Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Management Expert 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: Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Management Expert

Requisition ID: 641
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
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
Job 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 polices 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 First phase of 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 Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Management Expert 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 development of guidelines, policies and manuals that can guide the programme, and decision making by higher management 
• Strengthen capacity for advocacy development  for  evidence-based, rational fisheries management and aquaculture development 
• Strengthen capacity for data collection and utilization for rational fisheries management and responsible aquaculture development
• Facilitate rationalization for effective operationalization of fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders’ based platforms, networks and centres of excellence
• Support mechanism for effective stakeholders consultations and modalities to engage and document stakeholder contributions at national and RECs' levels
• Promote uptake and implementation of knowledge, innovations and best practices to inform policy change at national and regional levels 

Specific Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader (Senior Fisheries Officer) at AU-IBAR, and the overall oversight of the Senior Animal Production Officer, the incumbent will provide general technical support to the Project. He/ she shall perform the following tasks:
• Provide support to initiatives for promoting  institutional collaboration and coherence in the governance of fisheries and aquaculture sector for increased contribution to food security, livelihoods and wealth 
• Develop and implement mechanisms to support AU member states, regional fisheries and aquaculture organizations (RFBs, RSC) and RECs for effective and sustainable transboundary management of shared aquatic ecosystems and ABNJ
• Support to strengthen mechanisms for enhanced coordination so that Africa can speak in one voice in fisheries and aquaculture fora;
• Support AU member states and RECs for increased implementation of regional and global instruments and initiatives related to sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture development (noting in particular initiative/instruments relating to implementation of SDGs, VG-SSF etc, CCRF, PSMA, combating IUU fishing, biodiversity and environmental governance)
• Support to enhancing implementation of continental initiatives (e.g. Africa Blue Economy Strategy, PFRS)
• Perform all other duties as requested by the supervisors

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
The incumbent should have:

• Post-graduate University Degree (Master’s degree) in Fisheries Sciences, Aquaculture or related aquatic sciences. PhD qualification in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in aquaculture in the African fisheries sector and of which at least three (3) years should at supervisory level;

Or:

• Bachelor University Degree in Fisheries Sciences, Aquaculture or related aquatic sciences;
• 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 out of which at least three (3) years should at supervisory level. 

The incumbent should also have:

• Proven working experience in the African fisheries sector 
• Proven experience in promoting regional cooperation  and coherence in the sector and  knowledge on the activities and roles of  RECs and RFOs in fisheries and aquaculture sector
• Record of  capacity building for management of shared and transboundary fisheries and aquaculture resources
• Proven Knowledge  of regional and global instruments and initiatives relevant to African fisheries management and aquaculture  development
• Record of formulating  and publication of knowledge  products in  fisheries management approaches and aquaculture development practices
• Proven knowledge on co-management practices and working experience with fishing and fish farming communities and other non-state actors in African fisheries and aquaculture sector
• Sound knowledge on issues of high seas fisheries and  governance of large marine ecosystems

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

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 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$   89,989.42   (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 75,028.50 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
19th July, 2021.