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

We are looking for a qualified candidate to fill this position. Job Description Summary 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’:

• 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 sectors

• Support capacity on and implementation of tools and measures, including marine protected areas, for effective restoration of degraded aquatic habitats and depleted aquatic biodiversity

• Promote mechanisms and strengthen capacity for regional cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance systems (MCS) for the sustainable exploitation, utilization and protection of aquatic biodiversity in Africa blue economy

• Support to enhance mitigation measures and climate action to minimize climate impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems

• Support to enhancing awareness on control and mitigation of the impacts of plastic pollution in Africa

• 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, or in environmental sciences General Experience

• At least 5 years combined working in national institutions 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 aquatic resources management and environment

• Experience in planning, implementing and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops on conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems management in the continent

• Evidence of developing strategies for mitigating climate change and plastic pollution in Africa’s aquatic ecosystems

Specific Experience

• Record of familiarization of challenges, opportunities and status of national and regional capabilities for effective protection of aquatic biodiversity and ...