Terms of Reference – Formulation of Implementation Plan for Africa Blue Economy Strategy 100 views

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) 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 led 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://www.au-ibar.org/strategy-documents

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, AU-IBAR seeks to develop an implementation plan for the Africa Blue Economy Strategy that will be used as a basis for its implementation by AU Member States’ and Regional Economic Communities.

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to recruit a consultant or a team of consultants, with diverse expertise in issues that are critical to Africa blue economy development, to develop an implementation plan for the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. It is intended that the implementation plan will provide Africa with the opportunity to effectively develop and sustainably utilize its Blue Economy for her economic development.

In this regard, the broad objectives of this assignment are as follows:

• To develop a five year implementation plan based on the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. The implementation plan that would integrally capture the relevant Africa blue economy components will include activities, implementation timelines, intended outputs, performance indicators and actors. The plan will also recommend coordination mechanisms/modalities and architectures at continental, regional and national levels
• To prepare a results framework which will be used to track and report on progress on the implementation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy

Methodology of Conducting the Assignment

During the implementation plan development process, the Consultant(s) is expected to:

• Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy document and any other relevant documents
• Interview and hold discussion with the Director and relevant staff of AU-IBAR
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AUDA-NEPAD, AUC and RECs
• Participate in the continental workshop on Blue Economy attended by RECs and selected Member States with a view of gathering more information and stakeholders’ views before the implementation plan is finalized

The assignment will be executed primarily from home with electronic interaction with stakeholders. The consultant (s) will also be expected to participate, physically or virtually, in the planned consultative workshop on blue economy.

Deliverables/Outputs

The consultancy will be expected to submit to the Director, AU-IBAR:

• 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(s). The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment
• A first draft Implementation plan for the Africa Blue Economy that will be circulated electronically for inputs of AUDA-NEPAD, AU Commission departments driving implementation of Africa Blue Economy Sectors and the Regional Economic Communities
• A second draft implementation Plan that will incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the AU and RECs. The second draft will be validated at a continental workshop that will hold in early September 2020 to enhance understanding of the Blue Economy Concept and popularize the Africa Blue Economy Strategy among regional institutions
• A final implementation plan that will incorporate comments and suggestions made by the Continental Consultative Workshop.

Qualification

The consultant(s) selected for the assignment will possess an advanced degree in the relevant blue economy fields. A PhD degree in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage.

General Experience

The successfully team is expected to have the following experiences:

1. At least 5 years combined experience in African blue economy sector
2. Record of engagement and familiarization with relevant blue economy institutions in AU member states
3. Good record of working with regional institutions and specialized regional institutions dedicated to Africa blue economy sector
4. Record of formulation of policies, strategies and frameworks for AU member states and regional institutions in Africa
5. Familiarization of relevant AU and Global instruments related to blue governance

Specific Experience

1. Evidence of in-depth knowledge and familiarization of Africa blue economy sector
2. Evidence of formulation of blue economy strategy at national, regional and continental levels
3. Record of formulation of implementation and monitoring frameworks for structured rolling out of similar strategies, frameworks in Africa and/or other tropical regions
4. Experience of overseeing establishment and management of blue economy governance framework or entity
5. Record of evidence of interaction of stakeholders from blue economy sector in the continent

Other Essential Attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields of blue economy
2. Good experience of facilitating workshops in related fields
3. Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
4. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

The team will include experienced experts in blue economy thematic areas and strategic planning, who would have carried out similar assignments in Africa. Priority will be given to consultant(s) with experience in developing Blue Economy Strategy and implementation plan documents in Africa.

Time Frame for Conducting the Assignment

3 months, cumulatively.

Selection Criteria

The consultancy will be awarded on the basis of evaluation of CV (s), and of the following proposals submitted by the consultant or organization to AU-IBAR:

• A Technical proposal on how the applicant will do the assignment: detailed description of the proposed methodology.
• A financial proposal Consultancy fee for the assignment. Cost of travels should not be included in the proposal as this will be catered for directly by AU-IBAR, if any.

Supervision and Approval of Report

Under the supervision of the AU-IBAR Senior Fisheries Officer, the Consultant(s) shall work in close consultation with the AU-IBAR Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation team to develop a suitable methodology for conducting this exercise.

Equipment

The consultant will use his/her own laptop and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.

Insurance Cover

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