RECRUITMENT OF FIRM OR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE STATUS, CAPACITIES AND READINESS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BBNJ AGREEMENT IN SIERRA LEONE.

Procurement Number: EPASL/NRG/UNEP/RFP/2026/103

 Date of First Issue:  18^th JUNE, 2026

Background

The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), commonly referred to as the High Seas Treaty, provides a global framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Following the signing of the BBNJ Agreement, the Government of Sierra Leone requested and has received support under the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Enabling Activities for Ratification and Early Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. The project is implemented with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and aims to strengthen national readiness for ratification and implementation of the Agreement.

Specific Tasks:

• Assess national participation in activities affecting areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• Evaluate existing scientific knowledge, monitoring systems, and data availability related to marine biodiversity.
• Identify actual and potential threats, pressures, and impacts on BBNJ.
• Analyze national capacities, gaps, opportunities, and needs for effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

• Develop recommendations and a roadmap to support national preparedness and implementation.

Academic qualifications:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following fields:

• Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea;
• International Environmental Law;
• Marine Science;
• Marine Policy;
• Fisheries Management;
• Biodiversity Conservation;
• Environmental Management;
• Sustainable Development; or
• Related discipline

Experiences:   

The consultant shall possess:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in ocean governance, marine biodiversity, environmental governance, with an extensive understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and other related conventions;
• Familiarity with the BBNJ treaty and other related frameworks
• Proven experience in marine biodiversity assessments, policy reviews or institutional analyses and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Enhanced skills in data collection, analysis, and synthesis
• Familiarity with UNEP and GEF reporting formats and safeguards
• Strong analytical, research and report-writing skills;

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English. All documents are expected to be produced in English.

Evaluation method and criteria

Technical Criteria weight 70%

Financial Criteria weight 30%,

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the total technical points (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal:

Financial proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (including professional fee, and specified other costs if applicable, including travel costs and DSA).

The national consultant is requested to prepare and submit his or her technical and financial proposal to be submitted to the address not later than 15th July  2026 at (1:00 Pm).

Note: The consultant shall be ranked and the first ranked on the list shall be selected for the proposed assignment given that, their fee rates are within the budget.  The selection process will be based on the Least Cost Selection

Service Required: The Environment Protection Agency SL is soliciting the services of a  Consulting expert to develop the National Assessment of the Enabling Activities and Ratification Support Project for the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) – Sierra Leone.”

using the approval format and a consultative process involving national stakeholders. The Agency has secured fund from UNEP and is therefore inviting national consultants who can provide a statement of capability and experience indicating that they are qualified to perform the service (description of similar assignment, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, etc.) to submit Technical and financial proposals for the assignment. The Technical Proposals will be publicly opened on [15^th July, 2026] at [1:05 pm], in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend, at the address below.

This advertisement is open to all individual / firm Consultants. 

Kindly submit the following documents;

• Technical proposal
• Financial Proposal, that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (inclusive professional fee and specify other costs if applicable. But excluding travel costs and DSA.
• A Cover Letter
• Personal CV indicating educational background/professional qualifications. contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Individual Profile
• Samples of previous work/ experience from similar project.

Duration of work:

The assignment is expected to be undertaken within 12 weeks from the date of signing the contract.

Interested consultant may obtain further information and collect the terms of reference (TOR) at the address below between [9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays] or send an email to the below email address.

Technical and Financial proposals must be delivered either by hand or mail to the address below on or before [15th July, 2026] at [1:00 pm],

Proposals along with relevant documents must be submitted in sealed envelope boldly marked: “Preparation of the National Assessment of the status, Capacities and Readiness for the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in Sierra Leone and a consultative process involving national stakeholders’’ at the address below.  Late proposal will be rejected and returned unopened. In addition to the original of the proposals, the number of copies required is 2.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Bids must be delivered to the address below or by email to kamara.isatu2000@gmail.com/isatu.kamara@epa.gov.sl and copied to massaquoiabubakar@gmail.com/ab.massaquoi@epa.gov.sl no later than 15^Th JULY, 2026.

Executive Chairperson

Environment Protection Agency-SL;

2^nd Floor

38 Freetown Road, Wilberforce Village

Freetown