Request for Proposal (RFP) - Transparency Case Studies and Learning Consultant

Background:

Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization committed to advancing ocean sustainability and stewardship through increasing transparency. We do this by offering, for free, data and near real-time tracking of global commercial fishing activity, supporting new science and research, and boosting global cooperation on ocean transparency.

Purpose and Objectives:

Global Fishing Watch’s goals are founded on the principle of transparency — the act of making specific ocean and vessel data, as well as the policies and decisions that surround them, available and accessible to those that need them.

Without an overall picture of our activity at sea, we cannot truly understand the impact humans have on life below water. Consistent, standardized and transparent data provides decision makers with the information they need to ensure rules are followed, policies are fit for purpose, and conclusions are based on science. It also enables the use of automated technologies to highlight potential areas of interest that should be investigated further by ocean managers.

Global Fishing Watch advocates for the collection, use and publication of key fisheries and ocean data in line with the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and the FiTI Standard. We are currently focused on supporting governments and other stakeholders to use transparent data in their efforts to monitor, control and survey industrial fisheries, map and understand the activities of small-scale fishers to better protect them and their fishing grounds from industrial fleets and better design and enforce marine protected areas.

As part of its efforts, Global Fishing Watch is seeking a consultant to develop at 3 case studies - across the regions, countries and partners that Global Fishing Watch has been working in and working with - that takes an in-depth study of a key success, the role of transparency, the major challenges, pivotal opportunities, enabling conditions, driving factors, and key considerations. The consultant will lead the development of a report that highlights learnings, insights and concrete recommendations stemming from the analyses and synthesis of the Transparency case studies of the GFW initiatives in the regions and with its partners.

Scope of Engagement:

The Transparency Case Studies and Learning Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

• Develop 3 case studies of the initiatives of GFW team and staff across the regions, countries and partners that Global Fishing Watch has been working in and working with, to surface, highlight and demonstrate various facets of GFW initiatives and how transparency has played a role in securing these outcomes.
• Facilitate and conduct a design session and consultation meetings with GFW’s working group to surface learnings, important considerations and key insights from the various case studies of Transparency initiatives of GFW team;
• Lead the compilation of the case study and development of a report that summarizes the case studies, highlights learnings and insights, and synthesizes key considerations.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the scope of work that satisfies the descriptions set above. GFW will provide the consultant with the relevant documents and time from the working group to ensure the completion of the requirements of this consultancy to inform and contribute to the fulfillment of GFW objectives and goals. The consultant will report to GFW’s Chief Program and Policy Officer. Further requirements regarding regular communication about progress on the reports is specified in the Quality Assurance section.

Quality Assurance:

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the process utilized is rigorous and the outputs produced are reliable, credible and fit for purpose. Written products are to be to a high standard, using clear prose. This may include developing appropriate information and data collection and validation methods and tools, ensuring that information and data is collected and analysed in a consistent and transparent manner, and using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis techniques, where appropriate.

Materials should be produced and submitted using google docs. Each final report should include a table of contents, a list of acronyms, an executive summary, appropriate organization of the main text, a conclusion and cited references.

Close engagement, including weekly calls with GFW working group and others as appropriate, is expected so as to provide real-time guidance to the consultant. Submission of an initial outline for each report and one or more drafts of each report are expected. Prompt comments and feedback from GFW will be provided. Revisions of drafts based on comments received and additional research are expected.

GFW reserves the right to reject work not meeting its standards. The consultant is to make every effort to deliver interim and final products on time, according to the agreed schedule.

Ethics and Confidentiality:

The consultant will be required to adhere to Global Fishing Watch’s ethical standards and ensure that all data collection and analysis activities are conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality and privacy of Global Fishing Watch’s partners’ data where necessary.

Timeline and Budget:

Below is the timeline for this Consultant engagement:

• Aug - Sept 2025: Sourcing and Procurement
• October - Dec. 2025: Engagement, including weekly calls with the leads of the Working Group
• Dec 2025: Delivery of Final Reports that are acceptable to GFW

The consultant will be responsible for developing a detailed timeline and budget breakdown that clearly identifies the resources required and expected outputs for each activity. The consultant will work with the Global Fishing Watch’s working group to ensure that the Scope of Engagement is completed on time and within budget.

Budget: up to USD 60,000 to be paid in milestone-based installments, upon receipt of a satisfactory invoice

Global Fishing Watch Point of Contact:

Emmanuel Badoy, Senior Manager, Strategy and Execution