Pro-bono Advocacy Opportunity - Trade Policy Expert Stop the Grind Initiative

Background

For centuries, the Faroe Islands have been practising whale hunting, referred to as the "Grindaráp," which involves chasing, beaching, and killing Long-finned Pilot Whales and Atlantic White-sided Dolphins. An average of 1100 pilot whales and other dolphins have been killed in the Faroe Islands every year since 1985. In response, the Stop the Grind (STG) coalition was formed as a multi-stakeholder initiative, aiming to collaborate towards the shared goal of ending the Grind. Formed in September 2021, STG is committed to mobilising local, regional, and global pressure to achieve full protection of all cetaceans migrating or existing in the Faroe Islands by raising awareness and mobilising citizen engagement through advocacy at national, European Union, and International Whaling Commission (IWC) levels. The Initiative is jointly led by Sea Shepherd Global, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and Shared Planet, organisations dedicated to protecting marine animals and ecosystems.

Economic, diplomatic, and political pressure have proven to be an effective means of advancing anti-whaling and other biodiversity conservation efforts. As the largest trading partner of the Faroe Islands, the EU has significant influence that can be leveraged to encourage reforms and promote adherence to modern standards of marine conservation. Accordingly, STG seeks to conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential trade pathways to exert national, regional, and global economic pressure on the Faroe Islands, encouraging reconsideration of the Grind. Such trade avenues and pressure points to influence the Faroese government can include introducing tariffs on Faroese fishery products, incorporating animal welfare and environmental conditions into Faroese trade agreements, and limiting trade incentives and subsidies.   

Purpose of this Assignment

To conduct this analysis, STG aims to collaborate with a trade policy expert who will be responsible for supporting STG in conducting a thorough analysis of the trade and political mechanisms of the Faroe Islands, particularly regarding its economic and political cooperation with trading partners, with a focus on the EU, United Kingdom and the United States. This will include evaluating trade agreements and other bilateral and multilateral forms of cooperation, as well as identifying potential entry points for advocacy. This research will be summarised into a report, followed by the development of recommendations and advocacy plans for STG to pursue priority pressure points, which will inform its regional and global campaigning.

Scope of Work

This assignment is expected to be conducted in four main phases. However, we are flexible and encourage prospective candidates to explore alternative approaches to delivering this assignment.

1. Phase 1: Analysis of trade and partnership agreements

   • Identify relevant trade agreements between the Faroe Islands and key trading partners (e.g., EU, UK, EFTA, Denmark, other Nordic countries, and the United States).

   • Analyse the legal structures of relevant trade agreements to assess opportunities and limitations for applying pressure (e.g., including issues of Rules of Origin, human rights, environmental clauses and dispute resolution clauses for violations of any aspect of the trade agreement).

   • Assess bilateral and multilateral partnerships that could influence Faroese trade behaviour.

   • Identify areas where the trade agreement could be used to curtail or stop the Grind, prompt the cessation of trade or subsidies, or engage in dispute resolutions on the grounds of environmental or animal rights concerns.

   • Identify areas where the trade agreement could be strengthened to address animal rights and environmental concerns related to the Grind and international agreements and norms. 

2. Phase 2: Develop a summary of the analysis, including recommendations and potential strategies for applying trade pressure or further modifications to trade agreements

   • Collaboratively develop recommendations with STG to identify trade-related actions that can be used to influence the Faroese government (e.g., tariff measures, sanctions, elimination of subsidies, funding pauses, conditional access, dispute resolutions, and consultations).

   • Propose advocacy entry points with key governments and institutions to utilise trade agreements to promote behavioural change (e.g., the European Parliament, the UK government, etc.).

   • Identify key trade policy pathways and agencies for engagement that are most effective, realistic, and feasible to develop in Phase 3. 

3. Phase 3: Collaborate with STG to develop strategies to operationalise recommendations

   • Facilitate a staff training and strategy workshop with STG and key stakeholders to develop an implementation plan for the identified trade policy actions in Phase 2.

   • Provide advisory support to STG in the following campaigning activities.   

4. Phase 4: Provide continued support to STG in implementing trade advocacy plans 

Deliverables & Timeline

1. Deliverable One: Analysis document of Faroese trade and partnership agreements, recommendations, and advocacy strategies

2. Deliverable Two Trade advocacy plan 

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience working on trade, development and implementation of trade agreements and trade-related issues/topics and/or regional integration and international organisation.

• Relevant expertise in fisheries, biodiversity, environment, and human and animal rights. 

• Strong understanding of trade negotiations at bilateral, regional, continental, and global levels.

• Demonstrated advocacy and campaigning experience related to trade issues.

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, and ability to work in a team.

• Familiarity with political and trade systems in the EU, UK, and/or the Faroe Islands is highly desirable.

  
  

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their expression of interest, including a CV and a proposed methodology (no longer than two pages), along with the requested fees for services, to info@stopthegrind.org by May 31, 2025.

Please feel free to reach out to info@stopthegrind.org for any inquiries or clarifications.