Note: Professional proficiency in written and spoken English is preferred for this consultant position but not mandatory. Interviews will be conducted in English or Spanish, depending on the candidate's proficiency.
Nota: Se prefiere un dominio profesional del inglés hablado y escrito para esta posición de consultor, pero no es obligatorio. Las entrevistas se llevarán a cabo en inglés o español, dependiendo de la fluidez del candidato.
OPPORTUNITY
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Improving Design, Evidence, and Learning (IDEAL) mechanism is looking for a consultant to support an update to the 118/119 Tropical Forest and Biodiversity Analysis for the USAID Mission in Peru.
PURPOSE & NEED
As required by Sections 118 and 119 of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended, the analysis will examine the country-level tropical forest and biodiversity conservation needs and the extent to which USAID/Peru is currently addressing the actions necessary to conserve and sustainably manage tropical forests and biodiversity. The purpose of this FAA 118/119 analysis is to support USAID/Peru in integrating biodiversity conservation into strategic planning, informing the development of the new CDCS and relevant bilateral programming. The analysis will assess how USAID/Peru addresses the actions needed to conserve and sustainably manage tropical forests and biodiversity, focusing on key sectors such as biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water supply, sanitation and hygiene, and ocean plastics.
The analysis will use desk research, key informant interviews, off-the-shelf data, and geospatial mapping to highlight critical biodiversity areas, forest loss, and drivers of that loss.. The Indigenous Peoples Advisor consultant will play a key role in ensuring Indigenous perspectives and knowledge are integrated into the analysis, particularly in relation to Indigenous land management, rights, and engagement in biodiversity conservation.
About Environmental Incentives
Environmental Incentives is the prime contractor for the IDEAL mechanism. The company's mission is to enhance the environments that sustain healthy communities. We empower public and private sector leaders to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, D.C.; South Lake Tahoe and San Diego, California; and Nairobi, Kenya. Our remote staff and consultants are located across the United States and five continents.
CONSULTANCY DESCRIPTION
Environmental Incentives is seeking a mid-level Indigenous Peoples Advisor for the Peru 118/119 analysis update. The Indigenous Peoples Advisor will be a key contributing member of the core analysis team, responsible for ensuring the integration of Indigenous perspectives throughout the analysis. Reporting to the Team Lead and IDEAL's technical manager, the Advisor will contribute to the work plan, conduct desk-based research, and lead in-person an/or remote consultations with Indigenous groups, government institutions, and communities to ensure their rights, resources needed, land management practices, and biodiversity conservation efforts are accurately reflected in the findings.
The Indigenous Peoples Advisor will assist in developing draft and final analysis reports, synthesizing research and consultations according to established protocols and quality standards. The Advisor may also be involved in presenting key findings to USAID and other stakeholders, depending on the final scope of the assignment. The assignment for the Indigenous Peoples Advisor is estimated to require 15-19 working days, with the period of performance beginning as early as November 2024 and concluding by July 2025.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Indigenous Peoples Advisor, will:

• Contribute to the planning, development, and analysis for the 118/119 analysis, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives and knowledge are integrated.
• Conduct desk-based research and lead site-based consultations with Indigenous leaders, organizations, and experts, ensuring a culturally appropriate and respectful approach to gathering critical insights into biodiversity conservation from Indigenous communities' perspectives.
• Provide key insights on Indigenous land rights, governance structures, the role of Indigenous communities in forest and biodiversity conservation and the threats, drivers and actions needed to protect their land and the forest/biodiversity assets they manage in Peru.
• Lead the development of the Indigenous Peoples section of the 118/119 report, modeling recent 118/119 Analyses in Venezuela, Paraguay, and Guatemala.
• Collaborate with the broader 118/119 analysis team to synthesize findings and contribute to the development of the draft and final reports.
• Ensure that the analysis highlights the intersection of Indigenous Peoples' rights, biodiversity conservation, and the broader development goals of USAID/Peru.
• Interpret and communicate key findings to relevant stakeholders, including USAID and, through meetings, reports, and presentations.
• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings throughout the activity lifetime.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Anthropology, Sociology, or a related social science field, with at least 15 years of relevant experience OR a Ph.D degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise working with Indigenous communities in Peru, particularly in areas of land management, natural resources governance, natural resources and land rights, and biodiversity conservation.
• Proficiency in using participatory approaches to integrate Indigenous knowledge into environmental conservation strategies.
• Extensive knowledge of institutions, regulations, and both national and international legal frameworks related to Indigenous Peoples in Peru, including their rights, governance structures, and protections under Peruvian law and international treaties.
• Experience conducting desk-based research and facilitating consultations with Indigenous communities in Peru.
• Strong understanding of the intersection between Indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and climate change in Peru.
• Excellent communication skills and cultural sensitivity when engaging with Indigenous populations.
• Proficiency in Spanish is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with international development agencies or in donor-funded programs.
• Experience with USAID's policies and frameworks related to biodiversity conservation and Indigenous engagement.
• Proficiency in English is useful but not required.

Additional Requirements

• Permanent residence in Peru.
• Legally authorized to work in Peru with no restrictions.
• Ability to travel throughout Peru.

BASE STATION
The position will be remotely based in Peru, with limited anticipated travel throughout the country.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application by November 15, 2024. We will review CVs on a rolling basis and contact qualified candidates for additional information.
ABOUT IDEAL
In programming more than $750 million each year in biodiversity and climate change funds, USAID's decisions shape outcomes for irreplaceable ecosystems and the communities that depend on them worldwide. The Improving Design, Evidence, and Learning (IDEAL) mechanism provides support for all stages of the Program Cycle for USAID biodiversity and climate change programming at USAID and improves the Agency's ability to design, monitor, evaluate, and learn from programs with sustainable and impactful results.
During this five-year activity, IDEAL supports USAID's programs to apply adaptive management decisions, generate and apply evidence, and apply learning to support better programming decisions. With expertise combining technical environment skills and organizational development and learning, IDEAL facilitates high-quality decision-making, increases evidence generation and use, and nurtures a culture of applied learning across the Agency.
ENVIRONMENTAL INCENTIVES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are committed to developing an inclusive work environment for all employees, where diversity of thought, style, culture, and skill is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.