1)     General objective

The primary objective of this assignment is to recruit a short-term expert to analyze the current landscape of private sector involvement in the blue economy and develop a comprehensive action plan to establish a Public-Private Sector Dialogue mechanism or platform for networking and engaging these entities effectively.

 Major duties and responsibilities:

 The specific objectives will be to:

      (i)               Review existing literature, reports, and data on the blue economy and private sector engagement;

(ii)              Conduct stakeholder consultations with key private sector entities, government agencies, and relevant organizations;

(iii)            Identify challenges, opportunities, and best practices in engaging the private sector in the Blue Economy;

(iv)            Assess the current mechanisms or platforms for private sector engagement in the Blue Economy;

(v)              Develop a strategic action plan to establish a dialogue mechanism or platform for engaging private sector entities in the Blue Economy and identify potential private sector partners to support the development of project and or programmes;

(vi)            Outline specific objectives, activities, timelines, and resources required;

(vii)           Propose a light governance structure and operational model for the dialogue mechanism or platform with specifications of stakeholders’ roles (AUC, RECs, Members States, Private Sector, Development Partners, etc.);

(viii)          Provide actionable recommendations for enhancing private sector participation and collaboration in the Blue Economy;

(ix)             Suggest innovative approaches and tools to facilitate private sector engagement;

(x)              Prepare a comprehensive report detailing the findings, action plan, and recommendations;

(xi)             Link with the ongoing blue economy dash-board activity (more specifically its “governance” pillar);

(xii)           Connection should also be made with the other blue economy projects implemented by Expertise France;

(xiii)          Present the report to relevant stakeholders for feedback and validation.

                 2)     Outcome

 The consultant should provide the following:

             ·        An Inception Report: An initial report outlining the methodology, work plan, and timelines within two weeks of commencement.

·        A Situation Analysis Report: A detailed report on the current landscape and stakeholder consultations.

·        A Gap Analysis Report: A comprehensive analysis of the existing mechanisms and identified gaps.

·        A Draft Dialogue mechanism and Action Plan: A preliminary action plan for stakeholder review and feedback.

·        Final Report: A complete report including the finalized Dialogue mechanism and action plan and recommendations, incorporating stakeholder inputs.

·        Participate and present the draft Public-Private Sector Dialogue Mechanism and Action plan at a consultative meeting with stakeholders.

3)     Anticipated deliverables

The Consultant will deliver an inception report, an interim report including the final draft by the stakeholders, AUC and French-AU Technical Facility.

      (i)               Inception Report outlining the approach, methodology, and work plan.

(ii)              Situational Analysis Report.

(iii)            Draft Dialogue mechanism and Action plan.

(iv)            Final Dialogue mechanism and Action plan.

(v)              Workshop reports.

(vi)            Final Comprehensive Report with recommendations.

               4)     Submission and approval of reports

Electronic versions of the reports referred to above must be submitted to the Coordinator of the French-AU Technical Facility and African Union Commission (Blue Economy Division). The reports must be written in English. The coordinator and the Blue Economy Division of the AUC are responsible for approving the reports.

                5)     Language requirement

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages, knowledge of two or more other working language(s) would be an added value.

                6)     Evaluation criteria

Interested candidates must provide information demonstrating that she/he has the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.  Consulting firms may propose individual consultant/s, but only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be used in the selection process, and that his or her corporate experience shall not be considered, and the contract would be signed with the proposed individual.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV together with the copies of their diploma, and possibly the references.

                 7)    Coordination

Ø  The service provider shall designate a single contact person for project implementation purposes. M. Kervin Kumapley, Project Coordinator of the Expertise France AU Facility, will be the service provider’s contact persons. Name: Mr. Kervin Kumapley - E-mail: kervin.kumapley@expertisefrance.fr

Ø  AUC Blue Economy’ contact address: Mr. Georges H. Mba Asseko, HoD, Blue Economy - Email: mbaassekog@africa-union.org