Background:
Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization committed to advancing ocean sustainability and stewardship through increasing transparency. We do this by offering, for free, data and near real-time tracking of global commercial fishing activity, supporting new science and research, and boosting global cooperation on ocean transparency. A key component of our 2030 strategy is targeted collaboration with a set of 30 countries (in cohorts of approximately 10 countries, referred to as “core countries” on an engagement cycle of 3-4 years per cohort) to adopt transparency as a principle and share their ocean data more widely. This increased transparency and our technology enable these countries to address threats to the ocean, implement specific actions and policy shifts, and become international advocates for transparency. We work with governments and other stakeholders to co-develop solutions and develop capacity and expertise to tackle IUU fishing and strengthen marine protection. GFW’s tools and capacity development program are meant to enable the team to transition to a new cohort of core countries on a 3-4 year cycle. GFW is seeking a consultant to help design and develop GFW’s exit strategy from core country engagements. Currently, the organization is working with a set of 12 core countries, deemed the first cohort, with the intent to be able to exit in several years.
Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of this consultancy is to help design and develop GFW’s exit strategy in each of the core countries.
Scope of Work:
The consultant will be responsible for the following
- Conduct a desk / literature review on successful and unsuccessful exit strategies of various NGOs
- Examples from various sectors, examples from environmental and technology organizations
- Examples of organizations with various approaches, examples from those that are technology and policy-based
- Determine the common criteria, learning, key driving factors and enabling conditions of each of these exits
- Facilitate and conduct a design session with GFW’s working group to determine and cohere on the following:
- Develop an overall framework for what an Exit Strategy looks like
- What does a successful exit mean for GFW and our government partners and other local stakeholders?
- What does GFW need to do in 2025 and 2026 to execute a successful exit, while potentially bringing in and engaging the next cohort of core countries?
- What conditions and resources need to be present for this to take place and be successful?
- A detailed plan for a pilot test that can be implemented and monitored
- A draft and final report that synthesizes the above desk research and design exercise; this includes two presentations of the final product.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for delivering the scope of work that satisfies the descriptions set above. GFW will provide the consultant with the relevant documents and time from the working group to ensure the Development of the Exit Strategy and inform and contribute to the fulfillment of GFW objectives and goals. The consultant will report to GFW’s Chief Program and Policy Officer. Further requirements regarding regular communication about progress on the reports is specified in the Quality Assurance section.
Quality Assurance:
The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the process utilized is rigorous and the outputs produced are reliable, credible and fit for purpose. Written products are to be to a high standard, using clear prose. This may include developing appropriate information and data collection and validation methods and tools, ensuring that information and data is collected and analyzed in a consistent and transparent manner, and using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis techniques, where appropriate.
Materials should be produced and submitted using google docs. Each final report should include a table of contents, a list of acronyms, an executive summary, appropriate organization of the main text, a conclusion and cited references.
Close engagement, including weekly calls with GFW working group and others as appropriate, is expected so as to provide real-time guidance to the consultant. Submission of an initial outline for each report and one or more drafts of each report are expected. Prompt comments and feedback from GFW will be provided. Revisions of drafts based on comments received and additional research are expected.
GFW reserves the right to reject work not meeting its standards. The consultant is to make every effort to deliver interim and final products on time, according to the agreed schedule.
Ethics and Confidentiality:
The consultant will be required to adhere to GFW's ethical standards and ensure that all data collection and analysis activities are conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality and privacy of GFW partners’ data where necessary.
Timeline and Budget:
Below is the timeline for this consultancy
- February 2025- Sourcing and Procurement
- March - April 2025 Engagement, including weekly calls with the leads of the Working Group
- May 2025- Delivery of Final Reports that are acceptable to GFW
The consultant will be responsible for developing a detailed timeline and budget breakdown that clearly identifies the resources required and expected outputs for each activity. Travel is not anticipated.
Submission Details
Proposals should include:
- A cover letter, explaining interest and qualification for the consultancy including a description of previous experience with the types of work proposed in the request for consultants’ proposals.
- A resume/CV
- A proposed plan of work (Word document) outlining how the consultant intends to fulfil the responsibilities outlined in the previous section.
- A list of all staff members who will be working on the commission (if more than one).
- A budget breakdown (Excel file) detailing costs for all deliverables.
