Categories: Vacancies, May 2026

Blue Economy Expert, AU, P2, Addis Ababa, NORCAP

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Deadline: Jan 03, 2025, 11:59 PM

Job Description

NORCAP’s mission is to improve aid to protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peace building sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions that meet the needs of people at risk.

We do this by:

Supporting humanitarian, development and peace building initiatives that protect and empower people
Improving impact at the global and local level through joint projects with partners and stakeholders
Providing expertise and developing capacity that enable partners to meet the needs of people in fragile situations and crises
Strengthening the global system that we are part of through support for leadership, coordination and policy development
Building bridges between the humanitarian, development and peace building sectors

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 have 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 need of 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 the 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 an 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 water ways 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.

In order 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.

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 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.

You are encouraged to read the full Terms of Reference before applying.

Qualifications

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

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in Biology, Oceanography, Fisheries, Environmental Science.
Minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience working in Africa on issues of fisheries, marine biology, shipping, coastal zone management, 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 judgement, 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 P2 Step 5 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff.

The main competencies of a NORCAP Expert:

Building working relationships
Planning and organising
Adaptability
Resilience

WHAT WE OFFER

Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation
Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals
A dedicated Staff Care Unit

HOW TO APPLY

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 .
Approved Health Certificate will be required prior to 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, 23.59 PM (Oslo time).