Gender Policy and Strategy Expert – Aquatic Environmental Management at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

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 identification of gender issues relevant to conservation highlighting the socio-political, economic and cultural aspects of conservation.
• 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.
• Facilitate the development of an implementation plan for the continental strategy for mainstreaming gender in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
• Support AU member states to domesticate the continental strategy for gender mainstreaming in aquatic biodiversity and environmental management.
• Contribute to identification and mainstreaming of gender related issues across project’s activities relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management.
• Facilitate formulation of a continental strategy on nature-based solutions for aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems.
• Enhance continental awareness and promote the implementation of nature-based solutions to minimize negative impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Facilitate identification of and strengthening of regional value chains for aquatic biodiversity, including fisheries and aquaculture.
• Enhance mechanisms to promote the Private sector and Women’s representation in climate change and (aquatic biodiversity conservation) decision-making institutions at national, regional and continental levels.
• Facilitate the mapping of key stakeholders (private sector, NGOs etc.) involved in environmental and biodiversity conservation, including women´s networks or groups, and analyze institutional structure and capacities for gender mainstreaming in their activities.
• Contribute to the identification and capturing of best practices and lessons learnt on social and gender equality.
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Team Leader.

Deliverables

• At least two AU member states supported to develop gender sensitive strategies on aquatic biodiversity conservations and environmental management.
• Development of an Implementation Plan for the continental strategy for mainstreaming gender in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
• Development of a continental strategy on Nature-based Solutions for aquatic biodiversity conservations and ecosystems management.
• Continental awareness enhanced on nature-based solutions on aquatic biodiversity conservation.
• Regional (blue) value chains on aquatic biodiversity identified and capacity of value chains actors strengthened.
• Development of continental strategy on control and mitigating plastic and micro plastic pollution on aquatic biodiversity and environment supported.
• Gender related issues across project’s activities relevant to aquatic biodiversity and environmental management are identified and mainstreamed.
• Mapping of key stakeholders (private sector, NGOs etc.) involved in environmental and biodiversity conservation, including women´s networks or groups, and analysis of institutional structures and capacities for gender mainstreaming in their activities facilitated.
• Any other assigned by the Supervisor or Director of AU-IBAR.

Academic & Professional Qualifications

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, 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 two 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.