Recruitment of Individual Consultants – Formulation of Regional Blue Economy Strategies – Support to Selected Regional Economic Communities

Background

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 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. Also within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The Global Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy was organized in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2018. African leaders at the 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 resources of the Oceans, Seas, Lakes and Rivers for blue economy growth and livelihoods.

Accordingly the African Union Inter-African Bureau Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) was requested by the Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission to lead the process of formulation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. The Africa Blue Economy Strategy was eventually developed and subsequently endorsed in October 2019 by the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE).

The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is consolidated based on the following five detailed thematic areas considered critical to the Africa blue economy growth:

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. Policies, institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing

The Africa Blue Economy Strategy and the Annexes can be sourced from the following link: http://repository.au-ibar.org

The STC-ARDWE in October 2019 made further recommendations as follows:

1. The African Union Commission to support adequate awareness creation, capacity building and sharing of best practices of the application of the Blue Economy concept;
2. The African Union Commission to support setting up Blue Governance mechanisms to ensure planning and coordination at continental, regional and national levels; and
3. The African Union Commission to mobilize resources for the implementation of Blue Print for Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy.

In light of the above recommendations, the AU-IBAR, through support from the Kingdom of Norway, is planning to provide technical assistance to 3 selected Regional Economic Communities (RECs) towards formulation of their Regional Blue Economy Strategies, implementation plans and corresponding framework for setting up Blue Governance Mechanisms. In this regard individual consultants with relevant qualifications, expertise and experience in blue economy related disciplines, would be required to undertake this technical assistance.

The Technical Assistance to the Development of Regional Blue Economy Strategies would initially target the following Regional Economic Communities:

No. RECs for Technical Assistance

1 Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)

2 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

3 East African Community (EAC)

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of this assignment is to recruit suitably qualified individual consultant, for each of the RECs, with expertise on issues that are critical to Africa blue economy development for the formulation of regional blue economy strategies, corresponding implementation plans and to design mechanisms for blue governance coordination for the 3 selected regional economic communities.

The specific objectives will be:

• To conduct review of existing instruments, institutions relevant to blue economy in the selected RECs
• To develop regional blue economy strategies for the 3 RECs and the implementation plans
• To design regional blue governance coordination mechanisms within the selected RECs
• Facilitate stakeholders’ workshops, virtual or physical, for validation of the draft regional blue economy strategy, implementation plan and the blue governance coordination mechanism in the selected RECs
• To prepare report on the consultancy, including lessons and best practices

Methodology of conducting the assignment

During the consultancy, the individual consultant selected for each REC is expected to:

• Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the Implementation Plan, framework for blue governance coordination mechanism documents
• Review other relevant related AU and global instruments for best practices in blue economy development
• Identify regional priorities and instruments related to blue economy development in the selected RECs
• Identify and conduct interviews with the regional institutions that play critical roles in blue economy development
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Depts. and the RECs
• Participate and support facilitation of regional stakeholders’ workshops for the selected RECs to validate the draft regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and frameworks for regional blue governance coordination mechanisms.
• The formulation of the regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and the regional blue governance coordination mechanisms should mainly be guided by the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, and its Implementation Plan, continental framework for blue governance coordination mechanism

Deliverables/Outputs

The individual consultant selected for each REC will be expected to submit to the Director, AU-IBAR the following:

• 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. The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment
• First draft (after 20 days) of the regional Blue Economy Strategy, implementation plans and framework for Blue Governance Coordination for each of the selected RECs that will be circulated electronically for inputs by AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Departments and the RECs
• The second draft (after 35 days) of the regional blue economy strategy, implementation plans and the framework for blue governance coordination mechanisms will incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the above institutions
• Final draft of the Regional Blue Economy Strategy will be validated at the regional validation workshops (virtually or physically as appropriate) with comments and suggestions incorporated
• A comprehensive report on the consultancy with lessons and best practices

Qualification

The individual consultant selected for each REC should possess advanced degree in blue economy related discipline: i.e. natural (marine) resources economics; ocean sciences; relevant qualifications in legal and public policy studies; including climate change and environmental related studies. PhD degree in relevant discipline would be an added advantage.

General experience

The successful individuals selected for the RECs are expected to have the following experiences:

1. At least 5 years’ experience or familiarization on blue economy sector development
2. Record of capacity building of stakeholders (member states, NSAs, regional institutions, partners) on Africa blue economy concepts
3. Good record of working with continental institutions, RECs and specialized regional institutions dedicated to Africa blue economy sector
4. Record of formulation of relevant policies, strategies and frameworks to support sustainable blue economy resources development in Africa
5. Evidence of facilitating workshops at regional and continental levels on related Africa blue economy themes

Specific experience

1. Evidence of formulation of blue economy strategies or related strategies for regional institutions (inter-governmental) in Africa
2. Record of formulation of implementation plans and monitoring frameworks for structured rolling out of blue economy strategies and/or related strategies at regional and an continental levels in Africa and/or other tropical regions
3. Evidence of designing mechanisms for coordination blue governance to promote sustainable and inclusive blue economy growth in Africa
4. Familiarization of other relevant AU and global instruments or initiatives that support blue economy development in Africa
5. Evidence of familiarization with regional priorities and issues in blue economy development

Other essential attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields or disciplines in blue economy
2. Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
3. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

Evaluation criteria and scores

Criteria Scores

Qualifications 20

General experience 20

Specific experience 35

Methodology and approach 10

Other skills (writing skills, computing skills, publications) 10

Proficiency in AU Languages 5

Time frame for conducting the assignment

The duration of this assignment is 45 days but conducted within 60 days.

Selection Criteria

The consultancy will be awarded on the basis of evaluation of CV, and of the following proposal submitted by the consultant to AU-IBAR:

• A Technical Proposal on how the applicants will accomplish the assignment: detailed description of approach and proposed methodology, qualifications and experience
• Financial remuneration : The maximum consultancy fee is USD 13500 per REC selected. No other payments will be made in respect of this assignment

Payment schedule for each individual consultant:

1. 20 % payment for first approved draft of the regional blue economy strategy, Implementation plans and framework for coordination mechanism
2. 30 % payment of the second approved draft regional blue economy strategy, Implementation plans and framework for coordination mechanism
3. 50 % payment for final approved regional blue economy strategy, Implementation plans and framework for coordination mechanism

Not more than one REC can be awarded to an individual consultant.

Supervision and approval of report

Under the supervision of the AU-IBAR Fisheries Management Expert with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Equipment

The consultant will use own laptops and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.

Insurance cover

The consultant will be responsible for own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.