Planning and Monitoring Expert at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

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
• For the implementation of this project, AU-IBAR seeks the services of a Planning and Monitoring Expert, for a short-term consultancy’ to support the implementation of activities relating mainly to project planning and monitoring for sustainable exploitation and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in African blue economy and the implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy.

Objective of the Consultancy

• The main objective of this consultancy is to support the ‘Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystems in the Context of the African Blue Economy’ Project and the Programme for Implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy by strengthening planning, monitoring and evaluation systems and practices and generate evidence-based feedback for delivery of project deliverables.

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":
• Participate in the design, implementation and periodic reviews of project management processes and tools for strategy development, operational planning and budgeting, and results monitoring and reporting;
• Provide technical support relating to the implementation of the project, particularly, supporting the project team to achieve strategic alignment with project objectives, by promoting Results-Based Management approach to project planning, management and monitoring of the project through the development of operational annual plans and performance indicators and targets grounded in the overall project work plan;
• Undertake monitoring missions to track progress of project implementation and ngenerate evidence-based monitoring reports against performance targets of the project to advice the project team on realization of planned deliverables;
• Design and propose process improvements based on innovative techniques and best practices to ensure that activities pertaining to the annual planning
  and reporting cycle are implemented as per the project annual work plan;
• Coordinate the preparation of regular Monthly, Trimester, Semi-Annual and Annual
  Reports on annual planning and budgeting, and results monitoring and reporting within prescribed timelines for communication with relevant stakeholders;
• Coordinate the development of the project exit strategy;
• Support implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy;
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Team Leader and / or the Director, AU-IBAR.

Academic Requirements

The incumbent should have an advanced University degree in Strategic Management, Project Planning and Management or related fields. An academic degree and relevant experiences in the field of Animal Resource and their ecosystems such as Fisheries and Aquaculture, Environmental Science, Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine would be an added advantage.

General Experience

• At least 7 years of continuous working experience at senior and advisory positions in Results-Based Management (project planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation) environment
• Evidence of familiarization of functions of Regional Economic Communities, specialized regional institutions and AU Member States in implementation of blue economy related disciplines
• In-depth experience of working within the multi-partner environment at continental, regional and national levels.

Specific Experience

• Working knowledge and evidence of understanding and experience of African Union project planning, monitoring and reporting processes and tools, including the planning cycle;
• An in-depth working knowledge with the African Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting Tool (AMERT) to develop work plans and budgets, and reports;
• Familiarity with African Union Agenda 2063; and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy themes and their linkage to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems;
• Record of experience of formulation of frameworks, guidelines and strategies related to blue economy themes, including aquatic biodiversity and environmental conservation;
• Proven experience and track record of working with project staff to develop work plans and budgets, reporting tools, and results-based reports;