Background

To combat and be prepared for circumscribing the climate change and its impacts, the Government of the Republic of Mauritius (ROM) has signed a project agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), for the implementation of a UNDP Africa Adaptation Program (AAP) - Supporting Integrated and Comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Africa - The Republic of Mauritius (ROM). The Government of Japan is funding this AAP Program.

The objective of the project is to develop a robust institutional framework for the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into core development policies, strategies and plans of the ROM. The outputs of the project are: (i) dynamic long-term planning mechanisms to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change introduced; (ii) leadership capacities and institutional frameworks to manage climate change risks and opportunities in an integrated manner at the local, regional and national levels strengthened; (iii) climate-resilient policies and measures in priority sectors implemented; (iv) financing options to meet national adaptation costs expanded at local, national, sub-regional and regional levels; (v) knowledge on adjusting national development processes to fully incorporate climate change risks and opportunities generated and shared across all levels.


The ROM comprises the mainland Mauritius and other islands such as Rodrigues, St Brandon, Agalega, etc. The mainland Mauritius is a small tropical island in the Indian Ocean and is located near latitude 20o South and longitude 57o East. It has a total land area of 2040 km2, with a coastal zone mostly surrounded by fringing reef that encloses a lagoonal area of 243 Km2. The topography of the coast comprises mostly of low lying areas, flat plains in the north and minor cliffs in the western and southern part of the island, where coral reef is absent. As at 2010 its population is estimated at around 1.3 million inhabitants.

Mauritius is swept by South East Trade Winds throughout the year, except for some short periods in the summer months, when tropical depressions approach it. The country has been affected by 23 intense Tropical Cyclones located within 100 km radius of Mauritius, between 1960 and 2010 and also by occasional droughts, the most severe being those of 1998 and 1999.

The impacts of climate change are likely to increase existing stresses on fisheries such as pollution, decreasing habitats, fishing pressure etc. Scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has forecasted certain effects (both positive and negative) of climate change such as local shifts in production, longer growing periods, faster growth rates among others with varying levels of confidence. The effects will be uneven, depending on geographic area. The global climate change is expected to cause many changes including increased air and sea surface temperatures, rises in sea level, changes in weather patterns, frequent storms and other extreme weather events in some places, possible alteration of ocean circulation patterns and changes in seawater chemistry, due to increased carbon dioxide concentrations.

Corals reefs have a very important role and human beings acquire many direct and indirect benefits from this rich and diverse ecosystem. Nearly 40% of the world population lives within 100 km from the coastline akin for a small island state like Mauritius. Many livelihoods depend on the status and health of coral reefs and their loss is irreversible. It is, therefore, of vital importance to protect and conserve this vulnerable ecosystem. Even though Mauritius has a negligible contribution to the global warming phenomenon, the negative effects are already being observed and felt. It is only fair that the larger economies and developed countries take a resolution to reduce the emission of GHGs which will allow the precious coral reefs to survive for many more future generations.

To implement the component “mainstreaming of climate change adaptation in the fisheries sector”, under the Africa Adaptation Program (AAP), the services of two specialized consultants would be required. The two consultants to be recruited would be: (i) a Fisheries Expert –Team Leader (4 months); and (ii) a Policy Expert (3 months). Each consultant would be recruited through separate bidding process and contract. The present TOR is for the recruitment of the Fisheries Expert.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Fisheries Expert (4 months) shall work in collaboration with the Policy Expert (3 months) to produce the specified deliverables. Their work will be both overlapping and complementary and would be both responsible to attain the project objectives. Specifically, the tasks of the Fisheries Expert shall comprise the following:

1. climate change impacts assessment and analysis in the fisheries sector;
2. a detailed stock taking in each subsector, including pisciculture, mariculture, (ostreiculture) oyster culture in the different fields (technical, technological, resource) and identifying cross-sectoral linkages and critical information and data requirement for climate change impact assessment;
3. a broad analysis of climate change impacts on the different subsectors and to include both artisanal and industrial fisheries;
4. institutional mapping and review and revision of existing policies, strategies, plans, laws, licence, agreements, in the sector, with focus on the climate change;
5. proposal for the development and setting-up of a framework to facilitate an integrated multisectoral approach to manage climate change within the fisheries sector;
6. development of a good networking system including different stakeholders for data & experience exchange, advice, etc. The possible inclusion of a "forum" space in the websites of the Ministry may be considered;
7. undertaking capacity needs assessment and capacity building for long term planning and modelling to assess impacts of climate change in the fisheries sector and develop adaptation strategies in different subsectors;
8. elaboration and implementation of a training program for trainers for the transfer of knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation in the subsectors and implementation of this program;
9. preparation of a comprehensive development program, with action plan to address climate change adaptation in the development process in the sector. The consultants would draft small project write-up, with project details, cost estimates, institutional responsibilities, and implementation schedule and devise action plans to address climate change adaptation in the development process of the sector. The action plan shall be in the form of a climate change investment programme for the fisheries sector, with small project write-ups, with details on: objectives; justification; project details; cost estimates; implementation schedules; implementing authorities; monitoring and evaluation;
10. identification and guidance in the implementation of demonstration projects with a view to educate the public on the ways to address climate change impacts in the different subsector. Consideration could be given on the introduction of an appropriate mangrove species from Mauritius that could be of more use in the Rodriguan context, proposal for a fish landing station and a boat mooring area in the South East Marine Protection Area (SEMPA), stabilization of the adjacent inland area of SEMPA to prevent leaching of soil and their discharge into the sea, installation of equipment in the SEMPA for the monitoring of temperature and salinity, etc.;
11. evaluate the impacts of sand extraction on the lagoonal ecosystem of Rodrigues and its effect on beach stability; and
12. development on an inland development control guideline for developments adjacent to the SEMPA to prevent carriage and deposits of heavily charged terriginous materials.

Key Results:

1. climate change impact assessment report on the fisheries sector;
2. institutional mapping report and review and revision proposals of existing policies, strategies, plans, laws, licence, agreement, in the sector with focus on the climate change;
3. framework to facilitate an integrated multisectoral approach to manage climate change within the sector;
4. development of a good networking system including different stakeholders for data and experience exchange, advice, etc.;
5. capacity building for long term planning and modelling to assess impacts of climate change in the fisheries sector and develop adaptation strategies in different fisheries subsectors;
6. training program for trainers for transfer of knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation in the subsectors and implementation of this program;
7. action plans with projects write-up to address climate change impact adaptation in the development process in the sector;
8. demonstration project proposal and completion report with a view to educate the public on the ways to address climate change impacts in the different subsector;
9. project progress reports and project completion report;
10. inland development control guideline for developments adjacent to the SEMPA;
11. feasibility study report on the possible introduction of the avicennia spp. Mangrove species in Rodrigues;
12. assessment report on sand extraction impacts on lagoonal ecosytems and beach stability in Rodrigues.

The consultants would be required to submit the reports cited above in English to the Director of Fisheries/ Principal Fisheries Officer, the Ministry of Fisheries and Rodrigues, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the UNDP.

All reports and deliverables including in connection with training (i.e. manuals, guidelines, training module-course materials and presentation materials etc.) should also be provided in 6 hard copies as well as 3 electronic versions on CD and copied also by email. All annexed maps, charts, data and figures should be submitted in 12 copies.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Ministry of Fisheries and Rodrigues.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to Results Management, including
  screening and collecting of projects documentation, projects data entering, preparation of revisions, filing, provision of information.
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.$$

Required Skills and Experience

• At least a Post Graduate University degree in fisheries or related fields. Additional specialization or experience in areas of climate change adaptation, marine conservation, coastal and marine resource management, policy planning, capacity building, networking or other related fields will be an asset.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills. Ability to mobilize interests and support with a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent command in written and spoken English and working knowledge in French.
• Ability to work in a team, under pressure and ability to meet deadlines.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in fisheries/marine conservation, with proven practical experience in climate change impact assessment and adaptation, review and formulation of fisheries and climate change policies, need assessment, action plan, networking.