Individual Consultancy – Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist

Context

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 is endorsed at the highest political level of the continent. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting blue economy development of the continent, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change, environmental sustainability and ecotourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.

AU-IBAR, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy”. 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

The initial phase of the project was from 2021 to 2025. In the course of the four-year implementation, the Project made some notable achievements, that include, among others, as relevant to this consultancy:

1. Fostering institutional collaboration to strengthen regional monitoring, control and surveillance systems to combat, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU fishing) and to protect aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems;
2. Contributed to advancing transboundary Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) processes in selected regions of the continent;
3. Fostered partnerships to enhance institutional capacities for effective governance of regional and national marine protected areas (MPA).

SIDA has granted extension to the project implementation that will provide opportunity for expanding the scope of project’s interventions and for consolidations of gains already made.

In the above regard, AU-IBAR seeks the services of an Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist, for a short-term consultancy’ to support the implementation of activities relating mainly to sustainable exploitation and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in African blue economy.

Job Description Summary

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 ‘Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’:

1. Contribute to development of mechanisms, frameworks, guidelines, strategies on conservation of aquatic biodiversity
2. Strengthen capacity for sustainable exploitation, utilization and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy sectors
3. Support capacity on and implementation of tools and measures, including marine protected areas, for effective restoration of degraded aquatic habitats and depleted aquatic biodiversity
4. Promote mechanisms and strengthen capacity for regional cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance systems (MCS) for the sustainable exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy
5. Support to enhance mitigation measures and climate action to minimize climate impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
6. Support to enhancing awareness on control and mitigation of the impacts of plastic pollution in Africa
7. Support capacity development of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation
8. Identification and development of new initiatives or projects for sustainable blue economy development
9. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader

Academic Requirements

The incumbent should have a minimum of Masters of Science degree in disciplines related to aquatic biodiversity and conservation; aquatic ecology, or in environmental sciences

General Experience

1. At least 5 years combined working in national institutions with regards to African blue economy sectors particularly in the areas of aquatic biodiversity conservation in Africa
2. Evidence of familiarization of functions of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions with mandates in blue economy related disciplines
3. Record of working in multidisciplinary project related to aquatic resources management and environment
4. Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems management in the continent
5. Evidence of developing strategies for mitigating climate change and plastic pollution in Africa’s aquatic ecosystems

Specific Experience

1. Record of familiarization of challenges, opportunities and status of national and regional capabilities for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
2. Evidence of experience in capacity building and institutional strengthening for effective Monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS systems for combating IUU fishing, aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental protection;
3. Evidence of supporting AU member states to strengthen regulatory frameworks for control and mitigating the impact of negative externalities (including coastal tourism, mining, oil and gas) against aquatic biodiversity and environment
4. Evidence of in-depth understanding and promoting implementing of essential tools for sustainable conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems at national levels and in transboundary context,
5. Record of experience in formulation of governance frameworks, guidelines, knowledge products and strategies related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental conservation
6. Evidence of working experience in similar or related position for at least 3

Required Skills

1. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa;
2. Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
3. Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.
4. Proficiency in at least two official AU languages

Deliverables

1. Strengthening capacity on monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems in shared ecosystems for exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity facilitated
2. Capacity enhanced for establishment and Governance for Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and other essential tools
3. Climate change mitigations measures and promote climate actions, pollution control (chemical and plastic), in identified communities for restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems supported
4. Formulation of strategies, frameworks or guidelines for aquatic biodiversity conservation facilitated
5. Effective African position and adherence to global processes and best practices related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation supported
6. Support to identification and development of new initiatives in aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management
7. Formulation of knowledge products related to aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management supported
8. Other duties performed (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 for Scoring

Criteria Scores (%)

Qualifications 20

General Experience 15

Specific Experience 50

Other skills 10

Proficiency in AU languages (at least 2) 5

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Duty Stations

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

Duration

The effective duration of this assignment is SIX (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 awarded.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy is a fixed at P3 Step 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.

How to apply

Application Procedures

Submission of Applications

Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to emmah.boro@au-ibar.org and should include the title “Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist” in the subject of the email.

Applications should include the following:

1. Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and brief cover letter.
2. Copies of academic and professional certification documents.
3. Declaration on exclusion criteria (see format attached).
4. Identification documents.

A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is attached as information for the applicants.

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted to the address given above by 18th December 2025 at 18:00hrs Nairobi Local Time.

Documents

Terms of Reference (English Version)

AU-IBAR Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement

AU-IBAR Declaration Form