African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources
Background
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU–IBAR), is a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU–IBAR 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 African Union Member States (AU–MS).
The Vision of the AU–IBAR in the 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, aquaculture and other blue economic sector is guided by the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) and the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES), both of which aim at socio-economic transformation of Africa, underpinned by increased sustainable contribution to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063.
The African Continent is adjacent to highly productive marine ecosystems including the seven African Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) viz., Agulhas Current LME, Benguela Current LME, Guinea Current LME, Canary current LME, Mediterranean Sea LME, Red Sea LME and Somali Current LME. The Continent is also endowed with networks of freshwater rivers and lakes. The seas, oceans, lakes and rivers inhabit a significant number of biodiversity, and the ecosystems provide sources of livelihoods, food security and wealth. The African aquatic ecosystems inhabit living and non-living resources. However, the unsustainable exploitation of these resources is threatening the biodiversity, natural resources and environmental sustainability.
Several factors are threatening aquatic biodiversity in Africa’s aquatic ecosystems. These include overexploitation of living species, pollution from several sources (land-based municipal and agricultural activities), uncontrolled introduction of exotic species in aquaculture systems, effluents from mining activities. Other threats to aquatic biodiversity include poorly and or unplanned urban development and resource-based industries, such as mining, coastal tourism activities, coastal infrastructure development that destroy or reduce natural habitats. In addition, air and water pollution, sedimentation and erosion, and climate change also pose threats to aquatic biodiversity.
The highest political organ of the African Union endorsed the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) aimed addressing some of these challenges and for the AU–Member States to sustainably harness the resources of aquatic ecosystems. The ABES envisioned an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting blue economic development of the Continent, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem biodiversity conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability and ecotourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.
The objective of the 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, 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 water bodies, and the exploitation and beneficiation of deep sea mineral and other marine resources.
The ABES is consolidated based on the following five thematic technical areas:
- Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems;
- Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement;
- Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, marine ecosystem, environment, infrastructure;
- Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries; and,
- Policies, Institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing.
Accordingly, AU–IBAR with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a 3–year project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’’ whose overall objective 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:
- To provide support to AU–MS to 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; and,
- Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
In line with the provisions of the project, AU-IBAR commissioned a consultancy to assess relevant Continental and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments and develop priority actions for their enhanced ratification and implementation. The studies have been completed and report validated. The next stage in the process under the Biodiversity Project is to support selected AU-MS to review her National Policies, Regulations and align the National Instruments with relevant Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments. To ensure Regional consideration in the implementation of the project, Tunisia has been selected from North Africa. Also, this support is a continuation of earlier support under the provisions of Fisheries Governance project Phase 1 (FishGov 1) where Tunisian National fisheries and aquaculture Policies were assessed for coherence with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa.
Objectives
The objective of this consultancy is to engage National Consultant is to undertake review of the National Policies, Regulations for coherence with relevant Regional and Global biodiversity and environmental management Instruments.
Specific tasks for this consultancy will include but not limited to:
- Liaise with relevant personnel at AU-IBAR for detailed briefings on the tasks;
- Conduct extensive reading to digest the consultancy report;
- Identify, source and review relevant National regulatory, Policy related documents in National Ministry, Departments, Agencies (MDA) responsible for environmental management and aquatic biodiversity conservation;
- Identify gaps in the National Instruments based on the provisions of the prioritized Global Instruments on conservation aquatic biodiversity and environment management;
- Develop guidelines for harmonization of relevant National Instruments with prioritized global instruments on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management;
- Facilitate National level workshop to validate the reviewed Policies;
- Based on the outcomes of consultative workshop, identify priority issues and actions for domestication of relevant Regional and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments in the identified National Instruments; and,
- Develop a comprehensive report on the workshop proceedings.
Expected Outputs
- Relevant MDAs with mandate in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management identified and consulted;
- Relevant National Instruments relating to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management identified;
- Relevant National Instruments reviewed and gaps identified in line with the provisions of identified prioritized Global Instruments identified in the consultancy report;
- Based on identified gaps, priority actions and guidelines developed for domestication of Global Instruments on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environment management into National Instruments with identified priority;
- National workshop conducted and supported; and,
- Comprehensive workshop report.
Location
This is a National Consultative Workshop to be organized (physically) in Tunisia at a suitably selected place/location. The Consultant should be able to immediately undertake the assignment within Tunisia.
Duration of the Consultancy
The effective duration of the consultancy will be for 15 days.
Remuneration and Terms of Payment
The total profession fee for a total of 4,500 USD (Four thousand Five hundred US dollars only). Payment will be made after submission of approved satisfactory reports.
Supervision and Coordination
The Project Coordinator at AU-IBAR will supervise and coordinate the National consultant before, during the preparation and execution of the workshop.
Requirements
Qualifications
The incumbent should have a minimum of a Master’s degree in environmental studies, aquatic sciences, social sciences with extensive experience, professional qualifications in environmental management issues and aquatic ecosystems conservation studies.
Experience
A working experience of at least 5 years and familiarization with National public, private institutions or agencies in Africa in charge of blue economy sectors including Fisheries and aquaculture, environment and blue economy sectors:
- Familiarization with management issues in marine and freshwater ecosystems in Africa, including sources of environmental degradation and their impacts on aquatic biodiversity, environment and riparian communities;
- Knowledge of existing Continental and Global initiatives or Instruments promoting environmental best practices for environmentally sustainable aquatic ecosystems as well as Regional harmonization procedures;
- Knowledge of functions of Regional Economic Communities and specialized Regional institutions; and,
- Proven experience of conducting related assessments for enhanced natural resources governance.
Criteria for Scoring
Criteria Scores (%)
Qualifications 20
General Experience 25
Specific Experience 40
Other skills 10
Proficiency in language 5
Preference will be given to applicants from the concerned member state.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Submission of Application
- i) A Profile and CVs of the Consultant (s) undertaking the work indicating relevant experience and contribution of each one of them in the study
- ii) Other relevant information showing experience in related field, demonstration of expertise by showing the experience, academic background, an inventory of past and current assignments of similar nature
Interested national consultants are required to submit their application to [email protected] on or before 28th February 2023.
Preference will be given to applicants from the concerned member state.
Terms of References (English version)
Closing date: 28 Feb 2023