National Consultant, National Action Plan for the Blue Economy Strategic Framework

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

Harnessing the potentials of the oceanic economy, also known as blue economy, has emerged as a crucial development opportunity for optimum use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. Accordingly, the Government of Sierra Leone has embraced the emerging concept of the Blue Economy as a mechanism to diversify its economy and realize ocean-based sustainable economic development. However, to date, the country has explored only a few Blue Economy sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and port facilities, using traditional methods. This, thus presents opportunities as well as challenges for exploring these blue economy sectors, including the fishery, maritime trade and shipping, energy, tourism, coastal protection, aquaculture, mining, maritime safety, and surveillance, addressing environmental changes and managing carbon discharge, and introducing innovative technology for further development to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

Considering the above, the UNDP through its Natural Resource Management (NRM) portfolio, supported the Government of Sierra Leone to develop a Blue Economy Strategic Framework (BESF) for harnessing the country’s oceanic resources, through a national consultative process, including desk reviews. The final draft strategy reflects an inclusive and integrated approach to the Blue Economy management that would guide policies going forward. With the recent validation of the BESF, it is critical that an implementation strategy which will include the overall timeline, a breakdown of priorities for each year along with the criteria for prioritization. The strategy should also consider potential collaboration and partnership beyond government institutions i.e. UN APF, NGOs and IFIs.

In view of the above, the services of a National Consultant are required for a minimum of 30 working days to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Blue Economy Strategic Framework, including working with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to consolidate the various inputs and produce the final strategy document.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the consultancy

The main objective of the consultancy is to develop a NAP for the implementation of the BESF through a national consultative process.

Scope of work

Liaising with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in relation to the development of the NAP, the National consultant will be expected to:

1. Consolidate all technical inputs from sector experts, Universities and Research Institutions, and development partners
2. Facilitate regional stakeholder consultative sessions and discussions
3. Review and update the proposed action plan into short, medium and long-term
4. Lead the review and editing of the Draft NAP
5. Lead the National Validation of the Final Draft NAP

Timeframe:

The entire assignment will be completed within 30 working days starting from the 24th October 2022 and is expected to be completed by the 15th December 2022.

Frequency of reporting

The consultant shall be directly supervised by the UNDP SLED Programme Specialist/focal point for Harnessing the Blue Economy, with oversight provided by the SLED Cluster Lead.

Institutional arrangement

Submission of the reports shall be to the UNDP Resident Representative. Thereafter, the consultant will be required to present a draft report to the Technical Committee on the Blue Economy at MoPED. Upon confirmation of acceptable reports, authorization for disbursement of payments and evaluation of performance shall be undertaken by the focal point for the blue economy.

Expected Outcomes

Based on the scope of work outlined above, the consultant will be expected to deliver the following outputs by the completion date.

1. Inception Report
2. Report on technical and regional consultation process and submit draft NAP highlighting short. Medium- and long-term interventions
3. Final validated NAP

Deliverables Estimated time Related payments

• Inception Report TBD 20%

• Report on the regional consultative TBD 40%

  process and first draft of the NAP

• Submission of final validated BESF NAP TBD 40%

Competencies

• Highly motivated, with drive and commitment.
• Professionalism and integrity.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and learning.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Builds strong relationships with partners, focus on impact and results for the partner and responds positively to feedback.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Ability to work with recipient counterparts in building individual and institutional capacity

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Background

The consultants should have relevant academic qualifications and track record in developing strategies in the key sectors of the blue economy (or related disciplines).

• Masters degree or equivalent degree in Oceanography, Maritime Administration, Economics, Project Management, International Relations, Business or Public administration or related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with ten additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of oceanography, maritime administration, development planning, public administration, agriculture, environment, financial management, budget, or related field is required.
• Experience in policy and strategy formulation, planning or programme management is desirable.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the global multilateral processes related to the blue economy.
• Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues

Language Requirements

Fluent in English

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Academic qualification relevant to tasks with 7 years’ work experience – 20%
2. Experience in handling similar assignments including evidence of proof (certification/recommendation from previous employers) – 25%
3. Demonstrate knowledge, professional competence, and mastery of subject matter – 25%
4. Financial Proposal – 30%

Application Modalities:

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

1. Technical proposals – explaining among other things methodology and approach to the assignment suitable to the requirement of the ToRs. The tentative work plan relating to the scope of the ToRs should be included as per of the technical proposal.
2. In addition, and as part of technical proposals, prospective consultants are expected to update CV and P 11 and submit as an attachment to the technical proposal. The P11 Form can be obtained from the link below: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Financial proposal.