International Consultant for the Realization of a Study on the Certification, Labeling and Construction of Umukeke Fish Value Chains from Burundi at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA): (Deadline 30 June 2025)
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Job Description
Result of Service
A Start-up Report and a Final Report on the Certification and Labeling of Burundi's Umukeke Fish Validates and Adopts
Work Location
Home Based
Expected duration
2 months
Duties and Responsibilities
1. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE The development of a blue economy policy is essential to optimize the contribution of this sector to the economic portfolio of States. The East African Community (EAC) has significant potential in aquatic and fisheries resources, including lakes, rivers, wetlands and a diversity of fishery products. However, some Member States, such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, are lagging behind in institutionalizing the participation of this sector in their development process. In national statistics, activities related to the blue economy are usually classified as the agricultural sector. In the particular case of Burundi, agriculture remains the main source of export earnings. In 2024, the country's export earnings amounted to US$183 million, of which only US$164,000, or 0.090%, came from fishing (COMTRADE, 2025). Although marginal in foreign trade, fishing plays a significant economic and social role at the local level. It is not only a source of employment for a large part of the population, but also one of the main sources of protein accessible to the local population. In addition, fish products can also be important sources for gastronomic tourism, with some fish or seafood only found in specific areas. Lake Tanganyika, which Burundi shares with the DRC, Tanzania and Zambia, is a major part of the national economy and a shining example. It is operated by multiple sectors of activity such as agriculture, tourism, transport and trade. It also serves to maintain Burundi's ecological wealth; To maintain groundwater and wetlands, as well as to contribute to the social development of communities. One of the most popular economic activities in the coastal communities of Lake Tanganyika is artisanal fishing and the informal sale of fish. While men are in charge of fishing, women and young people are mainly in charge of the sales activity, with the main fish being Umukeke. Umukeke, renowned for its dense flesh, is only found in Lake Tanganyika with its peak production in Burundi. It remains an emblematic local gastronomic product, but its marketing outside the country is only limited to countries bordering Burundi and most often through informal activities. In its vision "Burundi, Emerging Country in 2040 and Developed Country in 2060", the Government aims for a strong and competitive economy through sustained growth and the promotion of products that meet international quality standards for the benefit of all segments of the population. In 2023, the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA-SRO/EA) supported Burundi in the finalization of its tourism policy and investment plan. These documents highlighted the need to place Lake Tanganyika at the heart of the country's tourism development, by sustainably exploiting its related resources, including its fisheries resources. In 2024, ECA/BSR/EA, in collaboration with EAC, organized a training on the blue economy in Burundi, as well as a consultation exercise on the EAC Blue Economy Strategy and Action. During this exercise, Burundian stakeholders insisted on the need to invest in fisheries industries and value chains. In March 2025, following an official request, the Ministry of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism of Burundi requested technical assistance from ECA-SRO/EA to conduct a study on the certification, labeling and development of the Umukeke fish value chain, both nationally and internationally. This scientific initiative aims to structure the technical, regulatory and analytical approaches necessary to guarantee the quality, traceability and authenticity of this emblematic fish product, in its raw or processed form. An international consultant will be recruited to conduct this study, with the main objective of aligning Umukeke with international standards and creating a framework conducive to its recognition as a fishery resource of Burundian origin, with a view to facilitating its regional and international export. 2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY The main objective of this study is to carry out an in-depth analysis, accompanied by an assessment of costs, with a view to identifying, structuring and synthesizing all the technical, regulatory and analytical steps necessary to ensure the quality, traceability and authenticity of Umukeke fish for safe and enjoyable consumption by tourists and the establishment of the ideal configuration for a Umukeke ready for export to Burundi. In addition, there will be a need to assess gaps in the existing framework in Burundi to support the accreditation, standardization, testing and labeling of Umukeke in Burundi. The study will focus on 4 specific points: 1. define a list of potential transformations that could be made to Umukeke; 2. Identify the regional and international standards applicable to the trade and consumption of fish to which Umukeke will have to comply in each of the forms; 3. Define the process for labeling fish; 4. Produce an analysis of the estimated cost of setting up the ideal configuration for an export-ready Umukeke in Burundi. 3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the general supervision of the ECA-SRO/EA, the international consultant will carry out a study of a value chain of Umukeke, as well as the certification and labeling of Burundian fish. To this end, the consultant will carry out the following tasks and activities: • Desk and field research on the potential transformations of Umukeke for exports to the region as well as to the world. • Research on norms and standards applicable in Africa and internationally for the trade of fish in the multiple forms identified for processing • Describe the accreditation requirements, examination processes and technologies required as well as the standardization procedure to achieve regional and international exportability of the different forms of Umukeke. • To carry out a stakeholder mapping of the entire process for each form of exportable Umukeke. The points of intervention of all parties involved in this process (government, fishermen, distributors, etc.) private sector, etc.) should be mapped. Particular attention must be paid to the involvement of women and young people in this process. • Describe the policy, institutional, legal, financial and human resources framework required to support the implementation of the overall policy. • Describe the process of developing a geographical indication for Umukeke • Carry out a gap analysis between the existing support framework and the required support framework • Assess the cost for optimal implementation of each step and a required support framework.
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Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications: A Master's degree in Marine Science or a related field is required. A first-level degree, in addition to five years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree. At least 3 years of experience in conducting standardization and certification work In addition, the consultant must have: ─ A thorough understanding of the food standards accreditation, review and certification process ─ At least three years of experience in conducting work in the field of food accreditation, norms and standards in Africa. ─ Knowledge of fish and fishery products and value chains ─ Experience working with national institutions would be an asset. ─ Experience working in a multicultural environment or in an international organization is desirable. ─ Demonstrated experience of working under tight deadlines and producing high-quality products. ─ Strong oral and written communication skills. ─ Ability to work independently, proactively and with little supervision.
Languages
Rwanda travel guide
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French (oral and written) is required.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.
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