Term of Reference (ToR) Consultant to Facilitate CTI-CFF Workshop on Illegal, Unregulated & Unreported (IUU) Fishing Risk Index and Score in the Coral Triangle Region
Download : TOR for SCT IUUF Consultancy.pdf
Term of Reference (ToR)
Consultant to Facilitate CTI-CFF Workshop on Illegal, Unregulated & Unreported (IUU) Fishing Risk Index and Score in the Coral Triangle Region
Sustainable Coral Triangle
CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat is looking for a qualified, experienced, and motivated Consultant for develop a matrix to calculate the IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index within the Coral Triangle Countries. The consultant will be responsible for gathering comprehensive fisheries resources data to assess the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Score and IUU Fishing Index across the CT6 Countries. In addition to that the consultant will facilitate workshops to discuss and update the IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index, and Develop a methodology and a final report for the assessing the effectiveness of RPOA/NPOA IUU Fishing implementation.
Background
The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership among six countries; Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, committed to safeguarding the region’s unparalleled marine and coastal fisheries resources while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. Today, these important fisheries resources face increasing threats from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and other human-induced impacts, including environmental degradation. These challenges not only endanger the rich biodiversity of coral reefs and the biological diversity depended on it, including fisheries but, more importantly, jeopardize the livelihoods and food security of millions of people living in the Coral Triangle region.
Through the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Technical Working Group, CTI-CFF continues to develop and implement fisheries management strategies that balance societal needs with ecosystem sustainability, ensuring the protection and conservation of marine resources for future generations. At the regional level, CTI-CFF prioritizes strengthening existing sub-regional collaborations and advancing transboundary actions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. A key component of this effort is the ongoing implementation of the Coastal Fisheries and Poverty Reduction Initiative (COASTFISH) regional framework, which aims to enhance coastal fisheries management and support community livelihoods.
Rational:
The Government of the United States of America through the Sustainable Coral Triangle (SCT) regional project, is supporting the CTI-CFF illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and enhance the management of marine biodiversity and fisheries resources across the Coral Triangle region. The initiative focuses on strengthening regional policy frameworks, empowering coastal communities and other interested parties, and enhancing long-term financing mechanisms to ensure the self-reliance and sustainability of fisheries, marine conservation, and biodiversity protection efforts across the six Coral Triangle member countries, through the EAFM Technical Working Group
Activity 2 of the revised SCT regional project is on “Strengthening fisheries resources data collection, including collecting data to assess CT6 countries IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index across the CT region”. Sub-activity (2.2.1) allows for an “In-Situ Online Data Standardization Workshop” that will allow participants to hold robust discussions about the effectiveness of the management of current IUU fishing and capacity issues related to the management of IUU fishing: This activity aligns with the following CTI-CFF RPOA 2.0 targets:
- Target Output A3.1.1: By 2030, IUU fishing in the Coral Triangle region is reduced through strengthened and improved policies, enforcement and compliance, communication, and/or information sharing.
- Target Output A3.1.2: By 2030, policies and regulations related to harvest strategy and IUU fishing among Coral Triangle countries are developed, implemented, and/or strengthened.
In implementing this sub-activity (2.2.1), the CTI-CFF aligned this to the SOM-20 endorsed EAFM activities; (1) Convene a report on combating IUU fishing/EAFM implementation in CT region. and (2) Set-up a data-sharing mechanism (CT Atlas) to develop a time series regional fisheries status report (IUU), building into CT Atlas data collection for EAFM Reporting.
The consultant will be engaged for developing a robust methodology and producing a comprehensive report on the effectiveness of IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index implementation in CT6 Member Countries. The consultant will also collaborate with relevant Working Groups (EAFM, MPA and Threatened Species, and other stakeholders such as RPOA-IUU, SEAFDEC and ATSEA to ensure an integrated assessment process.
1. Gather comprehensive fisheries resources data to assess the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Score and IUU Fishing Index across the CT6 Countries.
2. Developing methodology on the effectiveness of IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index implementation in CT6 Member Countries.
3. Produce a comprehensive report on the effectiveness of IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index implementation in CT6 Member Countries.
Scope of Work The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Developing a Matrix for IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index
- Create a structured matrix for assessing IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index for the six Coral Triangle countries (CT6).
- Populate the matrix with relevant fisheries resources data collected from CT6 countries.
- Ensure alignment with CT Atlas standards for data integration.
2. Facilitating Workshop
- Facilitate an online/in‑situ workshop scheduled for 28–29 April 2026 to discuss, validate, and update the IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index for CT6 countries.
- Support the workshop sessions, including country reporting, presentation of IUU Risk Index indicators, and discussions on the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
3. Assessment of RPOA/NPOA IUU Fishing Implementation
- Develop a methodology to assess the effectiveness of RPOA/NPOA IUU Fishing implementation.
- Utilize the workshop to collectively assess the NPOA IUU Fishing with CT6 representatives.
- Prepare a comprehensive report on the findings of the assessment.
4. Reporting
- Submit a final report summarizing the methodologies, findings, and recommendations for improving IUU Fishing Index tracking and RPOA/NPOA implementation effectiveness.
Expected Deliverables
|
Deliverable |
Description |
Tentative Deadline |
|
1. Matrix for IUU Score and IUU Fishing Index |
Completed and integrated into the Coral Triangle Atlas. |
Prior to workshop (for discussion) |
|
2. Workshop Report |
Summary of discussions, updates, and decisions from the 28–29 April 2026 workshop. |
Within 7 days after the workshop |
|
3. Methodology for RPOA/NPOA Assessment |
Detailed framework and tools for assessing implementation effectiveness. |
Within 10 days after the workshop |
|
4. Final Assessment Report |
Comprehensive report with findings, analysis, and recommendations on IUU Score/Index and RPOA/NPOA implementation. |
Within 15 days after the workshop |
Engagement Period
The consultant will be engaged for 10 to 15 days, as outlined in the deliverables and contract agreement with the CTI-CFF. The engagement will commence in April 2026 and all deliverables are expected to be completed within 30 days following the workshop (28–29 April 2026).
Competency Requirements
Competencies required for this Consultant position include:
1. Advanced degree in fisheries management, marine conservation, environmental science, or a related field
2. Proven expertise in fisheries data analysis and IUU fishing policy assessments.
3. Experience working with multi-stakeholder initiatives in the Coral Triangle region.
4. Strong facilitation and communication skills, particularly in workshop settings.
5. Familiarity with the CTI-CFF framework and RPOA/NPOA implementation.
6. Familiarity with the framework of RPOA/NPOA- on IUU Fishing and its implementation.
Coordination and Reporting
The Consultant will report directly to the Project Manager of SCT Project, CTI–CFF Regional Secretariat on expected deliverables and scope of work as outlined in the contract agreement with the CTI–CFF.
Submission of Application
1. Please submit your cover letter, CV, with at least three work references and scanned copies of certificates to: regional.secretariat@cticff.org and copy to christovel.rotinsulu@cticff-sct.org in the subject line of email <IUU Consultant> <Your Name> by COB April 15th, 2026.
2. The position is subject to open competition regardless of race, color, gender, mother tongue, religion and beliefs, or national, ethnic, or social origin.
3. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
