Position Title: In-House Consultant

Reports to: Marine Program Manager

Closure date: Friday 7 April 2023 EoB UTC+1 (Tunis time)

1. Background

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is one of the world’s leading independent conservation organisations in the world. It works to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife, collaborating with partners from local to global levels in nearly 100 countries. Guided by the best scientific analysis and Indigenous knowledge, WWF work to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats, and address climate change. Its long-term vision is to contribute towards a world where nature and people thrive.

WWF North Africa (WWF NA) has been created in Tunisia since 1994 and it’s working to protect nature and the environment and sustainable development based on dialogue and action in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt). It works on the basis of a strategy aligned with national priorities and at different levels, covering freshwater, landscape, climate change and marine ecosystems. These activities are implemented through external funded projects.

In accordance with its mission, WWF NA has received financial support under the GEF funded Child Project 3.1 (link). This project is focusing on “Management Support and Expansion of Marine Protected Areas in Libya” and constitutes Component 3 of the MedProgramme: Protecting Marine Biodiversity. It aims in addressing the capacity barriers that hinder the sustainability and effectiveness of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network in Libya, through the establishment of MPA management support mechanisms. The project is implemented by the UN Environment Programme and executed by the UN Environment/MAP with support from the SPA/RAC, IUCN Med and WWF, NA. It has three components: 1) Improving Governance and Management Support of existing and potential MPAs in Libya, namely Farwa lagoon, Ain El Ghazela and Gara Island, 2) Participation and Institutional strengthening of national and local stakeholders, and 3) Awareness-raising and Communication on MPAs values and benefits. 

WWF NA mission is to contribute in reducing threats to Libyan coastal and marine biodiversity and related ecosystem services by establishing an effective MPA governance and policy framework, that will be built on a sound science basis and involve all potential stakeholders in marine ecosystems conservation management. 

Effective management of the three MPAs in Libya will be mainly conducted through inhouse expertise and external consultancies. Permanent staff at WWF is required to closely assist the temporary consultants that will be hired and to follow the concrete implementation of the planned activities.

2. Objective of the assignement and Major Functions

The objective of the in-house consultant is to contribute to the implementation of WWF NA activities in the framework of the GEF funded Project Child 3.1 in Libya, as detailed below:

1. the close collaboration with the different national and international consultants that will be hired for the purpose of the project, and 
2. the effective implementation of some of the activities in the three selected MPAs in Libya as detailed in the section 3. 

3. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparation of ToRs to recruit the needed experts and follow the hiring process;
• Supervises, leads, manages and monitors the implementation of the work plans of the different consultants within the Child 3.1 Project, ensuring input and endorsement of these deliverables by local authorities in Libya:
  • Assist national consultant on socioeconomic study 
  • Assist national consultant on marine ecology
  • Assist national consultant on fishery stock assessment 
  • Assist national consultant to develop communication plan 
• With support from WWF NA Marine Program Manager, develops work plans for the implementation of the project and makes sure the timeline is respected;
• Organization and leading the coordination meetings with project partners and key involved stakeholders;
• When needed, prepares progress technical report and contribute to financial reports for the project according to the schedule agreed with the team;
• Contribute to the development of capacity building events for national Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
• Develop management unit implementation and operation for the Libyan MPAs
• Develop MPA tools and organize capacity building for practitioners
• Manage the mobilization of CSOs and develop national agreements with authorities

4. DURATION, DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

The period of carrying out this work will extend from the entry into force of the contract until the accomplishment of all tasks as detailed in article 3. Effective working days are estimated to be nighty-five days. 

5. PROFILE

This position is open to Tunisian and Libyan experts. The in-house consultant is expected to have the following profile, skills and expertise:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in marine environmental sciences such as marine, marine biology, etc;
• At least 3 years of professional experience in project management in an international environment in relation with marine ecosystem;
• Advanced knowledge of Libyan marine ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas and threatened species; 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English and Arabic are required;
• Ability/experience in facilitation stakeholder processes, engaging communities and institutional actors;
• Ability to coordinate technical consultants;

Required Skills and Competencies. 

• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

6. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal. 

Reports and interacts regularly with the WWF NA Marine program manager. 

External. 

Interact with the external consultants and the relevant partners both at international (UNEP/MAP, IUCN Med and SPA/RAC) and national levels (Ministry of environment in Libya, CSOs co-managing MPAs) according to the project objectives.