Conduct Mapping of Non-State Actors Organizations and to Develop Advocacy Strategy to Facilitate the Community-Based Fisheries Resources Management

Conduct Mapping of Non-State Actors Organizations and to Develop Advocacy Strategy to Facilitate the Community-Based Fisheries Resources Management in Africa

Context

In many member States of African Union, the Fisheries Administrations in generally now in agreement with the principle of the participatory management of the fisheries resources. Some member States have made significant process in participatory approach and have established mechanisms for "co-management" of fisheries resources. However, in practice, the level of participation raises questions in the majority of the cases. In reality, co-management is in the sense of sharing of duties and responsibilities between the public administration and non-state actors (NSAs) including fisherfolk Associations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and others Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), hardly exist. There are not clearly defined roles for the non-state actors in the management and decision-making process, a situation accentuated by the poor knowledge on the distribution, status and capacity of these NSAs. However participatory management (co-management) provides opportunity for the non-state actors to be involved in decision making concerning the management of the fisheries activities especially with regards to the management and regulation of the small scale fisheries sub sector. But the non-actors face tremensous difficulties in taking part effectively and actively in the processes because of the weak capacities of organization, inadequate communication and advocacy. In addition, they are confronted in many cases with the issues of adequate or effective representativeness and legitimacy of their establishment. Most these organizations are also characterized by problems of leadership, and limited expertise in areas of organizational management.

There is also proliferation of other NGOs working at the interface between the Government and in fishing communities but their roles are not recognized or formalized and their extent of their contribution, distribution not assessed.

Thus one of the major obstacles to the involvement of these non-state actors in the management of the fisheries sector is often linked to their institutional and technical weak capacities. However there is need for recognition of the existence of communities for mutual interest, experience, and interaction that involve people living in and working from very different places who share fishing grounds and other fishery interests. This includes occupational communities which may also be recognized as participants in a catch share program through Fishing Association or other entities as Non-State Actors.

In a bid to improve coherence in the fisheries and governance on the continent for increased benefits to African countries, the African Union has developed a Policy Framework and Strategy for Reform of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was adopted by 23rd summit of African Heads of States and Governments in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, June 2014. A key pillar of the pan African policy document is the development of small-scale fisheries.

To contribute to the implementation of this Policy Framework and Strategy of Reform, the African Union has received support from the European Union to implement a project on "Strengthening institutional capacity to improve the governance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa". One of the expected results of this project is to strengthen stakeholder organization, participation and promotion of the participatory fisheries management especially of the community-based management (co-management) of small-scale fisheries.

Justification

The recent conference of African Ministers of fisheries and aquaculture (CAMFA II) urged African Union, RECS and member States ''to facilitate the participation of non-state actors in fisheries and aquaculture decision-making processes''. The recently adopted Policy Framework and Reform Strategy underscored the need for empowerment of non-state actors and the development of advocacy strategy to facilitate the inclusion of stakeholders in fisheries management and decision-making process at national and regional level.

As outlined the major challenge to accomplish these goals are the proliferations of non-state actors in fisheries sector working at the interface between the Government and in fishing communities, non- recognition or non-formalization of their roles and extent of their contribution to sector development. That's why it is critical to conduct a stakeholder analysis, inventory with regards to their distribution, status, mandates and objectives in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa.

This mapping of non-state actors will be essential to formulate an appropriate action plan to strengthen their capacity in recognition of their role and diverse nature. It's in this context that consultancies will be undertaken in the five regions of Africa (North, West, Central, East and South).

Objectives

The overall objective of this consultation is to develop a baseline document on the current situation of the non-state actors organisations and to propose an advocacy strategy to facilitate the effective participation of stakeholders in fisheries management and decision-making in Africa.

The specific objectives are to:

• Undertake an inventory (mapping) of the different types of non-state actors (Fisherfolk Associations, women fisher groups, Professional Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and others Civil Society Organizations, etc.), at the local, national and regional level active in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa.
• Establish the level of NSAs participation or inclusiveness in fisheries management processes including involvement in policy and legislation processes at national and regional level.
• Assess the capacity of the no-state actors States and their effectiveness, strengthen and weakness to participate at fisheries management,
• Identify the main challenges, constraints and opportunities of the fisheries NSAs in the national fisheries and aquaculture agenda.
• Assess the status, mandate, representativeness and legitimacy of NSAs and analyze the obstacles to the establishment and operationalization at national and regional level,
• Examine the institutional and legal framework for the NSAs participation in the fisheries management process in member State of African union,
• Make proposals for an advocacy strategy to facilitate the effective participation of non-state actors in fisheries management and decision-making in Africa,
• Propose a framework for establishment of a NSAs network in each of the 5 regions of Africa and a recommendation for institutional linkage to regional network for fisheries and aquaculture.

Expected Result

• Comprehensive report on the current situation of the non-state actors organisations in the member states of African Union and in the five regions of the continent.
• Recommendations on intervention areas and technical paper on proposals on options for support to strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of NSAs to effectively participate in fisheries management and aquaculture development in Africa.
• A framework for establishment of a non-state actors regional network in each region.

Specific Actvities

These activities will be implemented simultaneously through the engagement of one individual consultancy for each of the five Regions of Africa: East, Central, North, Southern and West. The Consultant will carry out following specific activities to produce a comprehensive baseline document on the current status of non-state actors and to make proposals for an advocacy strategy to facilitate the effective participation of stakeholders in fisheries management and decision-making in Africa:

• Briefing by the AU-IBAR;
• Consultation by email and phone with the national and regional relevant non-state actors in some selected countries by region;
• Conduct assessment of institutional, technical and operational capacities of the non-state actors organization actives in fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa;
• Identify challenges faced by non-state actors for effectively participating to fisheries management and aquaculture development in the member states of African Union;
• Review the mandate and legitimacy set-up, activities of the national and sub-regional existing non-state actors in each region of the continent;
• Conduct review of the essential elements or components for regional cooperation to establishment regional non-state actors network in each region;
• Based on findings, recommend strategic intervention areas for sustainably strengthening the non-state actors organisations in AU member states and region
• Develop a framework for establishment of regional cooperation or accord to have one and unique non-state actors position and voice for Africa in international meeting and conference;
• Finalize the draft documents taking into account of the conclusions and recommendations made by the AU-IBAR;
• Compilation of the required reports as outlined in Section "Reporting Requirements" of this Terms of Reference.

Location

The consultancy would predominantly be desk, online research and by correspondences. But where necessary, field trips would be undertaken to respective African Union Member States selected.

Commencement date & Period of implementation

The intended commencement date is 20 November 2014 and the period of implementation of the contract will be 30 days from this date in each region.

Requirements

Qualification

• Graduate degree in social science, organization management, policy and law in environment field or equivalent. A qualification in fisheries or related discipline will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Over five years of professional experiences with the civil society, non-governmental organization works in the maritime field in Africa. A proven knowledge of relevant of the non-state actors in fisheries an aquaculture sector is essential
• Sound knowledge of the functions and mandates of the institutions responsible for fisheries management in member states of African Union
• Proven experience in strategy development and organization for the participation of non-state actors in the fisheries management in Africa,
• Familiarization with issues in fishing and fish farming communities in Africa
• Perfect knowledge of regional and international legal and regulatory framework for the non-state actors activities in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa,
• Knowledge of the activities of regional fisheries organizations and other institutions e.g. RFBs, RFMO and RECs,
• Good experience or familiarization with the principle of co-management process in small scale fisheries sub sector,
• Excellent ability to write and communicate in English or French and working knowledge of one of the two languages.

Reports

Reporting Requirements

The Consultant is required to prepare the following technical reports in English/French:

1. An Inception Report (IcR) within 5 days of commencing duty. The Inception Report should not be longer than 10 pages and must include the proposed methodology, the calendar and programme of activities, African Union member States to visit, people to meet and an outline of the contents of the Final Technical Report.
2. An Interim Technical Report (InTR), to be delivered at a time agreed in the Inception Report;
3. The Final Technical Report (FTR), taking into account contributions and comments from the relevant RFBs. The draft final report must be submitted at least 5 days before the end of the period of implementation of the tasks. If required a second draft FTR will be requested for submission.

Submission of Technical

For this consultancy, the applicants should submit only Technical proposals that should include:

• Outlining methodologies, for collecting detailed information as per the tasks assigned to this consultancy.
• A profile and CVs of the consultant(s) undertaking the work indicating relevant experience and contribution of each one of them in the study.
• Other relevant information showing past experience in related field, demonstrate your expertise by showing the experience, academic background, an inventory of past and current assignments of similar nature.
• Contact addresses (Postal, email and telephone) of at least three referees and any other information that may show the consultant's ability to carry out the assignment to satisfaction.

Supervision

The successful consultant will work under the supervision of AU-IBAR.

Selection of the Consultant

The selection of the consultant will be based on the technical evaluation. The Consultant with the highest technical score will be selected.

Payment of the Consultant

The professional fee of each consultancy is fixed at US$ 9,000 (nine thousand US Dollars). The field trip and DSA related to this consultancy will be taken in charge by AU-IBAR. The final Payment should be subject to delivery and clearance by IBAR.

How to apply:

Submission of Proposals

Applications should be addressed to:

The Director,
African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR),
Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road
PO Box 30786-00100
Nairobi, Kenya

in a plain sealed envelope (external envelope) clearly marked "CONSULTANCIES TO CONDUCT MAPPING OF NON-STATE ACTORS ORGANIZATIONS AND TO DEVELOP ADVOCACY STRATEGY TO FACILITATE THE COMMUNITY-BASED FISHERIES RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN AFRICA".

The deadline for application is 10 November 2014 at 15h00 (Nairobi time).