Expressions of Interest - Economic and Legal Section | Special Advisory Services Division

Closing Date: 29 Apr 2013

Overview

The Special Advisory Services Division (SASD) is the major development co-operation arm of the Commonwealth Secretariat, supporting the development efforts of Commonwealth Member countries through the provision of technical assistance and is funded by Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation. 

A significant part of the Division’s work is of a consultancy and advisory nature, delivered through a combination of in-house and external expertise. Within SASD, the Economic and Legal Section (ELS) provides  policy, legal and economic advice and assistance on investment and related matters, focusing on the delivery of advice and assistance concerning the exploitation and development of natural resources, the delimitation of maritime boundaries and broader aspects of ocean governance.

ELS is currently seeking to enhance and increase its database of external consultants(Specialist Pools) with expertise in the following focus areas; (i) maritime boundary delimitation and ocean governance; and (ii) natural resource management. The selected consultants may be considered for the purpose of specific short-term assignments (three to six months contracts) in the future.

In carrying out such contracts, consultants may be required to undertake the following tasks in respect of any of the ELS focus areas:

• Provide project administration assistance to ELS on the relevant projects, including in relation to the management of budgets in accordance with Commonwealth Secretariat project management rules and guidelines;
• Prepare policy and legal background papers, advice, reports and negotiation briefs for review by ELS;
• Deliver capacity building and training to member country Governments related to ELS’ focus areas;
• Where required by ELS, provide a ‘good offices’ role in relation to negotiations involving more than one Member country, and to conduct high level Government liaison on behalf of ELS;
• Prepare drafting instructions, draft provisions and related legal advice concerning ELS’ focus areas; and
• Assist in negotiations as required by ELS.

Expertise Sought

In this regard, expressions of interest are sought from individuals and firms with expertise and experience in any of the following:

Ocean Governance

• Marine Policy and Legal Experts:

Policy experts and lawyers with expertise and experience relating to the development and implementation of integrated national ocean policy frameworks, marine resource management and development of national legislation. Senior institutional experience in a Ministry or Department related to marine resource management would be a positive advantage.

• Technical Experts:

Technical experts with a specific focus on any of the following key areas: marine resource management; fisheries management; marine conservation; marine spatial planning and ecosystem based management; environmental economics (specifically related to the marine environment); maritime transport and marine pollution prevention; and marine tourism.

Maritime Boundaries

• Legal Experts:

Lawyers with expertise and experience relating to the delimitation of maritime boundaries and related law of the sea issues including, the organization and conduct of maritime boundary negotiations, the preparation of extended continental shelf submissions and development of national legislation. 

• Technical Experts:

Technical experts in the fields of hydrography, geo-science and cartography, with experience in the application of such expertise in the conduct of maritime boundary negotiations and the preparation of extended continental shelf submissions.

Natural Resources

• Legal:

Legal Experts with experience in the development and review of legal and contractual frameworks related to oil, gas and mining as well as lawyers with experience in the provision of advice on the negotiation of agreements and contracts in these areas. Senior institutional experience in a Ministry or Department related to Natural Resources or with a major extractive industry company would be a positive advantage. 

• Economists & Commercial Expert

Experts with experience in the development of regulatory and contractual frameworks related to oil, gas and mining. Experience in project evaluation, fiscal regime, licensing or in contract negotiations would be a plus. Senior institutional experience in a Ministry or Department related to Natural Resources, with a major extractive industry company or as a high-level consultant is required.   

Terms and Conditions

The Specialist Pools will be established for an initial period of two years, after which they will be reviewed.

Indicatives pay rates for the selected consultants will be £400 - 650 per day depending on skills and experience. Individuals and firms submitting expressions of interest should indicate the applicable day rates that they expect to be paid for such work.

Submitting Expression of Interest

Consultants are invited to submit their expression of interested along with: 

• Up to date CV
• Company profile, if applicable
• Completed Company Registration form or Personal History form (as applicable): Consultancy companies should submit a completed Consultancy Company Registration Form and Individual applicants should submit a completed Personal History Form (PHF). Both forms along with the Skill Codes Booklet are down-loadable from the Commonwealth Secretariat Website. 

Personal History Form | Skill Codes | Consultancy Company Registration 

Submissions should sent by email to Mrs Puja D Sharma - p.sharma@commonwealth.int

Mrs Puja D Sharma
Human Resources
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House, Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5HX 
United Kingdom

Fax: +44 (0) 207 747 6520

Individuals and firms not shortlisted will be notified after a Specialist Pool evaluation process conducted by the Commonwealth Secretariat has been concluded.