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

Position Overview

Under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader at AU-IBAR, the incumbent will undertake targeted work to achieve the objectives of the project "Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy."

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of mechanisms, frameworks, guidelines, and strategies for aquatic biodiversity conservation
• Strengthen capacity for sustainable exploitation, utilization, and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in African blue economy sectors
• Support 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 sustainable exploitation, utilization, and protection of aquatic biodiversity in the African blue economy
• Support enhancement of mitigation measures and climate action to minimize climate impacts on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
• Support capacity development initiatives on controlling and mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution in Africa
• Build capacity of AU member states and regional institutions on implementation of continental instruments related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems conservation
• Identify and develop new initiatives or projects for sustainable blue economy development
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Project Team Leader

Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Minimum Master of Science degree in one of the following disciplines:

• Aquatic biodiversity and conservation
• Aquatic ecology
• Environmental sciences

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of combined experience working in national institutions in African blue economy sectors, with particular focus on aquatic biodiversity conservation in Africa