Development of a comprehensive, multi-use Marine Spatial Plan for Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Project Title: Climate Resilient Marine Spatial Planning – Scientific Expertise, Support, and Guidance

Reference: RFQ23-5445

Tender Title: Provide scientific advice and guidance for the marine spatial planning process in Palau

Description: 
The Consultant will work with the GoP, SPC, TNC, and other partners to determine, source, and incorporate as appropriate existing, relevant data and information into the MSP process. This will ensure that the resulting Palau MSP is based on the best available data and information, rests on a foundation of rigorous scientific and technical principles, and takes into account long-term climate trends.

The Consultant will contribute to data identification, collation, analysis, and use, by:
● Providing guidance and overseeing the identification of, collation, vetting, and use of the best available datasets to support the development of the MSP products;
● Identifying data and information gaps that may exist and make recommendations for modelling and/or other scientific tools that may be used to fill these gaps
● Providing trusted scientific guidance aligned with a fully country-led process directed by the GoP and key project partners;
● Liaising with the core management team, the Steering Committee, and Working Groups to ensure the integration of science into policy decisions;
● Supervising, together with the core management team and relevant experts, the gathering of data and evaluations carried out by members of the MSP Steering Committee or external consultants.

The Consultant will contribute to sectoral assessments and engagement by:
● Assisting/supporting the MSP core management team with the development of the scope of works for the 5 key assessments that will be conducted;
● Synthesizing scientific knowledge from past assessments conducted on Palau marine resources, from expert groups, or from other sources in support of the MSP process;
● Ensuring that the five key sectoral assessments (fisheries, biodiversity conservation, tourism, legal and policy, and sustainable financing) adopt, where appropriate, approaches that will enable a meta-analysis using multi-layered spatial information;
● Providing expert support and guidance to the partners working on the 5 assessments thereby ensuring there is alignment and comparability across the assessments and that they fully address the objectives of the MSP;
● Participating in Technical Working Group Meetings as required to ensure that information discussed is accurately represented in products;
● Supporting the Communications Sub-Working-Group by providing fit for purpose data summaries to support stakeholder engagement when necessary;
● Delivering presentations on data and findings as required to support the MSP Process;
● Serve as a representative of the MSP work in relevant technical forums, exchanges, or workshops as needed;
● Preparing summary reports of key findings from any relevant technical forums, exchanges, or workshops attended on behalf of the MSP.