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

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 Gender Policy and Strategy Expert – Aquatic Environmental Management, for a short-term consultancy, to strengthen the role and participation of women in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the environment.

Responsibilities

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 ‘Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’:

• Strengthen policies and strategies to promote women and gender equality in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management
• Integrate community-driven approaches to ecosystem-based climate change mitigation strategies and enhance promote the application of nature of nature-based solutions to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management
• Enhancing continental awareness and promoting implementation of Payments for Ecosystem Services as an innovative approach to nature conservation
• Facilitate implementation of continental strategy by AU member states and related global instruments relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environment
• Identify and mainstream gender related issues across project’s activities relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management
• Develop knowledge products, guidelines to facilitate integration of gender perspectives in biodiversity conservation and environment management by AU member states, RECs, NGOs etc
• Identify and develop inventory of key stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, research and public institutions etc.) involved in environmental and biodiversity conservation in Africa
• Promote partnership and institutional linages in the implementation of projects’ activities
• Identify and develop new initiatives related to gender mainstreaming in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader

Requirements

Academic Requirements

• The incumbent should have a Minimum of a Master’s degree in the field of environment, biodiversity conservation, aquatic sciences, A qualification in gender development related study would be an advantage.

General Experience

• Record of familiarization of African blue economy sector
• Experience working with and/or familiarization of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions with mandates related to management of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management in Africa
• Record of working experience in gender mainstreaming activities and projects in the field of the environment and biodiversity conservation
• Experience in developing or supporting developing of policies, strategies for strengthening gender considerations in natural resources governance
• Proven experience of working with communities in coastal and marine environmental issues

Specific Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in aquatic environmental management institution, aquatic biodiversity conservation setting in Africa
• Familiarization of continental and global instruments, initiatives relevant to climate change migration, environmental sustainability, gender considerations in natural resources management.
• Evidence of Understanding the concept of payment for ecosystems (PES and nature-based solutions for ecosystems conservations
• Experience in planning, implementing training and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops relating to aquatic ecosystems
• Proven evidence of familiarization of activities of NGOs in conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management

Required Skills

• Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa;
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.
• Proficiency in at least two AU languages

Deliverables

• Policies, strategies or management plans to promote women and gender equality in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management strengthened
• Community-driven approaches to ecosystem-based climate change mitigation strategies integrated in the project’s activities
• Implementation of nature-based solutions to aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems restoration promoted
• Identification. and mapping and inventory of main stakeholders (private sector, NGOs etc.) involved in environmental and aquatic biodiversity conservation, conservation and environmental management gender mainstreaming in their activities conducted.
• Partnerships and Institutional linkages facilitated in the implementation of the project for generation of synergies
• AU member States and other institutions or organizations supported to domesticate gender sensitive continental and global instruments relevant to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management
• Gender related issues across project’s activities relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management are identified and mainstreamed
• Knowledge products developed or support to development of knowledge products gender related issues in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management
• New relevant initiatives or projects developed or development supported
• Other duties performed as may be assigned by supervisor

Evaluation Criteria

• The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.

Criteria Scores (%)

• Qualifications 20
• General Experience 15
• Specific Experience 45
• Female applicants 10
• Other skills 5
• 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 contract should be implemented from the AU-IBAR offices in Nairobi unless otherwise with the Contracting Authority.

Duration

• The effective duration of this assignment is 6 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 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 with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR. The team leader will have the responsibility of approval of reports.