Result of ServiceUnder the supervision of the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and in collaboration with a designated inter-departmental team, the Consultant will employ a mixed-methodology approach including legal analysis, comparative case studies, financial modelling, and stakeholder analysis. The deliverables include: i. Legal and Regulatory Analysis • Analyze UNCLOS provisions (Articles 140, 160(2)(f)(i), 162(2)(o)(ii), 173, 82), the 1994 Implementation Agreement, and relevant ISA Regulations. • Identify legal boundaries, ambiguities, and opportunities for establishing a Common Heritage Fund (CHF) or other models. • Examine implications of administering Article 82 payments through ISA or a subsidiary fund. ii. Institutional and Governance Design • Conduct consultations with officials who have developed comparable international funds and mechanisms (e.g., Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, Cali Fund, Tropical Forest Forever Facility, Global Environment Facility (Least Developed Countries Fund, Special Climate Change Fund, and STAR allocation), Green Climate Fund, UN Trust Funds, and sovereign wealth funds) • Propose governance structures for a CHF including: o Governing Board composition (Member States, experts, civil society) o Decision-making procedures (allocation principles and criteria, voting, consensus requirements) o Transparency, accountability, anti-corruption mechanisms and compliance with the UN SC sanctions regime o Operational secretariat requirements • Draw lessons from comparable international funds. iii. Financial and Operational Assessment • Estimate financial and human resources needed for CHF setup and operation, including the development of robust financial systems commensurate with the quantity of funds anticipated. • Outline potential revenue streams and timelines. • Develop criteria and mechanisms for fund disbursement aligned with CHM principles. iv. Comparative Analysis of Alternative Models • Evaluate alternative benefit-sharing models (direct cash, in-kind benefits, technology hubs, tiered systems) and possible inclusion of one or all as a hybrid distribution model. • Assess each model against: o Equitability, effectiveness as well as intragenerational and intergenerational justice consistent with the Common Heritage of Mankind (CHM) principles o Administrative efficiency and cost o Political feasibility and UNCLOS alignment o Robustness against misuse or corruption Work LocationHome-based Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Context UNCLOS establishes the seabed “Area” and resources as the CHM. ISA ensures activities in the Area provide enduring benefit to humankind, considering developing States’ needs. With exploitation regulations nearing finalization as well as the triggering of Article 82 imminent, a mechanism for financial benefit distribution is critical. As an alternative or possibly in concert with direct cash distribution, the CHF has been proposed as a central revenue management mechanism supporting, among other things: global public goods; investment in human and physical capital; deep-sea research; capacity building initiatives for developing countries, and; climate change mitigation and adaptation. Objective Produce a comprehensive, actionable report for ISA Secretariat and Member States, including: - Legal foundations and constraints analysis - Institutional and governance frameworks - Financial implications and management requirements - Comparison of CHF with alternative models - Actionable recommendations for policy decisions Qualifications/special skillsEducation • Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international law and/or law of the sea, international economics, public policy, or related field. Experience • Minimum 8 years in international law projects (for example related to financial mechanisms, resource governance or the law of the sea). • Expertise in UNCLOS legal frameworks, Part XI. • Experience designing, analyzing, or evaluating international financial mechanisms or revenue-sharing models. • Familiarity with ISA institutional processes preferred. Skills • Exceptional analytical, research, drafting skills in English • Strong interpersonal and communication skills • Ability to work independently remotely • Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Additional Information• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required • Submit one writing sample (analytical report or publication) • OLA officers will provide reference materials and respond to queries promptly • Regular virtual progress meetings will be held • A presentation will be delivered to the Finance Committee during one of their virtual meetings and their input will be incorporated as appropriate before the report is finalized No FeeTHE 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.