies, document lessons, best practices, develop orientation documents in support of improved inter and intra-regional fish trade development in Africa. The other aspects of these consultancies are to develop practical Guides for establishing functional Electronic Information Systems for improved and upgrade web platform to enhance communication and networking among stakeholders.
References can also be cited from tropical countries outside Africa
Specific Objectives
- Conduct case studies, document lessons learned, best practices and success stories in respective areas (in the above Tables) towards improved inter and intra-regional fish trade development
- Conduct reviews to identify challenges and opportunities with respect to respective consultancy areas
- Develop Guides, Policy Orientation Papers for respective areas in the Tables
- Strengthen electronic fish market information systems and web platforms for fish trade promotion
- Strengthen participation of stakeholders along fisheries and aquaculture value chains
- Enhance women and youth SMEs in fisheries and aquaculture
- Make recommendations on the required policy reforms for the effective utilization and implementation of the best practices in Inter and intra-regional fish trade fish trade promotion for respective consultancy area(s)
Methodology of Conducting each Assignment
The consultants are expected to:
- Have online briefing session with AU-IBAR Director
- Identify sources of information, reports of studies, activities
- Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, relevant institutions at national level, regional and international levels for sourcing data, information and documents
- Conduct extensive desk research and source information on the respective consultancy areas for case studies for documentation of lessons and best practices etc as they case may
- Identify and consult relevant stakeholders, partners, projects, programmes with respect to each consultancy area
- Conduct online consultations with stakeholders, beneficiaries, AU member states and RECs with relevant experiences for enriching the outputs from above consultancies
- Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AUDA-NEPAD and relevant AUC departments
- Support physical or virtual stakeholders’ dissemination and/or validation workshop with regards to the respective consultative
The assignment will be executed primarily from home with electronic interaction with stakeholders. The consultant (s) will also be expected to participate, physically or virtually, in the planned consultative workshops.
Deliverables
- A draft inception report within five (5) calendar days of signing the contract. The inception report should demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment by the consultant. The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment for respective consultancy areas in the Tables.
- A first draft report on respective consultancy areas in the above Tables
- A second draft report on respective areas in the above Tables
- Final reports on each consultancy areas in the Table, incorporating comments and suggestions made by stakeholders.
- Support to dissemination and/or validation workshops (conducted virtually or physically)
Qualifications
The consultant(s) selected for the assignment should possess an advanced degree in either of the following: Trade and Marketing, Economics, fisheries or aquaculture. Appropriate academic qualification in ICT, networking and website development is required for related consultancies in the Tables.
A PhD degree in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage.
General Experience
The successful consultants are expected to have the following experiences:
- Record of familiarization with institutions with mandates in fisheries, aquaculture or related disciplines at national, regional and continental levels in Africa
- Familiarization of projects and programmes (past or current) relevant to the respective consultancy areas
- Evidence of experience of formulation of policies, strategies and frameworks relevant to fisheries and aquaculture development
- Evidence of familiarization and working with stakeholders, networks, platforms in the fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Record of developing communication tools, design of websites and networking for institutions, associations with specific regards to the respective consultancy areas etc.
Specific Experience
- At least 5 years’ combined experience and familiarization with issues in Africa fish trade development issues and/or each of the indicated consultancy areas
- Demonstrated record of specific experiences in the respective consultancy areas
- Proven record of conducting research, investigation and publishing case studies on each of the respective consultancy areas or related disciplines
- Proven record of developing practical guides, best practices, lessons and policy message in relevant fields
- Record of familiarization and knowledge on regional trade agreements or instruments in Africa
- Demonstrated knowledge on relevant regional and global instruments and initiatives relevant to sustainable fish trade development, related disciplines
Other Essential Attributes
- Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields Good experience of facilitating workshops in related fields in Africa
- Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
- Proficiency in at least two AU official languages
How to apply:
Application Procedures
Individual consultants can apply.
Applications can be submitted for: the consultancy Service she/he is interested.
Duration for this consultancy
30 Days
Technical and Financial Proposal
The proposal should be divided into a technical and a financial part
A technical proposal indicating the approach to the assignment, including the proposed methodology and work plan, objectives, activities to be carried out, expected outputs, outline of the content and a clear timeframe to carry out the assignment.
A financial proposal for the consultancy should be all inclusive (consultancy fees, and any other cost).
Supervision and Approval of Report
The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Senior Fisheries Officer at AU-IBAR, who will also have the responsibility of final approval of reports.
Equipment
The consultant will use his/her own laptop and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.
Insurance Cover
The consultant will be responsible for his/her own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.
Applications
Interested candidates should submit their applications accompanied by a detailed CV, copies of both academic and professional certificates and testimonials, names and addresses of three reputable referees, contact details (e-mail, telephone) by email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with copies to khalid.seid@au-ibar.org by 3**0 August 2020 15:00 Kenyan Time.**