Project Coordinator - Sustainable Blue Economy Expert

Role Overview

The Project Coordinator - Sustainable Blue Economy Expert is a senior advisory role responsible for the technical supervision and overall coordination of project implementation within the African Union framework. This expert will drive capacity strengthening, ecosystem conservation, and regional partnership building focused on Africa's blue space.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The main tasks of the Project Coordinator will be:

1. Technical supervision and coordination of the overall implementation of the project.
2. Development of mechanisms to promote project implementation, including technical guidance and supervision of project staff, preparation of annual and quarterly workplans, budget and follow-up implementation of project related study reports and recommendations.
3. Organizing and operationalization of project management structure including the project technical committee, project steering committee and internal meetings.
4. Strengthen institutional capacity for adoption and implementation of appropriate tools for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity, fish resources and ecosystems.
5. Support implementation of mechanisms towards community-led actions for climate change mitigation for restoration of critical ecosystems such as wetlands, flood plans, coral reefs for conservation of aquatic biodiversity.
6. Promote adoption of inclusive value chain approach to strengthen conservation of aquatic biodiversity at regional levels in Africa.
7. Promote the operationalization of AU Centers of Excellence in Aquatic biodiversity and Ecosystems.
8. Facilitate coalition building and partnerships in the continent’s blue space.
9. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

1. Project coordination and technical implementation of activities facilitated.
2. Institutional capacity strengthened for implementation of appropriate tools for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity, fish resources and ecosystems.
3. Mechanism for community-led action for climate change migration and ecosystems restoration promoted.
4. Inclusive regional value chain for aquatic biodiversity strengthened.
5. The AU Centres of Excellence in aquatic biodiversity in ecosystems operationalized.
6. Coalition building and partnerships promoted in the governance of blue space.
7. Miscellaneous duties performed.

Qualifications

Education:

The incumbent should have an Advanced University Degree (MBA/MSc/MA) in Fisheries Biology and Management, Fisheries Science including research specialization in Fish Population Ecology and Analyses. A PhD degree in either of the above will be an added advantage.

General Experience

1. At least 15 years progressive combined working experience at senior and advisory positions in African fisheries and aquaculture sector at national, regional and continental levels.
2. At least 15 years’ combined working experience in managing and coordinating donor funded projects on fisheries development and management with particular reference to EU, FAO/UN, UNIDO, GEF-World Bank, SIDA, Norway and GTZ Projects.
3. Demonstrated record of formulation or coordinating formulation of national, regional and continental policies or strategies for the sustainable exploitation and management of fish resources, aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, in Africa.
4. Proven record of conducting or facilitating capacity development of African stakeholders on aquatic ecosystems modelling, productivity patterns and scientific data for informed decision making in African fisheries, aquaculture and blue economy sector.
5. Proven record of formulation of national and continental projects and programmes on fisheries and aquaculture and related disciplines in Africa.
6. Experience in fostering partnerships in implementing on aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management.

Specific Experience

1. Proven record of coordinating formulation of the continental framework on blue economy and associated documents.
2. Minimum of 5 years combined experience in coordinating the implementation of continental strategy for Blue Economy and related projects on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and integrated ecosystems management.
3. Proven record of coordinating and facilitating development of harmonized frameworks for management of transboundary marine and freshwater ecosystems in Africa.
4. Evidence of coordinating development of tools to promote best practices and strengthen regulatory frameworks to minimize impact of external factors or threats to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
5. Proof of record of facilitating establishment and strengthening mechanisms for protection and restoration aquatic biodiversity, ecosystems and conflict restoration.
6. Record of experience of coordinating selection of institutions as African Union Centres of Excellence and their operationalization for research and training on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, management fisheries and aquaculture.
7. Record of supporting and facilitating evidence-based decision making by African Union Policy Organ in the adoption of documents related to fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic biodiversity conservation.