• Employer: Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

• Job Time: Full-Time

• Job Type: Contract

• Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Addis Abeba - Ethiopia

• Posted date: 34 minutes ago

• Deadline: January, 04/2025 (31 days left)

We are recruiting a Blue Economy Expert, for an initial period of 1 year including a 3-month probation period. The assigned location will be Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Blue Economy Expert will provide technical support to the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy of the African Union Commission in facilitating the implementation of the African Blue Economy and the AIM 2050 Strategies. The Expert will support the operationalisation of the blue economy-related frameworks and programmes to benefit AU Member States and RECs.

 Since 2013 NORCAP has worked in partnership with the African Union Commission Peace and Security Department (PSD) to meet their growing demand for qualified and specialized civilian experts. NORCAP has supported peace and security initiatives specifically in the area of peace support operations, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction and development. Based on the AUC's need for continued expertise support NORCAP is expanding the support within and beyond PSD, to also include governance and development. NORCAP and the AUC work together in choosing deployments that will further the work of the AU towards Agenda 2063.

Only applicants from the AU member states will be considered.

BACKGROUND

Africa has demonstrated its commitment towards sustainable development through the adoption of Agenda 2063 whose 6th goal is ”Blue/Ocean Economy for accelerated economic growth”. This vision has been translated into the Blue Economy Strategy whose objective is to guide the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy that becomes a significant contributor to continental transformation and growth, through advancing knowledge of marine and aquatic biotechnology, environmental sustainability, the growth of Africa-wide shipping industry, the development of sea, river and lake transport, the management of fishing activities on these aquatic spaces, and the exploitation and beneficiation of deep-sea mineral and other resources.

Furthermore, the African Union has also enacted a broader strategy and vision for the sector known as the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 whose overall objective is to address maritime challenges for sustainable development and competitiveness. It aims to foster more wealth creation from Africa’s oceans, seas and inland waterways by developing a thriving maritime economy and realizing the full potential of sea-based activities in an environmentally sustainable manner. The African Charter on Safety, Security and Development (Lomé Charter) is also another continental instrument, which aims at preventing and curbing national and transnational crime, especially terrorism, piracy and armed robbery against ships, as well as all forms of trafficking at sea and enhancing environmental protection.

To facilitate the implementation of these frameworks, the African Union established a Blue Economy Division under the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy. The division draws its mandate from the above-mentioned frameworks and it is therefore to facilitate expedited implementation of these frameworks for the benefit of African communities, and the world at large, as some of the aquatic-related actions have global significance.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Blue Economy Expert will be expected to:

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the implementation of the blue economy and AIM Strategies including the development of annual and multi-year work plans and budgets;

• Provide technical support in the development of concept notes and programmes to facilitate the implementation of the strategies by member states and RECs.

• Undertake preparations of policy and technical documents for meetings and others

• Conduct policy research to inform the development of African common positions on blue economy-related subjects.

• Undertake assessments as a basis for supporting member states including on capacity building.

• Undertake monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation of blue economy strategies and programmes.

• Supporting member states and RECs in the domestication of the blue economy strategies including in policy development or alignment.

• Support visibility of blue economy activities, results and output through communication and various platforms.

• Develop and maintain a database of blue economy focal points in member states and RECs.

• Contribute to the routine activities of the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy.

• Undertake any other activity as assigned by the supervisor.

Job Requirements

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Biology, Oceanography, Fisheries, and Environmental Science.

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience working in Africa on issues of fisheries, marine biology, shipping, coastal zone management, and offshore mining.

Desired work experience:

• Experience in negotiating blue economy-related agreements.

• Experience in the development of blue economy policies and management plans for marine or freshwater resources.

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

• Experience in carrying out assessments or surveys.

• Experience in combating IUU fishing or controlling marine pollution.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates integrity with good values and ethical standards.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials and development partners.

• Flexibility and ability to operate in diverse cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders, culturally and gender sensitive.

• High-level planning, organizational, and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

• High computer literacy (in particular, word processing and presentation software).

• Analytical and problem-solving skills of high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advise senior management on tackling difficult situations.

• Leadership qualities, including the ability to make sound judgments, meet challenges constructively and creatively

• Ability to quickly adapt to change and to operate in a fast-paced environment.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in written and spoken English (essential)

• Knowledge of any other AU languages is an advantage

REMUNERATION

The salary attached to the position is at P3 Step 5 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff.

The main competencies of a NORCAP Expert:

• Building working relationships

• Planning and organizing

• Adaptability

• Resilience

WHAT WE OFFER

• Rewarding work for a renowned global organization

• Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals

• A dedicated Staff Care Unit

NB:

• When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed.

• NORCAP values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

• NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates.

• An approved Health Certificate will be required before contract commencement and assignment.

• Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.

• Apply before 3rd January 2025, 11.59 PM (Oslo time) 

How to Apply

• Interested and qualified applicants can apply using THIS LINK