Research and Project Development for Maritime Security in the Pacific

Background

Pacific Island States’ maritime areas are vastly greater than their land areas, and the ocean is critical to Pacific peoples’ societies, cultures, food security, and economic prosperity. On the subject of Maritime Security, on 5 September 2018, the Pacific Islands Forum adopted the Boe Declaration on Regional Security. The new declaration recognizes an expanded concept of security, including human, cyber and environmental security, and frames regional responses to emerging security issues.

The importance of maritime security goes well beyond just the maritime domain. Maritime security might also involve the protection of the marine environment, the blue economy, and the human security of coastal communities. It interlinks with other areas –economy (including the ‘blue’ economy), energy and transports (supply chains), tourism, access to and conservation of marine natural resources, the critical infrastructures (including offshore and underwater infrastructures). Although it is essential, maritime security is nevertheless affected by a growing number of challenges arising from traditional (overfishing and illicit fishing) and new or non-traditional threats (organized crime, various forms of illicit activities taking place at sea like smuggling, dumping waste), all of which require multiple forms of cooperation to provide enduring responses.

In recent years, the Pacific region has witnessed increased random criminal activities. Thus, demand and pressure for Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies (MLE) to strengthen their capabilities and capacities for monitoring and policing for safety, security, and environmental protection are increased. The regulatory environment for these activities has become more complex over the years, necessitating a higher level of training for the officers of MLE agencies. At the same time, the capacities of criminals to avoid the detection the illegal activities have increased, thus requiring better capacities of MLE to use various data for analysis and sophisticated equipment for detection and successful operations.

The covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation as the recovery process has seen increased activities at sea as the borders open, but this has brought increased challenges of illegal and criminal activities. Moreover, recent geo-political security challenges have put more emphasis on sovereignty and national capacities of states to maintain peace and stability and to ensure safety and security, including in maritime. 

The isolated nature of the Pacific islands, their sparse population and geographic positioning between the Americas and Asia make the region attractive to organized crime. Much of the transnational crime reported in the region has a maritime dimension. The tasks of MLE in the Pacific islands’ ocean domains have never been more difficult. There are operational gaps in maritime patrolling on many islands. Aerial surveillance of remote areas, offshore zones, and adjacent areas of high seas is only conducted on a limited basis.

Based on the above, there is a recognized need to engage a Research and Project Development Consultant for Maritime Security in the Pacific under the Pacific Integrated Border Management Project to research deeper on this field and develop the project related to maritime security in the Pacific.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

UNDP Pacific is seeking an expert to develop project concet notes/proposals on maritime security in the region. The subjects will focus on reforms of maritime security and law enforcement agencies, capacity building on the respective state bodies, and technical guidance and provision of the equipment to improve maritime security. The programme area should cover the following countries: Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

The proposals should accommodate national contexts and needs, and also adopt a regional approach, which includes joint implementation strategies, coordination, data sharing, and law enforcement.  Project Development should be in line with UNDP’s and donor’s quality criteria.

The Scope of Work should include the following three components:

1. Research on maritime security in the Pacific region
2. The national level of concept notess/proposals
3. The potential strategy of the regional approach 

Thematically the programme proposal may include but is not limited to:

• Compliance and harmonization of the national and international maritime law enforcement
• National and regional capacities for planning, implementation, and coordination of maritime security measures 
• Competent and holistic national and regional maritime security capability, including personnel, training, and infrastructure
• The national and regional systems of data collection and coordination
• Environmental damage, illegal maritime trade and fishing, smuggling, and human trafficking, etc.
• Theory of Change, envisaging the change pathways to achieve the intended outcomes and entailing the regional approach

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• Collect data from each country of the region using desk-research and own means of data collection.
• Review and analyze the documents provided by UNDP Pacific Office and FSM and project offices in all target countries.
• Draft a Theory of Change, which will serve as a basis for programming
• Online interviews with relevant stakeholders and partners to understand the needs and challenges.
• Draft first concept notes in line with programming quality criteria (the templates will be provided by UNDP).
• Collect, analyze and integrate the feedback and inputs of UNDP CO and other programmes/projects into the concept notes.
• Incorporate relevant essential and cross-cutting issues into the project proposal, such as national ownership and capacity development, gender equality and women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability, social cohesion/inclusion, and strategic partnerships for effective programme implementation and monitoring.
• Finalize concept notes at the national level.
• If the concept notes are approved, conduct a mission to the region (Fiji and/or some Pacific Countries) to interview relevant national and international partners to collect necessary information for programing, consult with stakeholders about the Theory of Change, including data verification/triangulation and examination of assumptions in relation to the Theory of Change.
• Finalize the project proposal based on the mission, the feedback and comments received from the donor and UNDP colleagues.
• Any other assignments requested by the Programme Manager.  

  Deliverables

Institutional Arrangement

• The Research and Project Development Consultant for Maritime Security in the Pacific for this assignment will be working under the supervision of the Programme Manager in coordination with project focal points.
• All deliverables should be submitted and approved by UNDP.

Duration of the Work

• Duration: Dec 2022 to March 2023
• Days: 35 Days

Duty Station

• Home-based assignment
• Travel to Fiji and/or any Pacific countries should be anticipated for the duration of the assignment.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
• Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Managing conflict; and Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications:

• University degree (Master’s or higher) in sociology, law, political or marine science, or other related fields including maritime studies

Experience

• At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in working for the Government or an Intergovernmental Organization in a related areas of maritime safety and security;
• Previous work experience in related areas of maritime safety and security in the Pacific region is a strong asset;
• Proven previous working experience in Project Development, needs assessments, evaluations, and research in related areas;
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of local languages an advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships.

Language requirements

• Fluency of English language is required;

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on:

Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fees, phone, internet, other connections costs, and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. UNDP will pay mission-related travel costs within UNDP regulations. The contract price will be a fixed output-based price regardless of the extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be made upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per the percentages below:

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1: Relevance of Education. Max 30 points

• Criteria 2: Relevant regional or country specific knowledge. Max 10 Points
• Criteria 3: Technical expertise (required experience and knowledge for the assignment): Max 30 Points.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.
• Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II. Note: National consultants must quote prices in United States Dollars (USD).

Note: Successful individuals will be required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage before commencement of contract for the duration of the assignment.

Incomplete and joint proposals may not be considered. Consultants with whom there is further interest will be contacted. The successful consultant shall opt to sign an Individual Contract or a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) through its company/employer with UNDP.

Annexes

• Annex I - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions
• Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to procurement.fj@undp.org