The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is endorsed at the highest political level of the continent. The Strategy incorporates key critical vectors for promoting blue economy development of the continent, including fisheries, aquaculture and ecosystem conservation; shipping, maritime safety and trade; climate change, environmental sustainability and ecotourism; sustainable energy and extractive mineral resources; governance, institutions and job creation.

AU-IBAR, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), is implementing a project on “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy", for the last four years (from October 2021 to December 2025). The overall objective of the project is to enhance the policy environment, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities of AU member states and regional economic communities to sustainably utilize and conserve aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems. The overall objective of the project is to enhance the policy environment, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities of AU member states and regional economic communities to sustainably utilize and conserve aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

Ratify and/or align relevant international/regional instruments related to blue economy themes (with specific reference to protecting and conserving biodiversity).
Optimizing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity while minimizing conflicts among blue economy sub-themes.
Strengthening measures for mitigating the negative impacts of coastal and marine tourism, oil, gas, deep sea mining and climate change on aquatic biodiversity and environment.
Strengthening gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
The project developed a continental strategy for mainstreaming gender in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management which was endorsed by African Union Heads of State and Government. On the basis of this endorsed strategy, significant achievements have been made on providing support to AU Member States to integrate gender considerations in institutional frameworks as well as strengthening gender dimension, climate change and environmental considerations in community-led actions, notably, as relevant to this consultany:

Piloting the continental gender strategy in 5 AU Member States, across the 5 regions of Africa;
Empowering women and youth in ecosystems restorations among selected coastal communities;
Strengthening gender dimensions, climate change mitigation and environmental consideration along regional blue value chains in identified coastal fisheries.
The current phase of the Project expires in December 2025. However, AU-IBAR has received notification for extension of the Project by SIDA. The extension will allow support to be given to additional communities and regions to strengthen gender issues, advanced mechanisms for mitigating climate change and strengthening regional value chains, noting in particular the role of women, youth and the private sector.

Therefore, during the extension phase, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Gender Policy and Strategy Expert - Aquatic Environmental Management, for a short-term consultancy, to strengthen the role and participation of women in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the environment as well as enhanced community led action for ecosystems restoration and aquatic biodiversity conservation.

Job Description Summary
Under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader at AU-IBAR, the incumbent will undertake the following targeted areas of work so as to achieve the objectives of the Project ‘Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’:

Contribute to the identification and mainstreaming of gender related issues across the project’s activities relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management.
Participate in analysis of, from a gender perspective, existing national, regional and local policies, strategies and action plans and elaborate on the added value of gender mainstreaming into national and regional conservation policies.
Support the operationalization of the AU endorsed continental strategy for gender mainstreaming in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management in the continent.
Contribute to the implementation of the Continental strategy on Nature-based solutions for sustainable aquatic biodiversity conservation, and environment management - ensuring effective community, private sector, women and youth, participation in climate change mitigation efforts, conserving and restoring aquatic ecosystems and fish stocks.
Strengthen inclusive Regional Blue Value Chains in selected fisheries and aquaculture undertaken: including actors, enablers, drivers and develop mechanisms for enhancing effective private sector, women and youth engagement.
Promote the operationalization of WION-SOF (West Indian Ocean Network for Small-scale Octopus Fisheries (development of strategic plan and annual workplan; and to coordinate support to stakeholders along the value to enhance capacity for improved market access for Octopus).
Enhance mechanisms to promote the Private sector and Women’s representation in climate change decision-making institutions at national, regional and continental levels.
Identify partners (including NGOs, regional and national institutions) for collaboration to support gender and climate actions in coastal communities.
Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader.
Academic Requirements
The incumbent should have a Minimum of a Master’s degree in the field of Gender Studies and/or Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Social Science, International Policy Development Studies with focus on Gender considerations.

General Experience
A minimum of 5 years of combined relevant work experience in development-oriented institutions, NGOs, UN, AU member states or related international development aid projects in Africa.
A Minimum of 3 years of experience in at least one of the sectors (e.g., gender and climate change mitigation programmes; conservation of aquatic ecosystems, integrating gender considerations and women’s empowerment in environmental programming).
Proven experience of working with and mobilizing communities in riparian and coastal settlements.
Experience working with and/or familiarization of regional economic communities and specialized regional institutions and their roles in enhancing gender integration in regional development agendas, including environmental considerations.
Experience in planning, implementing training and facilitating stakeholders’ consultative workshops.
Specific Experience
Evidence of Familiarization of and supporting implementation of AU continental and global instruments, initiatives addressing environmental sustainability, gender mainstreaming and sustainable development.
Evidence of strengthening capacity of communities in Africa on Nature-based Solutions for restoration of degraded habitats and ecosystems to promote aquatic biodiversity conservation.
Record of performing similar consultancy and work experience in mainstreaming gender in community actions and instruments on in at least 3 African coastal environmental settings.
Evidence of supporting AU Member States to develop gender-sensitive strategies relating to aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
Proven evidence of producing knowledge products on mainstreaming gender and climate change impact mitigation effects.
Required Skills
Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa;
Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions operating in the regions;
Very strong writing, analytical and communication, computer skills are necessary;
Proficiency in at least 2 AU official languages.
Deliverables
Awareness enhanced on the AU endorsed gender strategy for aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management towards facilitating Member States to develop gender sensitive strategies on aquatic biodiversity conservations and environmental management.
Regional (blue) value chains on aquatic biodiversity identified and capacity of value chains actors strengthened.
Gender related issues across project’s activities relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management are identified and mainstreamed.
Capacity and awareness enhanced on Nature-based Solutions to minimize the negative impacts of climate change on ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity enhanced.
Capacities of Stakeholders (women, youth and private sector) along the Octopus regional value chain in the West Indian Ocean (WIO) enhanced
Support to operationalization of the WION-SOF (West Indian Ocean Network for Small-scale Octopus Fisheries)
Partners identified for collaboration on advancing gender dimensions for aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems management in coastal locations
Collaborate with institutions to pilot and/ implement nature-based solutions for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems and fish stocks.
Any other assigned by the Supervisor
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Evaluation Criteria
The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.

Criteria Scores (%)

Qualifications (20 marks)

Bachelor’s degree 10

Master’s degree 10

General Experience 20

Specific Experience 35

Female applicant 10

Other skills (publication, writing skills) 10

Proficiency in AU language 5

Duty Stations
The consultants will be stationed in Nairobi with travel on specific assignments agreed with the AU-IBAR Management.

Applications should be submitted through email with a copy and should include the title “Gender Policy And Strategy Expert – Aquatic Environmental Management” 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.
Declaration on exclusion criteria (see format attached).
Identification documents.
A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is attached as information for the applicants.