Request for Proposal (RFP) - Consultant – Beneficial Ownership Policy in Senegal’s Fisheries Sector

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. 

Project background

Global Fishing Watch (GFW) is dedicated to promoting transparency and sustainability within the global fisheries sector. As part of its strategic objectives, GFW is undertaking an initiative to assess and enhance the effectiveness of ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) policy in key jurisdictions, including the Republic of Senegal. UBO policy  plays a critical role in ensuring transparency in ownership structures, which is fundamental to the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. Furthermore, such regulations are instrumental in advancing the principles of sustainable fisheries management, contributing to more accountable and responsible governance within the fisheries sector.

Senegal has made notable progress in developing legal frameworks that enhance governance and transparency across various sectors, including the financial and extractive industries. While these efforts have been impactful, there is an opportunity to further explore the application of these regulations within the fisheries sector, particularly in relation to fishing licenses, vessel ownership, and fishing company registration. This presents a valuable opportunity for deeper analysis and the potential for strengthening the integration of transparency measures in the fisheries sector.

Assignment Description

The primary objective of this consultancy is to understand Senegal’s current beneficial ownership (UBO) regime applied across different sectors, such as finance and extractives, to explore how those frameworks can be adapted to the fisheries sector. The consultant will conduct a thorough and detailed review of Senegal’s existing beneficial ownership policy—including legislation, regulations, and any other relevant instruments—focusing on its applicability to the fisheries sector. This includes assessing the current framework and analyzing its relevance and application to key areas such as fishing licenses, vessel ownership, and fishing company registration.

Through this evaluation, the consultant will highlight the strengths and opportunities for enhancing the processes of collecting, sharing and using beneficial ownership information in the fisheries sector. This review will also highlight any gaps or overlaps in the current legal framework and provide recommendations for strengthening the implementation of UBO policies. 

The assignment will be conducted in collaboration with Global Fishing Watch and will include the development of a desk research report: A landscape analysis will be conducted to generate a summary report that outlines:

Legal Analysis of Relevant Frameworks:  

1. Conduct a thorough review of Senegal’s UBO beneficial ownership policies in the financial and extractive sectors.
2. Identify key legal frameworks governing ownership transparency and their interaction with fisheries regulations.
3. Carry out an in-depth examination of how beneficial ownership  regulations apply to the fisheries sector, particularly concerning fishing licenses, vessel ownership, and fishing company registration. 
4. Analyze Senegal’s efforts in implementing international standards for beneficial ownership transparency, including examination of Senegal’s commitment to international agreements and initiatives related to beneficial ownership  transparency in the fisheries sector. 

Identify Legal Gaps and Regulatory Alignment

1. Identify any gaps or overlaps in the current legal frameworks that could hinder effective UBO implementation  in the fisheries sector.
2. Examine  potential overlaps with other legal frameworks or regulatory measures, such as those related to financial or extractive sectors, and their implications for fisheries governance.
3. Explore  potential synergies between strengthened beneficial ownership  policies  and ongoing efforts to combat IUU fishing in Senegal, including collaboration with international organizations, local stakeholders, and enforcement bodies.
4. Explore the integration of UBO data into fisheries governance and practices, with a focus on how this could enhance transparency, tackle illegal fishing activities and improve accountability. 

Potential for Enhancing UBO Implementation  in Fisheries

1. Conduct a detailed assessment of current challenges in the implementation  of beneficial ownership  policy  within Senegal’s fisheries sector.
2. Outline actionable steps for advancing the collection, publication and use of beneficial ownership information in the fisheries sector, including highlighting any policies  that may require fishery-specific UBO data collection, sharing, or transparency mechanisms. 
3. Suggest practical frameworks for collaboration between government agencies, regional bodies and international organizations. 

The consultant is expected to produce a concise final written report based on the components stated in the scope of work.  The results will be shared with the team responsible for the issue at Global Fishing Watch, and could be used as input for actions and decisions by the Republic of Senegal. 

Please note that all findings will be treated as confidential and used strictly for internal and strategic purposes. 

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposed plan of work (Word document). This should include information on research and engagement with key actors and a summarized proposed timeline noting that the work should be carried out over a 6-8 week period. An associated budget breakdown (max US$ 10,000 in an Excel file) outlining the costs for all deliverables.

The main competencies we are seeking include a deep understanding of national policies related to fisheries, maritime governance, and marine biodiversity. They should possess an understanding of Senegal’s legal framework related to Ultimate Beneficial Ownership. The consultant should be skilled in providing practical, clear, and actionable policy recommendations. In addition, the consultant must demonstrate advanced project management skills, high organizational capacity, and excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Excellent stakeholder mapping and engagement skills. They should also have experience in conducting respectful interviews with diverse stakeholders, particularly on sensitive topics such as beneficial ownership in fisheries, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with privacy regulations throughout the process.

Application deadline: 21 February, 2025.