International Consultant to update the UNECA Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit Assessment in Zanzibar and conduct an analysis of the return on investment of the marine biotechnology sector in Seychelles

1. An updated UNECA Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit assessment for Zanzibar 2. An updated marine biotechnology investment plan with added components on profitable business plans and a return on investment assessment

Home Based with Travels

2 months

1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION Zanzibar The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC 1994) which aims at combatting human interactions of destructive nature with the climate system specifically included the protection of oceanic ecosystems only in 2015 at COP21. Since, the protection and sustainable management of oceans has become an integral part of the climate change discourse. However, while the ecological perspective treats each type of water body differently (by dint of their different compositions, structures and therefore in the way that they are affected by human interaction), a developmental perspective treats water bodies under a singular umbrella as it aims mainly at identifying the value that these water bodies can generate for humans. This resulted in expanding our understanding of the concept to constructive harnessing of the potential of vast water resources for ecological, economic as well as social gains therefore adopting the encompassing terminology of “Blue Economy”. Blue economy addresses seas, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and any other water bodies. It seeks to mitigate and eventually eliminate the environmental risks and degradation that can be generated by water-based economic and social activities. In 2015, African Union launched the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy which focused on the potential of wealth creation and enhanced security of lives and of economies in the African Maritime Domain. Under this strategy, AU identifies several key areas of intervention, all of which require extensive public, private and civil collaboration—be it in cash or in kind. However, in order to garner a sustained collaboration of all these parties, it is essential to for the Blue Economy initiatives to be backed by reliable, valid and quantitative data which will allow all parties involve to track the value and results of their investments. To this end, in 2020, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) developed the Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit (BEVTK). The toolkit allows countries or regions to measure the economic, ecological, and social contribution that blue economy resources generate for them. Til date, the toolkit has been applied to many countries including Djibouti, Seychelles, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, amongst others. Mainland Tanzania benefitted from the assessment in 2022 while Zanzibar conducted a separate one in 2023. Three years after its first assessment, the government has requested for a rerun of the assessment in order to measure its progress. Seychelles Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands and is located in the Indian Ocean. The country has a landmass of 455km2, and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.3 million square kilometers. With such extensive access to the seas and its resources, Seychelles’ blue economy activities are mainly focused on tourism and fisheries which are its primary sources of revenue. Tourism and fisheries constitute 55% and 20% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively. They also contribute 26% and 17% of employment respectively (Laing, 2021). Although the Government acknowledges that there are other blue economy activities in which Seychelles could diversify, until now, there is limited knowledge on the same, and no assessment about which sub-activity can be developed in the short to medium term, with the limited resources (human and financial) available. In 2024, UNECA SROEA committed to support national blue economy value chain development in several countries, including Seychelles. After consultations with the Department of Blue Economy of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Seychelles, the Government’s interest to explore the marine biotechnology sector was indicated. Seychelles has recently benefitted from support by the African Development Bank (AfDB) on the same, which sets the foundation for the development of a marine Biotechnology sector in Seychelles. Given that AFDB already delivered a marine biotechnology value chain study of Seychelles, UNECA’s intervention was framed as an investment plan for the sector, in order to further the agenda of marine biotechnology in Seychelles and provide a roadmap for channeling donor support and private sector investment. After consultation exercises in Seychelles, UNECA presented a draft investment plan of the marine biotechnology sector to stakeholders on 7-10 April 2026. Stakeholders requested for new components to be added to the investment plan. These are: (i) Business Plans for the marine biotechnology value chains with indications of the profitability of the business opportunity to attract investors; and (ii) A return on investment assessment of the development of the marine biotechnology sector in Seychelles to encourage policy uptake at the level of ministers 2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY The objectives of this assignment are as follows: • Provide an updated assessment of the contribution of the blue economy to Zanzibar using the UNECA BEVTK. • Produce a strong business case to policy makers, donors and the private sector to validate the marine biotechnology investment plan. The scope of the consultancy expands over two countries: Tanzania- Zanzibar, and Seychelles. 3. 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 selected consultant will have the main duty and responsibility to update the Zanzibar BEVTK assessment, and integrate business plans and return on investment assessment of the marine biotechnology investment plan for Seychelles. With the view to perform above duties, the consultant will carry out the following tasks and activities: i. Support Zanzibar with updated assessment of the Blue Economy using the UNECA Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit • Work with the Department of Blue Economy to liaise with local stakeholders to gather data for the toolkit • Complete data collection, and produce a draft assessment report • Peer Review of findings with UNECA and Department of Blue Economy • Conduct a practice session with officers of the department on the toolkit ii. Update the marine biotechnology investment plan with added components including business plans and return on investment assessment • In consultation with the local stakeholders, elaborate business plans indicating the margins of profitability for the marine biotechnology value chain development in Seychelles. Target audience for the business plans are private investors. • Work with the department of blue economy to conduct a return on investment assessment of the development of the marine biotechnology sector in Seychelles • Peer review of the drafts with the department of blue economy and UNECA • Conduct the validation session with stakeholders

Academic qualifications: A master’s degree in marine sciences or a related field. A first degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a Masters degree. At least 5 years of experience in conducting data collection and research on blue economy and marine species Additionally, the consultant should have: ─ A thorough understanding of different marine species ─ At least one year of experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative socio-economic and ecological assessments is desirable. ─ Experience in blue economy value chains ─ Experience of working with national institutions would be an asset. ─ Work experience in a multicultural environment or in an international organization is desirable. ─ 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.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Swahili would be an advantage.

Not available.

THE 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.