Independent assessment of EU and Mauritian Fisheries Partnership Agreements

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

SEYCHELLES

Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3)

Loan No: IBRD-87790

Assignment Title: Independent assessment of the European Union Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and Mauritius Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) with Seychelles.

Reference No.: GEF58/CQS/2022-SWF3

The Republic of Seychelles (“the Recipient”) has been allocated grant funds (the “Grant”) from the Global Environment Facility which are administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “Bank”) and executed by the Department of Blue Economy, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy (“the Client”). The Client intends to apply the funds to eligible payments under the contract for which this Request for Proposals is issued. Payments by the Bank will be made only at the request of the Department of Blue Economy, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy and upon approval by the Bank, and will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement. The Grant Agreement prohibits a withdrawal from the Grant account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of the Bank, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than the Client shall derive any rights from the Agreement or have any claims to the proceeds of the Grant.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include;

The fisheries partnership agreements with foreign fishing nations or entities provide Seychelles with a range of benefits in exchange for the sustainable exploitation of its marine resources. Through the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) and Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), Seychelles provides the EU and Mauritius, respectively, with the opportunity to conduct fishing activity within the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in return for financial, socio-economic and technical benefits.

Locally, there is a widespread societal perception that the country has not benefitted to its full potential from access to tuna resources within the expansive EEZ. Therefore, after decades of fisheries partnership agreements with the EU and Mauritius, it is essential to routinely quantify the benefits and assess the impacts that those access arrangements have provided to the Seychelles economy, especially given that the last decade has seen an increase in the numbers of both purse seine and longline vessels accessing the EEZ. A study on the benefits of these agreements is also needed to facilitate decision-making on future negotiations.

The main objective of the assignment is:

To assess the economic, social and environmental benefit accruing to Seychelles from the EU SFPA and Mauritius FPA.

Contract Duration: 4 months

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained by submitting an email enquiry to Mrs. Meggy Tirant on [email protected]

For this assignment, Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MFBE) is seeking a firm with the following profile and specific qualifications:

• At least 10 years’ demonstrable experience in delivering assessments related to assessments of fisheries access agreements, sector policies and management frameworks, sector development projects and socio-economic development;

• Proven track record in providing a strong and practical recommendations for future fisheries partnership agreements and protocols;

• The Company will comprise at least two key experts holding the following qualifications and experience:

o Key expert 1: Master’s degree or higher qualification in fisheries management or a related subject, and at least 10 years of proven experience in delivering robust scientific advice for fisheries policy and management.

o Key expert 2: Master’s degree or higher qualification in economics, social science or a related subject, and at least 10 years’ experience in delivering practical advice on the socio-economic impact of partnership agreement on a country’s development.

Both key experts should possess:

o Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to communicate technical information on fisheries with stakeholders and the public;

o Strong analytical and report writing skills;

o High computer literacy;

o Full proficiency in English is a requirement.

o Prior experience in assessing partnership agreements, demonstrate the ability to take the initiative and work independently with limited supervision;

o Knowledge of access agreements with Indian Ocean coastal states and of Seychelles local fisheries sector would be highly advantageous.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The procurement process will be Consultant's Qualifications Selection (CQS) and will be conducted according to the World Bank guidelines for selection and employment of consultant, Ed 2011 revised July 2014 and the services contracted through the Department of Blue Economy (SWIOFish3 Coordination on behalf of Government).

World Bank policy requires that consultants provide professional, objective, and impartial advice and at all times hold the client’s interests paramount, without any consideration for future work, and that in providing advice they avoid conflicts with other assignments and their own corporate interests. Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interest of the Borrower.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

World Bank policy requires that consultants provide professional, objective, and impartial advice and at all times hold the client’s interest’s paramount, without any consideration for future work, and that in providing advice they avoid conflicts with other assignments and their own corporate interests. Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interest of the Borrower.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by Thursday 10th November 2022 at 15h30.

Mr. Roy Clarisse

Principal Secretary

Department of Fisheries

Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MFBE)

Seychelles

Email: [email protected] ; cc: ; [email protected]; [email protected]