Individual Consultant for Regional Blue Economy Strategy of ECOWAS at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

The objective of this assignment is to recruit a suitably qualified individual consultant with expertise on issues that are critical to Africa blue economy development for the review and update of the Regional Blue Economy Strategy for ECOWAS aligned to Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES).

The specific objectives will be to:

• Conduct review of existing instruments, institutions relevant to blue economy in the ECOWAS Region;
• Critically review the ECOWAS Blue Economy Strategy, update the strategy and develop a regional blue economy strategy of the ECOWAS that is aligned to the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES);
• Develop regional blue economy strategy implementation plans for the ECOWAS Region;
• To design regional blue governance coordination mechanisms within the Region;
• Facilitate stakeholders’ final validation workshops, virtual or physical, for validation of the draft regional blue economy strategy in ECOWAS (Abuja);
• To prepare report on the consultancy, including lessons and best practices.

Methodology of Conducting the Assignment

During the consultancy, the individual consultant selected for the assignment is expected to:

• Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the Implementation Plan, framework for blue governance coordination mechanism documents;
• Review other relevant related AU and global instruments for best practices in blue economy development;
• Identify regional priorities and instruments related to blue economy development in the ECOWAS;
• Take cognizance that most member states of the ECOWAS are adjacent to the highly productive Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystems (GCLME) as well as the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) in the Atlantic Ocean and the region is also endowed with numerous lakes and network of rivers. These aquatic ecosystems, when utilized appropriately, would generate immense investments and benefits for sustainable blue economy development that would positively impact on food and nutrition security, livelihoods and the overall socio-economic growth for the citizens of that Region;
• Identify and conduct interviews with the regional institutions that play critical roles in blue economy development;
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant DARBE Departments as well as the ECOWAS and incorporate their inputs in the draft;
• Participate and support facilitation of relevant regional stakeholders’ consultative and validation workshop;
• Incorporate comments / input from the stakeholders’ validation workshop and submit a final version of the document to the AU-IBAR;
• The formulation of the regional blue economy strategy should mainly be guided by the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) and its Implementation Plan, Continental Framework for Blue Governance Coordination Mechanism;
• Present the communique on the last day of the meeting;
• Draft a workshop report and submit within three weeks after the meeting.

Deliverables/Outputs

The individual consultant selected for the assignment will be expected to submit to the Director, AU-IBAR the following:

• 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. The report should also include a detailed work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment;
• First draft (after 20 days) of the regional Blue Economy Strategy for ECOWAS that will be circulated electronically for inputs by AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant DARBE Departments and ECOWAS;
• The second draft (after 35 days) of the regional blue economy strategy will incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the above institutions;
• Final draft of the Regional Blue Economy Strategy will be validated at the regional consultative and validation workshops (virtually or physically as appropriate) with comments and suggestions incorporated;
• A comprehensive report on the consultancy with lessons, best practices, challenges and opportunities.

Qualification

• The individual consultant selected for the assignment should possess advanced degree in blue economy related discipline: i.e. natural (marine) resources economics; ocean sciences; including climate change and environmental related studies. PhD degrees in relevant discipline would be an added advantage.

General Experience

The successful individual consultant selected for the assignment is expected to have the following experiences:

• At least 5 years’ experience or familiarization on blue economy sector development;
• Record of awareness creation and capacity building of stakeholders (member states, NSAs,) on Africa blue economy concepts;
• Record of formulation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for implementation of strategies for natural resources governance;
• Record of formulation of relevant policies, strategies and frameworks in AU/ECOWAS member states to support elements of blue economy resources development in Africa;
• Evidence of facilitating workshops on blue economy related issues.