Call for proposal for the provision of consultancy services for the revision of the Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships – Nov 14, 2014
After the adoption of the Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (Prevention and Emergency Protocol), a Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (Regional Strategy) was developed and adopted in 2005 by the 14th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (Portoroz, November 8-11, 2005).
The Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships lists the priority issues to be addressed when implementing the Prevention and Emergency Protocol and includes twenty-one specific objectives to be achieved by 2015, as well as a set of specific implementation goals, a timetable for its implementation, and a list of relevant international Conventions and European legislations.
The 18th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean and its Protocols, held in Istanbul (Turkey), 3-6 December 2013, through the adoption of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP)’s Programme of Work for 2014-2015, requested the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) to review and update the Regional Strategy and prepare a Draft Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships to be adopted in 2015.
In parallel to the preparation of UNEP/MAP’s Integrated Six Year Programme of Work (Mid-Term Strategy) for the period 2016-2021 incorporating the necessary elements of the other sectorial or cross cutting policies of MAP such as the revision of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) and the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp), during the current biennium (2014-2015), REMPEC will carry out the revision of the Regional Strategy adopted in 2005, seen as an integral part of the MAP Mid-Term Strategy and an implementing tool of the 2002 Prevention and Emergency Protocol.
Whilst the Centre will lead the revision of the Regional Strategy, it views the revision and updating process of the Strategy as a participatory process. The active participation of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention was requested to assess the level of implementation of the Regional Strategy covering the period 2005-2015. Their contribution will be further required to assist in defining the priorities to be addressed in the new Strategy during the 2016-2021 period. These priorities should be transposed into actions, timelines, and benchmarked against targets and indicators derived as far as possible from the approved ones within the framework of the implementation of EcAp.
In view of the above and with a view to assessing the level of implementation of the Specific Objectives of the 2005 Regional Strategy by each individual Contracting Party, REMPEC prepared specific separate templates assessing the level of implementation of the Specific Objectives of the Strategy for each Contracting Party. Where possible, the Centre’s Secretariat had completed parts of the assessment template from information available at the Centre, on the Country Profile pages on REMPEC’s website and the Barcelona Convention Reporting System (BCRS). However, REMPEC’s Operational Focal Points (i.e. Prevention and OPRC Focal Points), were requested to review jointly their respective national specific template. The assessment of the implementation of the Specific Objectives by REMPEC as identified in the Regional Strategy has also been carried out.
The assessment of the implementation of the Regional Strategy is the first step in the revision process of the Strategy and will be followed by the definition of the priorities to be addressed in the new updated Regional Strategy which will have to take into consideration recent developments such as the linkages to UNEP/MAP’s Mid-Term Strategy and the ongoing exercises on the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) and the revision of Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD), sectorial Regional Strategies and Action Plans such as the Regional Strategy on Ships’ Ballast Water Management and the proposed Offshore Protocol Action Plan, and other relevant developments at the regional and global level such as the institutionalisation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme.
Based on the identified priorities, the Centre will present during the Meeting of National Experts on the Revision of the Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships to be tentatively held in Malta in mid-March 2015, the new and updated Draft Regional Strategy (2016-2021) which, following discussion and review by the Contracting Parties at the REMPEC Focal Points Meeting to be tentatively held in June 2015, would be integrated in UNEP/MAP’s Mid-Term Strategy.
The Consultant was chosen and is currently undertaking the assessment of the Regional Strategy Revision.
Link:
Answers to consultant questions:
Q1. Has the 2005 Regional Strategy been revised since its adoption in Portoroz?
A1.The 2005 Regional Strategy has not been revised since its adoption. The 2005 Regional Strategy can be downloaded from the following link.
Q2.Is the revised Strategy 2016-2021 expected to follow the 2005 model?
A2.The revised Strategy 2016-2021 is not expected to follow the 2005 model, however it should contain at least a set of implementation goals, a timetable and an estimated budget for its implementation.
Q3.The draft Revised Regional Strategy should include, inter alia, an "estimated detailed budget for its implementation". Was this done for the 2005 Strategy? If not, does the budget refer to the Secretariat or to the implementing countries?
A3.The 2005 Strategy did not include "estimated detailed budget for its implementation". The "estimated detailed budget for its implementation" should mainly focus on the funds required for the implementation of activities identified under the responsibility of the Secretariat. The estimated budget for the implementation of the Draft Offshore Action Plan (REMPEC/WG.35/6 - Annex IV - Appendix 2) can be used as reference. This notwithstanding, a study concerning the Estimate of Costs of the Implementation of the Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships in the Mediterranean was submitted to the Second Meeting of National Experts on the Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (Malta, 21-23 April 2005). A copy of the aforementioned study can be found here.
Q4. In view of the telephone interviews with UNEP/MAP officials, IMO Officials and a number of REMPEC Operational Focal Points, it is understood that a set of questions would be agreed to facilitate the interviewing process and provide consistency, in the light of the conclusions of the draft Synthetic Report on the Assessment of Implementation and the draft Comparative Report on ongoing and existing Mediterranean, European and International strategies/sectorial action plans/initiatives on marine environment protection.
A4. The awarded consultant, in consultation with REMPEC, is expected to draft a set of questions to be asked to the UNEP/MAP officials, IMO Officials and a number of REMPEC Operational Focal Points mainly to identify priorities for the next six years, but also to identify key initiatives/plans, etc… to be considered.
Q5. Will the country data needed to prepare the draft Synthetic Report on the Assessment of Implementation of the 2005 Regional Strategy be provided to the consultant?
A5.The selected consultant will be provided with replies received from Contracting Parties in electronic format.
Q6. Will REMPEC provide the material needed to elaborate the draft Comparative Report on ongoing and existing Mediterranean, European and International strategies/sectorial action plans/initiatives on marine environment protection?
A6. REMPEC will provide available information on Mediterranean, European and International strategies/sectorial action plans/initiatives on marine environment protection, however, the selected consultant is expected to investigate other relevant material, including during the interviews as referred in A4.
Q7. Should the CV be submitted in a particular format?
A.7. There is no format requirement for the submission of the CV.
Q8. Will REMPEC provide travel and accommodation arrangements:
A.8.Upon selection of the consultant, expected on 28 November 2014, the Consultant and REMPEC will agree on the most appropriate dates for the Kick-off Meeting. REMPEC can assist in identification/booking of hotels in Valletta; however the Consultant is expected to pay his expenses (Travel/Accommodation) in accordance with the agreed lumpsum (based on the submitted quote), which should include all logistical expenses.
Q9. What are the applicable daily consultancy rate and DSA rate when travelling as required in the Assignment?
A.9. Please find below some relevant information:
Daily Subsistence Allowance for Malta: USD 259 per night in Malta
Terminal Expenses: USD 38 (4 TE per travel)
IMO consultancy fee daily rate: USD 400 - USD 500 depending on the experience
Q10. Are there strict deadlines?
A.10 The work and tasks (including preparation and delivery of the missions and submission of the reports), envisaged under the contract, shall be completed by xx April 2015 (Exact date to be agreed). It will be terminated with the submission of the Final Draft Revised Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (2016-2021) taking into account the comments of the Meeting of National Experts on the Revision of the Regional Strategy for Prevention of and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships to be tentatively held in Malta, mid-March 2015. Within that timeframe, the Consultant will organise his work in the best possible manner and ensure the successful completion of the missions and Consultancy. The exact date of the submission of the Draft synthetic report on the Assessment of the Implementation of the Regional Strategy shall be agreed with REMPEC without delaying the submission of the Draft Revised Regional Strategy, at the latest on 16 February 2015, as the latter will require translation before its submission to the Contracting Parties for their consideration and comments during the Meeting of National Experts on the Revision of the Regional Strategy.