Research, Co-Design, Strategic Development and Launch Roadmap for the People of the Oceans

Terms of Reference for IUCN Consultancy Title: Research, Co-Design, Strategic Development and Launch Roadmap for the People of the Oceans Objective of the Consultancy The objective of this consultancy is to support IUCN and the emerging People of the Oceans initiative to move from the substantial consultations, dialogues and socialisation activities already undertaken towards a clear, community-informed strategy, operational model and roadmap for the next phase of the initiative. The consultancy will build on existing findings, including consultations and sessions held across international and regional processes, as well as side events and workshops organised at COP30 and the Our Ocean Conference in June 2026. The consultancy will undertake targeted additional consultations, surveys, interviews and validation processes to address remaining strategic questions and translate the existing body of evidence into a practical People of the Oceans strategy, roadmap, communication and storytelling plan, advocacy approach, fundraising proposition and proposed coordination structure. The team may use the Western Indian Ocean as a pilot and learning space, where useful, to test consultation approaches and the practical relevance of the proposed model. The assignment will assess how People of the Oceans can become a meaningful collective contribution and breakthrough group within the broader Ocean Breakthrough agenda, while retaining its own community-centred identity and purpose. It will propose how the initiative should be structured, governed and positioned, including a practical organigram or coordination architecture, and will produce a compelling public and donor-facing proposition that can support future implementation and resource mobilization. The consultant will also support the strategic showcasing and socialization of People of the Oceans through relevant regional and global events and platforms, including opportunities such as IMCC8, COP31 and other events organized or supported by IUCN and its partners. These opportunities may be used both to present and build visibility for the emerging initiative and to facilitate targeted consultations, surveys, discussions and feedback that can inform its continued development. The consultant will not be required to travel, and support for such events will be provided remotely in close coordination with IUCN and relevant partners. Background Project Reference: P05126 Donor reference: DR04216.69 About IUCN IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards. IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, Indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Terms of Reference for Consultancy v1 March 2024 Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being. www.iucn.org https://twitter.com/IUCN/ About the People of the Oceans Initiative The People of the Oceans initiative has emerged through an IUCN-led global consultation process seeking to better understand how diverse ocean-connected people define, perceive and envision a stronger collective role in ocean governance and action. Over the past period, IUCN and partners have undertaken extensive consultations, dialogues and sessions with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), small-scale fishers, coastal and island community members, women, youth, researchers, civil society, governments, donors and other ocean stakeholders. The process has included international and regional gatherings, surveys and dedicated sessions, as well as socialisation side events and workshops at major ocean and biodiversity processes, including the World Conservation Congress 2025, COP30 and the Our Ocean Conference in June 2026. These engagements have generated a substantial body of evidence and perspectives on what it means to be a Person of the Ocean, the challenges facing ocean-dependent communities and the priorities that a collective People of the Oceans initiative could address. Existing findings indicate strong interest in an inclusive constituency that brings together people whose lives, cultures, identities and livelihoods are connected to the ocean. The consultation process has also highlighted priorities including stronger recognition and representation, improved access to finance, knowledge and capacity, leadership and empowerment, wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods. However, important questions remain regarding the initiative's strategic purpose, added value, structure, governance, relationship with existing movements and networks, and how it can move from dialogue and socialisation towards practical collective action. In support of the development and advancement of People of the Oceans, Mission Inclusion (Mi) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) implement the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature (ReSea) project in partnership with local feminist organisations in Kenya, Tanzania, [...] Procurement details Reference: IUCN-26-09-: Research, Co-Design, Strategic Development and Launch Roadmap for the People of the Oce Procedure: SOP1 - Open Procedure Procurement type: Consulting IUCN office (lead): ESARO Kenya Requisitioning unit: ESARO - Coastal and Ocean Programme (KE) Project: P04216 ReSea Expected contract duration: 2 months Estimated contract value: 25,000-199,999 CHF Currency of proposals: USD - United States dollar Language of documents: English Deadline for questions: 15 September 2026 20:59 UTC Deadline for technical and financial proposals: 25 September 2026 20:59 UTC Expected contract award date: 12 October 2026 20:59 UTC Documents - Terms of Reference: TOR People of the oceans.pdf - Conditions for Participating: Conditions for Participating ENG-SPA-FRA.docx - Standard contract: Standard Agreement.docx The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership union of government and civil society organisations working on nature conservation and sustainable development. IUCN procures consulting services, goods and works for its projects worldwide through the IUCN Procurement Portal. For all contracts above CHF 25,000 IUCN selects contractors through a formal competitive tendering process under its Standard Operating Procedure 1 (Open Procedure). Interested bidders must register on the portal, review the Terms of Reference, the Conditions for Participating and the standard contract, and submit their technical and financial proposals through the portal before the stated deadline. Questions must be raised through the portal's Q&A function before the deadline for questions.