Deadline: 10 January 2025
Background
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, and co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Science Council (ISC). The Global Ocean Observing System aims to deliver the essential information needed for our sustainable development, safety, wellbeing and prosperity. The GOOS Management Team, headquartered at IOC Paris, lead and support a community of international, regional and national ocean observing programmes and policies for, member states, UN agencies, research organizations and scientists.
The current structure and funding of GOOS are insufficient to provide the data needed to meet the requirements of Member States which are, and will increasingly be, relying on a fit-for-purpose global ocean observing system for understanding ocean changes and for operational services that include forecasts and early warning systems, ocean health, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Under the Global Ocean Observing System 2030 Strategy, a key objective is to champion effective governance for global ocean observing, together with partners and stakeholders.
Member States have invited the IOC Executive Secretary in IOC Decision EC-57/4.1,1 to evolve GOOS governance, in consultation with the GOOS Steering Committee, representatives from Member States and GOOS sponsors. In order to prepare this proposal, a 6-month process to discover and re-define the future scope, mission and structure of GOOS is needed. The anticipated deliverable from this process will be to define the mission, scope and organizational structure of GOOS moving forward – the WHY and the WHAT. This deliverable will also propose a process by which the HOW – the approach to be taken to develop and deliver a reformed GOOS – can be undertaken. In the evolvement of this work, consideration must be given towards how to evolve both GOOS itself and the coordination of GOOS inclusive of its component parts and any changes deemed necessary.
Objective of the Consultancy
The main objective of this consultancy is to discover and define the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) with a focus on key tasks:
- Mission and scoping review: Review the viability and value of the central mission of GOOS and identify what is the unique value proposition of GOOS relevant to Global and National perspectives.
Through consultation with stakeholders: assess the needs and requirements of Member States, ocean observation sponsors, end users and the ocean observing community; assess the ability of GOOS to facilitate worldwide cooperation in enabling a fit-for purpose ocean observing system that has a clear scope and set of aims; ensure alignment with the needs, alignment with priorities and deliverables for UN processes and national needs. - Structure review: Review the viability and ability to create value from the current organizational structure of GOOS.
Considering previous work undertaken, through desk review and consultations, propose a scope for GOOS and consider the most effective way to deliver GOOS. Review the viability and ability to create value from the current organizational structure of GOOS. - Proposal for revised scope and structure
Propose a revised scope and structure for global coordination of ocean observations, constituent components and delivery mechanisms.
More details and Application process
More details on the scope, requirements and deliverables, as well as the application form for this consultancy, can be found in the Request for Proposal and Terms of Reference here.