Individual Consultant for Regional Blue Economy Strategy of ECOWAS

Background

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC), 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 2024 -2028 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to governance, coordination, collaboration, partnerships as well as data and information sharing to support animal resources, investments along the value chain, decision making, adaptive management resulting to food and nutrition security, employment and resilience livelihood. AU-IBAR’s intervention in the fisheries and aquaculture sector is guided by the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) which is aimed at improving governance of the sector for increased sustainable contribution to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation. Also, within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy envisioned an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

The first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy was organized in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2018. African leaders at the Conference directed the African Union to work with relevant stakeholders to develop a blue print of Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy that will guide sustainable development and utilization of resources of the Oceans, Seas, Lakes and Rivers for blue economy growth and livelihoods.

Accordingly, the African Union Inter-African Bureau Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) was requested by the Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission to lead the process of formulation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. The Africa Blue Economy Strategy was eventually developed and subsequently endorsed in October 2019 by the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE).

The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is consolidated based on the following five detailed thematic areas considered critical to the Africa blue economy growth:

1. Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems
2. Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement
3. Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, environment, infrastructure
4. Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries
5. Policies, institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing

The Africa Blue Economy Strategy and the Annexes can be sourced from the AU-IBAR Repository.

The STC-ARDWE in October 2019 made further recommendations as follows:

1. The African Union Commission to support adequate awareness creation, capacity building and sharing of best practices of the application of the Blue Economy concept;
2. The African Union Commission to support setting up Blue Governance mechanisms to ensure planning and coordination at continental, regional and national levels; and
3. The African Union Commission to mobilize resources for the implementation of Blue Print for Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy.

In the light of the above recommendations the African Union through AU-IBAR and Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) Directorate, with support from the Kingdom of Norway, is planning to provide technical assistance to ECOWAS in response to the request for support to finalize ECOWAS Regional Blue Economy Strategy aligned to the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES), the Implementation Plans and the corresponding framework for setting up Regional Blue Governance Mechanism. In this regard individual consultant with relevant qualifications, expertise and experience in blue economy related disciplines, would be required to undertake this technical assistance ECOWAS.

This support for development of National and Regional Blue Economy Strategies for AU member states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) is an ongoing exercise in a systematic fashion; thus, eventually it is anticipated that all AU Member States and RECs that are in need would receive this support from AU-IBAR within the framework of the Kingdom of Norway Support to implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy.

AU-IBAR has previously through largely demand driven process supported 5 AU Regional Economic Communities for the development of their Regional Blue Economy Strategies. They are namely: - ECCAS, UMA, EAC, COMESA and CENSAD. It is pertinent to note that IGAD and SADC already developed their Regional BE Strategies respectively with technical support and inputs from AU-IBAR. Hence, ECOWAS is the only outstanding REC to be supported in this regard.

Objectives of the assignment

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:

1. Gain access to, and be thoroughly conversant with, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the Implementation Plan, framework for blue governance coordination mechanism documents;
2. Review other relevant related AU and global instruments for best practices in blue economy development;
3. Identify regional priorities and instruments related to blue economy development in the ECOWAS;
4. 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;
5. Identify and conduct interviews with the regional institutions that play critical roles in blue economy development;
6. 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;
7. Participate and support facilitation of relevant regional stakeholders’ consultative and validation workshop;
8. Incorporate comments / input from the stakeholders’ validation workshop and submit a final version of the document to the AU-IBAR;
9. 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;
10. Present the communique on the last day of the meeting;
11. 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:

1. At least 5 years’ experience or familiarization on blue economy sector development;
2. Record of awareness creation and capacity building of stakeholders (member states, NSAs,) on Africa blue economy concepts;
3. Record of formulation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for implementation of strategies for natural resources governance;
4. Record of formulation of relevant policies, strategies and frameworks in AU/ECOWAS member states to support elements of blue economy resources development in Africa;
5. Evidence of facilitating workshops on blue economy related issues.

Specific Experience

1. Evidence of formulation of blue economy strategies at national and/or regional levels in Africa;
2. Good record of working with relevant national and regional institutions dedicated to Africa blue economy sector;
3. Evidence of designing mechanisms for coordinating blue governance for inclusive blue economy resources development in Africa;
4. Familiarization of relevant AU instruments supporting blue growth in Africa
5. Record of field experiences and familiarization with priority issues in AU/ECOWAS member states with blue economy development initiatives.

Other Essential Attributes

1. Record of good writing skills and scientific publications in relevant fields or disciplines in blue economy
2. Record of delivery assignment within tight schedules
3. Proficiency in at least two AU official languages

Evaluation Criteria and Scores

Criteria	Scores
Qualifications	20
General experience	20
Specific experience	35
Methodology and approach	10
Other skills (writing skills, computing skills, publications)	10
Proficiency in AU Languages	5

Time frame for conducting the assignment

The duration of this assignment is Sixty (60) days.

Selection Criteria

The consultancy will be awarded on the basis of evaluation of CV (s), and the submission of a Technical Proposal detailing how the assignment will be carried out: detailed description of the approach and proposed methodology including qualifications and experiences.

Remuneration

In total, the lump sum consultancy fee for this assignment is USD 9,000.00. If required to travel, the consultant will be provided with DSA and ticket in accordance with the AU Travel Policy in force at the time of travel.

There shall be no other entitlements.

Supervision and Approval of Report

Under the supervision of the AU-IBAR Sustainable Blue Economy Expert - (Project Coordinator) with oversight supervision by the Director of AU-IBAR.

Equipment

The consultant will use own laptops and other data capturing equipment deemed necessary during execution of the assignment.

Insurance Cover

The consultant will be responsible for own medical and life insurance cover for the duration of the assignment.

Disclaimer

All data, information and reports generated form the consultancy is intellectual property of AU-IBAR.

Submission of Applications

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:

1. Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and brief cover letter.
2. Copies of academic and professional certification documents.
3. Technical Proposal (methodology and approach for the assignment – workplan).
4. Declaration on exclusion criteria (see format attached).
5. 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 06^th August, 2025 at 23:59 Nairobi Local Time.