International Consultant to Review and Validate the Digital Platform of the UNECA Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit

Result of ServiceRESULTS OF SERVICE • A functional UNECA Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit Digital Platform Work LocationKigali Expected duration2 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION In 2020, the Sub-Regional Office of East Africa (SRO-EA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) developed the Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit (BEVTK). This initiative followed the Africa’s Blue Economy: A Policy Handbook which was developed by UNECA in 2016. While the handbook provided a step-by-step guide on how to mainstream the Blue Economy into continental, subregional, and national policies, plans, laws, regulations, and practices, the BEVTK complements the handbook by providing countries with a tool to conduct quantified assessments of the socio-economic and ecological contribution of the Blue Economy to their respective growth and development. Given its evidence-based analysis, it can form an integral part of the Blue Economy policy making process. The toolkit was developed by Dr Philippe Lallemand and Professor Pierre Failler. In 2021, SRO-EA successfully applied the toolkit to an assessment of the Blue Economy in Djibouti and Seychelles. In 2022, Tanzania benefitted from an assessment of the Blue Economy contribution to its Mainland. Furthermore, officials, NGOs and academics were also trained on using the BEVTK independently for future valuation exercises. In March 2023 and July 2024, UNECA SROEA, in collaboration with IGAD, dispensed training on the BEVTK to government officials as well as researchers of the 8 member states of IGAD. In 2023-2024, UNECA assisted Zanzibar and Ethiopia in the domestication of the toolkit and training thereof. In 2025, the toolkit was deployed in Rwanda. Jamaica has also benefitted from an application of the BEVTK through an independent exercise of the BEVTK developer. Morocco benefitted from the toolkit through an independent initiative of the BEVTK developer, in collaboration with the World Bank and Chinese partners. In 2024, UNECA SROEA further invested in an elaboration of the social component of the toolkit, to provide more detailed data on several indicators. The toolkit is now equipped with social pyramids which allow us to see the detailed breakdown of social impact, per gender, age and region, when data is available. UNECA SROEA sees the value and interest in the toolkit and plans to extend the BEVTK to the rest of the world. The toolkit’s functionalities can be further developed and thus doing, it is becoming a loaded tool which cannot be contained and serviced through its current Excel format. UNECA sees the toolkit as an important step towards improved strategic planning and fund raising for Blue Economy in Africa and beyond. In 2024, UNECA ITCSS team deconstructed the toolkit’s backend and constituted a digital format of the same. However, the team requires the intervention of the developer to verify the backend functions of the toolkit, improve the current version, validate the digital format, and test the same. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY The objectives of this assignment are as follows: • Verify the backend functions of the toolkit, improve the current version, validate the digital format, and test the same DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES In close consultation with the ITCSS team of UNECA and under the guidance of the project manager at the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA), the developer will have the main duty and responsibility to verify, improve, validate and test the digital platform of the UNECA BEVTK. With the view to perform the above duty, the consultant will carry out the following tasks and activities: • Work with the ITCSS team to develop a functional and improved digital platform • Verify the backend and user interface of the toolkit platform to ensure that all functions are integrated adequately and are operating successfully • Ensure that all the pre-loaded data on the toolkit is updated to the latest figures available • Integrate links to other sources of data on the platform for ease of reference • Work with the ITCSS team to improve the user interface of the digital platform to ensure that it is easily navigable and appealing • Work with the ITCSS team to define the access and roles on this platform • Update the BEVTK manual and ensure that it is available on the digital platform for guidance • Work with the ITCSS team to conduct tests of the digital platform against existing assessments • Finalize the digital platform for launch • Conduct demonstrations of the digital platform with ITCSS team for UNECA and partners Qualifications/special skillsAcademic qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, sustainable development studies, accounting, statistics, or a related field (PhD preferred). Experience: A minimum of 10 years of work experience on Blue Economy related sectors and/or policy development and/or economics, accounting, and statistical systems. This should include macroeconomic and social analyses and/or policy development. It is mandatory for the consultant to have: ─ Familiarity with the UNECA Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit ─ Good understanding of the Blue Economy landscape in Africa (Eastern Africa knowledge preferred). ─ 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.