Result of Service

SCOPE OF WORK The consultant will support technical verification of sampling stations, data quality, and relinquishment information for exploration area adjustment based on the ISA contractors’ submissions, in support of the different ISA offices, particularly the Office of Contract Management and Capacity-Building and the Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources (OSER). This will also include the assessment of consistency of GIS data provided in potential exploration applications against ISA regulations by using external public datasets, including submarine cable systems, geological features, maritime boundaries. The consultant is to support the provision of geospatial analysis to the ISA Secretariat and Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) requests for regulatory, resource-related and environmental initiatives and finalizes recommendation for the Council. EXPECTED RESULTS (OUTPUTS) • Technical geospatial assessment: o Assessment of exploration applications in the Area o Review and analysis of the contractors’ proposal on relinquishment of the active exploration areas o Review and analysis of stakeholder and LTC proposals for area-based management tools (e.g., APEIs, REMPs) • Up-to-date geospatial information: o Update the status of the reserved areas for exploration o Maintenance of historical records within geospatial attribute tables o Maintenance and updating of geospatial information on the ISA website, including interactive maps • ISA Database Management o Support data reviews and assessments based on the submission by the ISA contractors, as necessary o Verification and processing of data provided from the contractors, particularly the bathymetric and georeferenced datasets. • ISA Session (the Commission, the Council) o Provision of requested geospatial information to the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) to support discussion o Provision of the relevant geospatial information to the ISA Secretariat

Work Location

MODALITIES OF WORK The consultancy shall be carried out over a period of six (6) months and will be performed primarily on a remote basis from the contractor’s home base, with scheduled virtual meetings with ISA Secretariat staff, as required. Occasional travel may be required to support workshops and meetings, subject to prior agreement with the Authority. To facilitate timely and accurate delivery of outputs, the Director of OSER will make reasonable efforts to respond promptly to the contractor’s queries and provide, where feasible, the necessary reference material as identified by the contractor. REPORTING AND SUPERVISION The consultant will report to the Director of the Office of Stewardship Environment and Resources.

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The International Seabed Authority’s (ISA), regulatory functions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement, rely on robust data governance, geospatial capabilities and analysis, and technical cooperation frameworks to support evidence-based decision-making, regulatory oversight and environmental management in the Area. Strengthening these technical capacities is essential for the effective review of contractors’ submissions, assessment of exploration activities, and support to the Legal and Technical Commission and the Council. To advance these priorities, ISA seeks to engage a qualified consultant with demonstrated experience to support: - the development of data/geospatial guidance documents - the data transformation process, including specialist geospatial analysis and mapping, and - partnerships aligned with its strategic pillars of governance, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement. BACKGROUND 1. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. Through ISA, States Parties organize and control activities in the Area (the international seabed area), with particular emphasis on ensuring effective regulatory oversight, environmental protection, and the sustainable management of the resources of the Area for the benefit of all humankind. 2. In support of its regulatory mandate, ISA is strengthening its data governance frameworks, geospatial capabilities, and technical cooperation mechanisms to enhance evidence‑based decision‑making, transparency, and operational effectiveness across its regulatory, environmental, and resource‑related functions. 3. Accurate, consistent, and interoperable geospatial and bathymetric data are essential to the Authority’s work, including the review of applications for exploration, monitoring of contractors’ activities, assessment of relinquishment proposals, and consideration of area‑based management tools such as Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) and Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs). 4. To advance these priorities, ISA seeks to engage a qualified consultant with strong expertise in marine geospatial analysis, data verification, and geodatabase management, capable of supporting the review and assessment of data submitted by ISA contractors and providing technical geospatial analyses to the Secretariat and statutory bodies, including the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC). 5. The consultancy will provide structured and consistent support for geospatial assessment, data quality verification, mapping, and database maintenance, including the analysis of contractor‑submitted datasets, the use of external public geospatial data, and the preparation of geospatial outputs to support regulatory deliberations and recommendations to the Council. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY The objective of this consultancy is to maintain and strengthen ISA data governance and geodatabase analyses and systems. The consultant will provide structured and consistent support for the review of data submitted by the ISA contractors, including geospatial-related information. SCOPE OF WORK The consultant will support technical verification of sampling stations, data quality, and relinquishment information for exploration area adjustment based on the ISA contractors’ submissions, in support of the different ISA offices, particularly the Office of Contract Management and Capacity-Building and the Office of Stewardship, Environment and Resources (OSER). This will also include the assessment of consistency of GIS data provided in potential exploration applications against ISA regulations by using external public datasets, including submarine cable systems, geological features, maritime boundaries. The consultant is to support the provision of geospatial analysis to the ISA Secretariat and Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) requests for regulatory, resource-related and environmental initiatives and finalizes recommendation for the Council. EXPECTED RESULTS (OUTPUTS) • Technical geospatial assessment: o Assessment of exploration applications in the Area o Review and analysis of the contractors’ proposal on relinquishment of the active exploration areas o Review and analysis of stakeholder and LTC proposals for area-based management tools (e.g., APEIs, REMPs) • Up-to-date geospatial information: o Update the status of the reserved areas for exploration o Maintenance of historical records within geospatial attribute tables o Maintenance and updating of geospatial information on the ISA website, including interactive maps • ISA Database Management o Support data reviews and assessments based on the submission by the ISA contractors, as necessary o Verification and processing of data provided from the contractors, particularly the bathymetric and georeferenced datasets. • ISA Session (the Commission, the Council) o Provision of requested geospatial information to the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) to support discussion o Provision of the relevant geospatial information to the ISA Secretariat

Qualifications/special skills

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE • Advanced degree (minimum MSc, preferred PhD) in marine science, particularly oceanography, geology/geophysics, with data science is desired • At least 7–10 years of experience in geospatial-related software (i.e., ArcGIS/QGIS) • Preferably, the applicant also has experience in the python/R programming, including ArcPy, SQL, and JSON • Database operational experience with ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online • Operational experience with intergovernmental organizations required with data interoperability frameworks (e.g., ODIS standards) is desired • At least 7–10 years of experience in geospatial-related software (i.e., ArcGIS/QGIS) • Preferably, the applicant also has experience in the python/R programming, including ArcPy, SQL, and JSON • Database operational experience with ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online • Advanced degree (minimum MSc, preferred PhD) in marine science, particularly oceanography, geology/geophysics, with data science is desired • Operational experience with intergovernmental organizations required with data interoperability frameworks (e.g., ODIS standards) is desired

Languages

LANGUAGE English and French are the working languages of the Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Additional Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Strong organizational and multitasking abilities. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Attention to detail and problem-solving skills. • The agreed fee will be deemed to include all costs to be incurred in undertaking all the tasks outlined above. • Individual Contractor fee will be based on Level C (ISBA/ST/AI/2021/1) and according to relevant professional experience and specialized/technical knowledge and skills possessed. • Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. PAYMENT The agreed fees between the Secretariat and the selected contractor will be specified in a contract signed by both parties. Payments shall be made in instalments upon the satisfactory completion, submission, and acceptance of agreed deliverables, upon presentation of an invoice in USD and subject to certification by the Director of OSER. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION The consultant shall maintain the highest standards of confidentiality in relation to all data, information, and documentation accessed or produced during the assignment. A confidential agreement needs to be signed.

No Fee

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.