Background

Background to the BCLME

Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) are regions of ocean space encompassing coastal areas from river basins and estuaries to the seaward boundaries of continental shelves, enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and the outer margins of the major current systems.  They are relatively large regions (in the order of 200,000 km2 or greater) characterized by distinct bathymetry, hydrography, productivity, and trophically interdependent populations. To date 66 LMEs have been identified and 95% of the global marine capture fisheries are found as well as most of the recognised global problems related to ocean pollution and coastal habitat alteration.

 Among the major global fish stocks for which information is available, an estimated 44% are fully exploited and are therefore producing catches that have reached or are very close to their maximum limit, with no room expected for further expansion. About 16% are over-fished and likewise leave no room for expansion; moreover, there is an increasing likelihood that catches might decrease if remedial action is not undertaken to reduce or suppress over-fishing. Another 6% appear to be depleted, with a resulting loss in total production, not to mention the social and economic losses derived from the uncontrolled and excessive fishing pressure. In this context, fisheries in the Southeast Atlantic (including the BCLME area) reached their maximum production levels one or two decades ago and are now showing a stable trend in recovery of some commercially exploited species and their total catches.

 The western (offshore) boundary of the Benguela is fairly open ended, but is generally taken as approximately the 0° meridian. As such the Benguela includes the coastal upwelling area, the longshore fronts (see below) and the eastern portion of the South Atlantic gyre. By definition then the Benguela Current comprises the total area of equator-ward flow in the upper part of the South-east Atlantic Ocean.

 The coastline along the landward edge of the BCLME is mostly either arid or semi-arid, and only the northern and southern extremities are reasonably well-watered. Much of the coast is backed by an escarpment rising to the plateau which occupies much of the interior of southern Africa. This is a high wave energy coastline strongly affected by swells from the Southern Ocean.

 The Benguela LME is one of the most strongly wind driven coastal upwelling systems known and is believed to play a significant role on global ocean and climate processes. It experiences considerable environmental variability which can have marked effects on abundance and availability of its living marine resources.  Important and significant steps have been taken already to improve knowledge and scientific analysis of the LME, yet there is still a fairly limited understanding of this highly variable and complex system of physical, chemical and biological interactions and processes. There is now a very real concern that the anthropogenic factors contributing to the lack of sustainable fisheries could be exacerbated by the inherent natural ecosystem variability in concert with global climate change. This presents additional difficulties in terms of adopting sustainable management policies and mechanisms. The three countries alongside the BCLME have agreed to cooperate in order to improve predictability, to harmonise the regional management of shared stocks, to assess non-exploited species and to develop a regional mariculture policy so as to reduce pressure on wild stocks.

 Socioeconomic importance of BCLME

 Fisheries sector is very important in Angola being the third-most important industry after oil and diamond mining.  It provides nearly half of the animal protein of the country, and is important sources of employment and food to populations of the coastal regions, where it is often the only source of livelihood for the poorer population groups.  In addition to artisanal fisheries active in the coastal area, informal fish trade activities involve thousands of people, mainly women, and contribute to their livelihoods.  In Namibia, the fisheries sector is the third-largest of the Namibian economy, behind agriculture and mining, generating up to 10% of national GDP.  In South Africa, more than 90% of catches by its fishing industry comes from the Benguela. Fishing is socially and economically important in the coastal population of the Western Cape Province.

 The importance of BCLME goes beyond fisheries.  The BCLME houses active mining activities (including oil, natural gas, and diamonds), several major ports that are important for regional and global maritime transport, and attract tourism within and alongside its boundaries.  Mining, fisheries and tourism as well as transport are important sectors contributing significantly to the countries’ economic development.  All sectors combined, the coastal and marine resources of BCLME contribute almost US$269 billion a year of direct economic impact to the three countries, which include $38 billion and $400 million wage impacts in crude oil and fisheries sectors, respectively.  In this economically very active system, four marine protected areas in Angola, three of the four Ramsar sites in Namibia (the area of 29,600ha in total), and three of 16 Ramsar sites in South Africa exist all along the Benguela coast, which need proper environmental protection.

 The BCLME, its marine and coastal ecosystem goods and services, provides livelihoods to the population in the region and are important particularly for food security, poverty reduction, employment creation, and the region’s economic development in general.  To ensure the BCLME and its productivity are safeguarded for the future generations, a joint management by three countries with multiple sectors collaborating was strongly desired.  The establishment of the Benguela Current Commission is a response by the countries for such situation which resulted from strong political commitment from the three countries.  UNDP-GEF has been supporting their efforts to realize the joint management of resources over the past two decades.

Background to the Benguela Current Commission

 The Benguela Current Commission (BCC) came into being in August 2008 in Windhoek, Namibia with the appointment of an Executive Secretary. Its full staff compliment comprises five professionals, two administrative personnel and one general labourer. BCC is the chair of the Africa LME Caucus, a member of the IOC/UNESCO Global LME Consultative Committee, the ICES Working Group on LME Best Practices and an observer during meetings of the African Union ministers, SADC and the Abidjan Convention.  The Benguela Current Convention provides a legal framework for cross-border cooperation between the three countries of the BCLME. The creation of the BCC followed two decades of research, institutional and human capacity strengthening and cooperation. The BCC is the first multi-lateral Commission in the world to be based on the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) approach to ocean governance.

 The Commission is headed by a Ministerial Conference and supported by a Secretariat based in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia. The Secretariat works with regional and international partners to coordinate research and capacity building programmes and to assist the committees that are responsible for providing scientific, management and financial advice to the Commission. The Commission uses this advice to make management decisions related to the transboundary resources and issues, with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the BCLME and a balance between social, economic and environmental benefits. The mandate of the Commission is set out in the Benguela Current Convention. Although this mandate spans a number of coordination and administration functions, the core management function is to agree to specific measures to prevent, abate and minimise pollution; to agree to conservation and management measures concerning transboundary marine resources and coastal the environment; and to devise mechanisms that enhance sustainable utilization of the marine resources.

 Principles of the BCC:

 The general principles for the Parties of the Commission, as set out in Article 4 of the Convention, have guided the formulation of the SAP and should be applied to its implementation. These are:

• The cooperation, collaboration and sovereign equality principle;
• Sustainable use and management of the marine resources;
• The precautionary principle;
• Prevention, avoidance and mitigation of pollution;
• The polluter pays principle; and
• Protection of biodiversity in the marine environment and conservation of the marine ecosystem.

 Mission:

 To promote, coordinate and implement the sustainable development of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem.

 Vision:

A Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem sustaining human and ecosystem well-being for generation after generation.

 Values:

 Integrity, accountability, transparency, equity and environmental sustainability.

 BCC and BCLME Strategic Action Programme:

 The BCLME Strategic Action Programme (SAP) was originally developed in late 1990’s and endorsed by ministers responsible for mining, energy, fisheries, environment, and transport, from three countries in 2000, preceding the creation of BCC.  It has been since revised and updated in 2013 to provide a concrete results-based framework to implement the legally-binding Convention pursuant to its objective and in abidance of its sustainable and equitable development principles. The revision incorporated recommendations from the science projects, the institution building process, the data and information needs assessments. The revised SAP has been endorsed by the Ministers during the BCC Ministerial Conference on 21 August 2014.  In addition to the SAP, as a policy document on substantive matters, the Commission has a corporate strategic plan and a suite of contemporary requisite financial and administrative policies and procedures to render it a competent institution. Of note among the endorsed policies are a regional Data and Information Sharing Policy and Protocol to enable transboundary cooperation, an Investment Policy which focuses on operational sustainability, and finance and procurement policies and procedures based on international institutional best practices. Angola and Namibia produced draft national management plans and a joint management plan for horse mackerel with support from BCC and Namibia and South Africa are making progress with the determination of the Cape hakes’ transboundary nature and stock status. The BCC itself has been tested during the past five years as it is the first commission of its kind in the world. The above is testimony to its milestones while at international and regional policy levels it has proven to be a strong force of influence and a reliable partner for sustainable development. With its laudable and consistent political support, its corporate and substantive strategies in place advocating for a science-to-ocean governance approach, the BCC is ready to make a true difference in the BLCME region to improve food security, reduce poverty and stimulate employment creation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks

 The international consultant (IC) will provide specialized inputs and lead the drafting process for the development of the full size project   document and the GEF CEO endorsement request, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the region and other regional and national experts who will provide specialized inputs in the project development process.  The IC will work closely with UNDP and the Benguela Current Commission who will assist with in-country work of developing national ownership of the project and gathering information and developing technical inputs into the full size project document. The IC should ensure that the proposed project is fully embedded in the SAP and Convention and appropriately connected to the BCC’s existing and future projects as set out in the Project Identification Form (PIF).

Specific tasks of the IC shall include:

• Completion and submission of an inception report for the project development phase.  The inception report should include a proposed work plan following the proposed timeline included in this TOR, indicative travel and workshop requirements, suggested specialized technical inputs to be procured with the respective TORs;
• Facilitation of regional and national workshops, including the inception workshop, and other consultation activities in the project preparatory phase, in line with the requirements set out by the relevant UNDP and GEF policies and guidelines, in collaboration with the BCC, UNDP and national line ministries;
• Identification of co-financing from participating governments and other relevant public administrations to the project, including confirmation of the proposed national, bilateral and regional planning, management, policy making and institutional reforms as presented in the PIF, e.g. Regional Water Quality Standards and Monitoring Guidelines for pollution and biosafety, MPAs establishment supported in Angola to improve the governance of ocean and coastal resources in Angola;
• The identification of co-financing from all other partners to the project, including the local-level and private sector partners, international NGOs, bilateral donors, regional institutions, partners of BCC, etc.
• The identification of project stakeholders and demonstration sites as an outcome of the stakeholder consultations in collaboration with the BCC and line ministries, with clear justification for site selection and a clear definition of project beneficiaries;
• Strategic and technical guidance on any specific studies or reviews conducted during the project development process to ensure that all GEF Review Comments and STAP Comments will be addressed in the prodoc and GEF CEO Endorsement Request . E.g. include; updating the 2007 "Report on the Legislative, Policy and Governance Frameworks in the BCLME Region" with a view to securing commitments from the countries for specific policy and institutional reforms during the project; build on the existing economic valuation of ecosystem goods by i) vetting the data in the current ecosystem goods valuation and, ii) by doing a valuation of ecosystem services, particularly biodiversity; conduct, in consultation with all stakeholders, a scoping study to identify and agree on specific areas/ sectors/ resources for stress reduction and compile baselines for such areas/ resources/sectors;
• Delivering minutes/summary of discussions from all stakeholder consultation meetings.
• Developing in consultation with UNDP, BCC and stakeholders a detailed logical framework with SMART indicators to measure verifiable success (outcome level) and baselines;
• Developing in consultation with UNDP, BCC and stakeholders a draft work plan and budget with detailed notes on budget items;
• Securing co-financing letters in collaboration with BCC.
• Completing the Environment and Social Screening Procedures as per UNDP guideline.

Delivering all other necessary inputs to the Project Document, including:

• A draft general threats, root causes, and potential solutions analysis, based on the approved PIF, for review and approval by the countries and UNDP, to be presented within the Full Project Document;
• A realistic Incremental Cost Analysis (ICA) for the project as required by GEF;
• TORs for key PMU staff to be attached to the prodoc;
• A draft description of Sustainability, Replicability, M&E procedures (in line with UNDP and GEF guidelines), Project Management Framework and Stakeholder Involvement;

Executive Summary.

• Submission of a UNDP-compliant, full-sized Project Document and GEF CEO Endorsement Request in the required template to UNDP for UNDP approval and clearance;
• Supporting UNDP with specialized inputs a review process prior to the GEF CEO endorsement.

 The document will cover all elements required in the UNDP and GEF standard template for developing project documents, and this will be provided to the Consultant. (NB: GEF-5 template will be followed.)

Conduct of work 

• The IC will work under the guidance of the UNDP Namibia Resident Representative with day-to-day supervision by the CO’s Environment Team and technical guidance from the Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) for Water and Ocean Governance;
• The IC will work closely with other consultants that may be appointed to carry out specific studies and/or reviews that will contribute to the Project Document development and eventual project implementation;
• The IC should follow closely the work plan submitted in the inception report and approved by UNDP.  Any deviation from the work plan must be discussed in advance with UNDP;
• Frequent communication with UNDP and the BCC is expected from the IC;
• The IC will perform her/his duties both in-country and from home office;
• The IC will draw from existing reports, overviews and information sources. The IC should familiarize him/herself with the national and regional literature on marine resources management and mainstreaming into development planning processes, some of which the UNDP Country will provide.

Timing and scheduling

• The IC will be contracted by the UNDP Country Office for 100 working days spread over a period of 10 months, starting from 1 October 2014;
• The IC is expected to have visits to the BCLME region, specifically the BCC Secretariat in Swakopmund, Namibia and necessary in-country visits in all three countries for consultations. The following are tentative: 1. Inception Phase (1 week: October 2014); 2. National consultations for information gathering and to foster ownership (2-3 weeks: expected to be November-December 2014); 3. A regional review and validation workshop (April/May 2015) and, 4. Any other meetings/ events are recommended by the UNDP;
• The IC will produce the inception report within 2 weeks from the signing of the contract.
• The outputs set out in Section 4 will be produced between October 2014 and July 2015. 

The timing for the production of the project document is as follows:

• The IC will submit a first draft of the logical framework and financing plan by 1 March 2015 to UNDP and BCC.
• A first draft of the full-size project document including logical framework and financing plan by 1 April 2015;
• A final draft, incorporating comments, of the project document and the GEF CEO Endorsement Request by 31 May 2014;
• Final submission of the all required documents including annexes to UNDP by 30 June 2014.
• The IC will provide additional information as required by the GEF as required (usually within 3 months from the submission of all required documents).

Outputs and deliverables

• An inception report which sets out the work plan for the project design phase, consultations and specialized technical inputs needed, and budget lines.  It should not exceed 15 pages annexes inclusive (except for TORs for any specialized technical inputs).
• A UNDP- compliant, approved, full-sized Project, inclusive of all required annexes, for submission to UNDP. UNDP will provide the template;
• GEF CEO Endorsement Request for the full sized Project Document. UNDP will provide the template (GEF-5 template will be followed);
• The final report of the project preparatory phase, which will set out the achievements of the project design phase, stakeholders that were consulted and budget spent.  UNDP will provide the template.  Minutes from all stakeholder workshops should be annexed;
• Completion of a lessons learned template following completion of the preparatory phase.

Competencies

• Excellent English oral and written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports;
• Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into a coherent project document;
• Skill in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations;
• Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others;
• Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise;
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Good oral communication skills in English and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.
• Developing log frames and SMART indicators;
• Developing successful bankable project proposals/ documents;
• Understanding of the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) approach and practices in Africa and globally;
• Understanding of how to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis of alternative scenarios;
• Institutional assessment and development, including at decentralized levels;
• Translation of scientific information and data into concise policy message to be used by managers and decision makers.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree in a relevant area such as Marine/ Fisheries Biology, Marine Conservation, Ocean Governance, Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management;

Experience:

• At least 10 years relevant work experience in the implementation of the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) approach, ocean governance or in marine/ fisheries resources management/ marine spatial planning, etc.;
• Project development and design experience, experience in developing projects, specific experience in GEF-financed project development and familiarity with GEF IW Strategic Objectives; past experience in UNDP project development and/or implementation will be an added advantage;
• Proven experience in working in the multi-sectoral coordination and/or supporting multi-country coordination/collaboration;
• Experience in the BCLME countries will be an added advantage;
• Experience in and comfortable with working in different socio-cultural settings.

Langauge:

• Excellent English oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in Portuguese would be an advantage but not required.

Application:

• A comprehensive proposal is to be submitted, bearing in mind the elements above and which includes the following:
• International Consultant Profile (including skills and expertise; summary description of the highly relevant skills, experiences and indication of meeting the requirements);
• A maximum of two pages Technical Proposal responding to the TOR in detail, plus 2-page annex of the proposed approach to undertake the work, timelines, proposed  schedules, and indicative list of key stakeholders to be consulted;
• Financial Proposal: A provisional budget outlining the total service fees for carrying out all duties, where consultations are foreseen, separate budget items for stakeholder consultations to be fully indicated.  Financial proposal must be submitted as a separate file from the other information and clearly marked as the “Financial Proposal” on its file name.

The proposals and all submissions must be submitted to the UNDP Namibia Country Office by latest 17:00 on the 17th of September 2014.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

 Proposals must be clearly marked “BCLME Prodoc Development” and addressed to the:

UNDP Resident Coordinator

UNDP Namibia Country Office

38 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek

Windhoek, NAMIBIA

Email: Neil.Boyer@undp.org with a copy to Nico.Willemse@undp.org.