Request for Proposal (RFP) - Transparency Baseline Researcher

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.

 

Purpose and Objectives:

 

Global Fishing Watch’s goals are founded on the principle of transparency — the act of making specific ocean and vessel data, as well as the policies and decisions that surround them, available and accessible to those that need them.

 

Without an overall picture of our activity at sea, we cannot truly understand the impact humans have on life below water. Consistent, standardized and transparent data provides decision makers with the information they need to ensure rules are followed, policies are fit for purpose, and conclusions are based on science. It also enables the use of automated technologies to highlight potential areas of interest that should be investigated further by ocean managers. 

 

Global Fishing Watch advocates for the collection, use and publication of key fisheries and ocean data in line with the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and the FiTI Standard. We are currently focused on supporting governments and other stakeholders to use transparent data in their efforts to monitor, control and survey industrial fisheries, map and understand the activities of small-scale fishers to better protect them and their fishing grounds from industrial fleets and better design and enforce marine protected areas.

 

As part of its efforts, Global Fishing Watch is seeking a consultant to conduct a desk research study on how transparency is reflected in various marine and ocean related international and national agreements including for fisheries, biodiversity, and climate (e.g.  Global Biodiversity Framework [GBF], Port State Measures Agreements, and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans [NBSAP], etc) and small-scale fisheries plans and initiatives (e.g. National Plan of Action [NPOAs]). This will allow us to have a baseline of the understanding and recognition of transparency, how it is being used and perceived by international instruments and start analysing opportunities to make it more prominent and integrated.

 

Scope of Engagement:

 

The Transparency Baseline Researcher Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

• Conduct a landscape review and assessment of Transparency baselines across the various marine and ocean related international agreements and small-scale fisheries plans and initiatives
• Identify commonalities and differences, high level insights across sectors and geographies
• Develop a report that details and summarizes the analyses and insights gathered in surfacing key considerations for GFW in shepherding the inclusion of Transparency principles in the various international agreements, plans and initiatives.

 

Roles and Responsibilities:

 

 

The consultant will be directly responsible for delivering the Scope of Engagement. Global Fishing Watch  will provide the consultant with relevant input, including information materials if helpful. In addition, Global Fishing Watch’s program leadership will coordinate with the consultant to ensure that the Scope of Engagement will contribute to the expectations of and fulfilment of Global Fishing Watch’s objectives and goals. The consultant will report to Joanna Buckley, Senior Advisor, International Policy

 

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 analysed 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 regular calls with Joanna Buckley, Senior Advisor, International Policy 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 Global Fishing Watch’s ethical standards and ensure that all data collection and analysis activities are conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality and privacy of Global Fishing Watch’s  partners’ data where necessary.

 

Timeline and Budget:

 

Below is the timeline for this Consultant engagement:

• Aug - Sept 2025: Sourcing and Procurement
• Sept - Dec 2025: Engagement and delivery of activities
• Dec 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. The consultant will work with the Global Fishing Watch’s Joanna Buckley, Senior Advisor, International Policy to ensure that the Scope of Engagement is completed on time and within budget. 

 

Budget: up to USD 20,000 to be paid in milestone-based installments, upon receipt of a satisfactory invoice

 

Global Fishing Watch Point of Contact:

Joanna Buckley, Senior Advisor, International Policy