Project Development Lead, Maldives Project (GBFF12031) and Indonesia Policy Coherence Project (GEF12073)

Duties and Responsibilities

• The project proposal follows relevant national and local policies, plans and regulations for marine protected area management and in alignment with strategic and planning documents, such as NBSAP.
• The project design enables integrated, cross-sectoral management of ecologically significant areas in South Ari Atoll through policies, increased awareness and capacity amongst local communities and local councils.
• The project proposal follows relevant national and provincial policies, plans and regulations ocean accounting and in alignment with strategic and planning documents iv. Analysis of the national and provincial policies, data platforms, permit systems, and capacity needs to establish ocean accounts (extent and condition) for policy coherence.
• Baseline analysis of policy coherence between provincial and national jurisdictions on coastal and marine resources management, and analysis of policy entry points for integrated spatial and sectoral planning in project sites.
• Analysis of existing landscape of sustainable blue economy initiatives and identification of potential pathways for new projects, financing mechanisms, and reef-positive business models based on ocean accounts
• Baseline assessment of institutional capacity and knowledge sharing networks for sustainability of project.
• The package includes a Gender Analysis, a Gender Action Plan, and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, personnel ToRs, project workplan, procurement plan etc.; and
• The package includes an assessment of environmental and social safeguards, encompassing, when needed, applicable mitigation measures. The consultant must also verify and, if this is the case, include the identification of potential institutional linkages with ongoing and proposed GEF Projects and other project-relevant initiatives.
• The Lead Consultant will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the National Expert and must ensure that all supervisory activities are communicated to and through MOCCEE and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Indonesia. Reporting Lines:
• The Lead Consultant will report to Task Manager, GEF-Biodiversity, and Land Degradation Unit, under the supervision of Head, GEF-Biodiversity, and Land Degradation Unit, and MOCCEE, Maldives and the Director for Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Indonesia. The consultancy will be home-based with possible project site visits.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in the same fields is acceptable with two additional years of qualifying relevant experience. 
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in environmental planning, sustainable land management, management, and protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services is required. - Demonstrated knowledge of GEF policies and programming, as well as senior experience in GEF project formulation and writing of the GEF Project Document and CEO Endorsement is highly desirable.
• Work experience in protected area management, ecological restoration, and nature-based solutions, particularly in coastal areas, working with a broad range of stakeholders and international donor agencies, preferably with experience working with various GEF Implementing Agencies on GEF project design and/or implementation, midterm and terminal evaluation reviews is desirable.
• Work experience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on marine ecosystems management is desirable.
• Work experience in natural capital accounting, ecological restoration, and nature-based solutions, particularly in coastal areas, working with a broad range of stakeholders and international donor agencies, preferably with experience working with various GEF Implementing Agencies on GEF project design and/or implementation, midterm and terminal evaluation reviews is desirable.
• Experience in leading and/or participating in multi-disciplinary teams addressing a range of environmental planning and management issues) is an asset; and - Experience working in the Asia Region is highly desirable.