Invitation for Proposal: Consultancy to review the Melanesian Spearhead Group roadmap for Inshore fisheries management and sustainable devlopment

July 2, 2024

Background 

The contribution of inshore fisheries to food security and livelihood of coastal communities in the MSG member countries is significant. In 2012 the leaders of the MSG countries (Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu) made a decision to develop a Roadmap for inshore fisheries management and sustainable development 2014-20231, and with the assistance of Regional Agencies, and Development Partners, a roadmap was developed. On 26 June 2015, Leaders adopted the MSG Roadmap for Inshore Fisheries Management and Sustainable Development 2015-2024. The Regional Roadmap was developed with the following vision by MSG Leaders “Sustainable inshore fisheries, well managed using community-based approaches that provide long-term economic, social, ecological and food security benefits to our communities”. The Roadmap provides overarching guidance for MSG members and the actions they have agreed to take to address the management of inshore fisheries. Individual members have committed to national implementation plans to guide the development of coastal fisheries policies and strategies.

Objective 

The USAID funded OurFish OurFuture Program (OFOF) in collaboration with the Melanesian  Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced consultant, or team  of consultants to review the current Melanesian Spearhead Group roadmap for Inshore fisheries  management and sustainable development 2015-2024 by examining and assessing the inshore fisheries  needs, priorities and future directions of the MSG member countries that contributes to improved food  security, livelihoods and economic resilience, and to enable MSG countries be better positioned in the  near future to be more resilient to climate change impacts and to adapt to the post-COVID world. The outputs for the proposed review would be a draft MSG Inshore Fisheries Management and Sustainable Development Futures Roadmap that identifies the needs and priorities and recommends future directions. 

The USAID funded OurFish OurFuture is a regional project implemented across Melanesia (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) and Micronesia (Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands). The project aims to address the social and ecological drivers of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity, and negatively impacting local livelihoods, food security and maritime security in the Pacific Islands. 

Scope of work 

The study will undertake an assessment of the inshore fisheries sector needs and priorities in the MSG region, provide recommendations for future directions over a medium-to longer-term (5-10 year) horizon, with the aim to refresh and, if necessary, re-set the future priorities and direction of MSG inshore fisheries advice and support to members through an MSG Futures Roadmap for Inshore Fisheries Management and Sustainable Development.  

Specific Tasks 

The consultant(s), working closely with the USAID funded OurFish OurFuture Program, MSG Secretariat, and the Pacific Community (SPC), will: 

  1. Describe and justify the proposed methodology and regional consultation process to undertake this consultancy. The methodology, including the reporting structure and content, must be  agreed to between the consultant(s) and OurFish OurFuture Program.  
  2. Review and assess the literature and available reports on the Inshore Fisheries sector relevant  to the MSG region, to identify challenges, opportunities, impacts, and issues.
  3. Undertake consultations with MSG members, fisheries agencies, regional agencies, donors and other key fisheries sector stakeholders by reviewing implementations of the current roadmap, its successes, and challenges, to identify key fisheries priorities, regional directions, emerging issues, innovations, or threats important to MSG members that the region should be considering in terms of medium and longer-term strategic priorities. 
  4. Assess MSG members’ capacity in the Inshore fisheries sector, including challenges faced by the sector in terms of current capacity, supply-chains and markets, policy, legal, financial, technical, business skills and socio-cultural issues, public-private arrangements and provide recommendations on how to address these constraints.  
  5. Consider impacts of climate change on inshore fisheries and incorporating adaptation and mitigation strategies into management actions. 
  6. Recognizing that women and youth often play significant roles in coastal fisheries in harvesting and processing, identifying how new or enhanced livelihood opportunities can benefit both women and youth. 
  7. Through all the above consultations, discuss with member stakeholders the options preferred for a comprehensive process to develop a revised regional roadmap for inshore fisheries.

In-country consultations will be necessary to compile the report. It will be beneficial for officials from the department responsible for Fisheries and perhaps other relevant departments to accompany the consultant(s) for these meetings where possible. Consultations for the purpose of this report should include, but not be limited to the following: 

  • The national agency responsible for Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
  • Fisheries stakeholders such as business entities, community fisheries associations etc.;
  • The department responsible for External Trade. 
  • The agency responsible for promoting foreign investment; and 
  • Provincial and Local Municipal Authorities 

Expected Outcomes 

The expected outcomes would be: 

  • A draft regional assessment report developed that identifies the needs and priorities and recommends future directions. 
  • A draft Regional Inshore Fisheries Futures Roadmap based on the regional assessment report findings 

Institutional arrangement 

The review can be undertaken by an individual, or a small team of independent consultants, with the support of OFOF staff. The review will be managed by the USAID funded OurFish OurFuture Program Chief of Party who will be responsible for day-to-day management and administration of the review in close liaison with the MSG secretariat through the Program Manager, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management.  

Duration of the work  

Around 65 working days are expected for this work to be conducted including in-country consultations (in-person and/or virtually as necessary) from mid of August to mid-December 2024). 

Duty station and travel 

The work will involve the [lead] consultant (s) based at usual work location but including travel to the 5 MSG countries for consultations and assessments at the national levels. The use of in-country local consultants, where appropriate, would be encouraged. 

Expertise required 

The consultant(s) should have: 

  • A postgraduate qualification in fisheries, aquaculture, economics, or related field. • Relevant technical experience and knowledge of fisheries sector especially coastal fisheries and  an understanding of the fisheries sector in the Pacific islands region.
  • Knowledge, experience and understanding of the Pacific region’s political, economic, social, and  cultural contexts.
  •  an experienced evaluator, with expertise in undertaking development evaluations.  • Fluency in English, knowledge of one or more MSG language (Tok Pisin, Bislama, Pidjin, Fijian,  French) is desirable, as well as ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to meet  deadlines. All candidates are requested to submit a technical proposal which should demonstrate a clear  understanding of the TOR and set out, with appropriate explanatory comments, a proposed  methodology, work plan and timeline for completion of the work. The proposal should also include: 
    • Detailed curriculum, vitae of the consultant(s); 
    • The names and contact details of three referees 
    • The dates of availability to take up consultancy; and 
    • The cost for this consultancy.

Scope of bid price  

The contract price is comprised of lump sum payments based on milestones. Candidates are expected  to submit their bid based on the milestones set out for this work. 

How to Apply: 

Proposal should be submitted to Chief of Party, OurFish OurFuture on email only at rjimmy@ourfish.crcuri.org and cc the OurFish Finance and Administration Manager at vnair@ourfish.crcuri.org, details of the TOR can be provided upon request. 

Application Deadline: 

Application will close at 4.00pm (Fiji Time) on 31 July 2024. 

This Project follows US Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity laws and does not discriminate in consideration or hiring of individuals.