Fisheries and Aquaculture Trade and Investment Expert 67 views2 applications

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) under the African Union Commission. AU-IBAR is mandated to support the effective use of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, and wildlife resources for human well-being and economic development across African Union Member States. The vision outlined in the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2018-2023 is a continent where animal resources significantly contribute to integration, prosperity, and peace.

Within the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy envisions an inclusive, sustainable blue economy that contributes significantly to Africa’s transformation and growth. Key challenges for the African fisheries and aquaculture sector include:

• Limited coordination among stakeholders at various levels.
• Inconsistent governance instruments and approaches.
• Rising incidents of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing due to weak regulatory capacity.
• Limited data and evidence to guide reform.
• Capacity constraints and poor infrastructure across the sector.
• Lack of inclusive governance structures.

In response, AU-IBAR implemented the EU-funded Fisheries Governance Project (FishGov1) from 2014 to 2018, achieving notable improvements in policy coherence, sector visibility, and governance coordination. Building on this, the FishGov2 Project was launched with EU support to accelerate reforms in sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development, directly contributing to the goals of Agenda 2063, particularly in terms of food security, livelihoods, and wealth creation.

Specific Objectives of FishGov2:

1. Ensure African Union decisions on fisheries and aquaculture are evidence-based.
2. Promote coherence in fisheries and aquaculture policies across Member States in alignment with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS).
3. Strengthen Africa’s representation in international fisheries and aquaculture forums, and support the domestication of relevant global instruments.

Commencing in January 2021, the FishGov2 Project is now in its fourth year of implementation, with a need for expert support in fish trade and investment. AU-IBAR is seeking the services of a Fisheries and Aquaculture Trade and Investment Consultant to provide technical expertise in trade, marketing, and investment activities aligned with FishGov2 objectives. The expert will work closely with the AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD project teams.

Specific Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader (Senior Fisheries Officer) at AU-IBAR, and with overall guidance from the Senior Animal Production Officer at AU-IBAR, the consultant will:

1. Initiation and Reporting
   • Attend an initial briefing with AU-IBAR.
   • Prepare an inception report detailing the approach and methodology for the consultancy.
2. Policy and Plan Review
   • Review national and regional fisheries-aquaculture plans to promote sustainable, climate-resilient practices, focusing on National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs), Regional Agricultural Investment Plans (RAIPs), and other investment programs in 15 AU Member States and 5 Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
3. Institutional Assessment and Network Development
   • In collaboration with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), conduct an assessment of regional laboratory and diagnostics networks in Africa.
   • Develop recommendations for establishing regional reference laboratories and diagnostic networks for fish and fish products.
4. Operational Support
   • Support the establishment of regional aquatic animal health networks and facilitate the development of standards for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures.
5. Study Implementation and Platform Linkages
   • Facilitate the implementation of recommendations from the study on platform and network rationalization.
   • Strengthen linkages between these platforms and regional institutions.
6. Stakeholder Engagement
   • Implement the consultative methodologies recommended in the FishGov2 study, ensuring cost-effective and inclusive engagement with stakeholders.
7. Strategic Sectoral Support
   • Aid in the development of sectoral strategies and investment plans.
   • Create a twinning mechanism to support consultative processes.
8. Value Chain Development
   • Identify and support strategic regional value chains in fisheries and aquaculture to enhance sustainability and regional trade.
9. Network Operationalization
   • Facilitate the activation of continent-wide networks such as AWFISHNET and ANAF, along with their regional and national chapters.
10. Report Publication and Dissemination
    • Produce and disseminate reports on platform and network establishment, and related activities through AU-IBAR’s communication channels.
11. Knowledge Product Development
    • Develop at least 10 knowledge products relevant to fisheries and aquaculture issues in Africa.
12. Common Positions and Advocacy
    • Support Member States’ representation in international standards organizations and forums, fostering the development of common African positions.
13. STC Support
    • Contribute to the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) processes by developing supporting documents and other materials.
14. Progress Reporting
    • Submit monthly progress reports on assigned tasks.
15. Additional Duties
    • Undertake any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.

Deliverables

1. Inception Report – outlining methodology and approach.
2. Reviewed Policies – integrating climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture in NAIPs and RAIPs (15 national and 5 regional).
3. Institutional Assessment Report – strengthening regional reference labs for fish and fish products (in collaboration with WOAH).
4. Network Establishment Support – operationalizing regional aquatic animal health networks.
5. Platform Rationalization Recommendations – implemented with strengthened linkages to regional institutions.
6. Stakeholder Consultation Methodologies – cost-effective mechanisms implemented.
7. Operationalized Networks – full activation of AWFISHNET and ANAF, including national chapters.
8. Published Reports – on AWFISHNET national chapters, accessible via AU-IBAR’s website.
9. Knowledge Products – at least 10 relevant resources developed.
10. Common Positions – at least 10 positions for international standards bodies developed.
11. Other Assigned Tasks – as required by supervisors.

Duty Station

The consultant will be based at the AU-IBAR offices in Nairobi, Kenya, unless otherwise agreed with the contracting authority.

Duration

The consultancy will last for 6 months, with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance and funding availability. The selected candidate should be prepared to start immediately.

Remuneration

Remuneration is based on the AU Salary scale P2 Step 5, with monthly payments contingent on satisfactory progress reports.

Supervision

The consultant will report directly to the Senior Fisheries Officer at AU-IBAR, who will oversee deliverables and approve all reports.

Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Postgraduate degree (Master’s) in Marketing, Trade in Agricultural Products (preferably specializing in fish and fisheries products), Economics (with a focus on natural resources), Fisheries, Aquaculture, or Veterinary studies. A PhD in a relevant field is an advantage.

General Experience

• Familiarity with the African fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• Understanding of trade challenges in African fisheries and aquaculture.
• Knowledge of regional and international instruments and frameworks for trade facilitation.
• Proven experience in integrating fisheries and aquaculture into NAIPs.
• Experience in co-management practices with fishing communities and other stakeholders.

Specific Experience

• Experience in facilitating intra-regional trade in fish products, including trade corridor analysis.
• Capacity building expertise for value chain stakeholders, especially in post-harvest processes.
• Knowledge of international trade issues, including familiarity with standards organizations.
• Understanding of the role of regional organizations (RECs, RFBs) in fisheries development.

Other Skills

• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to engage with senior government officials and international partners.
• Self-starter with independent planning skills.
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication abilities.

Gender Mainstreaming

The African Union is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified women to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Weight (%)

Academic Qualifications 20

General Experience 25

Specific Experience 40

Other Skills 10

Language Proficiency (AU languages) 5

Minimum Technical Qualification: 70%

Application Procedures

Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

1. Detailed curriculum vitae.
2. Signed declaration on exclusion criteria (format provided).
3. Copies of academic qualifications.
4. Copy of identification documents.

Application Submission

Applications should be sent via email to [email protected] by Monday 6th January 2025, at midnight, Nairobi local time.