Terms of Reference
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York Office is seeking a researcher and author for a short report exploring current and emerging challenges in maritime security and examining multilateral responses and opportunities for strengthened maritime governance.
Maritime security has increasingly gained attention and prominence as a shared concern, yet conventional threats—from piracy to armed robbery, drug and weapons trafficking to illicit fishing—persist. At the same time, emerging and unconventional threats such as climate change, environmental degradation, the proliferation of low-cost weapons systems, and cyber-attacks on maritime infrastructure are creating multi-dimensional and interconnected challenges that extend beyond coastal states alone. In the absence of an overarching coordination mechanism to tackle maritime insecurity, the international community’s ability to respond collectively has been limited. However, there is growing international consensus that the United Nations system should address maritime security more systematically and strategically.
In view of the above, the KAS New York Office seeks to develop a short report that will:
- Highlight three pressing threats to maritime security and their implications for global peace and stability
- Assess multilateral responses to growing maritime insecurity and governance gaps
- Identify further efforts needed to strengthen international cooperation and coordination
The report will consist of three chapters, along with a short introduction and conclusion. It will provide diplomats, policymakers, and security experts with a concise, forward-looking analysis of the evolving maritime security landscape and draw attention to gaps in the existing maritime security framework.
The report will be published in English (both print and digital versions).
Key Deliverables
The scope of the assignment includes the planning and development of the report content; research; drafting and revising the report; and presenting the report during an in-person event. The report should not exceed 30 pages in length.
The expert will be the main discussant during one (1) in-person presentation at the KAS New York Office with the goal to disseminate the findings of the report among the expert and diplomatic community.
The proposed deadline for finalizing research and submitting a first draft of the report would be by November 30, 2026.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications:
- A minimum experience of 10 years (research, publications, etc.) in the area of maritime security, ocean politics, international relations and international security, and global governance.
- Experience engaging with diverse stakeholder groups in the maritime security domain is essential, as is presenting original research at conferences and events.
- A PhD degree in a relevant field is required.
Please send your CV and a brief proposal for the report to Teresa.Val@kas.de by July 10, 2026. Proposals should:
- Include a budget breakdown, indicating the number of working days for the report and the cost per day (in USD); and
- Specify the three maritime security issues to be covered in the report chapter.