Terms of Reference – Consultancy Service for Formulation of Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy 323 views0 applications

Africa is abundantly blessed with a coastline of over 30,000 Kilometers, adjacent to vast expanse of oceans and seas. Maritime zones under Africa’s jurisdiction total about 13 million square kilometres including territorial seas and approximately 6.5 million square kilometres of the continental shelf. The continent is also endowed with huge networks of rivers, lakes, floodplains, waterways, and wetlands with massive potential for socio-economic advancement of the continent. These natural aquatic endowments represent significant opportunities for social and economic development much of which remains underutilized. Some of these opportunities include transport, food security, tourism, rural development and increased environmental sustainability. Thirty nine of the fifty five African Union Member States are coastal States.

Africa’s ocean, sea and inland waters (lakes, rivers and reservoirs) provide significant benefits in the continent in terms of: i) food and nutrition security from fisheries and aquaculture, ii) economic and social development from fisheries and aquaculture, marine and coastal tourism, shipping, mining, energy and iii) ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, atmospheric and temperature regulation, protection from erosion and extreme weather events.

However, the resources of the oceans and inland waters are under serious threats and the current associated benefits are being rapidly eroded due to diverse reasons paramount of which include overfishing, pollution from land-based sources, mangrove deforestation, climate change and ocean acidification. This development calls for new thinking, commonly known as the blue economy concept that seeks to fully harness the potential of the oceans and inland waters for Africa’s sustainable economic development. This concept also seeks to promote inclusive economic growth and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas.

The African Union’s recognition of the benefits of blue economy development on the continent is clearly documented as Goal no. 6: Blue/ocean economy for accelerated economic growth; of Africa’s strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent, the Agenda 2063. Similarly, the African leaders at the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, held on 26-28 November 2018, recognized that the blue economy resources hold great promise and opportunity to build greater prosperity for all in Africa. Some of the opportunities highlighted at the Conference include: deep-sea mining, fisheries development, smart shipping, aquaculture, training more women in maritime related sectors, blue financing, establishment of regional centers for ship owners, research and technology development, mainstreaming climate change and environmental sustainability in the blue economy, developing blue economy observatory mechanism, raising awareness on the importance and value of maritime resources. The African Union flagship policy document for sustainable development of Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, the Policy Framework and Reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa also outlined policy reform measures that would support for blue economy development through the fisheries and aquaculture.

Notwithstanding the progress made to date on many fronts, significant institutional and governance challenges remain, constraining the ability of Member States to effectively formulate and implement policies relating to growth and development of blue economy in Africa. This would require strengthening of the institutional capacities of key national and regional agencies and organizations for the effective implementation of blue economy related functions. It would also entail capacity enhancement and incentivization of those entities and structures that are related to the key sectoral aspects of the blue economy; among others.

Moreover, African leaders at the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference directed the African Union to work with relevant stakeholders to develop a blue print of Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy that will guide sustainable development and utilization of Oceanic, fisheries and aquaculture resources in Africa. The African Union through its Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) has the mandate to develop policies and strategies on the Blue Economy within the context of the Africa Union Agenda 2063. Consequently, the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), which is a technical office of the DARBE, has been charged with the specific responsibility to support the development of the Blue Print for Africa’s Blue Economy.

Consultancy Description

The Blue Economy can play a major role in Africa’s structural transformation. Currently, the most important sectors of the African aquatic and ocean-based economy are fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, ports, coastal mining, and energy. The Blue Economy concept is also underpinned by creating institutional and sectoral linkages; recognizing emerging and frontier sectors; and giving important social considerations, including gender, youth, food and water security, poverty alleviation, wealth and job creation.

A development strategy – “The Blue Print for Africa’s Blue Economy” – will lay out the strategy of the continent for initiating actions to harness this potential and to maximize opportunities for a more evolved and effective blue economy in Africa. This strategy will be focused on economic diversification, innovation, investment in human capital and regional and international trade integration. It also seeks to strengthen governance, enhance the quality of public services and improve the business climate on the continent by utilizing the vast resources associated with the Blue Economy. It will also seek to manage Africa’s aquatic resources in sustainable manner, especially to safeguard them against pollution and overexploitation.

Components or Thematic Areas for Developing the Blue Print for Africa’s Blue Economy

The blue economy has diverse components, including established traditional ocean industries such as fisheries, tourism, and maritime transport, but also new and emerging activities, such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed extractive activities, and marine biotechnology and bioprospecting.

Within the framework of the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, though not necessary restricted to these, following thematic areas are identified as critical to Africa’ Blue economy development:

1. Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems
2. Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement
3. Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, environment, infrastructure
4. Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries
5. Polices, Institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing

Tasks/Key Deliverables

Towards development of Africa’s Blue Economy strategy, a team of 5 consultants (plus a lead consultant), with expertise in each of the identified thematic areas, is required to develop the strategy for each thematic area aimed at harnessing the potential for sustainable Blue economy of the continent.

Thematic Experts

The experts would, among others, be required to:

1. Document the current status of the thematic area and its contribution to the blue economy.
2. Identify the key drivers for the thematic area to increase its contribution to the development of the blue economy
3. Propose strategic interventions for realizing the potential of the thematic area
4. Develop a results framework for the continental strategy
5. Provide cost estimates for the proposed interventions under the thematic area

Lead Consultant

A Lead Consultant is expected to orchestrate performance of a sizable team of experts and consultancy services providers. The lead consultant will liaise with the experts for each thematic area to ensure effective implementation of project goals and objectives, effective communication with national and international stakeholders and timely resolution of issues that may hinder the successful implementation of the project.

Specifically, the lead consultant:

1. Assist to Identify and engage national and regional technical experts on sectoral areas including, but not limited to, fisheries, maritime transport and services, tourism, environmental sustainability, energy, mining and mineral resource, rural development, social and cultural
2. Oversee the preparation of concept notes and papers, as well as detailed action plans, including the cost for their implementation on the different thematic areas, by developing generic terms of reference to facilitate uniformity of approach and standardization of product and timelines;
3. Support AU-IBAR to ensure alignment of the detailed action plans to the overall objectives of the Blue Print and norms and structures of the Africa Union;
4. Coordinate the compilation and synthesis of the outcomes from the thematic papers into one coherent document – the Blue Print
5. Liaising with AU-IBAR in any other aspect relating to the development of the blue print for Africa’s Blue Economy

Overall Technical Coordination and Supervision

AU-IBAR will provide overall technical coordination and project management under the guidance of the Director of Rural Economy and Agriculture

Objective of the Consultancy

To this end, the overall objective of the Consultancy is to narrow down options and mechanisms to increase the capacity of Member States to manage, support and benefit from the Blue Economy by:

1. developing a continental strategy and an action plan for a 5-10 year period to improve the Blue Economy of Africa;
2. proposing a framework for the coordination of the Blue Print for the Blue Economy in Africa by identifying appropriate regional, sub-regional and national entities to backstop and provide substantive technical support to the Blue Print;
3. identifying options for developing the capacity of the new Division on Blue Economy in DARBE
4. proposing amendments and additions to current legislation and regulatory frameworks, including Africa Union Decisions and pronouncements that provide legal force to Blue Economy action.
5. ensuring, as far as possible, coherence and synergies between proposals within the Blue Print and existing initiatives on thematic elements of the Blue Economy.
6. ensure the necessary buy-in and political support by engaging as wide a stakeholder base as is practical to achieve the objectives of the Blue Print.
7. coordinating the presentation of the Blue Print to the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment in September 2019.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant shall be directly supervised by Director of AU-IBAR . Submission of the reports shall be coursed through the AU-IBAR Director. The confirmation of the acceptability of the report contents, authorization of disbursement of payments and Evaluation of performance shall also be undertaken by the AU-IBAR Director.

Duration

The duration of this consultancy for the lead consultant shall not exceed 3 months from the date of signing the contract. The duration of contracts for the thematic experts for each thematic area shall not exceed 2 months the date of signing the contract.

Qualification and experience

Thematic Areas Experts

The experts should have relevant academic qualifications and track record in developing strategies in the thematic areas (or related disciplines).

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years’ experience in working on the thematic area.

Lead Consultant

Qualification

Advanced university degree (minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in agriculture, environment, rural development, political science, international relations, business or public administration, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of agriculture, environment, rural development, social sciences, political science, international relations, administration, financial management, budget or related field is required. Experience in the provision of substantive support to the governing bodies in the multilateral process or their subsidiary organ is required. Experience in a supervisory capacity requiring policy and strategy formulation, planning or programme management is desirable.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the global multilateral processes. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply multilateral organization rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

•TEAMWORK: Work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;

•PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning; monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary; use time efficiently.

•LEADERSHIP: Serve as a role model that other people want to follow: empower others to translate vision into results; proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establish and maintain relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drive for change and improvement; Provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrate knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

•JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identify the key issues in a complex situation; take decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; propose a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; check assumptions against facts; determine that actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Evaluation Criteria

For evaluation of the expressions of interest the following criteria will be applied:

1. General Education Qualification and Relevant Training (30 points);
2. Experience Related to the Assignment (60 points)
3. Language(5 points per AU official language ) (10 points);

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents for AU-IBAR consideration:

1. Technical Proposal not exceeding 8 pages on:
   • understanding and interpretation of the TOR
   • methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment
   • time and activity schedule
2. Financial proposal not exceeding 1 page
   • consultant’s daily rate in US$
   • travel and related costs will be covered by AU-IBAR according the AU rules
3. Personal Capacity Statement
   • relevant experience related to the assignment (include samples of two most recent similar works and/or references for the same)
   • contacts of at least 3 organizations previously worked for
   • curriculum Vitae of the Consultant (s)

Further information can be obtained at the address below