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Request for Proposal (RFP) - Country Officer, Ecuador
Global Fishing Watch
Ecuador
Posted on Jan 23, 2026
ECUADOR, application closes midnight CET Thursday February 5, 2026
Background:
Global Fishing Watch (GFW) is an international, non-profit organization committed to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency. We create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, GFW became an independent non-profit organization in June 2017. Using cutting-edge technology, we create and publicly share map visualizations, data and analysis tools to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean. To pursue our unified organisational strategy, by 2030 across 30 countries we aim to empower institutions and people to 1) support the reduction of illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices 2) better enforce and protect the rights of 1 million small scale fishers and 3) improve the effective designation and management of marine protected areas and other area based conservation measures.
Latin America is a region deeply intertwined with the ocean—its more than 35,000 miles (56,000 kilometers) of coastline shape the lives, economies and cultural identities of its coastal communities. GFW works closely with countries across the region, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Panama and Peru, to strengthen ocean stewardship and advance global conservation goals. A major focus of our efforts is the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), one of the most biodiverse marine regions on the planet. While most countries in the region have already designated at least 30 percent of their waters for protection, they continue to face significant challenges. Through improved monitoring, transparency and enforcement, GFW aims to support countries in achieving meaningful conservation outcomes and contributing to the global 30x30 target.
Purpose and Objectives:
GFW seeks to hire a consultant to support the delivery of our mission in Ecuador, implementing a work plan with a set of deliverables to advance transparency and effective ocean governance. The selected consultant will play a key role in driving two of our key organizational impacts in Ecuador: making data accessible and actionable by coordinating national partnerships, government engagement, and enabling the use of our data and tools across government institutions.
- Collaborate closely with the GFW regional team to implement an agreed work plan, including securing and publishing additional vessel tracking data to improve understanding of maritime activity in ETP countries’ waters.
- Coordinating with colleagues across GFW, help expand the application of satellite-based vessel monitoring enhanced by artificial intelligence and big-data analytics; deploy user-friendly tools that make vessel information publicly accessible and improve transparency and accountability;
- Provide valuable insights to co-develop specific dashboards and analytical products that strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations.
- Ensure data becomes actionable by supporting agencies with the capacity to translate information into effective and lasting compliance outcomes.
- Support GFW championing transparency by preparing briefs and proposals, coordinating meetings and workshops, and engaging with national stakeholders across government and civil society.
- Assist to deliver insights and reports that meaningfully inform marine actions.
Scope of Work:
- Grant management
- Ensure execution of relevant grants in Ecuador with activities in line with the forecasted spend.
- Support effective grant management by monitoring progress against deliverables, and supporting the preparation of high-quality grant reports in line with donor requirements.
- Facilitate national work plans development, manage timelines, track deliverables and drive cross-country alignment.
- Support the preparation of regional reports, briefs and donor-facing updates summarizing progress, risks and opportunities.
- Provide timely updates to GFW teams on key developments and their potential implications for the organization's work.
- Communication and Public Relationships:
- Facilitate dialogue with government agencies, marine users, and other stakeholders to highlight the value of public data sharing and strengthen interagency cooperation.
- Government Actions
- Support the deployment of interventions that improve monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), including the preparation of tailored analytical products and reports.
- Provide technical advice and targeted support to partners on fisheries and biodiversity monitoring.
- Deliver real-time, case-specific assistance to partners using GFW tools and data.
- Transparency
- Collaborate to advance transparency in ocean governance.
- Promote public sharing of vessel identification, registration and authorization information across MPAs, national waters and ETP.
- Pursue and secure new data-sharing agreements, building on existing collaborations.
- Support integration of new vessel tracking data into the GFW platform and contribute to customized analysis for authorities in the ETP.
- Assist the regional team to design tailored workspaces that incorporate vessel tracking data and other relevant datasets.
- Capacity Development
- Support the organization and delivery of workshops, seminars and training sessions to build capacity of government staff, communities and stakeholders on the use of technology and data for fisheries and biodiversity management.
- Assist the development of educational modules on data and technology to combat IUU fishing and strengthen marine management, maritime traffic and tourism oversight.
- Train partners to independently analyze marine data, monitor authorized and non-authorized activities in MPAs and EEZs, and detect suspicious behavior in near-real time.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the successful development and implementation of a one year work plan to achieve our transparency and making data accessible and enforcement outcomes in Ecuador. GFW will also provide staff time to support the selected professional to deliver the expected results. The consultant will report to the Senior Manager for Latin America.
Location Requirements: Ecuador
Ethics and Confidentiality:
The consultant will be required to adhere to GFW's ethical standards and ensure that all data collection and analysis activities are conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality and privacy of GFW partners data where necessary. The selected consultant may be required to sign a non–disclosure agreement before beginning work.
Timeline and Deliverables:
This will be a fixed term, 1 year contract + possible extension.
The consultant will deliver brief monthly narrative reports on the execution of the agreed workplan and s/he will also complete a timesheet with an account of the number of billable hours dedicated to implement the work plan. GFW will provide templates for both of them.
Fees will be paid monthly upon receipt and approval of the monthly narrative report, an invoice and timesheet. Payments will be based on the number of hours billed during the month, at an agreed monthly hourly rate, with an accord on the number of maximum billable hours for the twelve months of the contract.
Consultant Description
Required
- University degree in marine sciences, fisheries, international affairs, law, or equivalent professional experience.
- At least five years of relevant professional experience in the marine sector, including fisheries management and enforcement, technology, biodiversity management, and/or conservation.
- Strong understanding of Ecuador´s marine and fisheries institutional landscape and decision-making processes.
- Native Spanish speaker with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Proven experience collaborating effectively with government and private stakeholders on marine and fisheries issues.
- Excellent research and analytical skills, with proven ability drafting documents and reports, and translating complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with government entities and civil society.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, analytical, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred
- Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- Experience working in fisheries enforcement operations.
- Experience analyzing or implementing the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
- Experience delivering training or capacity-building programs.
- Familiarity with technological platforms and data used in marine spatial planning, fisheries compliance, or marine biodiversity management.
Submission requirements
Interested professionals should submit:
- A cover letter explaining the provider’s interest and qualification for the consultancy, including a description of previous experience with the types of work proposed in the RFP.
- Resume/CV.
- A financial proposal. Please note that the selected consultant will be expected to work regular working hours for the duration, the equivalent of 1,880 hours.
Submission deadline
Proposals should be submitted by midnight CET Thursday February 5, 2026
Equal Opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.