Preparation of Guidelines for Promoting Sustainable Marine Renewable Energies in the Mediterranean Sea

The ultimate result of this assignment is the timely and effective delivery of guidelines for promoting sustainable marine renewable energies in the Mediterranean Sea.

home-based

The contract will be for a period of forty-six (46) working man-days spread over 6 months starting from the date of the last signature.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This consultancy assignment is for the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) - Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution in the Mediterranean (MED POL), Athens, Greece. Decision 27/14 on the Programme of Work and Budget for 2026–2027, adopted at the 24th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP 24), held in Cairo, Egypt, from 2 to 5 December 2025, entrusted MED POL with the implementation of activity 4.4.1, “Implement key targeted measures of the Mediterranean Offshore Action Plan.” Building on the work already undertaken by MED POL, as reflected in document UNEP/MED WG.627/9 on the Analysis of Existing Regulatory Measures and Impacts on the Marine and Coastal Environment from Marine Renewable Energies, there is a clear need to further expand and deepen this analysis. This includes, in particular, a more detailed assessment of existing legal and regulatory frameworks at both national and regional levels, an enhanced evaluation of the potential environmental impacts associated with the development of marine renewable energy (MRE), and a refined identification of measures to prevent, mitigate, and manage such impacts. In addition, the implementation of activity 4.4.1.a requires specialized technical and policy expertise to ensure coherence with UNEP/MAP objectives, regional priorities, and best international practices. In this context, the recruitment of a consultant is essential to support MED POL in the timely and effective execution of this activity, including the preparation of practical, science-based guidelines aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable marine renewable energy development in the Mediterranean Sea. The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNEP/MAP MED POL Programme Management Officer, in close collaboration with the Senior Programme Officer (Scientific and Technical), and under the overall guidance of the Deputy Coordinator. The consultant will undergo the following Specific tasks and responsibilities: 1. Prepare a detailed work plan for performance of the tasks accompanied with a timetable for completion of each task over a total period of the present assignment including a synopsis of work to be undertaken for each task and means for achieving the prescribed outputs of this consultancy. 2. Prepare a layout structure/table of contents of the report, consult with MEDPOL and agree upon it based on which the assessment report will be prepared. 3. Prepare guidelines for promoting sustainable marine renewable energies in the Mediterranean Sea, including the following key thematic areas: 3.1. Strategic Policy and Governance Framework • Review and assess regional and national strategies, plans and policy frameworks related to MSP and MRE (analysis reports prepared by UNEP/MAP – MED POL and other RACs related to existing regulatory measures and impacts on marine and coastal environment from Marine Renewable Energies, EU Green Deal, Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy, and the UN Global Compact/platform for the offshore wind industry). • Identify and articulate clear regulatory elements for MRE development, including governance structure to identify institutional roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms 3.2. Marine Spatial Planning and Sea-Basin Approach • Analyze the integration of MRE considerations within existing Marine Spatial Planning frameworks • Identify criteria and approaches for the designation of suitable areas for MRE development • Identify spatial hotspots of potential use conflicts and pilot risk-reduction measures (e.g. traffic separation schemes, exclusion zones, routing measures) to enhance safety, reduce environmental pressures, and support coexistence among marine uses. 3.3. Environmental Assessment, Monitoring and Mitigation • Review and propose improvements to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures tailored to Mediterranean conditions, incorporating socio-economic impact assessments on local coastal communities, as well as transboundary impacts. • Assess ecosystem-based management principles and the application of the precautionary approach to MRE planning and development. • Integrate the use of “Sensitivity Mapping” to proactively identify and avoid areas of high ecological vulnerability Identify standardized approaches for baseline data collection, environmental monitoring, and reporting, emphasizing the use of standardized and open trans-national data-sharing platforms (such as EMODnet) to facilitate ecosystem-based planning across borders. • Identify potential environmental impacts across all phases of the MRE project lifecycle and propose corresponding mitigation and adaptive management measures, taking into account the findings and recommendations of document UNEP/MED WG.627/9 3.4. Stakeholder Engagement and Social Acceptance • Identify best practices for early, transparent, and inclusive stakeholder engagement processes • Propose approaches for engaging local communities, fisheries, maritime sectors, NGOs, and academic institutions • Identify mechanisms to prevent and address conflicts and ensure coexistence with other marine uses • Propose measures to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust • Integrate social, cultural, and territorial cohesion considerations into MRE planning, including the identification and mitigation of workforce skill gaps through targeted re- skilling programs 3.5. Technology, Infrastructure and Grid Integration • Analyze requirements for offshore grid planning, including cross-border and regional considerations • Assess spatial coherence between maritime transport, port infrastructure, offshore renewables and environmental protection 4. Attend up to two (2) online working group meetings organized by UNEP/MAP MED POL to present the relevant work as described under the present ToR. 5. Prepare a final report of deliverables for the consultancy with details on the methodology for performance of tasks and activities to achieve the deliverables under this assignment.

An advanced university degree in marine sciences, environmental management, renewable energy, oceanography, environmental engineering, maritime spatial planning (MSP), or a related discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience, including at least two (2) years with demonstrated expertise in one of the following areas is required: o marine and coastal environmental management, offshore activities, or renewable energy planning. o the development or implementation of regional or national policies, strategies, action plans, or guidelines related to marine protection or sustainable blue economy sectors. Working experience in Mediterranean region is desirable.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. • Working knowledge of French is desirable.

The Consultant shall deliver the following outputs, which are directly linked to the tasks described above. 1. Detailed work plan along with time-bound deadlines for achievement of tasks of consultancy is prepared and agreed by MEDPOL (Task 1) (deliverable timeline: 1 week after the signature of contract). 2. Report’s layout and table of contents with annotation are developed and submitted to MED POL for approval (Task 2) (deliverable timeline: 2 weeks after the signature of contract). 3. First (1st) draft of the Report is prepared to be submitted to MED POL for review (Task 3) (deliverable timeline: 4 months after the signature of contract). 4. Second (2nd) draft of the Report is prepared incorporating MED POL’s comments from Draft-1 of the Report (Task 3) (deliverable timeline: 5 months after the signature of contract). 5. Presentation of the respective work and deliverables in at least 2 online Working Group Meetings (Task 4) (deliverable timeline: 5 months after the signature of contract). 6. Final draft of the consolidated Report, addressing all comments received from MED POL and MED POL Meetings is prepared, submitted to and approved by MED POL (Tasks 3) (deliverable timeline: 5.5 months after the signature of contract). 7. Submission of the final report of the assignment to MED POL for approval (Task 5) (deliverable timeline: 5.5 months after the signature of contract).  

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.