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Ref.
2026/STTDOSSPIRAIE/15258

Job offer type
Experts

Type of contract
Service contract

Activity sectors
Climate and Territories

Deadline date
2026/05/08 23:59

Duration of the assignment
Beaded expertise

Contract
Freelancer

Duration
4 years

Mission description

Expertise France is looking for a Senior Expert to support SWIOP’s efficient and impactful participation in high-level international events on oceans.

The objective of this mission is to support the SWIOP Project Management Unit (PMU) in defining a participation strategy that will contribute to (a) the dissemination of scientific information, especially to decision-makers, and (b) building bridges between WIO blue science and innovation and the private sector.

Specifically, the Senior Expert will:

  • Support the participation of the SWIOP PMU and Expertise France in international events;
  • Position the project and EF within high-level institutional dialogue and key partnerships;
  • Enable decision-makers, private sector and civil society to access scientific information on marine and coastal science;
  • Establish and sustain a network of stakeholders committed to sustainable ocean management.

Requested activities

For each event, the Senior Expert’s role will be divided into 3 phases of work: before, during and after the event.

A.    Before the event: establish a strategy and the tools to implement it

a. Define a strategic framework

Through at least one initial meeting with the SWIOP PMU, as well as preparatory deskwork, the Senior Expert will:

  • Identify the main themes of the event in relation to SWIOP’s own approach (e.g. MSP, BBNJ, MPA creation and management, Blue Carbon, innovative finance, biodiversity credits, B-to-B, etc.).
  • Define the main objectives for SWIOP’s participation in each event (e.g. institutional dialogue, partnerships, dissemination, etc.) and related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as partnership milestones, high-level participants, keynote speakers, media engagement, etc.

b. Prepare a work plan following this strategy, including:

  • A detailed calendar of the event with relevant roundtables, side-events and key meetings. When applicable, identify opportunities for SWIOP/EF participation;
  • Individual agendas for EF & SWIOP PMU representatives;
  • A listing of the key stakeholders attending (government officials, donors, partners) in order for the PMU to organize high-level meetings;
  • Talking points for speakers and content for EF’s platforms;
  • An informative press release relative to SWIOP’s participation in the event.

c. Coordinate the animation of the stakeholders’ network during the event

Each event will contribute to the animation of SWIOP’s stakeholders’ network and will present opportunities to foster partnerships and disseminate quality scientific date on marine and coastal science to decision makers and CSOs. The Senior Expert will support this process through the following activities:

  • Identify opportunities for stakeholders’ convergence and agreements on key issues and commitments;
  • Identify opportunities for key partnerships milestones with stakeholders (e.g. MoUs, pitching sessions, etc.);
  • In coordination with GiZ’s team, identify cross-programme synergies with other pillars on Ocean Governance and Blue Economy;
  • Identify opportunities to expand strategic networks and coalitions to stakeholders in sectors beyond the current biodiversity community and to other levels of governance;
  • Identify the necessary experts for thematic interventions (e.g. round tables or facilitation);
  • In coordination with SWIOP’s Knowledge Coordinator, prepare technical reports (articles, briefings) relevant to each event and in accordance with the SWIOP programme communication and visibility framework;
  • Identify opportunities to mobilize scientists and disseminate research products.

B.    During the event: monitor the progress of the event

The Senior Expert will attend the event, ideally arriving in advance in order to coordination with the SWIOP PMU. They will be in charge of the following:

a. Support and coordinate event’s organisation

  • Monitor and update individual agendas as necessary;
  • Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
  • Organize daily briefings with the SWIOP PMU and if applicable, EF headquarters missionaries to follow-up on the execution of the agenda.

b. Coordinate with press and media

  • Organize media briefings and interviews, ideally with specialized thematic media;
  • Disseminate media talking points;
  • Prepare content for Expertise France platforms (photos, quotes, etc.).

c.  Strengthen stakeholders’ networks and the dissemination of information

  • Assist scientists and stakeholders during public interventions;
  • Monitor the organisation of dedicated pitching sessions, when applicable;
  • Highlight technical interventions by scientific experts to specialized media.

C.    After the event: report and capitalize on SWIOP’s participation

The Senior Expert will monitor the impact of SWIOP’s participation in each event and consolidate their conclusions through the following:

  • Prepare an event report summarizing interventions, partnership milestones and media engagement;
  • Suggest follow-up opportunities (potential partnerships, events, etc.);
  • Prepare a post-event release summarizing key achievements, thanking partners and showcasing key commitments;
  • Asses the success of SWIOP’s participation through KPIs;
  • Produce feedback notes to improve the strategy for next events.

Expected deliverables

Phase

Deliverables

Timeline

A

Initial meeting

Detailed calendar (1 per event)

Listing of key stakeholders (1 per event)

2 months before the event

Talking points (up to 5 per event)

Individual agendas (up to 5 per event)

Press release (1 per event)

1 month before the event

Final briefing with speakers

1 week before the event

B

Content for EF platforms

Daily recaps

Photos / videos

During the event

C

Final press release (1 per event)

Updated contact list (1 per event)

1 week after the event

Event report including feedback (1 per event)

2 weeks after the event

 Methodology

The Senior Expert’s activities will include both remote work and on-site presence during the events. This mission may also require regular on-site meetings at Expertise France headquarters in Paris.

The Expert will work under the supervision of SWIOP’s Expertise France management team: the Programme Director and the Deputy Team Leader, and in close collaboration with the Knowledge Management Coordinator, SWIOP 1.2 Technical Coordinator and the logistics and administrative team. They will also work with Expertise France’s Headquarters’ backstopping team (Project Officer, Unit Coordinator, etc.).

Expertise France will provide the Senior Expert with all the necessary documentation (contacts, project DoA, previsionnal list of events, strategy elements, etc.).

The contract will be executed through the emission of purchase orders (PO) for each event. Each PO will detail the expected amount of working days, deliverables, meetings and missions required.

Project or context description

The Project’s Output 3 aims to improve scientific knowledge, research capacity, and outreach efforts related to marine and coastal ecosystems at regional level. Outreach serves to engage local communities and policymakers in conservation efforts, ensuring that the value of blue carbon ecosystems is recognized in development and conservation plans. Better scientific understanding of coastal and marine ecosystems will facilitate data-driven decision-making in the region, improve resource management, and enhance the efficacy of conservation actions, including those aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems.

The Nairobi Convention is the regional framework of reference for ocean conservation in the WIO region, and a key partner for Expertise France in the context of SWIOP’s implementation, both as an implementing partner under SWIOP Pillar I and as a beneficiary of Pillar 3. In a context of high-level political engagement towards the WIO, adherence to the Kunming-Montreal Framework, and in particular the 30x30 target, SWIOP and Expertise France will actively participate in international and regional events pertaining to SDG 14, as well as any institutionnal event involving decision-making towards the sustainable management of oceans.

Within activity 3.2: “Decision-makers and CSOs have access to scientific information and data to build and corroborate their action on ocean conservation”. Regional and national scientific or institutionnal events create structured spaces for dialogue and are essential to gather and animate networks of key stakeholders: scientists, decision-makers, private sector, donors, etc. Having those stakeholders meet and dialogue is key to ensuring that scientific research is informed by policy needs and local realities, while policy decisions are grounded in credible, context-specific evidence. By facilitating parternships across sectors and disciplines, these events help break silos, promote co-production of knowledge, and enhance the uptake of science in regional environmental governance.

In addition, under activity 3.3: “Resources for key programmes involving marine science regional research and practitioners’ networks are unlocked”, SWIOP will support the active participation of WIO research and innovation stakeholders in a number of strategic regional and international events incrementing the strategic exposure of regional research in marine science and its ressource mobilization capabilities, accessing funding from sources such as blended finance and the private sector.

Ø  11Th Our Ocean Conference

In June 2026, Expertise France will attend the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Mombasa (Kenya). The conference will include two essential events for SWIOP 1.2 and SWIOP 3:

1-      The Programme’s Launch event;

2-      The Programme’s First Steering Committee (SC).

These two events are organized by GiZ, as part of their coordination tasks, and will be attended by high-level representatives.

Expertise France is also covering the participation of key partners, such as the WIOMSA, IOTC and SIOFA. OOC11 is an opportunity to initiate the SWIOP network of stakeholders, which will be strenghtened along the implementation of the project by day-to-day SWIOP 3 activities, as well as other international events such as Conference of Parties or UNOC.

Ø  The EU’s BlueInvest Africa Forum

In November 2nd-3rd  2026 in Capetown (South Africa), Expertise France will participate in the EU’s BlueInvest Africa Forum, in close collaboration with Pillar 2 and in coordination with existing regional scientific or business conferences.

SWIOP will organize dedicated WIO-focused sessions and pitching opportunities for bankable science-based solutions and emerging blue economy ventures, including applied research and co-investment opportunities in marine biodiversity monitoring, blue carbon or marine biotech.

The event will build bridges between WIO blue science and innovation ecosystems and the EU-led BlueInvest Africa platform, and connect research pipelines and NBS innovations with targeted public and private investors.

These activities will also enhance the visibility of WIO innovations within continental networks, strengthen investment readiness capacities, and help institutions frame their research agendas in terms of sustainable business opportunities.

Required profile

Qualifications and skills

Ø  Post-graduate university degree in international relations, specialized journalism, international law or other equivalent areas;

Ø  Excellent skills in:

o   Organisation and planning

o   Communication

o   Knowledge transfer

o   Analysis and writing

o   Problem identification and solving, especially under pressure

o   Decision-making and initiative-taking

o   Teamwork and interpersonal skills

o   Diplomacy and ability to work in multicultural context

Ø  Full proficiency in English and French (both written and spoken) is mandatory;

Ø  Fluency in Portuguese (written and spoken) would be an asset.

 

Expertise France’s safety procedures require experts to comply with security training obligations in order to go on missions abroad. Applicants should either possess a valid security training certificate (HEAT / first-aid / field safety training) or integrate the cost and effort of such training in their offer.

Professional experience

Ø  At least 15 years of professional experience in institutional coordination in fields related to biodiversity or sustainable development

Ø  Proven references and experience in organizing and running events as part of multilateral environmental conferences

Ø  Experience preparing press release, briefings and talking points

Ø  Experience coordinating stakeholder platforms and creating alignment and synergies among multiple partners

Ø  Thorough knowledge of key stakeholders acting the biodiversity field, especially in the WIO region (NGOs, platforms, economic and institutional actors, donors)

Ø  Knowledge of media specialized in biodiversity or environmental issues

Additional information

Overall effort & budget

The overall indicative effort for this consultancy has been estimated at 25 working days of expertise per event, for 3 events per year. The Senior Expert should plan to be available 75 working days per year, during 4 years.

The overall budget for this mission has been estimated at €150,000.

The applicant’s financial offer should provide an estimated breakdown of the price per event according to the Expert’s daily fees.

 

Application process

By Friday, May the 8th, 2026, 23:59, please submit an application via Expertise France’s plateform, including the following documents:

-       Expression of Interest form (to be completed, including both Appendixes);

-       A 2-pager detailing the Expert’s proposed methodology et estimated amount of working days per event;

-       A financial offer based on daily fees;

-       The Expert’s CV and references of past missions;

-       Any relevant certification.

 

Applicants will first be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1.     Comprehension of the assignment’s challenges, based on the proposed methodology;

2.     Level of expertise on the subject, based on the Expert’s CV and references;

3.     Writing skills in English.

Expertise France will then organise remote one-hour meetings with selected applicants to assess their methodology, experience and soft skills. EF may also proceed to a reference-check.

 

Please note that in order to proceed with contractualisation, the selected applicant will be required to procure up-to-date proof of:

-       Registration with the trade and companies Register (“K-bis” or equivalent certificate of incorporation) appended to this report);

-       Compliance with social security obligations (URSAFF or equivalent) covering the most recent available period appended to this report;

-       Compliance with tax obligations.

 

The previsionnal starting date for the contract is May 15th, 2026.

Selection criteria for applications

The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :

  • Candidate’s training/skills/experience

Deadline for application : 2026/05/08 23:59

File(s) attached : ToR_International events strategy_SWIOP.pdf - DAJ_F043ENG_v05 - Expression of interest form.docx - Appendix 2 - Beneficiary profile.xlsx

Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

  • democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
  • peace, stability, and security ;
  • climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
  • health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results. 

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