Senior Policy Officer - Fisheries and Aquaculture at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).  We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Policy Officer - Fisheries and Aquaculture

Requisition ID:  643
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: Senior Fisheries Officer
Directorate: DARBE
Division: AU-IBAR
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Grade: P3

Purpose of Job

• 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, 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. Within the framework of the African Union 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.
• The first continent-wide intervention in the African fisheries and aquaculture was framed to address the following challenges:  poor coordination among actors, lack of coherence in governance instruments and approaches, increasing incidences of IUU fishing due to weak capacity in the AU member states, weak evidence to foster reform, generally weak capacity and poor infrastructure, and lack of inclusive governance. 
• Towards the implementation of the Policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) implemented the EU funded Project ‘Strengthening institutional capacity to enhance governance of the fisheries sector in Africa, commonly called Fisheries Governance Project (FishGov 1)’ between 2014 to 2018. The FishGOV 1 facilitated development of synergies and coherence in fisheries management and aquaculture practices by aligning national and regional policies with PFRS; enhanced the profile of the sector as well as fostered coordination in the governance of the sector, among other achievements.
• As a follow up of the First phase of the Fisheries Governance project (FISHGOV1), the second phase, also with EU support, “Enhancing sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development in Africa: A programme for accelerated reform of the sector (FISHGOV2)’ is aimed at enhancing the contribution of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to the achievement of the AU Agenda 2063’s objectives, notably in terms of food security, livelihoods and wealth creation. 
• The specific objectives are as follows: i. African Union decisions on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies are evidence-based; ii. Fisheries and aquaculture policies in Africa are coherent with the PFRS and other AU priorities and coordinated at continental, regional, and national levels and iii. Africa is adequately represented and effectively participates in international fisheries and aquaculture fora and ably domesticates relevant global instruments. For the implementation of this second phase, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Senior Policy Officer - Fisheries and Aquaculture to support the implementation of the activities of the project.

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of the programme 
• Contribute to the development of guidelines, policies and manuals that can guide the programme, and decision making by higher management 
• Contribute to the elaboration of documents for the meetings of relevant STC and its Bureau
• Support the organization of biennial African ministerial dialogue on fisheries and aquaculture
• Facilitate the generation of synergies among ongoing and planned initiatives relating to fisheries and aquaculture between various departments of the African Union Commission 
• Facilitate adequate mainstreaming of project outcomes into the AU fora and policy processes
• Support the harmonization and coordinated, synergistic implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy with other related AU and partners’  instruments 

Specific Responsibilities
Working under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader (Senior Fisheries Officer) at AU-IBAR and the overall oversight of the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development. He/she shall perform the following tasks:

• Strengthen  the integration of  fisheries and aquaculture in the biennial CAADP report on Malabo Goals and Targets
• Support identification and preparation of issues for Africa Voice in global processes and frameworks (e.g. Ocean governance, climate change, Trade) 
• Support mechanisms for enhancing strategic partnerships in Africa fisheries and aquaculture, especially support to EU-Africa dialogue
• Perform all other duties as requested by the Director of AU-IBAR

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
The incumbent should have a:

• Post-graduate University degree (Master’s degree) in fisheries sciences, fisheries socio-economics, related equivalent disciplines in policy and planning. A PhD degree in relevant fields will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in the fisheries and aquaculture development in Africa of which at least three (3) years should at the supervisory level;

OR:

• Bachelor university degree in fisheries sciences, fisheries socio-economics, related equivalent disciplines in policy and planning.
• Qualification(s) in related Aquatic Sciences would be an added advantage.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in aquaculture in African Fisheries of which at least three (3) years should be at supervisory level.

The incumbent should also have:

• Sound experience of institutions set up at national and regional levels for fisheries and aquaculture management and development;
• Extensive experience in formulation of policies, strategies relating to fisheries and aquaculture at national, regional or continental levels;
• Familiarization with African Union policy processes, institutions  and initiatives relevant to fisheries and aquaculture;
• Sound knowledge of CAADP process;
• Familiarization with AU instruments supporting ocean governance, fisheries and aquaculture sector;
• Sound knowledge of global instruments and processes relevant to fisheries and aquaculture;
• Record of working experience externally funded relevant development projects and/or knowledge of partners’ interventions in fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials and development partners
• Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work;
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight.
• Developing others.
• Change Management.
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship.
• Foster Accountability Culture.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking.
• Job Knowledge and information sharing.
• Drive for the result.
• Continuous improvement orientation.

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  78,461.08  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
19th July, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.