24th – 25th April, 2023
South Sudan
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) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU–IBAR 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 African Union Member States (AU–MS).
The Vision of the AU–IBAR in the Strategic Plan 2018–2023 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 within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063.
The African Continent is adjacent to highly productive marine ecosystems including the seven African Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) viz., Agulhas Current LME, Benguela Current LME, Guinea Current LME, Canary current LME, Mediterranean Sea LME, Red Sea LME and Somali Current LME. The Continent is also endowed with networks of freshwater rivers and lakes. The seas, oceans, lakes and rivers inhabit a significant number of biodiversity, and the ecosystems provide sources of livelihoods, food security and wealth. The African aquatic ecosystems inhabit living and non-living resources. However, the unsustainable exploitation of these resources is threatening the biodiversity, natural resources and environmental sustainability.
Several factors are threatening aquatic biodiversity in Africa’s aquatic ecosystems. These include overexploitation of living species, pollution from several sources (land-based municipal and agricultural activities), uncontrolled introduction of exotic species in aquaculture systems, effluents from mining activities. Other threats to aquatic biodiversity include poorly and or unplanned urban development and resource-based industries, such as mining, coastal tourism activities, coastal infrastructure development that destroy or reduce natural habitats. In addition, air and water pollution, sedimentation and erosion, and climate change also pose threats to aquatic biodiversity.
The highest political organ of the African Union endorsed the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) aimed addressing some of these challenges and for the AU–Member States to sustainably harness the resources of aquatic ecosystems. The ABES envisioned an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting blue economic development of the Continent, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem biodiversity conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability and ecotourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.
The objective of the ABES is to guide the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that becomes a significant contributor to Continental transformation and growth, through advancing knowledge on marine and aquatic biotechnology, environmental sustainability, marine ecosystem utilization, conservation and carbon sequestration, the growth of an Africa-wide shipping industry, the development of sea, river and lake transport, the management of fishing activities on these water bodies, and the exploitation and beneficiation of deep sea mineral and other marine resources.
The ABES is consolidated based on the following five thematic technical areas:
- Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems;
- Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement;
- Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, marine ecosystem, environment, infrastructure;
- Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries; and,
- Policies, Institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing.
Accordingly, AU–IBAR with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a 3–year project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’’ whose overall objective 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:
- To provide support to AU–MS to ratify and/or align relevant International/Regional Instruments related to blue economy themes (with specific reference to protecting and conserving biodiversity);
- Optimizing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity while minimizing conflicts among blue economy sub–themes;
- 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; and,
- Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
In line with the provisions of the project, Studies have been conducted to assess relevant Continental and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments and priority actions for enhanced ratification and implementation have been developed.
The next stage in the process under the Biodiversity Project is to support selected AU-MS (South Sudan) to review her National Policies, Regulations and align the National Instruments with relevant Regional and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments.
Objectives
The objective of this consultancy is to engage National Facilitator in South Sudan to undertake review of the National Policies, Regulations and align National Instruments with relevant Regional and Global biodiversity and environmental management Instruments.
Specific tasks for this consultancy will include but not limited to:
- Liaise with relevant personnel at AU-IBAR for detailed briefings on the tasks;
- Conduct extensive reading to digest the report of the consultant;
- Conduct a thorough review of Continental endorsed documents, including the African Blue Economy Strategy, PFRS and the Global Instruments;
- Identify, source and review relevant National regulatory, Policy related documents in Departments, Agencies or Ministries responsible for environmental management and aquatic biodiversity conservation;
- Facilitate National level workshop to validate the reviewed Policies;
- Based on the outcomes of consultative workshop, identify priority issues and actions for alignment of National Instruments with relevant Regional and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments; and,
- Develop comprehensive reports of the consultancy.
Expected Outputs
- Relevant MDAs with mandate in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management identified and consulted;
- Continental endorsed documents, including the African Blue Economy Strategy, PFRS and the Global Instruments reviewed;
- Relevant National regulatory frameworks, Policy related documents in Departments, Agencies or Ministries responsible for environmental management and aquatic biodiversity conservation identified;
- Gap analyses conducted and identified with respect to the study report and National Instruments aligned with relevant Regional and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments;
- National workshop conducted and supported; and,
- Comprehensive workshop report.
Qualifications
The incumbent should have a Minimum of a Master’s degree in environmental studies, aquatic sciences, social sciences with extensive experience, professional qualifications in environmental management issues and aquatic ecosystems conservation studies.
Experience
- A working experience of at least 5 years and familiarization with National Public Institutions, private institutions or Agencies in the EAC Region in charge of blue economy sectors including coastal tourism, Fisheries and aquaculture, environment, Water transport, mining, forestry;
- Familiarization with management issues in freshwater ecosystems in East Africa, including sources of environmental degradation and their impacts on aquatic biodiversity, environment and riparian communities;
- Knowledge of existing Continental and Global initiatives or Instruments promoting environmental best practices for environmentally sustainable aquatic ecosystems as well as Regional harmonization procedures; and,
- Experience working with specialized Regional institutions, including Regional fisheries bodies.
Duration of the Consultancy
The duration of the consultancy will be for 10 days.
Remuneration and Terms of Payment
The cost of the mission is 300 USD per day for 10days for a total of 3,000 USD (Three Thousand United States Dollars only). However, AU-IBAR will take charge of travel costs (tickets) and DSA for any approved internal travel related to this consultancy.
Payment will be made after submission of approved satisfactory reports.
Supervision and Coordination
The AU-IBAR will supervise and coordinate the Technical Facilitator before, during the preparation and execution of the workshop.
How to apply
Submission of Applications
Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org and should include the title “South Sudan National Consultant: Review & Alignment of National Instruments – Relevant Global Instruments” in the subject of the email.
Applications should include the following:
- a) A Letter of Interest highlighting competence and suitability for the consultancy
- b) Detailed curriculum vitae
- c) Copies of academic and professional qualifications
- d) Completed declaration on exclusion criteria in the format attached
- e) Copies of 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 17:00hrs, 19th April 2023, Nairobi Local Time.
Terms of References (English version)
