AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union Commission (AUC), headed by the Director who reports directly to the AUC through the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA). Founded in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation and fight rinderpest in Africa, AU-IBAR9;s mandate covers all aspects of animal resources, including livestock, fisheries and wildlife, across the entire African continent. We also fills a unique and strategic niche by working at the continental and regional levels, with the RECs being key partners. We provide leadership in the development of animal resources for Africa

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