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.
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 Marine Conservation Expert for the Peru 118/119 analysis update. The Marine Conservation Expert will serve as a key contributing member of a core analysis team for this activity.
The Marine Conservation Expert will report to the Team Lead and IDEAL's technical manager at Environmental Incentives, and contribute to the development and implementation of all client deliverables. This includes providing inputs into a work plan, conducting desk-based research, leading a portion of stakeholder consultations and qualitative data collection, contributing to the synthesis of preliminary findings, contributing to the draft and final analysis reports in accordance with established protocols and quality standards, and contributing to a presentation to the Mission on final findings and key takeaways. The assignment for the Marine Conservation Expert will be for an estimated 15- 20 working days. The period of performance will begin as early as November 2024 and conclude by July 2025.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Marine Conservation Expert will:

• Contribute to the planning, development, analysis and reporting for the Peru 118/119 analysis, including drafting key sections as delegated by the Team Lead.
• Contribute to a research approach that includes both desk-based analysis and limited site visits, gathering data from existing datasets and conducting interviews with experts and partners.
• Provide key insights relating to marine-coastal biodiversity conservation, linking conservation gaps to broader policy and governance issues that impact biodiversity and local communities.
• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings throughout the activity lifetime.
• Lead the development of the Marine section of the 118/119 report.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marine biology, coastal and marine resource management, oceanography, environmental science, zoology, ecology, ecosystem conservation, political ecology, environmental policy or planning, or a closely related field; and at least 13 years relevant experience OR Master's degree in marine biology, coastal and marine resource management, oceanography, environmental science, zoology, ecology, ecosystem conservation, political ecology, environmental policy or planning, or a closely related field; and at least 10 years relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in marine conservation in Peru.
• Demonstrated experience conducting desk-based research and contributing to comprehensive analyses.
• Strong network and demonstrated experience with key actors in the marine, coastal, and fisheries sectors.
• Strong knowledge of institutions, regulations and legal frameworks in the marine sector in Peru; knowledge in forestry, wildlife, and/or related environmental sectors in Peru is a plus.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Spanish is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise assessing linkages between marine conservation and development programming in non-environment sectors such as food security, economic development, and governance.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse populations in Peru, including Indigenous populations and local communities, understanding cultural practices and integrating them into conservation efforts.
• Broad understanding of geospatial perspectives to inform development priorities and planning.
• 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.