Tender Advertisement #1490415

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Open tender)]
Legal Advisor (International and Regional Ocean Governance Issues and Multilateral Processes)
Background
In 2010, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders endorsed the 2010 Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape (FPO), which included the:
Establishment of a Regional Ocean Commissioner, with dedicated professional support, would provide the necessary high-level representation and commitment that is urgently required to ensure dedicated advocacy and attention to ocean priorities, decisions and processes at national, regional and international levels.
The Office of the Pacific Oceans Commissioner (OPOC) supports the Pacific Ocean Commissioner in the discharge of his/her responsibilities to Forum Leaders, and Pacific Island countries and territories. Since its establishment, the OPOC has fulfilled its core responsibilities of advocacy and coordination by bringing together various expertise and stakeholders consisting of (CROP agencies, civil society and private sector) in line with the mandate of the FPO on the establishment of a Regional Ocean Alliance/Partnership known as the Pacific Ocean Alliance (POA) to provide effective ocean policy coordination and implementation, and to facilitate regional cooperation and discuss new and emerging issues where the mandate does not sit with one regional organisation alone . To date, the OPOC provides support to Members on the BBNJ negotiations, as well as supporting Members in collaboration with the PIF Secretariat and other relevant CROP agencies in coordinating regional positions and providing technical support as required.
Since its endorsement by Leaders on 14 July 2022, the work of the OPOC as similar to other regional organisations will be underpinned by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which calls for a long-term regional commitment to act as one “Blue Continent” as the means to achieve its development aspirations. The Leaders ambition is for the Blue Pacific to serve as the platform to reinforce and inspire the region in its shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean, and to reaffirm the connections of Pacific peoples across the vast oceanic continent, with its natural resources and environment, biodiverse ecosystems, cultures and livelihoods and prospects. For more information about OPOC visit www.opocbluepacific.org/ .
Purpose
The primary objective of the Legal Adviser is to provide specialised expertise to the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) on regional ocean governance issues and support in the relevant international and multilateral processes in support the development and delivery of OPOC’s work programme in the areas of policy and governance, treaties, conventions and other international and regional ocean initiatives and inclusive of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the INC process to reach a binding Treaty on Plastics, and other emerging multilateral processes .
Scope of Work
The Consultant will carry out the responsibilities and tasks as per specifications set out under the Terms of Reference (TOR) document which can be downloaded from www.tenders.net/forumsec.
Knowledge and Experience
This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. This may be a combination of knowledge/experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies:
• University Degree in law, ocean/environmental management / governance or a discipline related to International Treaties / Law of the Sea Conventions (Additional degree in governance, management or economics / accounting would be ideal) but Post Graduate degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in UN conventions, meetings, negotiations and other multilateral processes and able to provide evidence based strategic planning with demonstrated high-level analytical skills.
• Flexible approach and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience working in a team environment
Technical Skills & Relevant Experience required:
• Experience in Ocean Governance in the Pacific
• Demonstrated experience in regional frameworks for development operations funded by international agencies with a preference for ocean governance and law of the sea and other development issues at the international, regional and national levels.
• Leadership, coordination and the mentoring of staff; Aptitude for the provision of high quality service.
• Flexible approach and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines;
• Technical Skills and experience in the region as well as working with development partners, regional or international organisations
• Experience with international funding agencies guidelines and procedures;
• Experience in implementing projects with wide range of development partners, regional agencies, NGOs and civil societies, preferably in a Pacific Island Country environment;
• Understanding of issues related to ocean resources management in the Pacific.
• Experience of country level engagement with a variety of multi-level stakeholders;
• Ability to work effectively within diverse cultural and multi- disciplinary background.

HOW TO APPLY
Submissions should be entitled:
CLOSED TENDER – LEGAL ADVISOR ( INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE ISSUES AND MULTILATERAL PROCESSES).
Method of Submissions:
Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at www.tenders.net/forumsec
Note: Tenders must be submitted with clear labelling of the technical offer and the financial offer. The Technical Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “A. Technical Offer”. Financial Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “B. Financial Offer”.
The electronically submitted documents should be converted to the PDF format.
Deadline for Submissions:
Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by 4pm (Fiji Time), date 15 November 2024
Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.
Questions and Answers
All queries or request for information must be submitted via the Question and Answer Forum at www.tenders.net/forumsec . Tenderers may submit questions in writing to the mentioned Question and Answer Forum before the stated “deadline for requesting clarifications” 11 November, 2024. The Secretariat has no obligation to provide clarification after this date.
Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.
In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.