Formulation of National and Regional Blue Economy Strategies

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 lead 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://old.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, the AU-IBAR, through support from the Kingdom of Norway, is planning to provide technical assistance to 10 selected African Union Member States (AU MS) and 3 selected Regional Economic Communities (RECs) towards formulation of their National and Regional Blue Economy Strategies, implementation plans and corresponding framework for setting up Blue Governance Mechanisms. In this regard consultants with diverse but relevant qualifications, expertise and experience in blue economy related disciplines, would be required to undertake this technical assistance.

The Technical Assistance to the Development of National Blue Economy Strategies would initially target the following African Union member states

N° AU member States for Technical Assistance
1 Republic of the Sudan
2 Republic of South Sudan
3 Republic of Mali
4 Republic of Burkina Faso
5 Libyan Arab Republic
6 Republic of Niger
7 Central African Republic
8 Federal Republic of Somalia
9 Republic of the Congo
10 Republic of Zimbabwe

The Technical Assistance to the Development of Regional Blue Economy Strategies would initially target the following Regional Economic Communities

N° RECs for Technical Assistance
1 East African Community (EAC)
2 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
3 Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS )

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to recruit suitably qualified consultant(s) or team of consultants with diverse expertise on issues that are critical to Africa blue economy development, to develop national and regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and corresponding frameworks for blue governance coordination mechanisms for 10 selected African Union member states and 3 selected regional institutions.

The specific objectives will be:

• To conduct review of existing instruments, institutions relevant to blue economy in the selected AU member states and RECs
• To develop national and regional blue economy strategies for the selected Africa Union Member States and RECs and the implementation plans
• To develop framework, specific to each selected AU MS and REC, for setting-up a national and regional blue governance coordination mechanisms
• Facilitate stakeholders’ workshops, virtual or physical, for validations of the draft national and regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and the blue governance coordination mechanism in each selected AU member state and REC
• The formulation of the national and regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and the national and regional blue governance coordination mechanisms should be guided by the Africa Blue Economy Strategy and its Implementation Plans, continental framework for blue governance coordination mechanism as well as global best practices,
• To prepare report on the consultancy, including lessons and best practices

Methodology of Conducting the Assignment

During the consultancy, the Consultant(s) or a team of consultants are 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 and other relevant documents (related global initiatives, instruments and best practices)
• Review national and regional priorities and instruments related to blue growth in the selected AU member states and RECs
• Conduct review and interview national and regional institutions with mandates in blue economy sector
• Identify national and regional institutions that paly critical role in blue economy growth
• Consult electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Depts. and RECs
• Participate and support facilitation of national and regional stakeholders’ workshops to validate the draft national and regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and frameworks for national and regional blue governance coordination mechanisms.

Deliverables/Outputs

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

• A draft inception report within ten (10) 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
• First draft (after 60 days) of the national and regional Blue Economy Strategies, implementation plans and framework for Blue Governance Coordination for each of the selected African union member states and RECs that will be circulated electronically for inputs by the AU member states, AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant AUC Departments and Regional Economic Communities
• The second draft (after 90 days) national and regional blue economy strategies, implementation plans and framework for blue governance coordination mechanisms will incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the stakeholders
• The second drafts of the above deliverables will be validated at the national stakeholders’ and regional validation workshops (virtually or physically as appropriate)
• Final draft of the documents that will incorporate comments and suggestions made by the national stakeholder’s validation workshops
• A comprehensive report on the consultancy with lessons and best practices

Qualification

The consultants or team selected for the assignment should possess combination of advanced degrees in blue economy related disciplines: natural (marine) resources economics; maritime studies and law; fisheries and aquaculture (marine and inland); public policy, energy related studies; climate change and environmental related studies. PhD degrees in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage.

General Experience

The successful consultants or teams are expected to have the following experiences:

1. At least 5 years’ experience or familiarization on blue economy sector development
2. Record of engagement, awareness creation and capacity building of stakeholders (member states, NSAs, regional institutions, partners) on Africa blue economy concepts
3. Record of interaction with relevant blue economy institutions in AU member states and RECs
4. Good record of working with relevant national, continental institutions and specialized regional institutions dedicated to Africa blue economy sector
5. Record of formulation of relevant policies, strategies and frameworks in AU member states and RECs to support sustainable blue economy resources governance and development in Africa
6. Evidence of facilitating workshops on blue economy related issues

Specific Experience

1. Evidence of in-depth knowledge and familiarization with Africa blue economy sectors in AU member states and regional levels
2. Evidence of formulation of blue economy strategies or related strategies at national and regional levels
3. Record of formulation of implementation plans and monitoring frameworks for structured rolling out of blue economy strategies and/or related strategies in Africa and/or other tropical regions
4. Evidence of formulation of blue governance coordination frameworks to promote sustainable and inclusive blue economy resources development
5. Knowledge of relevant AU instruments supporting blue growth development in Africa
6. Experience in managing functioning blue economy governance framework or entity

Other Essential Attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields or disciplines in blue economy
2. Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
3. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

Time Frame for Conducting the Assignment

Between 1 to 6 months depending on the number of countries and RECs for the successful candidate(s).

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 applicants will accomplish the assignment: detailed description of the proposed methodology
• A Financial Proposal – Consultancy fee for the assignment.

Supervision and Approval of Report

Under the supervision of the AU-IBAR Fisheries Management Consultant, the Consultant(s) shall work in close consultation with the AU-IBAR Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation team who shall have responsibility for approval of the reports.

Equipment

The consultant(s) will use own laptops and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.

Insurance Cover

The consultant(s) will be responsible for own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.