Recruitment of Experts to Conduct Evaluations for Selection of AU Centres of Excellence – Fisheries & Aquaculture

Introduction

The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources (including livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife) to enhance nutrition and food security and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the people in the member states of the African Union.

The continent is endowed with productive aquatic ecosystems (marine and freshwater) with significant fishing and aquaculture activities. The fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa currently provide benefits in terms of economic growth, livelihoods and food security. However, the sector still has enormous potential to significantly increase its contribution to GDP, food security and poverty alleviation in the five regions of the continent.

Rationale

The fisheries and aquaculture potential has not been fully realized due to, among others, a paucity of dedicated institutions for advanced, intermediate and skilled manpower development in various relevant disciplines. Management decisions and policies in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the five regions of the continent needs to be supported by scientific evidence. This evidence should be generated by dedicated research institutes or universities and interpreted by competent fisheries and aquaculture managers. A more tangible solution to the problems of capacity is the establishment of African Union Centres of Excellence. This should be done by the identification of appropriate institutions and strengthening their capacities in the required disciplines.

The Joint Conference of African Ministers for agriculture, rural development, fisheries and aquaculture in May 2014, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), recognized the need for capacity development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and therefore requested ‘The AU Commission, AUDA-NEPAD and RECs to establish African Centres of Excellence for aquaculture, capture fisheries, biodiversity studies and oceanography to enhance capacity for fisheries and aquaculture research.’ The Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa underscores enhancing human capacity development as a key strategic pillar for creating an enabling environment to increase the sustainable contribution of the sector to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation.

The African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE), in 2019, endorsed eight institutions as African Union Centres of Excellence in disciplines related to fisheries and aquaculture. The STC-ARDWE further requested to identify related disciplines for which institutions will be selected as African Union Centres of Excellence.

In the above regards, the Third Call for Expression of Interests by institutions was launched for selection of institutions in the following disciplines:

Academic training in the following:

1. Fisheries Socio-economics
2. Ocean Affairs (Governance and Economy)
3. Fisheries Laws and Regulations
4. Fish Trade and Marketing
5. Aquaculture Business Planning
6. Aquatic Animal Health

Vocational training in the following:

1. Food Science and Post-harvest technology
2. Boat Building and Maintenance
3. Aquaculture Extension Services

Accordingly, applications or bids were received which need to be evaluated for identification of qualified institutions

Objectives of the consultancy

In response to the call for expression of interest, institutions have submitted applications. The objective of this consultancy is therefore to recruit two (2) suitably qualified experts to conduct evaluation of the submitted applications based on agreed criteria for qualification as African Union Centre of Excellence in the above indicated disciplines.

The evaluation of applications will be a desk review with virtual meetings organized as necessary.

Based on this evaluation, AU-IBAR in consultation and with participation of the experts, will undertake verification missions to the agreed institutions.

Specific Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Leader of this assignment and with oversight supervision by the Project Management at AU-IBAR, the successful candidates would perform the following tasks:

1. Briefing meeting with relevant personnel at AU-IBAR
2. In line with agreed criteria, evaluate the applications (dossiers) that have been submitted by the applicants (institutions).
3. Assign scores against each criterion for evaluation
4. Based on the evaluation, identify the appropriate discipline(s), based on the capacity of the institutions evaluated, related to fisheries and aquaculture (as outlined above) for which the institutions would be selected as African Union Centres of Excellence
5. Where necessary, participate in virtual and/or physical meeting, relating to this consultancy
6. Prepare a comprehensive report of the evaluation exercise and make relevant recommendations
7. Conduct verification missions to short-listed institutions to ascertain the veracity of the contents of their submitted dossiers and prepare a substantive report therefrom.

Duration

This consultancy shall be undertaken in two phases:

1. Desk review and evaluation of applications: this is expected to take no more than 4 working days per expert. The report should be submitted within 10 days of commencement of the evaluation phase.
2. Verification exercise: the duration of this phase will be agreed with AU-IBAR based on the outcomes of the desk review phase.

Supervision and approval of report

The expert will work under the coordination of the Project leader (AU-IBAR) and the mission team leader, with overall supervision by the Director, AU-IBAR, who will also have the responsibility of final approval of report.

Payment

The remuneration package for each successful candidate will be as follows:

Phase 1: Desk review of applications, at US$ 300/day for 4 days (a total of US$1200) to be paid after approval of report.
Phase 2: Verification exercise, at US$ 300/day for a duration to be agreed with AU-IBAR in writing.

In addition, the costs of any approved field verification mission related to this consultancy will be paid for by AU-IBAR (travel, daily subsistence allowance).

Requirements

Qualification

The successful candidate should have a minimum of Master’s degree in fields relating to fisheries and aquaculture studies. A PhD will be an added advantage.

General Experience

The following experiences are required:

1. Over 5 years’ teaching and research working experiences in fisheries and aquaculture elated disciplines sector in Africa
2. Familiarization of functions of national and regional institutions with mandates in Fisheries and Aquaculture development
3. Knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals and African Union development frameworks
4. Experience in monitoring and evaluation of natural resources systems

Specific experience

1. At least 5 years teaching or research experience in research based or tertiary level academic institutions in aquatic sciences
2. Proven experience in conducting similar assessment for selection of institutions as Centres of excellence
3. Knowledge of educational systems and curricula in fields relating to fisheries, aquaculture, in Africa
4. Ability to work in or supporting implementation of donor funded projects for accomplishment of stated goals in fields relating to fisheries and aquaculture.

Other relevant skills

1. Record of scientific publications in fields relating to fisheries and aquaculture
2. Fluency in English and French languages
3. Evidence of computer skills and in relevant software

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for this consultancy will be assessed in accordance with these terms of reference and the criteria below:

Criteria Marks

Qualification Master’s degree 15

PhD degree (Additional 5 marks) 5

General experiences 20

Specific experiences 45

Language (one language 5; two for 10) 10

Other skills 5

Total 100