Consultant, Ocean Governance Expert

Reference: PGCWG921
Location: Seychelles
Closing date: 16 July 2015
Contract duration: 2 years

Emoluments Package: The proposed annual emoluments package for this assignment [comprising fee, inducement allowance plus service gratuity] is £51,000 per year (free of tax). In addition to this, a housing allowance, education allowances, installation grant and shipment of personal effects are also provided.

The emerging concept of the Blue Economy has been embraced by the Government of Seychelles as a mechanism to realise sustainable economic development based around an ocean-based economy. Seychelles intention is to implement the Blue Economy concept at the national level as a framework to foster an integrated approach for sustainable development programmes. The critical gap however, is the mechanism for its implementation at the national level. Limited, if any, practical information is currently available to countries, notably small states, wishing to implement these concepts. This is predominately so, as information that does exist focuses primarily on land-based economic development or has a strong focus on conservation rather than on the sustainable use of the investment in an ocean-based economy for national benefit.
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Project purpose

The project aims to assist the Government of Seychelles in developing and implementing a National Blue Economy Roadmap, the purpose being to establish the broad direction for future investment in and development of a sustainable ocean-based economy in Seychelles. The purpose of the specific request for long-term (and shorter-term) technical adviser(s), is to assist the Government of Seychelles to review, validate and implement the Roadmap and more importantly, to support Seychelles in its transition to a more integrated ocean-based economy. The Government’s ultimate goals in developing the national Blue Economy Roadmap include:

•  Economic diversification
•  Food security
•  Sustainable management of the marine environment, and
• Creation of jobs, notably high value jobs.

Scope of Work

• Comprehensive and strategic advice provided to the Minister of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy, Permanent Secretary and relevant stakeholders responsible for the Blue Economy;
• Relevant documentation e.g. policy papers, project management documents, project status and evaluation documents prepared and submitted to reporting officer;
• Review of the current Roadmap including additional improvement/amendments in the content leading to the validation of the Road Map;
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation facilitated as required, including the establishment of stakeholder bodies;
• Strategies, focus areas and projects for implementation of the Blue Economy Roadmap identified, approved and implemented;
• Resources (financial, human capacity and technical) necessary to execute projects for implementation of the Blue Economy Roadmap, identify, solicited and secured;
• Strategic partnerships between Seychelles and relevant partners including, but not limited to: development agencies, private sector organisations, and marine research institutes, established and maintained;
• Consistent implementation of the Roadmap across government and its respective agencies, in particular, working closely with Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport (MFAT), National Institution for Science, Technology and Innovation(NISTI), Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation and, the University of Seychelles, ensured and documented;
• Blue Economy roadmap and policy, as implemented by Seychelles, promoted domestically, regionally and internationally.
• Potential longer-term outcomes are likely to include among others:
• Ocean ecosystems and biodiversity recovered and protected;
• Increased investment in existing ocean-based economic sectors;
• New data and knowledge on Seychelles ocean space available;
• Marine-based aquaculture sector and marine biotechnology products and processes developed and implemented;
• Protective measures and greater use of surveillance and enforcement tools provides greater protection for Seychelles;
• Fisheries and aquaculture management improved through equitable, non-subsidized and sustainable practices;
• Utilization of renewable energy from the ocean, increased;
• Surveillance of offshore waters strengthened through enhanced maritime domain awareness and law enforcement. The above is expected to contribute to the goals of the Government of Seychelles;
• Capacity built and new research/data sectors developed;
• Streamlined implementation with an overarching system in place.

Reporting and transfer of Expertise
The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to assigned counterparts and champions within host institutions.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree (preferably PhD) in Marine Policy, Marine Management or a related subject.
• Must have at least 10 years’ post qualification experience in Marine Resource Management with significant governance experience. Experience in any of the following key areas would be a distinct advantage: fisheries policy and management; environmental economics; national ocean policy development; economic sector development.
• Demonstrated experience of working at the highest level of government, providing advice to ministers and senior officials.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management experience working with financial management.
• Experience in human capacity development by way of mentoring, and, providing technical direction and guidance to professional and inexperienced staff is essential.
• Experience of working in small island state jurisdiction and with marine stakeholders from a range of background, with ability to manage diverse teams and partner relationships.
• Respect for diversity and ability to adapt to different cultural settings.

How to apply

Applicants who meet post criteria will need to complete an application online, attaching a detailed CV along with a covering letter and including names and contact details of three referees.

Applicants should provide details of three referees, one including current or most recent/ last employer. If the current/ last employment has been less than 2 years, details of a previous employer should be provided. Referees should not be related to the applicant and should be able to give an assessment of the applicant’s professional abilities as well as their character.

Deadline for applications is 17:00 BST on 16 July 2015. 

Apply online Terms of reference

- See more at: http://thecommonwealth.org/jobs/consultant-ocean-governance-expert#sthash.KFTN1sao.dpuf