Senior Fisheries Officer at African Union (AU)

The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as an event of great magnitude in the institutional evolution of the continent. On 9.9.1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity issued a Declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view, inter alia, to accelerating the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation. The main objectives of the OAU were, inter alia, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations. Indeed, as a continental organization the OAU provided an effective forum that enabled all Member States to adopt coordinated positions on matters of common concern to the continent in international fora and defend the interests of Africa effectively.

Organization Information

Reports to: Senior Animal Production Officer
Directorate/Department : ARBE
Division: AU-IBAR
Number of Direct Reports: 3
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose of Job

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission, 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. Within the framework of the African Union 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy environed an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The first continent-wide intervention in the African fisheries and aquaculture was framed to address the following challenges: poor coordination among actors, lack of coherence in governance instruments and approaches, increasing incidences of IUU fishing due to weak capacity in the AU member states, weak evidence to foster reform, generally weak capacity and poor infrastructure, and lack of inclusive governance.

Towards the implementation of the Policy framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) implemented the EU funded Project ‘Strengthening institutional capacity to enhance governance of the fisheries sector in Africa, commonly called Fisheries Governance Project (FishGov 1) between 2014 and 2018. The FishGov 1 facilitated development of synergies and coherence in fisheries management and aquaculture practices by aligning national and regional polices with PFRS; enhanced the profile of the sector as well as fostered coordination in the governance of the sector, among other achievements.

As a follow up of First phase of Fisheries Governance project (FISHGOV1), the second phase, also with EU support, “Enhancing sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development in Africa: A programme for accelerated reform of the sector (FISHGOV2)’ is aimed at enhancing the contribution of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to the achievement of the AU Agenda 2063’s objectives, notably in terms of food security, livelihoods and wealth creation.

The specific objectives are as follows: i. African Union decisions on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies are evidence based; ii. Fisheries and aquaculture policies in Africa are coherent with the PFRS and other AU priorities and coordinated at continental, regional and national levels and iii. Africa is adequately represented and effectively participates in international fisheries and aquaculture fora, and ably domesticates relevant global instruments. For the implementation of this second phase, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Senior Fisheries Officer as Project Team Leader to coordinate the implementation of the activities of the project.

Main Functions

• Coordinate the technical implementation and management of the project.
• Strengthen and promote coordination and cooperation in the governance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector among RECs, RFOs, RSCs etc.
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination purposes.
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans

Specific Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Animal Production Officer and the overall oversight of the Director of AU-IBAR. He/she shall perform the following tasks:

• Strengthen and promote functional role of African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM) in African fisheries and aquaculture development
• Strengthen capacities of AU member states and RECs to develop realistic national and regional policies and legislations aligned with the PFRS, African Blue Economy Strategy and relevant global instruments
• Develop effective mechanisms for a solid reporting system to STC on the implementation of the PFRS (Design integrated to the CAADP process) and as well AU Ministerial Decisions relating to fisheries and aquaculture
• Support to development of relevant documentations to STC meetings and evidence-based decision making by relevant STC
• Ensure the project activities support the implementation of AU flagship continental development priorities (e.g. AU agenda 2063, Malabo goals, 2030 AIMS, Lome Charter)
• Identification and preparation of issues, relevant fora for African Voice and effective participation in global frameworks and initiatives relating to ocean governance, fisheries and aquaculture
• Develop mechanisms for enhancing strategic partnerships in Africa fisheries and aquaculture, especially support to EU-Africa dialogue
• Perform all other duties as requested by the Director of AU-IBAR

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience

The incumbent should have:

• Post-graduate University degree (Master’s degree) in Fisheries Sciences, Ocean or Aquatic Sciences. A PhD qualification in relevant disciplines would be an added advantage.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in public sector, relevant knowledge-based institutions relating to fisheries and aquaculture development or related fields, of which at least three (3) years should be at supervisory level.

OR

• Bachelor university degree in Fisheries Sciences, Ocean or aquatic sciences.
• Qualification(s) in related Aquatic Sciences would be an added advantage
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in public sector, relevant knowledge-based institutions relating to fisheries and aquaculture development or related fields of which at least three (3) years should be at supervisory level.

The incumbent should also have:

• Record of experience and knowledge on African Union policy processes and relevant sector AU instruments and implementation frameworks;
• Knowledge of functions of regional institutions with mandates in fisheries and aquaculture and proven evidence of experience in promoting coordination mechanisms and regional cooperation in Africa fisheries and aquaculture;
• Experience in capacity development in policy formulation to promote coherence in the governance of Africa fisheries and aquaculture sector;
• Proven record of capacity building and publications on field related to biodiversity, climate change and ocean studies, fish population analyses, mariculture;
• Record of implementing and/or managing time bound projects, especially donor funded projects related to fisheries research, development and management or related disciplines with particular reference to EU funded projects;
• Sound knowledge of relevant regional and international fisheries instruments relevant to Africa fisheries and aquaculture and supporting Africa’s effective role in these regional and international regimes;
• Extensive knowledge on issues of Africa large marine ecosystems, freshwater and aquaculture and knowledge on ongoing African Union initiatives and interventions in the sector.

Required Skills

1. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations;
2. Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
3. Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own work and follow-up on implementation;
4. Sector related project development, management and implementation skills at national, regional and continental levels;
5. Very strong writing, analytical and communication skills are necessary;
6. Demonstrated ability to provide strong leadership and foster team environment is required.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic Insight…

Developing others…

Change Management…

Managing Risk…

Core Competencies

Building Relationship…

Foster Accountability Culture…

Learning Orientation…

Communicating with Influence…

Functional Competencies

Conceptual thinking…

Job Knowledge and information sharing…

Drive for result…

Continuous improvement orientation…

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment shall be for an initial period of one (1) year, the first three (3) months of which shall be on probation. It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 89,989.42 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 75,028.50 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Applications must be made not later than 30 July 2021

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