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 or Quito, Ecuador

• Contract Duration: (15) April 2025 to (15) Nov 2026

• Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 145 days

• Consultant Level: Level 3

• Total Fees: US$ 21,900

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 and Energy (MAE), 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.

The consultant will provide technical expertise on ocean governance and marine biodiversity in support of Ecuador’s BBNJ enabling activities. Building on the national BBNJ initial assessment already conducted, the role will focus on consolidating and validating these findings, as well as strengthening 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 or Quito and working closely with the Coastal and Ocean Management Subsecretary, the consultant will collaborate with MAE and GGGI’s national team. The role requires partial in-person presence at the offices of the Coastal and Marine Subsecretariat in Guayaquil to support coordination and technical engagement. Availability for travel within Ecuador is also required to support stakeholder engagement and implementation activities.

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

Deliverable 1: Work Plan

• Submission of a detailed work plan, including methodology, timeline, key milestones, and stakeholder engagement strategy.

Deliverable 2: Technical Review of the BBNJ Initial Assessment and development of the BBNJ National Regulatory Framework

• Provide technical support for the review and strengthening of the national BBNJ Initial Assessment, ensuring alignment with the BBNJ Agreement, improving analytical coherence, and strengthening the identification of legal and regulatory gaps, as well as priority capacity-building needs for ratification and implementation.

• Support the formal endorsement process and submission of the BBNJ Initial Assessment to DOALOS, ensuring that the document meets the required technical standards.

• Participate, as relevant, in capacity-building and awareness activities organized by global BBNJ partners, contributing to knowledge exchange and alignment with international processes.

• Identify and support the design of additional national-level activities required to facilitate the 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.

• Support the development of a national regulatory framework aligned with the BBNJ Agreement, including the drafting of at least three (3) normative instruments addressing priority thematic areas. The legal aspects of the regulatory development will be carried out in close coordination with the project’s legal expert, ensuring consistency and sound legal grounding. The process will be participatory and inclusive, incorporating inputs from key stakeholders.

• For each normative instrument, organize and facilitate at least two (2) validation workshops and corresponding capacity-building sessions to ensure technical robustness, institutional ownership, and effective implementation. All outputs should integrate gender-responsive and inclusive approaches where relevant.

Deliverable 3. BBNJ Capacity-Building Program

• Design a comprehensive capacity-building program to support national readiness for the BBNJ Agreement, including a structured training plan, curriculum, and development of technical training materials.

• Cover key thematic areas such as the BBNJ Agreement provisions, legal and institutional implications, marine genetic resources and benefit-sharing, area-based management tools, and environmental impact assessments.

• Deliver four (4) training workshops using interactive and participatory methodologies, ensuring engagement of key stakeholders from the public sector, academia, and other relevant actors.

• Ensure that the program integrates gender-responsive and inclusive approaches and contributes to strengthening long-term institutional capacities.

Deliverable 4. BBNJ Communication and Awareness Strategy

• Develop a communication and awareness-raising strategy to enhance understanding of the BBNJ Agreement and its implications for Ecuador.

• Prepare targeted communication and outreach materials tailored to different audiences, including decision-makers in the legislative and executive branches, as well as technical stakeholders.

• Disseminate key messages highlighting opportunities, rights, and obligations under the BBNJ Agreement, contributing to building institutional and political support for ratification and implementation.

• Ensure that communication products are clear, accessible, and aligned with national priorities, incorporating inclusive and gender-sensitive messaging where appropriate.

Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and formal acceptance of each deliverable by GGGI, according to the following schedule:

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.

• 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.

• 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.