Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Seeks Lead Writer – Remote Consultancy | Apply by 29 September 2026
The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) is inviting applications from experienced professionals for a Consultant – Lead Writer, Blue Accounts Guidance consultancy under the UNDP/GEF project Supporting Sustainable Inclusive Blue Economy Transformation in African Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
This is a senior-level opportunity for professionals with strong experience in technical writing, policy analysis, environmental economics, ocean governance, natural capital accounting, Blue Economy development and knowledge-product development.
The consultancy will be conducted remotely, with coordination across partner institutions and participating African SIDS. The assignment is expected to run for up to six months from contract signature, with applications closing on 29 September 2026.
About the Project
The project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the African Union Commission, with execution by the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa.
It aims to support sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient Blue Economy transformation in African SIDS by strengthening policies, institutions, data systems and stakeholder capacities.
The Blue Accounts component focuses on helping participating countries organise, interpret and apply ocean-related ecological, economic and social information to national planning, budgeting, investment and policy processes.
The project covers six African SIDS:
- Cabo Verde
- Guinea-Bissau
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Comoros
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
Role of the Lead Writer
The selected consultant will lead the synthesis and integration of technical contributions from different partner institutions. The goal is to transform complex technical material into practical, coherent and policy-relevant Blue Accounts guidance.
The consultant will contribute to four main areas:
1. Stocktaking and Knowledge Consolidation
The consultant will review existing Blue Accounts methodologies, datasets, institutional experiences and policy frameworks. They will also synthesise relevant approaches covering SEEA, ocean accounting, natural capital accounting, ecosystem valuation and Blue Economy valuation.
The work will identify gaps, opportunities for alignment and areas where approaches can be harmonised.
2. Conceptual Blue Accounts Framework
The consultant will support the development of a practical framework aligned with international ocean accounting and natural capital accounting approaches while reflecting the realities and capacities of African SIDS.
This will include account types and modules, guiding principles, classification structures, implementation pathways and connections to national and continental reporting processes.
3. Operational Tools and Templates
The successful candidate will develop practical implementation resources that may include:
- Accounting templates
- Metadata formats
- Data collection sheets
- Indicator frameworks
- Implementation checklists
- Simplified estimation methods
- Guidance for interoperability with relevant systems
4. Knowledge Products and Handover
The consultant will prepare and finalise the Blue Accounts Guidance, practical implementation tools and templates, a policy brief for senior decision-makers, institutional recommendations and final handover materials.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should hold an advanced degree in a relevant field such as environmental economics, ocean governance, natural capital accounting, sustainable development, public policy, development economics, environmental management or marine/coastal management.
Candidates must have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as technical writing, policy analysis, programme design, applied research or knowledge-product development.
Applicants should demonstrate experience producing high-quality:
- Guidance documents
- Technical reports
- Policy briefs
- Methodological frameworks
- Manuals
- Toolkits
Strong understanding of Blue Economy policy, ocean governance, natural capital accounting, environmental-economic accounting, ecosystem valuation or ocean accounting is required.
Excellent written English is essential. French and/or Portuguese will be an advantage.
Experience involving African SIDS, African Union institutions, regional ocean-governance initiatives, UNDP/GEF projects or comparable international development programmes will be considered an advantage.
Evaluation Criteria
The technical proposal will account for 80% of the overall evaluation, while the financial proposal will account for 20%.
A minimum technical score of 70% is required to qualify for financial evaluation.
The assessment will consider:
- Education – 10%
- Professional experience – 30%
- Methodology, approach and implementation plan – 40%
Particular attention will be given to the candidate’s understanding of the assignment, methodological approach, ability to integrate technical inputs and capacity to develop practical and sustainable implementation solutions.
Consultancy Duration
The assignment will last up to six months from contract signature.
The consultant will report to GWPSA through the African SIDS Project Management Unit and work with technical focal points from organisations including UNDP, UNECA, AUDA-NEPAD, UNESCO-IOC/IOCAFRICA, the African Union Commission and GWPSA.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should prepare and submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter
- Proposed Methodology – maximum three pages
- Proposed pricing for each identified deliverable
Applications should be submitted by email to:
Applicants should copy:
Shamiso.Kumbirai@gwpsaf.org
immaculee.uwimana@gwpsaf.org
Application Deadline: 29 September 2026
This is a strong opportunity for an experienced technical writer, policy specialist, environmental economist, researcher or knowledge-management professional interested in contributing to sustainable Blue Economy development in Africa.
Candidates should carefully review the full Terms of Reference and ensure that their technical proposal clearly demonstrates their relevant experience, understanding of Blue Accounts and proposed methodology.
Position: Consultant – Lead Writer, Blue Accounts Guidance
Organisation: Global Water Partnership Southern Africa
Location: Remote / African SIDS
Duration: Up to 6 months
Deadline: 29 September 2026
Application Email: gwpsaprocurement@gwp.org
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