Support the Republic of Kingdom of Lesotho to Review & Align Relevant National Instruments to Continental and Global Instruments Related to Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation and Environmental Management

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU–IBAR), is a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU–IBAR 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 African Union Member States (AU–MS).

The Vision of the AU–IBAR in the 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, aquaculture and other Blue Economy Sector is guided by the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) and the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES), both of which aim at socio-economic transformation of Africa, underpinned by increased sustainable contribution to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063.

The African Continent is adjacent to highly productive marine ecosystems including the seven African Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) viz., Agulhas Current LME, Benguela Current LME, Guinea Current LME, Canary current LME, Mediterranean Sea LME, Red Sea LME and Somali Current LME. The Continent is also endowed with networks of freshwater Rivers and Lakes. The Seas, Oceans, Lakes and Rivers inhabit a significant number of biodiversity, and the ecosystems provide sources of livelihoods, food security and wealth. The African aquatic ecosystems inhabit living and non-living resources. However, the unsustainable exploitation of these resources is threatening the biodiversity, natural resources and environmental sustainability.

Several factors are threatening aquatic biodiversity in Africa’s aquatic ecosystems. These include; over–exploitation of living species, pollution from several sources (land–based municipal and agricultural activities), uncontrolled introduction of exotic species in aquaculture systems, effluents from mining activities. Other threats to aquatic biodiversity include poorly and or unplanned urban development and resource–based industries, such as mining, coastal tourism activities, coastal infrastructure development that destroy or reduce natural habitats. In addition, air and water pollution, sedimentation and erosion, and climate change also pose threats to aquatic biodiversity.

The highest political organ of the African Union endorsed the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) aimed at addressing some of these challenges and for the AU–Member States to sustainably harness the resources of aquatic ecosystems. The ABES envisioned an inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting Blue Economy development of the Continent, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem biodiversity conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability and ecotourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.

The objective of the ABES is to guide the development of an inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy that becomes a significant contributor to Continental transformation and growth, through advancing knowledge on marine and aquatic biotechnology, environmental sustainability, marine ecosystem utilization, conservation and carbon sequestration, the growth of an Africa–wide shipping industry, the development of Sea, River and Lake transport, the management of fishing activities on these water bodies, and the exploitation and beneficiation of deep Sea mineral and other marine resources.

The ABES is consolidated based on the following five thematic technical areas:

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, marine ecosystem, environment, infrastructure;
4. Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries; and,
5. Policies, Institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing.

Accordingly, AU–IBAR with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a 3–year project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’’ whose overall objective is to enhance the Policy environment, Regulatory Frameworks and Institutional capacities of AU–Member States and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably utilize and conserve aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• a) To provide support to AU–MS to ratify and/or align relevant International/Regional Instruments related to Blue Economy themes (with specific reference to protecting and conserving biodiversity);
• b) Optimizing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity while minimizing conflicts among Blue Economy sub–themes;
• c) Strengthening measures for mitigating the negative impacts of coastal and marine tourism, oil, gas, deep Sea mining and climate change on aquatic biodiversity and environment; and,
• d) Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.

In line with the provisions of the project, AU–IBAR commissioned a consultancy to assess relevant Continental and Global biodiversity and environmental Instruments and develop priority actions for their enhanced ratification and implementation. The studies have been completed and report validated. The next stage in the process under the Biodiversity Project is to support selected AU–MS to review National Policies, Regulatory Frameworks and align the National Instruments with relevant Continental and Global biodiversity conservation and environmental management Instruments.

The Kingdom of Lesotho was selected to be supported in the Eastern Africa due to the necessity to conserve the vast nature of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity therein and also, the planned Oil and gas exploration as well as other development activities including developments in agriculture in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to engage a National Consultant to undertake a review of the National Policies, Regulatory Frameworks of the Kingdom of Lesotho for coherence with relevant Continental and Global biodiversity and environmental management Instruments.

Specific tasks for this consultancy will include but not limited to:

• Liaise with relevant personnel at AU-IBAR for detailed briefings on the tasks;
• Conduct extensive reading to digest the consultancy report;
• Identify, source and review relevant National Regulatory, Policy related documents in National Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDA) responsible for environmental management and aquatic biodiversity conservation;
• Identify gaps in the National Instruments based on the provisions of the prioritized Global Instruments on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environment management;
• Develop guidelines or mechanisms for filling the identified gaps for domestication of prioritized Global Instruments on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environmental management into identified National Instruments relating to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environment management;
• Facilitate National level workshop to validate the reviewed relevant National Instruments and the guidelines to facilitate domestication of relevant Global Instruments; and,
• Develop a comprehensive report on the consultancy and the workshop report.

Expected Outputs

• i. Relevant MDAs with mandate in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management identified and consulted;
• ii. Relevant National Instruments relating to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management identified;
• iii. Relevant National Instruments reviewed and gaps identified in line with the provisions of identified prioritized Global Instruments identified in the consultancy report;
• iv. Based on identified gaps, priority actions and guidelines developed for filling the gaps for domestication of Global Instruments on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and environment management into National Instruments with identified priority;
• v. National workshop conducted and supported; and,
• vi. A Comprehensive technical report on the consultancy and the workshop report.

Evaluation Criteria

The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.

Criteria Scores (%)

Qualifications 25

General Experience 15

Specific Experience 45

Other Skills 10

Proficiency in Language 5

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Qualifications

The incumbent should have a minimum of a Master’s degree in environmental studies, aquatic/marine sciences, social sciences with extensive experience, professional qualifications in environmental management issues and aquatic ecosystems conservation studies.

General Experience

• i. A working experience of at least 5 years and familiarization with National public, private institutions or Agencies in Africa in charge of Blue Economy Sectors including Fisheries and aquaculture, environment and the other Blue Economy Sectors;
• ii. Evidence of capacity building, preferably at tertiary level, in disciplines related such as aquatic environmental sciences;
• iii. Familiarization with management issues in marine and freshwater ecosystems in Africa, including sources of environmental degradation and their impacts on aquatic biodiversity, environment and riparian communities;

Specific Experience

• i. Knowledge of existing Continental and Global initiatives or Instruments promoting environmental best practices for sustainable aquatic ecosystems, climate change mitigation and adaptation (e.g. UNFCC) as well as Regional or International experience sin related disciplines;
• ii. Knowledge of functions of Regional Economic Communities, Centres of Excellence and specialized Regional institutions; and,
• iii. Proven experience of conducting related assessments for enhanced natural resources governance, including Blue Economy Sector Development.

Skills and Competences

• i. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
• ii. Very strong writing and analytical skills;
• iii. Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster teamwork; and,
• iv. Proficiency in at least two official AU languages.

Duration of the Consultancy

The effective duration of the consultancy will be for 10 days.

Remuneration and terms of payment

The total profession fee is 300 USD per day for 10-days for a total of 3,000 USD (Three thousand US dollars only). Payment will be made after submission of approved satisfactory reports.

Supervision and Coordination

The Project Coordinator at AU–IBAR will supervise and coordinate the National consultant.

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted to the address given above by 17:00hrs, 11th November, 2024, Nairobi Local Time.