Individual Consultancy – Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist

The role of the Individual Consultancy – Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist is crucial for achieving the objectives of the Project ‘Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’ under the African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader.

Key Areas of Work and Responsibilities:

The consultant will undertake the following targeted areas of work so as to achieve the objectives of the Project:

1. Contribute to development of mechanisms, frameworks, guidelines, and strategies on conservation of aquatic biodiversity.
2. Strengthen capacity for sustainable exploitation, utilization and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy sectors.
3. Support capacity on and implementation of tools and measures, including marine protected areas, for effective restoration of degraded aquatic habitats and depleted aquatic biodiversity.
4. Promote mechanisms and strengthen capacity for regional cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance systems (MCS) for the sustainable exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy.
5. Support to enhance mitigation measures and climate action to minimize climate impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.
6. Support to enhancing awareness on control and mitigation of the impacts of plastic pollution in Africa.
7. Support capacity development of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation.
8. Identification and development of new initiatives or projects for sustainable blue economy development.
9. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader.

Academic Requirements

The incumbent should have a minimum of a Masters of Science degree in disciplines related to aquatic biodiversity and conservation, aquatic ecology, or in environmental sciences.

General Experience

The consultant must demonstrate the following general experience:

1. At least 5 years combined working in national institutions with regards to African blue economy sectors, particularly in the areas of aquatic biodiversity conservation in Africa.
2. Evidence of familiarization of functions of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions with mandates in blue economy related disciplines.
3. Record of working in multidisciplinary project related to aquatic resources management and the environment.
4. Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems management in the continent.
5. Evidence of developing strategies for mitigating climate change and plastic pollution in Africa’s aquatic ecosystems.

Specific Experience

The consultant must demonstrate the following specific experience:

1. Record of familiarization of challenges, opportunities and status of national and regional capabilities for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.
2. Evidence of experience in capacity building and institutional strengthening for effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems for combating IUU fishing, aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.
3. Evidence of supporting AU member states to strengthen regulatory frameworks for control and mitigating the impact of negative externalities (including coastal tourism, mining, oil and gas) against aquatic biodiversity and environment.
4. Evidence of in-depth understanding and promoting implementation of essential tools for sustainable conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems at national levels and in transboundary context.
5. Record of experience in formulation of governance frameworks, guidelines, knowledge products and strategies related to aquatic biodiversity and environmental conservation.
6. Evidence of working experience in similar or related position for at least 3 years.