A. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the Blue Economy Focal Expert in Cabo Verde is to facilitate the deployment of WASOP activities in the country and ensure close dialogue with Cabo Verdean authorities.

The specific objectives are:

• Ensure coordination and close dialogue between WASOP and the various Cabo Verdean authorities on ocean and blue economy issues;

• Support the overall coordination of the programme, particularly in terms of technical synergies across pillars;

• Contribute to the preparation and deployment of Blue Facility technical assistance missions in Cabo Verde, including:
  (i) facilitating relations with entities submitting technical assistance requests;
  (ii) analysing the relevance of expressions of interest and requests received;
  (iii) preparing and/or technically supervising implemented technical assistance programmes;
  (iv) thematic capitalisation;

• Ensure dialogue and coordination with beneficiaries and stakeholders involved in technical assistance missions.

B. ORGANISATION

Most of the work will be carried out in person at the WASOP / Expertise France offices in Praia, Cabo Verde.

The Blue Economy Focal Expert in Cabo Verde will produce direct outputs and may be required to provide technical supervision of experts and consulting firms involved in the implementation of technical assistance missions.

The focal expert will report overall to the Head of the Blue Facility.

Estimated mobilisation: approximately 20–30% over the 2026–2028 period.

C. ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The activities of the focal expert may include the following (indicative list):

Support to inter-pillar programme coordination

• Exchange with Cabo Verdean authorities to share WASOP updates and monitor developments among stakeholders in the ocean and blue economy sector;

• Support coordination of Pillar 2 of the WASOP programme in Cabo Verde, in connection with the other programme pillars, in order to foster synergies, information sharing and consistency of interventions;

• Participate in programme coordination, governance and technical meetings (Steering Committees, Technical Committees, internal meetings and meetings with partners), particularly on issues related to the sustainable blue economy and inter-pillar complementarities;

• Contribute to the technical and strategic coherence of the deployment of Pillar 2 activities in Cabo Verde, ensuring alignment with national and regional priorities as well as the overall objectives of the WASOP programme;

• Inform the programme coordination team of strategic, institutional and operational developments related to the Cabo Verdean context, as well as opportunities for the development of activities and technical assistance.

Support to the deployment of the Blue Facility: reception and analysis stage of technical assistance requests

• Provide technical support to the Blue Facility in formulating opinions on expressions of interest and requests received in Cabo Verde;

• Engage with public and private stakeholders involved in the expression of interest/request (sector/country/EU Delegation, etc.).

Support to the deployment of the Blue Facility: preparation stage of technical assistance programmes in Cabo Verde

• Contribute to the drafting of terms of reference for the expertise to be mobilised (in coordination with the Blue Facility, the requesting entity and potential partners). These elements shall be prepared in close coordination with the requesting entity;

• Contribute to the drafting of the Support Plan established for each implemented technical assistance request;

• Participate in the preparation of the mission budget and indicative timeline;

• Facilitate the identification and mobilisation of expertise, including:

  • sharing profiles of relevant experts/consulting firms;

  • analysing applications/proposals received;

  • reviewing and commenting on proposed methodologies, etc.

Support to the deployment of the Blue Facility: once the technical assistance mission has been launched

• Propose a technical framework taking into account stakeholders’ needs and constraints;

• Ensure technical steering and supervision of the mission;

• Ensure proper technical implementation and report any issues to the Facility secretariat;

• Ensure quality control of deliverables;

• Participate in the implementation of the mission where relevant;

• Participate in technical dialogue with beneficiary stakeholders during key phases of the intervention (scoping, monitoring, co-construction, validation, etc.);

• Draft a technical capitalisation note on the implementation of the mission. The preparation of a draft version of this note shall be included in the Terms of Reference of the contracted expert;

• Produce a brief summary / lessons learned note for the Blue Facility Committee;

• Produce the elements required for WASOP’s monitoring and evaluation system and its updates. These elements will be defined by the WASOP SBE Monitoring & Evaluation Manager.

D. EXPECTED RESULTS

The main expected results are as follows:

• A close and structured dialogue is established with the competent national authorities on issues related to the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, the sustainable and inclusive blue economy, and Cabo Verde’s strategic priorities in these areas. The WASOP – Global Gateway programme is recognised and promoted as a flagship initiative for Cabo Verde and, more broadly, for the West African region;

• The WASOP programme coordination team has access to updated and strategic information on the main initiatives, institutional dynamics and key actions implemented in Cabo Verde in the field of sustainable oceans and sustainable blue economy. It actively contributes to institutional, strategic and technical dialogue with national authorities, technical and financial partners, and other relevant stakeholders in Cabo Verde;

• Synergies and complementarities between Pillar 2 and the other pillars of the WASOP programme are strengthened in Cabo Verde;

• The technical assistance facility is deployed in close interaction with Cabo Verdean national authorities and technical and financial partners, in response to the priority needs identified in the field of sustainable and inclusive blue economy (SIBE).

E. TYPES OF EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The activities and deliverables described below are not exhaustive. They are intended to define the scope and nature of the envisaged missions, which will subsequently be specified through service orders. Deliverables shall be produced in accordance with WASOP’s graphic charter and the European Union Global Gateway communication guidelines.

• Institutional dialogue and monitoring notes (meeting notes and minutes of exchanges with national authorities, technical and financial partners, and key stakeholders);

• Reporting on exchanges with the WASOP coordination teams;

• Mission reports;

• Strategy documents (including costed action plans and financing strategies);

• Terms of reference for complementary expertise;

• Comments/reviews on methodologies, interim deliverables and strategic documents;

• Analytical and/or briefing notes;

• Minutes and coordination notes relating to WASOP inter-pillar coordination;

• Various contributions to terms of reference, scoping notes and deliverables.