Project Coordinator – Sustainable Blue Economy Expert Full Time NEW

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) 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 2024-2028 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 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.
The Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) is endorsed at the highest political level of the continent. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting blue economy development in Africa, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change, environmental sustainability and coastal and marine tourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.
Towards the implementation of the ABES, AU-IBAR, with support from the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (SIDA), has implemented the project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’, for the last four years (from October 2021 to December 2025). The overall objective of the project 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:

1. Ratify and/or align relevant international/regional instruments related to blue economy themes (with specific reference to protecting and conserving biodiversity).
2. Optimizing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity while minimizing conflicts among blue economy sub-themes.
3. 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.
4. Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management

Over the course of the four-year implementation period, the project made significant achievements that included, among others:

1. Promoted the culture of inter-agency collaboration, involving various blue economy related institutions at national levels, for the sustainable and integrated governance of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.
2. Mainstreamed aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems in the decisions by the Highest Policy Organs of the African Union.
3. Strengthened gender dimensions in the management of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.
4. Enhanced capacity on appropriate tools, including MCS, MPA, MSP, for the sustainable and effective conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environment.
5. Enhanced the role of communities in climate change mitigation efforts for conserving and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.
6. Underscored sustainability of projects’ interventions by identifying three institutions as African Union Centres of Excellence for training and research in disciplines related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.

The implementation of the Project generated lessons and best practices as well as emerging issues in the form of recommendations for consolidation of gains and sustainably secured benefits for the citizens of this continent. Some of the areas, among others, that have been emphasized for continuity to ensure consolidation of Project’s outcomes included the following:

1. Strengthen regional approach for Monitoring, Control and surveillance systems (MCS) for combating IUU fishing. Protection of aquatic biodiversity and environment.
2. Enhance capacity on tools to conserve and protect aquatic biodiversity, including MPA, technical measures (aerial and spatial closures), MSP.
3. Mitigating impact of Climate change and pollution (plastics and chemicals on aquatic biodiversity.
4. Implementing regional value chain approach for identified coastal fisheries and aquaculture; enhancing private sector role and gender inclusivity.
5. Enhance Africa’s capacity to be a Global player in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
6. Operationalizing AU Centres of Excellence for capacity building on the continent in aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has granted an 18-month extension to continue implementation of the Project beyond the current phase, which expires in December 2025.
Thus, in a bid to provide technical guidance and coordination for effective implementation of the Project, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Sustainable Blue Economy Expert as Project Coordinator, with requisite qualifications and proven experiences in Project Management relevant to this position, also with appropriate experience and requisite qualifications in fisheries sciences, blue economy development, aquatic ecosystems management that would guide sound implementation of the Project, resulting in desired outcomes.

Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to coordinate and technically guide the effective implementation of the Project “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’, currently implemented at AU-IBAR with funding from the SIDA.

Tasks

The main tasks of the Project Coordinator will be:

1. Technical supervision and coordination of the overall implementation of the project.
2. Development of mechanisms to promote project implementation, including technical guidance and supervision of project staff, preparation of annual and quarterly workplans, budget and follow-up implementation of project related study reports and recommendations.
3. Organizing and operationalization of project management structure including the project technical committee, project steering committee and internal meetings.
4. Strengthen institutional capacity for adoption and implementation of appropriate tools for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity, fish resources and ecosystems.
5. Support implementation of mechanisms towards community-led actions for climate change mitigation for restoration of critical ecosystems such as wetlands, flood plans, coral reefs for conservation of aquatic biodiversity.
6. Promote adoption of inclusive value chain approach to strengthen conservation of aquatic biodiversity at regional levels in Africa.
7. Promote the operationalization of AU Centers of Excellence in Aquatic biodiversity and Ecosystems.
8. Facilitate coalition building and partnerships in the continent’s blue space.
9. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

1. Project coordination and technical implementation of activities facilitated.
2. Institutional capacity strengthened for implementation of appropriate tools for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity, fish resources and ecosystems.
3. Mechanism for community-led action for climate change migration and ecosystems restoration promoted.
4. Inclusive regional value chain for aquatic biodiversity strengthened.
5. The AU Centres of Excellence in aquatic biodiversity in ecosystems operationalized.
6. Coalition building and partnerships promoted in the governance of blue space.
7. Miscellaneous duties performed.

Qualification

The incumbent should have an advanced University Degree in Fisheries Biology and Management, Fisheries Science including research specialization in Fish Population Ecology and Analyses. A PhD degree in either of the above will be an added advantage.

General Experience

1. At least 15 years progressive combined working experience at senior and advisory positions in African fisheries and aquaculture sector at national, regional and continental levels.
2. At least 15 years’ combined working experience in managing and coordinating donor funded projects on fisheries development and management with particular reference to EU, FAO/UN, UNIDO, GEF-World Bank, SIDA, Norway and GTZ Projects.
3. Demonstrated record of formulation or coordinating formulation of national, regional and continental policies or strategies for the sustainable exploitation and management of fish resources, aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, in Africa.
4. Proven record of conducting or facilitating capacity development of African stakeholders on aquatic ecosystems modelling, productivity patterns and scientific data for informed decision making in African fisheries, aquaculture and blue economy sector.
5. Proven record of formulation of national and continental projects and programmes on fisheries and aquaculture and related disciplines in Africa.
6. Experience in fostering partnerships in implementing on aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management.

Specific experience

1. Proven record of coordinating formulation of the continental framework on blue economy and associated documents.
2. Minimum of 5 years combined experience in coordinating the implementation of continental strategy for Blue Economy and related projects on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and integrated ecosystems management.
3. Proven record of coordinating and facilitating development of harmonized frameworks for management of transboundary marine and freshwater ecosystems in Africa.
4. Evidence of coordinating development of tools to promote best practices and strengthen regulatory frameworks to minimize impact of external factors or threats to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
5. Proof of record of facilitating establishment and strengthening mechanisms for protection and restoration aquatic biodiversity, ecosystems and conflict restoration.
6. Record of experience of coordinating selection of institutions as African Union Centres of Excellence and their operationalization for research and training on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, management fisheries and aquaculture.
7. Record of supporting and facilitating evidence-based decision making by African Union Policy Organ in the adoption of documents related to fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic biodiversity conservation.

Skills and competencies

i. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior
officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
ii. Very strong writing and analytical skills are necessary;
iii. Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster team work
is required;
iv. Proficiency in at least two official AU languages.

Gender Mainstreaming

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Duty Station

The consultants will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The effective duration of this assignment is 6 months. The contract is 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 awarded.

Remuneration

The monthly remuneration for this Consultancy is at P3 Step 7 of the African Union Salary Scale. 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 supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR or designated representative who shall have the responsibility of approval of reports.

Evaluation Criteria

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

Criteria for scoring

Criteria Scores

Qualifications Master’s Degree 10

PhD Degree 10

General Experience 20

Specific Experience 50

Other skills 5

Language 5

Tagged as: African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources, Kenya