The objective of this assignment is to recruit a suitably qualified individual consultant with expertise on issues that are critical to Africa blue economy development for the review and update of the Regional Blue Economy Strategy for ECOWAS aligned to Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES).
The
specific objectives will be to:
- Conduct review
of existing instruments, institutions relevant to blue economy in the
ECOWAS Region;
- Critically
review the ECOWAS Blue Economy Strategy, update the strategy and develop a
regional blue economy strategy of the ECOWAS that is aligned to the Africa
Blue Economy Strategy (ABES);
- Develop
regional blue economy strategy implementation plans for the ECOWAS Region;
- To design
regional blue governance coordination mechanisms within the Region;
- Facilitate
stakeholders’ final validation workshops, virtual or physical, for
validation of the draft regional blue economy strategy in ECOWAS (Abuja);
- To prepare
report on the consultancy, including lessons and best practices.
Methodology of Conducting the Assignment
During
the consultancy, the individual consultant selected for the assignment is
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;
- Review other
relevant related AU and global instruments for best practices in blue
economy development;
- Identify
regional priorities and instruments related to blue economy development in
the ECOWAS;
- Take cognizance
that most member states of the ECOWAS are adjacent to the highly
productive Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystems (GCLME) as well as the
Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) in the Atlantic Ocean and
the region is also endowed with numerous lakes and network of rivers.
These aquatic ecosystems, when utilized appropriately, would generate
immense investments and benefits for sustainable blue economy development
that would positively impact on food and nutrition security, livelihoods
and the overall socio-economic growth for the citizens of that Region;
- Identify and
conduct interviews with the regional institutions that play critical roles
in blue economy development;
- Consult
electronically and/or virtually with relevant staff at AU-IBAR,
AUDA-NEPAD, relevant DARBE Departments as well as the ECOWAS and
incorporate their inputs in the draft;
- Participate and
support facilitation of relevant regional stakeholders’ consultative and
validation workshop;
- Incorporate
comments / input from the stakeholders’ validation workshop and submit a
final version of the document to the AU-IBAR;
- The formulation
of the regional blue economy strategy should mainly be guided by the
Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) and its Implementation Plan,
Continental Framework for Blue Governance Coordination Mechanism;
- Present the
communique on the last day of the meeting;
- Draft a
workshop report and submit within three weeks after the meeting.
Deliverables/Outputs
The
individual consultant selected for the assignment will be expected to submit to
the Director, AU-IBAR the following:
- A draft
inception report within five (5) calendar days of signing the contract.
The inception report should demonstrate a clear understanding of the
assignment by the consultant. The report should also include a detailed
work plan, timelines and deliverables of the assignment;
- First draft
(after 20 days) of the regional Blue Economy Strategy for ECOWAS that will
be circulated electronically for inputs by AU-IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD, relevant
DARBE Departments and ECOWAS;
- The second
draft (after 35 days) of the regional blue economy strategy will
incorporate all comments and suggestions made by the above institutions;
- Final draft of
the Regional Blue Economy Strategy will be validated at the regional
consultative and validation workshops (virtually or physically as
appropriate) with comments and suggestions incorporated;
- A comprehensive
report on the consultancy with lessons, best practices, challenges and
opportunities.
Qualification
The
individual consultant selected for the assignment should possess advanced
degree in blue economy related discipline: i.e. natural (marine) resources
economics; ocean sciences; including climate change and environmental related
studies. PhD degrees in relevant discipline would be an added advantage.
General
Experience
The
successful individual consultant selected for the assignment is expected to
have the following experiences:
- At least 5
years’ experience or familiarization on blue economy sector development;
- Record of
awareness creation and capacity building of stakeholders (member states,
NSAs,) on Africa blue economy concepts;
- Record of
formulation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for implementation of
strategies for natural resources governance;
- Record of
formulation of relevant policies, strategies and frameworks in AU/ECOWAS
member states to support elements of blue economy resources development in
Africa;
- Evidence of
facilitating workshops on blue economy related issues.
How to
Apply
Applications
should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a
copy to albert.obiero@au-ibar.org and should include the title
“Regional Blue Economy Strategy of ECOWAS” in the subject of the email.
Applications
should include the following:
- Detailed
curriculum vitae (CV) and brief cover letter.
- Copies of
academic and professional certification documents.
- Technical
Proposal (methodology and approach for the assignment – workplan).
- Declaration on
exclusion criteria (see format attached).
- Identification
documents.
- A Personal Data
Protection and Privacy Statement is attached as information for the
applicants.
- Application
Deadline
Applications should be
submitted to the address given above by 06th August, 2025 at 23:59 Nairobi
Local Time.
