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 or is planning to address the actions necessary to conserve and sustainably manage tropical forests and biodiversity to comply with the Congressional mandate.
The analysis aims to assist USAID/Peru in comprehending the status of biodiversity and forest resources, as well as their significance to outcomes in various development sectors. It will delve into the socio-economic, institutional, and policy factors influencing these natural assets. Recommendations resulting from this analysis will offer tangible examples of how biodiversity and conservation efforts align with current and proposed development objectives, spanning areas such as food security, health, democracy, human rights and governance, economic growth, conflict prevention and mitigation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
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 senior-level Biodiversity or Natural Resources Management Specialist to serve as Team Lead (TL) for this 118/119 analysis. Environmental Incentives will manage this consultancy, and the TL will be the technical lead of a team of four in-country experts to develop and finalize the analysis and all client deliverables, with technical and management support from Environmental Incentives.
The TL will provide high-level strategic planning and insights for the analysis, coordinate with the team, lead the development of a work plan, guide stakeholder consultations and collection of qualitative data obtained by the team via limited site visits and geospatial data collection, lead the synthesis of preliminary findings, contribute to the design and implementation of a public comment period, and develop the draft and final analysis reports in accordance with approved outlines and quality standards. The assignment will be for an estimated 35-40 working days. The period of performance will begin as early as November 2024 and conclude by the end of July 2025.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Team Lead will:

• Coordinate and lead planning, development, analysis, and reporting for the 118/119 analysis in collaboration with IDEAL and local experts.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the analysis team and external stakeholders, including counterparts from USAID/Washington, USAID/Peru, and IDEAL project leadership.
• Lead consultations with U.S.-based and in-country stakeholders.
• Coordinate analysis and synthesis of data from in-country consultations, limited site visits, geospatial data collection, a public comment period, and secondary literature review and datasets as necessary to respond to 118/119 report objectives, with support from IDEAL.
• Present preliminary findings to USAID at a virtual briefing.
• Lead the development of the draft and final analysis reports, a slide presentation of initial findings, and any supplemental technical annexes, in accordance with an approved template and outline.
• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings throughout the activity lifetime and maintain clear communication with the analysis team, IDEAL staff, and USAID counterparts as needed
• Present findings to USAID/Peru staff

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, zoology, forestry, ecosystem conservation, political ecology, environmental policy or planning, or a closely related field; and at least 16 years relevant experience OR Master's degree in biology, ecology, zoology, forestry, ecosystem conservation, political ecology, environmental policy or planning, or a closely related field; and at least 14 years relevant experience.
• Experience working in Peru, or regional familiarity with biodiversity conservation issues.
• Subject expertise in one or more of the following: USAID policy and planning, biodiversity, forestry, wildlife, environmental governance, inland, marine, and coastal ecosystems, indigenous peoples, GIS, agriculture and land use, and/or livelihoods.
• Strong knowledge of institutions, regulations and legal frameworks in the biodiversity and conservation sector in Peru; knowledge in forestry, wildlife, and/or related environmental sectors in Peru.
• Experience drawing linkages between tropical forest and biodiversity conservation efforts and programming in other key development sectors.
• Knowledge of USAID's strategic planning process, both broadly and as related to tropical forests and biodiversity.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating analyses and leading multicultural teams to complete high-quality products on time and to the standards required.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and presentation skills, both written and verbal, in English.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality products in English.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience conducting 118/119 analyses.
• Knowledge of deforestation trends and deforestation analysis.
• Broad understanding of geospatial perspectives to inform development priorities and planning.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse populations in Peru, including Indigenous populations and local communities, understanding cultural practices and integrating them into conservation efforts.
• Knowledge of the USAID Program Cycle.

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.