Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Fisheries Officer at AU-IBAR the incumbent will undertake the following targeted areas of work so as to achieve the objectives of FISHGOV2:

• Support AU Member States to advance and consolidate the African Common and positions and voice pertinent issues or thematic areas in continental and global fora related to fisheries and aquaculture
• Strengthen the capacity of AU member states for informed adoption, implementation or ratification of fisheries and aquaculture related continental and global instruments
• Support development of coherent fisheries and aquaculture policies (and regulatory framework) at national and regional levels in Africa in line with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and aquaculture in Africa and global best practices
• Support the adoption of relevant. global instruments relevant to fisheries and aquaculture by AU member states and regional institutions in Africa
• Facilitate capacity building, advocacy and institutional strengthening of Regional, State and Non-States platforms and networks Actors in fisheries and aquaculture in Africa
• Promote institutional linkages between regional institutions with mandates in regional integration, fisheries, aquaculture and environment
• Develop materials and provide technical support for effective and evidence-based AU engagement at the AU-EU dialogue with regards to fisheries and aquaculture development in Africa
• Contribute to strategic value chain analyses, updating and harmonization of trade policies, regulations, traceability and certification mechanisms
• Promotion of knowledge and capacity in Africa fisheries and aquaculture sector
• Perform all other duties as requested by the Senior Fisheries Officer and the Director of AU-IBAR

Requirements

Qualifications

• The incumbent should have a Minimum of a Master’s degree in public international law, marine affairs, fisheries and aquaculture law and policy, environmental law and policy.

General Experience

• Familiarization of fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa
• Demonstrated evidence of familiarization and in-depth knowledge of provisions of continental instruments or frameworks related to fisheries and aquaculture development (and blue economy as a whole)
• Record of familiarization of global regimes or fora and processes, procedures relevant to fisheries and aquaculture
• Evidence of conducting institutional strengthening and supporting organizational capacity development of stakeholders’ platforms and networks in African fisheries and aquaculture
• Experience in supporting implementation of continental projects and programmes and capacity building on policies, enhancing governance and institutions, partnership agreements in support of equitable investments in fisheries and aquaculture sector

Specific Experience

• Proven evidence of capacity building in natural resources and environmental law at tertiary level institution
• At least 5 years record of experience in formulating or supporting formulation or drafting relevant laws, rules of procedures, regulations and MOUs in Africa fisheries and aquaculture sector
• At least 5 years’ experience in working for donor funded Africa continental projects related to fisheries and aquaculture
• Proven evidence of strengthening capacity of AU member states and regional institutions to promote national and regional sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development
• Demonstrated evidence of supporting African common positions in fisheries and aquaculture related global fora
• Evidence of developing manuals and guidelines to support evidence-base fisheries and aquaculture development in Africa

Skills and Competencies

• Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with continental, regional, national and other stakeholders in Africa
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills
• Proficiency in at two AU languages

Deliverables

• African common positions supported in least 10 continental or global fora
• At 10 AU member States supported to align national polices and legislations with the policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa
• At least 10 AU member states are supported to review national policies and legislations for domestication of global instruments
• Coordination and Institutional linkages enhanced among regional institutions in fisheries, aquaculture, environment or related institutions
• Harmonization, capacity, advocacy and institutional strengthening enhanced regional and continental platforms and networks in fisheries and aquaculture in Africa
• Contributed to capacity building and knowledge broadening for sustainable fisheries management and responsible aquaculture development in Africa
• Relevant materials identified and developed to support effective, evidence-based engagement of Africa position in AU-EU dialogue
• The assessment, identification and validation of strategic regional value chains for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture contributed and linkages established with AFCFTA
• The capacity of AU member states and regional institutions are supported for effective adoption, implementation, ratification of and participation in relevant continental and global initiatives related to fisheries and aquaculture
• Other assignments performed