The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) intends to engage the services of a Consultant for the Fisheries Resilience Assessment Against Climate Change in Kepulauan Togean, Indonesia under the Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS) Project.
The primary objective of this consultancy is to assess the resilience of fisheries in Kepulauan Togean against the impacts of climate change, including the effectiveness of MPAs and MPA networks, and the role of local communities and the fisheries sector in resilience-building. It also aims to identify adaptive strategies that will enhance the sustainability of fisheries and marine ecosystems in Kepulauan Togean.
he consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Review Existing Data and Develop Assessment Framework: Compile and analyse readily available scientific and socio-economic data on fisheries (annual volume of catch, annual catch efforts, yearly catch rates of major fishing gears, evidence for shifts in catch composition, sizes of catches, and sizes at maturity of target species), climate change impacts on the fisheries (e.g. changes in fish reproductive patterns, fluctuating intensities of upwelling impacting sources of food, and changes in the abundances of competitors, predators and pathogen) and supporting ecosystems (status and vulnerability of habitats-coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves to climate change) and MPAs in Kepulauan Togean. Where possible, include data on the different roles or activities, needs or challenges (i.e., different levels of access to and control over resources) of women and men, including from indigenous peoples (IP) and local communities (LCs) in fisheries resilience.
- Conduct Field Assessments: Utilise participatory, inclusive, and gender-responsive methods to gather additional data from local communities, fisheries stakeholders, and MPA managers. Ensure alignment with the Social and Environmental Standard (SES), integrate the ASEAN ENMAPs Comprehensive Consultation Tool and Consultation Checklist. Provide information on the ENMAPS Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) promoting stakeholders especially women, IPs and marginalised groups’ access to GRM should they have feedback or complaints.
- Assess Fisheries Resilience: Evaluate the vulnerability of fisheries to climate change utilising the review of existing data above and considering current levels of exploitation, status and vulnerability of supporting ecosystems and conservation efforts, ecological, social, and economic factors, and the effectiveness of existing MPAs and MPA networks.
- Develop Adaptive Strategies: Propose evidence-based strategies for enhancing the resilience of fisheries and its supporting ecosystems and local communities, reduction of overexploitation and other threats focusing on sustainable and gender-responsive management, conservation, and governance.
- Capacity Building: Engage with local stakeholders, (including Tadulako University) to ensure knowledge transfer and capacity building in conducting resilience assessments. Conduct training needs analysis (TNA), promote gender-balanced, inclusive and equitable representation of participants including women, IP and LCs, and other marginalised groups; and adopt inclusive, gender- and culturally-sensitive, and participatory/ interactive methodologies ensuring their meaningful participation in line with the Comprehensive Consultation Tool and Consultation Checklist. Results of the study will be shared among stakeholders in the format and language understandable to them.
- Documentation. Provide video and photo documentation of activities implemented and stakeholders involved, including IPs (if any), women, and youth, while ensuring that Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is secured with consent to publish the documented
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in marine biology, fisheries science, environmental science, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in conducting fisheries assessments, with a focus on climate change resilience.
- Proven experience in working with local communities and using participatory methods. Background on gender-responsive and inclusive approaches is an advantage.
- Knowledge of the Indonesian marine environment and familiarity with the Kepulauan Togean region is an asset.
- Fluency in the local dialect, Bahasa Indonesia and English
- Strong analytical, report-writing, and communication skills
Interested applicants may obtain further information from the ACB Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat and may download the ToR on the ACB website.
Applicants should prepare the following and send all to acb-bac@aseanbiodiversity.org:
- Letter of Intent of no more than two pages addressed to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) through the BAC Secretariat, elaborating how their qualifications and experiences make them qualified for the position Consultant for Fisheries Resilience Assessment against Climate Change in Kepulauan Togean, Indonesia should be indicated in the aforesaid letter;
- Comprehensive curriculum vitae; and
- Completed Personal History Form.
Deadline for submission of completed application is on 30 October 2025. Only applications with complete documentary requirements will be processed. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be given due notice.
(signed)
GRACE ANNE R. PALIS
Chairperson
Bids and Awards Committee
TOR – Consultant for Fisheries Resilience Assessment against Climate Change in Kepulauan Togean, Indonesia
