Result of Service

The consultant will prepare an Ocean Governance Study for the Republic of the Congo in cooperation with the lead Ocean Governance Study consultant.

Work Location

Home-based (remote)

Expected duration

3 months from 1 October to 31 December 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting and Reporting This consultant position is located in the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (the Division). The core functions of the Division are reflected in Section 9 of the Secretary-General’s Bulletin on the Organization of the Office of Legal Affairs (ST/SGB/2021/1). Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division, the work of the Consultant shall be overseen by the Senior Legal Officer in charge of Capacity-Building and Trust Funds (the Head), and managed directly by the Officer serving as Country Focal Point for the project within the Division, to whom the Consultant shall report. Background The Programmes of Assistance to Meet the Strategic Capacity Needs of Developing States in the Field of Ocean Governance and the Law of the Sea is a project implemented by the Office of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat of the United Nations through its Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (the Division), with funding provided by Norway, through its Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The project provides support to developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in building sustainable ocean-based economies through addressing critical capacity barriers at the regional and national levels, including with respect to the implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”) and related frameworks.   The Programme of Assistance is composed of three major series of activities: (1) The conduct of analyses of national frameworks for ocean governance in selected beneficiary States (Ocean Governance Studies); (2) The design and delivery of need-based capacity-building training courses; and (3)  Consultations with relevant regional intergovernmental organizations with a view to identifying capacity-building activities that would reinforce national and regional ocean governance programmes of work.   The Ocean Governance Studies will consist of a national-level inventory and analyses of legal and institutional frameworks for ocean governance in the selected beneficiary States. The Ocean Governance Studies are intended to: (1) Provide a high-level overview of the State’s legal and institutional framework for oceans; (2) Enhance the awareness of the beneficiary State regarding their overall legal and institutional framework for oceans, including potential linkages, overlaps and gaps; (3) Compare the national legal and institutional framework to core requirements under UNCLOS and its implementing or related applicable international instruments; (4) Assist beneficiary States in the identification and prioritisation of capacity gaps in the development and implementation of legal and institutional frameworks for oceans; and (5) Provide a knowledge base of the national legal and institutional frameworks for oceans.  In addition, the Ocean Governance Studies will help in the identification of further capacity-building needs to be addressed through this Project and in reinforcing the ability of beneficiary States to more effectively build their ocean governance frameworks (including through partnerships with other development partners).   Relevant to the present consultancy, the beneficiary State is invited to identify up to two priority ocean sectors for a Priority Sector Report as part of the Ocean Governance Study. Cross cutting issues to be addressed are: a) gender and oceans; and b) the blue economy. The Priority Sector Report will be conducted by the Priority Sector Consultant (see below), in collaboration and coordination with the beneficiary State, the Ocean Governance Consultant and DOALOS.  Duties and Responsibilities In collaboration with the Ocean Governance Studies consultant, the Priority Sector Consultant will conduct research on the legal and institutional framework of the selected priority ocean sectors, in connection with the below-described scope of work and deliverables. Scope of Work Specifically, on the ocean sectors selected by the beneficiary State, the Priority Sector is expected, in collaboration with the Ocean Governance Studies consultant, to: 1. undertake consultations with State officials and other national stakeholders; 2. conduct desktop research to identify key laws, regulations and policy documents on the selected ocean sectors, including on the basis of information provided by the State; 3. prepare and administer survey instruments regarding the legal and institutional framework of the selected oceans sectors, on the basis of the requirements in UNCLOS and related instruments, including with respect to capacity needs; and 4. receive and take into account the comments of the Division, the beneficiary State and national stakeholders on drafts of the deliverables. Deliverables The Priority Sector Consultant, will be responsible for the following outputs: 1. a proposed work plan for the consultancy; 2. a chart summarizing the presence or absence of key components of the legal and institutional framework of the selected ocean sectors under UNCLOS and related instruments; 3. an in-depth Priority Sector Report (PS Report) consisting of a narrative description of the legal and institutional framework of the priority sectors selected by the beneficiary State (artisanal fisheries and marine scientific research). This PS Report will be prepared in close collaboration with the Consultant; 4. a compilation of relevant national legal instruments and a list of international instruments (which the recipient State is a signatory or party) relating to the ocean sectors selected by the beneficiary State; and 5. a prioritized inventory of identified capacity-building needs on selected ocean sectors.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, law of the sea, sustainable development, environment/ocean-based science, or a related field, with a PhD being an added advantage. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of three years of experience in preparing expert analytical reports, qualitative and quantitative research and organizing multi-stakeholder meetings in ocean governance at the national level or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in ocean affairs or related fields is required. Prior knowledge of and experience in research and research methodology are required. Previous work experience in the UN system is highly desirable. Previous related work experience in the Republic of the Congo is highly desirable. Evidence of recent relevant research and publications is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Working knowledge of English is an advantage. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

This consultancy is part-time at a level B with a total contract sum ranging between US$6,608 and US$8,000, depending on qualifications and level of experience of the selected candidate. A first payment of 10% is due upon approval of the consultant’s proposed work plan, a second payment of 40% is due at completion of phase 1 (completion of the first draft of the PS report, submitted to DOALOS following the implementation of feedback provided by DOALOS on a preliminary text) and a final payment due at completion of phase 2 (final outputs accepted by the beneficiary State). Candidates should list all work experience and diplomas in the relevant part of the application. Work experience and diplomas only mentioned in the cover letter will not be considered for screening purposes. Statements must include concrete start and end dates, detailed description of tasks and achievements and whether the experience was obtained in full-time or part-time. Candidates should note that eligibility and fees will be decided based on their submitted application only. There is no option to revise an application after submission. Pursuant to United Nations regulations, persons who are in active government service are not eligible for this appointment. An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister, including step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings of a staff member of the United Nations.