Formulation of COMESA Regional Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture 66 views1 applications

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) 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 is an Africa in which animal and fish 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 Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy with fisheries and aquaculture being one of the significant contributors to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The Africa Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture is a multilateral document formulated with an aim of facilitating coherent policy development for the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture resources in the member states of the African Union to optimize benefits from their natural resources. Furthermore, it guides on good governance principles considered as best practices in fisheries management. Strategically the objectives of the PFRS include; (i) elaborating essential guiding principles for the good governance of Africa’s fisheries for increased coherence and coordination of the sector; (ii) assisting the AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Fisheries Organizations (RFBs) to develop realistic fisheries and aquaculture policies by suggesting standards and best practices for the sector’s benefits, in terms of food security, employment, and income; (iii) helping facilitate regional collaboration and integration in shared fisheries and aquaculture resources management; (iv) providing appropriate guidance on how to implement reforms for fisheries and aquaculture development; (v) facilitating the adoption of relevant provisions in international fisheries management instruments; (vi) facilitating advocacy for increased investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Several high-level initiatives on the continent recognized the challenges and opportunities in the sector. Prominent among these initiatives are the 2004 Sirte Summit Declaration, the Abuja 2005 fish- for- all declaration, the 2010 Banjul Conference of African Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA I) and the 2014 Addis Ababa CAMFA II. Subsequently, they have underscored the need for sectoral policy and institutional governance reforms that can catalyze increased sustainable contribution to the socio- economic development of the continent. The CAMFA recommended that the African Union (AU) put in place a mechanism for broad-based participatory policy dialogue and fisheries management to ensure coherence of fisheries policies and initiatives. This recommendation was later adopted through an Executive Decision by the African Heads of State and Government (Doc. EX. CL/627(XVIII). Thus, the process of formulation of the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) started in earnest in 2012 and was subsequently endorsed as a blueprint for the sustainable positive reform of Africa’s Fisheries and Aquaculture sector for increased benefits to Member States.

This was followed by development of the guiding principles for the implementation of the PFRS which recommended alignment of regional and national policies and strategies to the PFRS and specifically assist AU member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs) to develop realistic fisheries and aquaculture policies by suggesting standards and best practices that will realize benefits such as food security, employment and income.

Considering the above, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) being one of key RECs of the African Union implementing the PFRS, dedicated support to customize and align its Fisheries and Aquaculture Policies to the African PFRS to best harness the sector potential as guided by COMESA Mid Term Strategic Plan (MTSP).

The AU-IBAR, is thus planning to provide assistance to COMESA towards formulation of their Regional Policy Framework and Reform strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture and corresponding framework to ensure sustainable implementation. In this regard an individual consultant with relevant qualifications, expertise and experience in Fisheries and Aquaculture policy, regulation, strategies, implementation plans and guidelines will be required to undertake this technical assistance.

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to recruit a suitably qualified individual consultant with diverse expertise on issues that are critical to the formulation of regional Policy Framework and Reform Strategy, a corresponding implementation plan and guiding principles to implementation.

The specific objectives will be:

• To conduct a review of existing instruments, institutions relevant to fisheries and Aquaculture policies, regulation and strategic planning in the COMESA region and align them to the African Policy Framework and Reform Strategy
• To design regional coordination mechanisms between COMESA, RFBs, Regional Sea Conventions and COMESA member states
• Facilitate stakeholders’ consultative workshops, virtual or physical to allow for maximum participation of the member states and relevant stakeholders
• Develop Draft Policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture for the COMESA Region
• Facilitate stakeholder’s validation of the draft COMESA regional Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture, implementation plan and guiding principles to implementation in the COMESA region
• To prepare a report on the consultancy, including lessons and best practices

Approach & Methodology to Conducting the Assignment

During the consultancy, the individual consultant is expected to:

• Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, the Africa Union Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), the Guide for PFRS Implementation
• Review relevant related COMESA, other RECs, AU and global instruments for best practices in fisheries and aquaculture policy, regulation, management and development
• Identify regional priorities and instruments including COMESA treaty related to Fisheries and Aquaculture policy and reform strategies in COMESA
• Identify and conduct interviews with national, regional institutions or organizations that play critical roles in Fisheries and aquaculture policy, regulation, strategic planning and implementation
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Depts., RECs, RSCs, RFMBs and COMESA
• Participate and support facilitation of regional stakeholders’ workshops with COMESA members states and other key stakeholders in the region to validate the draft COMESA regional Policy Framework and Reform Strategy, the Implementation Plan and Implementation guidelines
• Ensure that the formulation of the COMESA regional Fisheries and Aquaculture policy and reform strategy, implementation plan and the regional implementation guidelines is mainly guided by the Africa Union Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture, and its Implementation guidelines.

Deliverables/Outputs

The deliverables to be submitted to the Director, AU-IBAR and COMESA Director Industry and Agriculture and are as follows:
Phase I

• A draft inception report within five (5) calendar days of signing the contract. The inception report should demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment by the consultant(s). The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment
• First draft (after 25 days) of the COMESA Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture, implementation plan and implementation guidelines that will be circulated electronically for inputs by AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Departments, COMESA, RECs, RFMBs and Fisheries and Aquaculture responsible departments in the COMESA member states
• The second draft (after 35 days) of the regional COMESA Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture, implementation plan and implementation guidelines will incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the above institutions

Phase II

• Facilitation of the physical validation of the final draft of the documents at a regional validation workshop, comments and suggestions made during the regional validation workshop be incorporated to produce final validated documents
• A comprehensive report on the consultancy with lessons and best practices

Duration and Location

The assignment will be undertaken in two phases as stated above.
Phase I will be undertaken over a 60-day period from the date of signature of the contract.
Phase II should be completed within 14 days of the completion of the validation workshop. The validation workshop will be organized by the relevant department of COMESA (expected date July 2024) and the Consultant is expected to attend the validation workshop.
The assignment will be home-based from the Consultant’s location. Any travel to COMESA or other locations will require the prior approval of the Contracting Authority.

Remuneration

The fees payable for Phase I of the assignment shall not exceed US$ 12,500. These fees shall be payable upon submission and approval of all deliverables required in Phase I of the assignment.
The fees payable for Phase II of the assignment shall not exceed US$ 2,500. These fees shall be payable upon completion of the validation process.
The consultant(s) will be responsible for own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.

Supervision and approval of report

Under the supervision of the AU-IBAR Fisheries Management Expert, COMESA Blue Economy expert and Fisheries Officers with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR and Director Industry and Agriculture COMESA.

Equipment

The consultant will provide all equipment required to undertake this assignment including computers, printers and any data capturing equipment required.
Introductory letters to the COMESA member states will be issued by COMESA. to support the consultant’s a
A round air ticket to the validation workshop destination will be availed using the cheapest route available

Requirements

Qualifications

1. Minimum post-graduate/advanced degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture: natural (marine) resources; ocean sciences.
2. A relevant qualification in legal and public policy studies would be an added advantage.
3. PhD degrees in relevant discipline would also be an added advantage.

General experience

The successful consultant is expected to have the following experiences:

1. At least 5 years’ experience or familiarization in Fisheries and Aquaculture policy and regulation, management and development
2. Record of formulation of relevant policies, strategies, guidelines and frameworks to support sustainable blue Fisheries and Aquaculture governance and development in Africa
3. Record of capacity building of stakeholders (member states, Non-State Actors, regional institutions, RECs, RFBs, partners) on Fisheries and Aquaculture policy and regulatory frameworks
4. Good record of working with continental institutions, RECs, RFBs and specialized regional institutions dedicated to Africa blue economy, Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors
5. Evidence of facilitating workshops at regional and continental levels on related Africa blue Fisheries and Aquaculture sector

Specific experience

1. Evidence of formulation of Fisheries and Aquaculture Policies, regulations, strategies and guidelines for regional institutions (inter-governmental) in Africa
2. Record of formulation of implementation plans and monitoring frameworks for structured rolling out in the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector at regional and continental levels in Africa and/or other tropical regions
3. Evidence of designing mechanisms for coordination of fisheries and Aquaculture policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable sector management and development in Africa
4. Familiarization of other relevant AU and global instruments or initiatives that support Fisheries and Aquaculture development in Africa
5. Evidence of familiarization with COMESA priorities, MTSP and Industrialization plan regarding Blue Fisheries and Aquaculture

Other essential attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields or disciplines in Fisheries and Aquaculture
2. Record of delivery of assignments within tight schedules
3. Proficiency in English is required.

Evaluation Criteria

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

Criteria Scores (%)

Approach & Methodology 15

Qualifications 15

General Experience 20

Specific Experience 30

Skills and competencies 20

Application Procedures

Documents to be submitted

Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

• A Technical proposal on how the applicants will accomplish the assignment: detailed description of the proposed methodology to accomplish the assignment.
• Detailed curriculum vitae with names and contact information of three reputable referees
• Copies of professional and academic certificates
• Signed Declaration on Exclusion Criteria (format provided)
• A financial proposal inclusive of all professional fees and costs but exclusive of taxes and costs related to travel. The maximum budget for Phase I is US$ 12,500 and for Phase II is US$ 2,500.

Submission process

All applications should be submitted via email to [email protected] on or before 3rd May 2024 at 1700 Nairobi local time.