Context

Like the rest of the world, Africa was equally looking forward to 2020 designated as the super year for nature and biodiversity with the adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework. This framework will be a stepping stone towards the CBD 2050 Vision of “Living in harmony with nature”. Decision 14/34, the Conference of the Parties adopted in Egypt in 2018 set out the process for developing the post-2020 GBF with the establishment of an Open-ended Working Group that had to support this process. In April 2019, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, convened the Regional Consultation on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework for Africa in Addis Ababa.

For Africa, like the rest of the world, it is critical to adopt a framework with targets that will not only curb the loss of biodiversity but will enhance opportunities to improve the lives of many Africans especially depending on biodiversity for their survival. Under the Aichi Target, African countries had already designated 13.4 percent of the continent’s landmass and 2.6 per cent of the seas as protected areas. It is however feared as per the report of the African Ministerial Summit that took place in Egypt at the side-lines of the COP14 in 2018 that ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss driven by rapid growth in population, urbanization, infrastructure and industrial development, pollution, waste and demand for services such as water and food, were of great concern, as they would hamper Africa’s economic and social development.

WWF in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union Commission as members of the Informal Biodiversity Support Group (IBSG) to the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) in view of reinforcing Africa’s position in the post 2020 GBF process is launching a call for expression of interest for a qualified consultant to carry out this study.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to develop a regional synthesis report on the performance of African countries under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the revised and updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs). The performance assessment shall be based on the National Reports submitted by countries to the Secretariat of the CBD. The last report submitted by countries under the Convention is the 6^th National Report that was due by 31 December 2018, according to CBD/COP/DEC/XIII/27 15 December 2016 adopted at COP13 in Cancun in 2016.

The information collated within this context will need to highlight the importance of implementing NBSAPs as revised under the 2011-2020 Biodiversity Strategy and the Aichi Targets as African priorities as adopted in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2018 including initiatives like AFR100 that support economic growth, sustainable development.

Scope:

As of 10 December 2019, 46 African countries had submitted their 6th national reports on biodiversity (21 in French, 24 in English and 1 in Spanish). These reports represent more than 10,000 pages) containing, among other things, the updated biodiversity profiles of the respective countries and sections on progress made in implementing national biodiversity targets and other actions. The review of the reports will be an opportunity to provide updated data and information on progress made on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the different ecoregions/ecosystems in Africa, on their impact on the lives of the people and on sustainable development.

Output:

The major output is a flagship report on the performance of African countries on the Aichi Targets based on the 6^th National Reports submitted to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.  

Outcome:

• A regional comprehensive synthesis of the 6th national reports on biodiversity from African
  countries describing progress made in implementing the national
  strategies and action plans with their respective biodiversity targets as well as related Aichi
  biodiversity targets, drawing – but not limited to - the UNEP-WCMC report in preparation on review of lessons learnt from developing national strategies and reports, including interpretation of Aichi Biodiversity Targets for use at the national level.
• Identification of gaps in terms of performance and areas where work needs
  to be continued beyond 2020 and supported in the new GBF
• A highlight of the synergistic interlinkages particularly between implementing NBSAPs and
  implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063, the
  African Development Bank’s High Five , AFR100, but also to global initiatives like the enhancement of NDCs under the Paris Agreement, the LDN, SDGs, etc.
• A policy brief for decision makers articulating what possible issues Africa will need to consider in the post 2020 GBF to enhance its negotiation position. 
• Prepare targeted contributions from the African Group to the specific elements of the proposed framework (although their final formulation will depend on the results of ongoing processes);

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of Master’s degree in natural resources or relevant fields including international environmental policy;
•  At least 7 years of experience with thematic areas included in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and previous National Reports, including protected areas and their status, the conservation status of biodiversity, threats to biodiversity;
• Significant experience in the field of environmental protection, including work on the collection and analysis of environmental data, or analysis and advice on environmental policy and environmental standards;
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills, and the ability to work with data and information;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
• Ability to correctly report information and ability to work in close partnership with government officials;
• Knowledge of the structure of the government and the existing national mechanism for the conservation of biodiversity and its management;
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English, with working knowledge of French.

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses
• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;

The assignment is expected to last for a period of 3 months and the estimated starting date is September 2020.

Expressions of interest must be delivered via email to the addresses below no later than August 25, 2020:

recruit-cam@wwfcam.org and dhalleson@wwfint.org With copy to, A.KAMDEMTOHAM@AFDB.ORG; A.SOUMARE@AFDB.ORG;  and MahletK@africa-union.org