Objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to conduct a continental review of existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), document lessons, best practices and formulate guidelines, mechanisms and priority actions for strengthening their sustainable implementation and governance for conservation of aquatic biodiversity resources within the African Union member states and at regional levels in the West, Central and Northern Regions of Africa

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Scope

• Review the institutional and governance arrangement or framework of all stakeholders involved in the management of existing Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the West, Central and Northern Regions of Africa.
• Formulate harmonized guidelines/approaches for sustainable implementation and governance of MPAs for conservation of aquatic biodiversity resources in AU MS and regional levels in the West, Central and Northern Regions of Africa.
• Document lessons learnt and best practices, then make recommendations on further activities/best practices that need to be undertaken and mechanisms for implementation of same.
• Develop mechanisms and priority actions for support to strengthening identified MPAs

Detailed Tasks

• Liaise with the relevant persons at AU-IBAR for adequate briefing and clarification of tasks;
• Prepare inception report within 5 days of signature to the contract outlining the methodology and approach for undertaking the assignment, detailed work plan, timelines with deliverables and comments on the Terms of Reference if any (in brief);
• Review all the existing MPAs in AU-MS and at regional levels in the West, Central and Northern Regions of Africa and classify them according to IUCN categories for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs);
• Review and documents the mechanisms or approaches involved in their establishments, challenges, lessons and best practices
• Review the institutional framework and governance arrangement for the management of the identified MPAs within AU member states and regional levels;
• Document lessons learnt and best practices in the governance of MPAs within AU-MS and transboundary MPAs; in the West, Central and Northern Regions of Africa.
• Identify MPAs with endemic biodiversity (give their brief descriptions) hotspots
• Document the range of goods and services within the existing select MPAs in AU-MS and regional levels
• Identify gaps or weaknesses (SWOT analysis) including institutional capacity for the management of MPAs that need to be addressed;
• Formulate MPA guidelines for sustainable implementation and governance (harmonized approach) for conservation of aquatic biodiversity resources within the African Union member states;
• Develop guidelines and priority actions for support by the project for strengthening the establishment, implementation and governance of identified MPAs
• Suggest additional activities/best practices that need to be undertaken in the management of MPAs
• Develop comprehensive report at the end of assignment.

Deliverables

• Inception report: A draft version detailing the methodology and approach used to undertake the consultancy within 5 days of signing the contract. The draft report should demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment by the consultant.
• Synthesis of institutional framework and governance management systems, arrangement of identified MPAs within AU member states and at regional levels (for transboundary MPAs);
• Report on review and classification of the existing MPAs in AU-MS and regional levels according to IUCN categories for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• Report on MPAs with endemic biodiversity hotspots with brief descriptions;
• Document Lessons learnt and best practices in the management of identified MPAs within AU-MS and transboundary MPAs;
• Detailed note on a range of goods and services within the existing select MPAs in AU-MS and regional levels
• Gaps or weaknesses (SWOT analysis) including institutional capacity for the management of MPAs that need to be addressed;
• Develop guidelines on mechanisms and priority actions for intervention by the project to support strengthening of implementation and effective governance of identified MPAs for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity in AU member states and at regional levels for transboundary MPAs.
• Note on additional activities/best practices that need to be undertaken in the management of MPAs with the AU-MS and at regional levels for transboundary MPAs.
• Approved comprehensive final report on the consultancy in English detailing all work undertaken with recommendations.

Qualifications

• The successful candidate should have an advanced degree in disciplines related to MPA Planning and Management, Marine ecology and aquatic conservation biology, Marine Environmental Protection, Aquatic Environmental Sciences or Fisheries sciences. A PhD degree will be an added advantage.

Experience

General Experience

• Familiarization with national institutions with mandates in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
• Familiarization with functions of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions with mandates in fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic biodiversity and environmental protection.
• Knowledge of AU and global instruments related to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
• Experience of governance issues in Africa large marine ecosystems and freshwater ecosystems, management systems, transboundary issues, challenges and opportunities.
• Record of experience working with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines in ocean governance and in facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops

Specific Experience

• At least 7 years working experience in research and development related institutions and of conducting research, assessment towards conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
• Demonstrated evidence of performing similar tasks related to this consultancy in the last 5 years.
• Record of experience on implementation and governance issues in Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
• Record of experience in enhancing institutional capacity on governance and implementation of MPAs for conservation of aquatic ecosystems and environments.
• Evidence of formulating policies, strategies for restoration of degraded ecosystems to enhance aquatic biodiversity conservation in Africa.

Other Essential Skills and Experience

• Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, RECs, other regional organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa; Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive
• Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary.
• Proficiency in at least 2 AU languages

Closing: 22 July 2022