Consultant - Ocean Governance Studies (Republic of the Congo)

The consultant will prepare an Ocean Governance Study for the Republic of the Congo in cooperation with the Ocean Governance Study Priority Sector Consultant.

Home-based (remote)

3 months from 1 October to 31 December 2026

Organizational Setting and Reporting This consultant position is located in the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (the Division). The core functions of the Division are reflected in Section 9 of the Secretary-General's Bulletin on the Organization of the Office of Legal Affairs (ST/SGB/2021/1). Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division, the work of the Consultant shall be overseen by the Senior Legal Officer in charge of Capacity-Building and Trust Funds (the Head), and managed directly by the Officer serving as Country Focal Point for the project within the Division, to whom the Consultant shall report. Background The Programmes of Assistance to Meet the Strategic Capacity Needs of Developing States in the Field of Ocean Governance and the Law of the Sea is a project implemented by the Office of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat of the United Nations through its Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (the Division), with funding provided by Norway, through its Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The project provides support to developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in building sustainable ocean-based economies through addressing critical capacity barriers at the regional and national levels, including with respect to the implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS") and related frameworks. The Programme of Assistance is composed of three major series of activities: (1) The conduct of analyses of national frameworks for ocean governance in selected beneficiary States (Ocean Governance Studies); (2) The design and delivery of need-based capacity-building training courses; and (3) Consultations with relevant regional intergovernmental organizations with a view to identifying capacity-building activities that would reinforce national and regional ocean governance programmes of work. The Ocean Governance Studies will consist of a national-level inventory and analyses of legal and institutional frameworks for ocean governance in the selected beneficiary States. The Ocean Governance Studies are intended to: (1) Provide a high-level overview of the State's legal and institutional framework for oceans; (2) Enhance the awareness of the beneficiary State regarding their overall legal and institutional framework for oceans, including potential linkages, overlaps and gaps; (3) Compare the national legal and institutional framework to core requirements under UNCLOS and its implementing or related applicable international instruments; (4) Assist beneficiary States in the identification and prioritisation of capacity gaps in the development and implementation of frameworks for oceans; and (5) Provide a knowledge base of the national legal and institutional frameworks for oceans. In addition, the Ocean Governance Studies will help in the identification of further capacity-building needs to be addressed through this Project and in reinforcing the ability of beneficiary States to more effectively build their ocean governance frameworks (including through partnerships with other development partners). Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division, the work of the Consultant shall be overseen by the Senior Legal Officer in charge of Capacity-Building and Trust Funds (the Head), and managed directly by the Officer serving as Country Focal Point for the project within the Division, to whom the Consultant shall report. The Consultant will conduct research on the legal and institutional framework for Ocean Governance in the Republic of the Congo, in connection with the below-described scope of work and deliverables. Scope of Work The Consultant is expected to: 1. undertake consultations with State officials, relevant regional organizations and other national stakeholders identified in collaboration with the Government; 2. develop an ocean-relevant national institutional mapping; 3. conduct desktop research to identify key laws, regulations and policy documents, including on the basis of information provided by the State; 4. prepare and administer survey instruments regarding the legal and institutional framework for oceans on the basis of the requirements in UNCLOS and related instruments, including with respect to capacity needs; and 5. receive and take into account the comments of the Division and national stakeholders on drafts of the deliverables. Deliverables The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs: 1. a proposed work plan for the consultancy; 2. a chart summarizing the presence or absence of key components of the legal and institutional framework for oceans under UNCLOS and related instruments; 3. an Ocean Governance Report (OG Report) composed of a narrative description of the legal and institutional framework for the main ocean sectors as identified in consultation with the beneficiary State. The OG Report must also address, for each sector, the cross-cutting themes of the blue economy and gender. This OG Report will constitute a broad overview aimed at policymakers, but not describe in detail the legal instruments and institutional structures. The OG Report must also include a section addressing in-depth the maritime sectors identified by the Government (artisanal fisheries and Marine scientific research). This section is to be developed in close collaboration with the Priority Sector Consultant. The OG report will incorporate feedback from the beneficiary State and DOALOS on the first draft, including from a validation session with the Government where the consultant presents the findings of the first draft; 4. a compilation of relevant national legal instruments (as provided by the beneficiary State) and a list of international instruments relating to oceans to which the beneficiary State is a signatory or party; and 5. a prioritized inventory of urgent ocean-related capacity-building needs.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, law of the sea, sustainable development, environment/ocean-based science, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in preparing expert analytical reports, qualitative and quantitative research and organizing multi-stakeholder meetings in relation to ocean affairs or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in ocean affairs or related fields is required. Prior knowledge of and experience in research and research methodology are required. Evidence of recent relevant research and publications is required. Previous work experience in the UN system is highly desirable. Previous related work experience in the Republic of the Congo is highly desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Working knowledge of English is an advantage. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

This consultancy is part-time at a level C with a total contract sum of US$17,000. A first payment of 5% is due upon approval of the consultant’s proposed work plan, a second payment of 45% is due at completion of phase 1 (completion of the first draft of the OG report, submitted to DOALOS following the implementation of initial feedback provided by DOALOS on a preliminary text) and a final payment due at completion of phase 2 (final outputs accepted by the beneficiary State). This consultancy is part-time at a level B with a total contract sum ranging between US$6,608 and US$8,000, depending on qualifications and level of experience of the selected candidate. A first payment of 10% is due upon approval of the consultant’s proposed work plan, a second payment of 40% is due at completion of phase 1 (completion of the first draft of the PS report, submitted to DOALOS following the implementation of feedback provided by DOALOS on a preliminary text) and a final payment due at completion of phase 2 (final outputs accepted by the beneficiary State). Candidates should list all work experience and diplomas in the relevant part of the application. Work experience and diplomas only mentioned in the cover letter will not be considered for screening purposes. Statements must include concrete start and end dates, detailed description of tasks and achievements and whether the experience was obtained in full-time or part-time. Candidates should note that eligibility and fees will be decided based on their submitted application only. There is no option to revise an application after submission. Pursuant to United Nations regulations, persons who are in active government service are not eligible for this appointment. An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister, including step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings of a staff member of the United Nations.

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.