CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TERMS OF REFERENCE SEYCHELLES BLUE ECONOMY STRATEGY ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AD HOC EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL

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1 Ref: SASD/ELS/NXCWG/0891 CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TERMS OF REFERENCE SEYCHELLES BLUE ECONOMY STRATEGY ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AD HOC EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL Background The oceans can make a significant contribution to the sustainable economic development of many coastal and island developing states. However, they are under increasing pressure from many uses and their ability to maintain their diversity and productivity, and to provide a wide array of valuable services to people, is being compromised. The emerging concept of the Blue Economy has been embraced by many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a mechanism to realise sustainable economic development based around an ocean-based economy. The Republic of Seychelles has played a key role in this respect, proposing the Blue Economy as a central theme for the coming Third Conference on Small Island Developing States, to be held in Samoa in September The Government of Seychelles has committed to implement the Blue Economy concept at the national level as a framework to foster an integrated consideration for sustainable development programmes. However, a critical gap in the concept is a mechanism for its implementation at the national level - little, if any, practical information is available to countries wishing to implement these concepts at the national level. Moreover, the information that does exist focusses primarily on land-based economic development, or has a strong focus on conservation rather than on the sustainable use of and investment in an ocean-based economy for national benefit. In this context, the Commonwealth Secretariat is providing assistance to the Government of Seychelles to establish a framework for assessing the opportunities available to Seychelles for diversification and sustainable economic growth beyond the land-based economy (to be referred to as the Blue Economy) and for assessing Seychelles state of preparedness to realize those opportunities. To support this work, the Commonwealth Secretariat is currently seeking to establish an ad hoc advisory panel of experts with expertise in key aspects of the Blue Economy, to provide technical advice to the Government of Seychelles on the development of a national strategy for the implementation of the blue economy concept at the national level. 1

2 Economic & Legal Section (ELS) ELS provides policy, legal and economic advice and assistance on investment and related matters, focusing on the delivery of advice and assistance concerning the exploitation and development of natural resources, the delimitation of maritime boundaries and broader aspects of ocean governance. This broad, multidisciplinary focus enables us to deliver a more comprehensive and integrated range of advisory services to meet the needs of member countries. Objective There are a number of areas relating to the Blue Economy that are regularly cited as being opportunities that countries wish to pursue (e.g. marine renewable energy and aquaculture). However, little practical information is available to allow policy and decision makers to make informed decisions about the feasibility of these opportunities in the context of SIDS. The overall objective of the Advisory Panel is therefore to prepare a synthesis of information and experience relating to different activities and to provide practical advice to the Government of Seychelles as to the feasibility of their applications in Seychelles. The work of the Panel will be coordinated with other initiatives being undertaken by the Commonwealth Secretariat and its partners with the Government of Seychelles 1, to provide a pragmatic assessment of the opportunities available to Seychelles for economic diversification and sustainable blue growth. Scope of Services A maximum of four technical experts are sought with expertise in the following thematic areas: 1. Marine renewable energy; 2. Marine biotechnology including biofuels and marine based biomass; 3. Marine bio-prospecting and pharmaceuticals; 4. High value seafood products i.e. increasing the value chain from fishing. Panel members will be required to work closely with the ELS advisory team and with Government officials in Seychelles. In this regard, Panel members will be required to undertake any or all of the following tasks: 1. To meet as a Panel in London to agree the scope and content of the various issues papers; 2. Prepare a high level Issues Papers (approximately 20 pages each) for the respective thematic area. The scope of the Issues Papers should look at, but not be limited to, the following key areas: Technology options and their feasibility in the Seychelles (and broader SIDS) context; Environmental risks and benefits; Economic issues including costs and subsidies for their development; and 1 These include a partnership being developed with the Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers in the Blue Bio-Economy and an independent assessment of Seychelles marine spatial data needs and gaps. 2

3 Policy and institutional issues to be addressed to create the right investment environment. 3. In preparing the desk top study, Panel members should draw on practical experience from countries that have successfully developed activities related to each of the Thematic Areas as well as reviewing data from a range of sources including, but not necessarily limited to: Academic research; Commercial feasibility studies and industry research; and Data and reports from sector-specific organisations. 4. Undertake, in conjunction with other panel members and the ELS adviser, an incountry visit to meet with government officials and to discuss the findings of their research; and 5. Cooperate fully with the ELS team assigned to the project and carry out such other tasks incidental to tasks 1-3 above as may be required by ELS in connection with the implementation of this project. Deliverables (Outputs) The key deliverables of this project are therefore: A series of activity-specific Issue Papers addressing the scope outlined above; and A face-to-face briefing/workshop between the panel and officials/ministers in Seychelles. Management Arrangements and Conduct of Work The technical expert will working alongside with the ELS Adviser (Ocean Governance). The technical expert will be expected to work from own offices using own facilities other than when participating in ELS-led meetings. Travel to Seychelles is expected during the project. However, all duty travel shall be agreed in advance with the ELS Advisor; ELS will undertake direct communication with member countries that are the subject of this project. Level of Effort The following level of effort is indicated per output: Output Level of Effort Data collation and draft Issues Paper 15 days Meetings with ELS 2 days In-country site visit to Seychelles 5 Finalisation of study 3 days Total 25 days Expertise Sought Expressions of interest are sought from individuals and firms with expertise and experience in any of the following areas: Marine renewable energy policy, technology and operation; 3

4 Biotechnology applications including biofuels, industrial products and pharmaceuticals. A particular area of interest relates to intellectual property issues and benefit sharing for host countries; Seawater based products and their development; Competencies of Consultants As a minimum, interested candidates should be able to demonstrate the following competencies: 1. Qualified to at least Masters level in the field of marine science, marine engineering or other ocean governance related subject area; 2. Extensive (>10 years) experience in one of the areas identified above, preferably with experience gained in tropical island development; 3. Experience of working with a range of marine stakeholders including Government agencies, environmental NGOs and private sector groups; 4. Understanding of the concept of the Blue Economy and its application as a tool for sustainable development in small island states; 5. Immediate availability and throughout the duration of the contract; 6. Knowledge of the Secretariat s expertise and its approach in the provision of advice to Commonwealth member countries. Terms and Conditions 1. The Advisory Panel will be established for a period of eight months, commencing on or about August 2014 to about March/April 2015, after which it will be disbanded. 2. Individuals and firms submitting expressions of interest should indicate the applicable day rates that they expect to be paid for such work. 3. If required to travel to Seychelles to meet with government officials for meetings and discussions, the Secretariat will provide one economy class return air ticket per consultant for travel from normal place of residence of consultant to the duty station. Daily subsistence allowance at UN per diem rate will also be provided along with reimbursable incidental expenses, if applicable. Reimbursement of incidental expenses must be supported by official receipts, bills or any other evidence of payment. 4. Individuals and firms that are not shortlisted to be included in the Advisory panel will be notified of the decision after the conclusion of the evaluation process conducted by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Submission Requirements We invite individuals and firms with the expertise and relevant experience who are interested in participating in this Advisory Panel to formally submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which must include the following: i. The profile of the consultant(s) or the firm. CV of team member(s) with the CV showing: Academic qualifications; Consultant's knowledge and experience with reference to the assignment and required expertise. 4

5 Evidence of proven practical experience with regard to consultancy or research undertaken or papers presented. The EOI should be submitted electronically via to reach the Secretariat by not later than 30 th June