NORCAP is the Norwegian Refugee Council’s expert deployment mechanism. NORCAP strengthens international and local partners’ capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crisis by deploying highly qualified women and men from its world leading standby rosters. The deployed experts work with UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, development actors and national stakeholders to save lives, build resilient communities, ensure peaceful transitions from conflict and promote sustainable governance. At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Only applicants from the AU member states will be considered.
BACKGROUND
Africa has demonstrated the commitment towards sustainable development through the adoption of Agenda 2063 whose 6th goal is ”Blue/Ocean Economy for accelerated economic growth”. This vision has been translated into the Blue Economy Strategy whose objective is to guide the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that becomes a significant contributor to continental transformation and growth, through advancing knowledge of marine and aquatic biotechnology, environmental sustainability, the growth of an Africa-wide shipping industry, the development of sea, river and lake transport, the management of fishing activities on these aquatic spaces, and the exploitation and beneficiation of deep sea mineral and other resources.
Furthermore, the African Union has also enacted a broader strategy and vision for the sector known as the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 whose overall objective is to address maritime challenges for sustainable development and competitiveness. It aims to foster more wealth creation from Africa’s oceans, seas and inland water ways by developing a thriving maritime economy and realizing the full potential of sea based activities in an environmentally sustainable manner. The African Charter on Safety, Security and Development (Lomé Charter) is also another continental instrument, which aims at preventing and curbing national and transnational crime, especially terrorism, piracy and armed robbery against ships, as well as all forms of trafficking at sea and enhancing environmental protection.
In order to facilitate the implementation of these frameworks, the African Union established a Blue Economy Division under the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy. The division draws its mandate from the above mentioned frameworks and it is therefore to facilitate expedited implementation of these frameworks for the benefit of African communities, and the world at large, as some of the aquatic related actions have global significance.
To be able to roll out the implementation of the blue economy strategy and related frameworks will require elaboration of programmes based on priority areas set in the relevant policy documents, tracking implementation through a monitoring and reporting framework, enhancing capacity building for member states and regional economic communities, mobilising financial and technical resources to facilitate implementation of the programmes, establishing and strengthening collaboration with other institutions and initiatives operating in the blue economy landscape. There is also urgent need for mainstreaming blue economy in development planning, programming and budgetary process. Without mainstreaming blue economy into the development strategies of nations, no country can fully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Regional and National legal and policy responses are required to deal with the challenges faced by the blue environment which include pollution, limited knowledge of the aquatic resources in our environment, over exploitation of some of the species, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), weak negotiation capacity, fragmented national structures on blue economy which results in coordination challenges, and rising demand for blue foods.
It is against this background that the African Union Commission through the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) seeks to engage a Senior Blue Economy Advisor to support AU member States on the implementation of the blue economy strategy and related programmes.
OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
This position will provide technical advisory assistance to the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy of the African Union Commission in coordinating the implementation of the African Blue Economy and the AIM 2050 Strategies. The Advisor will also develop programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting AU Member States and RECs the domestication of the strategies, and to access means of implementation as well as monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the strategies.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Blue Economy Advisor will be expected to:
Planning the implementation of the blue economy and AIM Strategies and development of annual and multi-year work plans and budgets; Translating the priorities of the Strategies into concepts and programmes to facilitate implementation by member states and RECs. Mobilisation of financial and technical resources required for the implementation of the strategies and action plans. Establishment and strengthening of collaborative partnerships and networks necessary for the implementation of the strategies. Supporting member states and RECs in the domestication of the blue economy strategies including in policy development or alignment. Facilitating monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the blue economy related strategies and programmes. Supporting member states and RECs on capacity building required to enhance the implementation of the blue economy strategies and programmes. Advise the Directorate on any other technical aspects related to blue economy. Participate in routine activities of the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy including the budgeting cycle, development of various plans, reports, meetings, etc. Represent, as directed by AUC, the Directorate at key events and consultations among participating stakeholder groups related to the implementation of the programme activities. Undertake any other activity as assigned by the supervisor.DELIVERABLES
The Senior Blue Economy Advisor will be responsible for the following deliverables:
Annual Blue Economy work plan and budget; Quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the Blue Economy Strategies; Programme development; Resources mobilised; Domestication of the blue economy strategies Targeted capacity building activitiesREPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
The Senior Blue Economy Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Blue Economy or his/her delegate/ the Principal in Blue Economy. The Advisor will also be expected to work horizontally with other Advisors and Senior Policy Officers within the blue Economy and the Directorate of SEBE at large.
DUTY STATION
This assignment requires that the Senior Blue Economy Advisor be based at the African Union Headquarters, in the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education: A Master’s degree in Biology, Oceanography, Fisheries, Environmental Science. Essential Work experience: Minimum of 7 years demonstrated experience working in Africa on issues of fisheries, marine biology, shipping, coastal zone management, offshore mining. Desired work experience: Experience in supporting member countries in negotiating blue economy related agreements. Knowledge and development of blue economy policies and management plans for marine or freshwater resources. Experience of working in multinational teams to implement programmes involving different funding and implementing agencies. Experience in conducting capacity building programmes within the blue economy sphere. Experience in resource mobilisation and establishment of networks and partnerships.LANGUAGES
Fluency in written and spoken English (essential). Knowledge of any other AU languages is an advantage.COMPETENCIES
Demonstrates integrity with good values and ethical standards. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials and development partners. Flexibility and ability to operate in diverse cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders, culturally and gender sensitive. High-level planning, organizational, and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines. High computer literacy (in particular, word processing and presentation software). Analytical and problem-solving skills of high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advise senior management on tackling difficult situations. Leadership qualities, including the ability to make sound judgement, meet challenges constructively and creatively Ability to quickly adapt to change and to operate in a fast-paced environment.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.
REMUNERATION
The salary attached to the position is at P3 Step 5 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff.
WHAT WE OFFER
Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals A dedicated Staff Care UnitHOW TO APPLY
When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed. NORCAP values diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates . Approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement and assignment. Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement. Apply before 30th November 2023, 23.59 PM (Oslo time) At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.