ASEAN Regional Sustainable Blue Economy Consultant

Result of Service Work Assignment and Outputs

Under the direct supervision by Regional Coordinator for Ecosystem Management in UNEP Asia and the Pacific Office and in close coordination with experts from UNEP and its partners, the consultant is required to: provide targeted technical and capacity building support on the Sustainable Blue Economy in the ASEAN region.

Outputs

Output 1. Development of a guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP SBE-Transition Framework) relevant for the ASEAN region with selected tools available with examples relevant for an ASEAN setting

Deliverables:

a. A detailed work plan outlining approaches and methodologies, as well as timelines for each deliverable under the consultancy, including an annotated outline of the guidance document. . b. An annotated outline of the guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches. c. A first draft guidance document for review by UNEP and its partners. d. The final version of the guidance document prepared by integrating review comments received from UNEP and its partners.

Output 2. Contribute to the knowledge and lessons sharing meetings on Sustainable Blue Economy to raise awareness on the Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework, particularly a draft readiness assessment tool.

Deliverables

a. A first knowledge and lessons sharing meeting on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches in ASEAN organized in close collaboration with partners, with technical contribution based on the draft guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP SBE-Transition Framework) for ASEAN b. A second knowledge and lessons sharing meeting on the Sustainable Blue Economy in ASEAN organized in close collaboration with partners, with technical contribution based on the guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP SBE-Transition Framework) for ASEAN.

Output 3. The engagement with partners in ASEAN and technical support to the Sustainable Blue Economy activities in the region

Deliverables

a. Inputs from ASEAN Chair, Member States, ASEAN secretariat and other partners integrated in developing the guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP SBE-Transition Framework), as well as in organizing knowledge and lessons sharing meetings, and dissemination events, to be summarized in the final progress report. b. Summaries of the progress and contributions made by UNEP’s Sustainable Blue Economy activities in Asia and the Pacific region as well as lessons learned prepared on a monthly basis, highlighting the collaboration with ASEAN Chair, Member States and other partners. c. A plan for future engagement of UNEP in supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Blue Economy prepared with inputs from UNEP.

Output 4. The communications and dissemination of the work on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP SBE-Transition Framework) in the ASEAN region

Deliverables

a. The first communication and dissemination event at a major meeting/event to highlight the outcomes of the work on the Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework in Southeast Asia organized in close collaboration with partners. b. The second communication and dissemination event at a major meeting/event to highlight the outcomes of the work on the Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework in Southeast Asia organized in close collaboration with partners.

Performance indicators for evaluation of outputs.

a. Satisfactory completion of deliverables and receipt of quality outputs b. Timely delivery and approvals of submitted deliverables

Work Location Home-Based, Southeast Asia

Expected duration 5 months and 2 weeks, from 21 January to 30 June 2022

Duties and Responsibilities Purpose:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

UNEP’s Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance.

UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment.

UNEP’s Initiative on ‘Sustainable Blue Economy’ aims to assist countries tackle complex economic and social drivers impacting coastal and marine areas to ensure their long-term resilience and sustainable development. Working with countries, Regional Seas and many partners, the initiative focuses on providing a ‘decision-support & enabling framework’ to develop and implement environmental sustainable blue economy polices and strategies to unlock investments and actions ensuring the sound use of marine and coastal ecosystems and their many services. Thereby, the initiative facilitates sustainable economic and social development within planetary boundaries of our oceans - ensuring poverty eradication, food security, health, jobs, coastal protection and carbon storage as prerequisites for human well-being and climate resilience into the future.

There is growing interest among countries in Southeast Asia towards adopting the Sustainable Blue Economy approach. For example, the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Blue Economy was adopted at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 26 October 2021, which affirmed ASEAN’s commitment to talking the lead on regional cooperation in relation to the Blue Economy. Under the Declaration, ASEAN leaders also agreed to explore cooperation on the Blue Economy, including in enhancing understanding of the concept and approaches related to the Blue Economy, and welcomed ASEAN’s partners to support the development of the Blue Economy, and referred to the potential development of a regional action plan on the Blue Economy.

UNEP, in collaboration with partners, has supported, and will continue to support these efforts and processes towards the further advancement of the Sustainable Blue Economy in the ASEAN region. In particular, UNEP will support countries in Southeast Asia in developing a holistic enabling framework for countries to visualize, develop and implement ‘sustainable blue economy policies and strategies’ that ensure sustainable, efficient and equitable use of coastal and marine resource within ecological limits, balancing economic, environmental and social priorities. Such support will help countries identify and address economic drivers of environmental degradation and policy gaps currently accelerating coastal pollution, resource overexploitation, uncoordinated coastal development and climate vulnerability at the land-sea interface. The focus will be placed on the pilot application of prototype Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework developed by UNEP in Sustainable Blue Economy ‘readiness assessments’ in selected countries in Southeast Asia, as well as providing targeted technical support to ASEAN-level dialogues and knowledge sharing sessions on the Sustainable Blue Economy.

Specific activities include: development of a guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework) for the ASEAN region with selected tools and methodologies to be applied and case studies and examples from the ASEAN and other regions; facilitation of knowledge and lessons sharing meetings for ASEAN Member States to raise awareness on the Sustainable Blue Economy concepts and approaches (including UNEP Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework); and communication and dissemination on the work related to the Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework in the region. These activities will be implemented in close coordination and cooperation with the ASEAN Chair, Member States, ASEAN secretariat and other partners.

In this context, this consultancy is to support and contribute to the above-mentioned activities on the Sustainable Blue Economy in the region. The consultant will act as a day to day liaison with ASEAN Chair and the secretariat on issues related to the Blue Economy, works with them in organizing ASEAN-level knowledge sharing events on the Sustainable Blue Economy, and provide technical contribution to the knowledge sharing events. The consultant will undertake the customization of the Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework to the ASEAN context and develop a guidance document on the Sustainable Blue Economy concept and approaches (including the UNEP Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework) for the ASEAN region with selected tools available with examples relevant for a ASEAN setting, including those that come from other regions. The consultant will develop a clear plan for future engagement of UNEP at ASEAN level on the Sustainable Blue Economy, in support of the implementation of the Declaration on Blue Economy for ASEAN. Additionally, the consultant will be tasked to support overall coordination of the work on the Sustainable Blue Economy in Asia and the Pacific.

Objective

To contribute to the enhanced awareness and readiness by ASEAN Member States to advance Sustainable Blue Economy principles and approaches, through customization of the prototype Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework and related technical and capacity building support.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: Demonstrated excellence in knowledge and skills related to coastal and marine ecosystem management and the Sustainable Blue Economy

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree in environment/social/natural science, communication, media, public relations and equivalent academic qualifications, or equivalent work experience

Experience: - Familiarity with issues in the area of coastal and marine ecosystem management, Sustainable Blue Economy; and sound familiarity with national and state contexts and stakeholders required. - At least 10 years of progressive experience in the area of environmental issues or the areas that are relevant to the assignment under this consultancy required. - Experience in Asia and the Pacific region is desirable. - Demonstrated experience in undertaking policy analysis and assessments required. - Working experience in a multicultural environment including United Nations desirable.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage

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.