Ocean Governance and Marine Biodiversity Expert Consultancy

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Project: EC020- BBNJ Ratification and Implementation Support in Ecuador

Duty Station: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Contract Duration: (15) August 2025 to (09) Sept 2026

Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 267 (full time)

Consultant Level: Level 3

Total Fees: US$ 41,000

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote a model of economic growth known as green growth, which targets key aspects of economic performance such as poverty reduction, job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. GGGI works with countries around the world, building their capacity and working collaboratively on green growth policies that can impact the lives of millions. The organization partners with countries, multilateral institutions, government bodies, and the private sector to help build strong economies that are more efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon intensive, and more resilient to climate change. GGGI supports stakeholders through complementary and integrated workstreams that deliver comprehensive products designed to assist in developing, financing, and mainstreaming green growth in national economic development plans.

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities.

GGGI in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE), is supporting the implementation of enabling activities in Ecuador that contribute to the ratification and early implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. This is part of a regional initiative supported by UNEP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to strengthen the legal, institutional, and technical readiness of participating countries.

In Ecuador, a critical aspect of this initiative is the generation of technical inputs and the facilitation of intersectoral coordination to understand the national implications of BBNJ. The project emphasizes territorial engagement, integration of marine and coastal stakeholders, and inclusion of traditional knowledge systems relevant to marine biodiversity governance.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will provide technical expertise on ocean governance and marine biodiversity in support of Ecuador’s BBNJ enabling activities. This includes contributing to the national BBNJ initial assessment by mapping marine stakeholders, identifying key biodiversity assets and knowledge systems, and supporting coordination with institutions operating in the coastal and marine space.

The consultant will also assist in documenting BBNJ agreement implementation challenges, identifying capacity-building needs, facilitating validation workshops with local actors, and compiling relevant best practices to be shared with the global BBNJ project. The assignment will contribute to strengthening Ecuador’s technical readiness for the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

Based in Guayaquil and working closely with the Coastal and Ocean Management Directorate (DIMACO), the consultant will collaborate with MAATE and GGGI’s national team. Availability for travel within Ecuador is required to support coordination and stakeholder engagement.

SCOPE OF WORK - ACTIVITIES

The activities that the consultant must carry out are detailed below:

BBNJ Initial Assessment

Formulate an assessment of national situation with respect to the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ and potential impact thereon (e.g., mapping of relevant stakeholders and activities under the country’s jurisdiction or control; of relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous People and Local communities; inventory of repositories, databases and national research and utilization capacities associated with marine genetic resources in ABNJ).

Identify progress and gaps in the ratification process, including legal needs on marine genetic resources, benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, EIA procedures, and monitoring/reporting mechanisms.

Map out progress towards ratification, approval, acceptance or accession, including identification of legal or regulatory gaps to be addressed prior to ratification, approval, acceptance or accession, including with regards to:

Notification on activities with respect to marine genetic resources and digital sequence information on marine genetic resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from these activities, including gender equality considerations.

Traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities associated with marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Monitoring of activities with respect to marine genetic resources and digital sequence information on marine genetic resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The development of proposals, consultations on and assessment of proposals, and implementation of area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, and related measures.

The conduct of environmental impact assessments according to the process established by the BBNJ Agreement, and monitoring and review of impacts of authorized activities.

Monitoring implementation and reporting.

To map out main challenges to ratification, approval, acceptance or accession and future implementation, including priority capacity building needs.

Compile, integrate, and review technical and legal inputs to prepare a consolidated national BBNJ Initial Assessment report.

Support the formal endorsement and submission of the BBNJ Initial Assessment to DOALOS.

Participate in capacity-building and awareness activities organized by global BBNJ partners.

National Implementation Readiness

Provide technical support in the drafting of national legislation and regulations aligned with the BBNJ Agreement, including support to inclusive and gender-responsive consultations.

Awareness raising and targeted gender-responsive outreach products on opportunities, rights, and obligations under the Agreement, including within the legislative and executive branches of governments. As appropriate, national implementation readiness strategies, for addressing identified needs and gaps for implementation.

Identify and support the design of additional national-level activities required to facilitate ratification and implementation in Ecuador’s context.

Document and systematize best practices and lessons learned and contribute to the knowledge exchange process with the global BBNJ community.

COORDINATION AND COMPLIANCE

The consultant must sign a confidentiality agreement with the Republic of Ecuador.

All relevant technical papers, reports, and other documents prepared from the start to the end of the assignment shall be attached to the final Report and must be included in a digital repository provided by GGGI.

The consultant will make the best use of both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.

The consultant will work closely with GGGI staff to ensure the goals of this consultancy, and he/she will also be responsible for reporting their progress to the GGGI supervisor.

This consultancy fee is a lump sum cost.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

Master’s degree in marine biology, biology, Oceanography, Environmental Science or related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in marine biodiversity, coastal resource management, or ocean governance.

Strong understanding of international ocean governance frameworks (UNCLOS, CBD, BBNJ, CONVEMAR).

Proven ability to conduct stakeholder engagement and coastal coordination.

Knowledge of Ecuador’s legal and institutional framework related to marine biodiversity and ocean governance.

Experience in preparing technical reports and biodiversity assessments.

Experience in geographic information systems and databases.

Experience working with local stakeholders, including artisanal fisheries, coastal communities, research institutions, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Spanish fluency required; English working proficiency preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Solid knowledge of marine ecosystems, ocean governance mechanisms, and biodiversity conservation frameworks, including their relevance to the BBNJ Agreement.

Understanding of institutional mandates and policy instruments related to marine and coastal management in Ecuador, including MPAs and integrated coastal zone management.

Proven ability to identify and document environmental and governance gaps relevant to marine biodiversity in the context of international agreements.

Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including in multicultural and multi-institutional settings.

Capacity to synthesize technical and territorial information into clear reports, inputs for policy recommendations, and best practice documentation.

Ability to coordinate across ministries, technical agencies, and community actors to ensure inclusive consultation and validation processes.

Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks under limited supervision.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

GGGI Application form, CV and cover letter in English.

Selection method/process: competitive

Timeline of selection: 7 days

Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment. Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.