International Consultant to Review and Update Reports on Financing of Marine Security in the Western Indian Ocean, and Evaluate the gaps in the Indian Ocean Commission Blue Economy Action Plan

Result of ServiceRESULTS OF SERVICE • An updated “The Cost of Maritime Insecurity in the Western Indian Ocean” report • An updated and validated “Financing Mechanisms for a Sustainable Maritime Architecture in the Western Indian Ocean” report • A validated updated Action Plan for the Implementation of the IOC Regional Blue Economy Work LocationKigali Expected duration3 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION In 2019, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) supported the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in the formulation of its Blue Economy Action Plan 2019-2024. Following this, IOC embarked on the implementation of its Action Plan, at national as well as regional level. It received support from development partners on the implementation of several components of the Action Plan. Five years onwards, the timeline for the Action Plan has expired, and requires a review of the progress achieved, the gaps and the financing need to overcome these gaps. IOC has requested support to conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the Action Plan, identify the duplication occurred, and how to overcome the same, and also to assess the future financial needs for a complete implementation of the plan hereon. Additionally, in 2022, UNECA supported IOC with a study on the Cost of Maritime Insecurity in the Western Indian Ocean, following which another study was conducted in 2023-2024 whereby UNECA defined a sustainable financing mechanism for the two regional centers that ensure maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. These are the Regional Coordination Operations Center (RCOC) and the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC). A study of the different models of sustainable financing was delivered as the outcome of the project. The two studies were conducted in order to support the need for the two centres to find alternative financing methods to sustain their regional maritime security initiatives in the Western Indian Ocean post the end of the MASE programme. However, while the first study is yet to be disseminated to Member States, the second needs to be updated with a costing component and validated by Member States. This work is aligned to the provisions of the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 which ‘provides a broad framework for the protection and sustainable exploitation of the AMD [Africa Maritime Domain] for wealth creation’ under which, regional economic communities are attributed ownership of the implementation of the strategy. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY The objective of this assignment are as follows: • To support the IOC in the implementation and financing of its regional blue economy agenda and to enhance regional tourism in Eastern Africa DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES In close consultation with and under the guidance of the project manager at the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA), the International Consultant will have the main duty and responsibility to review and update data in the two existing studies, and evaluate the implementation of the IOC Regional Blue Economy Action Plan 2019-2024, and add a costing to the updated plan. With the view to perform the above duty, the consultant will carry out the following tasks and activities: • Update the data of “The Cost of Maritime Insecurity in the Western Indian Ocean” report • Update the “Financing Mechanisms for a Sustainable Maritime Architecture in the Western Indian Ocean” report with any potential new mechanisms, and provide a costing for the implementation of each mechanism • Consult the regional and national stakeholders to evaluate the Implementation of the IOC Regional Blue Economy Action Plan 2019-2024 • Review the IOC Regional Blue Economy Action Plan 2019-2024 • Cost the updated Action Plan • Validate the updated IOC Regional Blue Economy Action Plan 2025-2030 • Facilitate all consultation meetings related to the implementation of this project Qualifications/special skillsAcademic qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, sustainable development studies, or a related field A minimum of 5 years of work experience on Blue Economy related sectors and/or policy development and/or economics, policy development, or any related field It is mandatory for the consultant to have: ─ Good understanding of the Blue Economy landscape in Africa (Eastern Africa knowledge preferred). ─ Knowledge of maritime security actors ─ Record of publications and research on sustainable development, or related areas. ─ Demonstrated experience working under tight deadlines and delivering high-quality outputs. ─ Strong oral and written communication skills. ─ Ability to work independently, proactively and with little supervision. LanguagesLanguage: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Knowledge of French is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.