International Consultant to Conduct National Value Chain Studies on Marine Biotechnology and Sea Cucumber in Seychelles and Zanzibar at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa: (Deadline 8 May 2025)

Result of Service

4. RESULTS OF SERVICE Two final reports: (i) The development of a national value chain on marine biotechnology in Seychelles (ii) The development of a national value chain on sea cucumber value chain in Zanzibar.

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION Seychelles Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands and is located in the Indian Ocean. The country has a landmass of 455km2, and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.3 million square kilometers. With such extensive access to the seas and its resources, Seychelles’ blue economy activities are mainly focused on tourism and fisheries which are its primary sources of revenue. Tourism and fisheries constitute 55% and 20% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively. They also contribute 26% and 17% of employment respectively (Laing, 2021). Although the Government acknowledges that there are other blue economy activities in which Seychelles could diversify, until now, there is limited knowledge on the same, and no assessment about which sub-activity can be developed in the short to medium term, with the limited resources (human and financial) available. In 2024, UNECA SROEA obtained funds to support national blue economy value chain development in a number of countries, including Seychelles. After consultations with the Department of Blue Economy of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Seychelles, the Government’s interest to explore the marine biotechnology sector was indicated. Seychelles is nearing the end of a Marine Biotechnology Development Project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) which sets the foundation for the development of a marine Biotechnology sector in Seychelles. The project is designed to explore and develop the vast potential of the country’s marine resources for innovative applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, biofuels and others. Seychelles, with its rich biodiversity and unique marine ecosystems, is well-positioned to become a regional leader in marine biotechnology, leveraging its ocean resources in a sustainable manner. Zanzibar A couple of years ago, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar benefited from the assistance of Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) to identify three value chains of potential to the island. These were: 1. Seaweed farming 2. Artisanal fishing of small pelagics and 3. Sea Cucumber Farming. These three value chains contained potential in terms of income, job creation, impact on climate and biodiversity, contribution to ecosystem, and its feasibility. Since, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries has conducted more indepth studies of the first two value chains, in order to progress towards an actionable project. The development of a national Sea Cucumber Value Chain remains to be explored in detail for adequate and swift implementation. In 2024, UNECA SROEA obtained funds to support national blue economy value chain development in a number of countries, including Tanzania. The pre-identified potential of the sea cucumber value chain is therefore of interest. Tanzania, along with Seychelles, Mauritania, Madagascar and Mozambique are the leading African exporters of sea cucumber to East Asia. However, in most of these countries, sea cucumber production has been based on wild catches rather than farmed. Although Tanzania banned exports of wild catch sea cucumbers in 2006, numerous fishers still pursue the same given that sea cucumber farming is still in its developmental phase across the world. “Sea cucumber farming has been conducted on a small scale in Zanzibar for approximately 10 years, and the process has been almost exclusively focused on ranching of wild-caught juveniles” (WIOMSA 2023). The sea cucumber industry has significant potential for contributing to the economic, social and ecological growth of Zanzibar, particularly through export and sustainable fisheries management. However, challenges persist in developing a robust value chain that can maximize economic and social benefits while ensuring sustainable resource use. As WIOMSA identifies, the main challenge remains the production. A consultant will be engaged by UNECA to conduct two studies: (i) On the national value chain of marine biotechnology in Seychelles. This study aims to assess the current state of development of marine biotechnology in Seychelles, identify the opportunities for growth, the challenges, and provide actionable recommendations for establishing a sustainable national value chain for the marine biotechnology subsector. (ii) On the national value chain of sea cucumbers in Zanzibar, including the islands of Pemba and Unguja. This study aims to assess the current state of the sea cucumber industry in Zanzibar, identify opportunities for growth, and provide actionable recommendations for developing a sustainable national value chain. 2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY Based on a request of the Government of Seychelles and of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the objectives of these studies are to: (i) identify all points of intervention required to elevate the potential of marine biotechnology and sea cucumber to national value chains of sustained economic, social and ecological potential for Seychelles and Zanzibar, respectively. (ii) provide an assessment of the current landscapes and also go a step further to provide the roadmaps for an actionable plan for their concretisation. Seychelles Specific objectives of the study are to: • Assess the current status of the marine biotechnology sector in Seychelles, individually as per sub-activities. An assessment of the status of the existing value chain for each product will also be conducted, including research & development, production, processing and transformation, norms and standards adherence, trade, and consumption. • Identify key stakeholders and their roles within each of the products’ value chain (fishermen, traders, processors, government, etc.). • Evaluate existing challenges and opportunities for improving the marine biotechnology industry in Zanzibar. • Explore potential for expanding domestic and international markets for marine biotechnology products. • Develop actionable recommendations for strengthening the national value chain for marine biotechnology, focusing on sustainability, market access, and capacity building. • Provide a framework for an action plan to support the development of the marine biotechnology sector. Zanzibar • Assess the current status of the sea cucumber value chain in Zanzibar, including production (wild and ranched), processing and transformation, norms and standards adherence, trade, and consumption. • Identify key stakeholders and their roles within the value chain (fishermen, traders, processors, government, etc.). • Evaluate existing challenges and opportunities for improving the sea cucumber industry in Zanzibar. • Explore potential for expanding domestic and international markets for sea cucumber products. • Develop actionable recommendations for strengthening the national value chain for sea cucumber, focusing on sustainability, market access, and capacity building. • Provide a framework for an action plan to support the development of the sea cucumber sector. 3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES In close consultation with and under the guidance of the project manager in the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA), the consultant will conduct two national value chain studies on marine biotechnology development in Seychelles, and that of sea cucumber in Zanzibar. With a view to perform above duty, the consultant will carry out the following tasks and activities: Seychelles: • Desk research on the current status of marine biotechnology in Seychelles, identifying the related sub-activities as well as the research and development, production, harvesting, processing, transformation, storage, transport, local sales and exports (not limited) related to each sub-activity. • Stakeholder mapping of all actors engaged along the marine biotechnology sector and their sub-activities, including public sector actors, private sector parties, NGOs and development partners. Identification of key stakeholders in the existing value chains such as fishermen, exporters, local traders, processors, government agencies, and international buyers. Along the chain, plot the type of labour intervention that exists at various points (including gender/ age demarcations). • Market Analysis to identify the local and international market demand for marine biotechnology products • Environmental Sustainability Assessment of each of the practices which form part of the marine biotechnology value chain. • Economic and Social Impact Assessment estimates of the marine biotechnology value chain on Seychelles’ local economy, including employment, income generation, and export potential. Zanzibar • Desk research on the current status of sea cucumber value chain in Zanzibar, identifying the related activities including but not limited to production, harvesting, processing, transformation, storage, transport, local sales and exports • Stakeholder mapping of all actors engaged along this existing value chain, including public sector actors, private sector parties, NGOs and development partners. Identification of key stakeholders in the sea cucumber value chain such as fishermen, exporters, local traders, processors, government agencies, and international buyers. Along the chain, plot the type of labour intervention that exists at various points (including gender/ age demarcations). • Market Analysis to identify the local and international market demand for sea cucumbers and derivatives • Environmental Sustainability Assessment of each of the practices which form part of the sea cucumber value chain. • Economic and Social Impact Assessment estimates of the sea cucumber value chain on Zanzibar’s local economy, including employment, income generation, and export potential.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic qualifications: A master’s degree in marine sciences or a related field. A first degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a Masters degree. Experience: At least 3 years of experience in conducting research on marine species and their commercialisation Additionally, the consultant should have: ─ A thorough understanding of different marine species ─ At least one year of experience in conducting socio-economic and ecological assessments of marine activities is desirable. ─ Experience in blue economy value chains ─ Experience of working with national institutions would be an asset. ─ Work experience in a multicultural environment or in an international organization is desirable. ─ Demonstrated experience working under tight deadlines and delivering high-quality outputs. ─ Strong oral and written communication skills. ─ Ability to work independently, proactively and with little supervision

Languages

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.