Individual Consultancy Service: Aquatic Biodiversity Specialist at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

Job Description 

Under the direct supervision of the Project Team leader at AU-IBAR the incumbent will undertake the following targeted areas of work so as to achieve the objectives of the Project ‘Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’:

• Provide technical support relating to the implementation of the project
• Contribute to development of mechanisms, frameworks, guidelines, strategies on conservation of aquatic biodiversity
• Strengthen capacity for sustainable exploitation, utilization and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy sector
• Promote mechanisms for restoration of degraded aquatic habitats and depleted aquatic biodiversity
• Promote mechanisms for sustainable regional cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance systems for exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy
• Strengthen national and regional capacities for establishment of marine spatial planning and in transboundary context
• Strengthen institutional capacity at national and regional levels for establishment and governance of marine protected areas and in monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) as tools for conserving aquatic biodiversity
• Enhance mitigation measures and climate action to minimize climate impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
• Identification of biodiversity hotspots and support to formulation of regional aquatic biodiversity conservation strategies
• Support capacity development of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation
• Identification and development of new initiatives or projects for sustainable blue economy development
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader

Academic Requirements

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

General Experience

• At least 5 years combined working experience at senior, advisory positions or capacity building with regards to African blue economy sectors particularly in the areas of aquatic biodiversity conservation in Africa
• Evidence of familiarization of functions of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions with mandates in blue economy related disciplines
• Record of working in multidisciplinary project related to natural aquatic resources management and environment
• Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops on blue resources development at African Union level