Request for Proposal (RFP) - Data Protection and Vessel Tracking Consultant

Who we are

Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. By creating and publicly sharing map visualizations, data and analysis tools, we aim to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. We believe human activity at sea should be public knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean for the common good of all.

A critical element of Global Fishing Watch’s work is its close relationship with states. We work with states on research and monitoring, control and surveillance activity, which can help bring about policy changes. Vessel tracking is a key topic where Global Fishing Watch can work with governments seeking to reform their existing policies. 

Global Fishing Watch is supportive of a new binding international agreement on vessel tracking, which is being considered by members at the Food and Agricultural Organization. This would provide an overarching framework for regional and national vessel tracking policies. Global Fishing Watch would like to demonstrate to the international community the potential benefits of transparency as a key component of any vessel tracking agreement. 

Transparency of vessel tracking data, can raise questions around personal data protection. In 2024, Global Fishing Watch commissioned a legal assessment of the interaction between personal data protection and vessel tracking transparency, in particular in the case of publishing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data. The study found that there is a low risk of breaching personal data protection regulations by publicising VMS data. This risk can be mitigated in a number of ways, one of the most effective being via policy provisions that explicitly provide for the publication and sharing of VMS data. 

This Request for Proposals will provide Global Fishing Watch with national and international vessel tracking policy research, best practices and advice on how to effectively address data protection and privacy concerns. 

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: A report detailing the research and steps taken to develop the provisions. This should include:
• A summary of best practice provisions that already exist and existing regulations that lack data protection considerations.  
• A summary of relevant precedents and examples from other related fields.

• Deliverable 2: Two versions of legal provisions that address personal data protection concerns, including explanation of the effect of the provisions and how and where they could bolster any vessel tracking policy. These two versions will be:
• A general provision that could be included in Global Fishing Watch’s best practice document. 
• A provision that could inform the development of an international agreement on vessel tracking. 

Requirements 

The consultant will have:

• Appropriate legal qualifications. 
• Experience in fisheries management, particularly vessel tracking policy. 
• Understanding of data protection regulations, and experience assessing potential breaches. 
• Experience of working in policy development, either within a government or advising externally. 

Proposals should include:

• A summary of how the deliverables listed above will be completed. 
• A list of all staff members who will be working on the commission (if more than one).
• Percentage of total cost expected per deliverable  
• A CV and example of previous written work
• A timeline, including:
• Expected delivery dates for all deliverables, workshops and meetings. 
• Expected payment points.
• Key time points that documents will be shared with Global Fishing Watch for review.
• A budget breakdown detailing costs for deliverables 1 and 2 that include: 
• The number of work days expected (per employee) and associated day rate and what these entail (e.g. research, report writing, meetings)
• Costs of external workshops, if any.  

The maximum budget available for this is $20,000. 

The closing date for this is 23:59 GMT on 15/01/2025. Successful applicants will be invited to a further discussion with Global Fishing Watch and a final decision will be made by 17/02/2025 and communicated to all applicants. .