News, Events, and Opportunities

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), in partnership with the UK Palladium and the Global Environment Centre (GEC), is currently implementing the project, Enhancing Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands and Peatlands in ASEAN as Effective Sinks and Reservoirs of Greenhouse Gases (EnCORE Wetlands). This 2-year project, approved under the ASEAN-UK GTF and delivered through the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transactions (UK PACT) Programme, aims to accelerate emissions reductions through the conservation, protection and restoration of carbon-rich wetland and peatland ecosystems, in the ASEAN region – reducing the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable ecosystems. Specifically, the project aims to: (i) improve inclusive site management plans and implementation in pilot sites integrate climate mitigation and restoration opportunities; (ii) Improved measurement of carbon stock and emissions reductions in pilot sites demonstrate the positive contributions wetlands and peatlands make in reducing climate change impacts; and, (iii) Improved nature-based economic opportunities in local communities and stakeholders to decrease pressures on wetlands and peatlands ecosystems.

The ACB is seeking dynamic, innovative, and committed candidates for the position Safeguards, Feasibility and Market Studies Consultant to assess and develop Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) and carry out a feasibility and market studies (including value chains analysis) for the project in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Philippines. This will particularly and directly contribute towards the achievement of the third project objective. This objective will be carried out through the empowerment of Indigenous People and local communities by providing capacity building and grant management support to implement a site-level nature-positive economy through climate-smart biodiversity-based activities, products, and services.

The Consultant will deliver the following:

1. Study the implementation modality of the project and how stakeholders interact with each other;
2. Review the applicable national laws and regulations, relevant international standards, andinstitutional quality policies of the ACB on Social and Environmental Safeguards, as wellas the Protected Area Management Plan, including the local and national policiesapplicable for developing climate-smart Biodiversity-based activities, products andservices;
3. Develop a detailed work plan to carry out the task and meet with the key ACB personnelto discuss and finalise the detailed works plan;
4. As deemed necessary, set up an updating and coordination meeting with the key ACBpersonnel and concerned divisions. In all the tasks mentioned above, coordinate closelywith and provide updates to the concerned divisions on the progress of the study.

The specific tasks to be carried out under this consultancy are the following:

Social and Environmental Safeguards

• Identify appropriate Social and Environmental Standards with details on compliancerequirements, taking into account the ACB Quality Policy on EnvironmentalSafeguards and other relevant ACB Social Quality Policies;
• Recommend methods and tools for the SES Assessment appropriate for the project(i.e. ESIA), and, upon acceptance of the ACB, carry out such recommendations toproceed with the SES assessment;
  • Carry out site visits and consultation workshops as deemed necessary;
  • Identify environmental and social risks and impacts of the project, andapproaches on managing and mitigating such risks and impacts to ensurecompliance with the standards set forth for the project and environmental socialrisk register;
  • Develop a toolkit for SES including methodologies and guidance for policyadvocacy and policy advocacy proposal for institutionalising SES; and,
  • Capacitate key ACB personnel in implementing the results and outputs of theassessment.
• Facilitate national capacity-building workshop for development of social andenvironmental safeguards participated in by communities in identified sites and IPLCs

Feasibility Study

• Conduct a feasibility study and market study (including value chain analysis) to providea sound basis for streamlining nature positive economy;
  • Carry out site visits and consultation workshops as deemed necessary;
  • Assess the governance structure and dynamics, inter-agency and multi-stakeholder interactions of the concerned agencies, collaboration frameworksand decision making processes that will affect the implementation of theproject;
  • Assess the organisations (i.e., International and National NGOs, CBOs, CSOs,among others) present on the ground and how their existing mechanisms maypotentially contribute to the effective implementation of the project; and,
  • Identify potential markets and private sectors with interest in nature-basedcommodities at selected communities in the landscape surrounding theprotected area.
  • Develop a layout/map of the entire source to the product of the enterprise,including an assessment of the enabling conditions.

Interested consultant should have the following:

• Education
  • S/he must be a holder of master’s degree (Economics, Finance, MarketAnalysis, Environmental Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, or any otherrelevant environmental and/or social field or any other relevant field);
• Work Experience
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in designing and conductingEnvironmental and Social Assessments in line with international safeguardsstandards (i.e. World Bank, ADB, IFC, etc.), and
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in conducting Feasibility Study andValue Chain Analysis;
  • Experience in conducting training and capacity building in environmental andsocial safeguards;
  • Relevant experience in management and monitoring of similar projects relatedto protected areas, conservation and natural resources management;
  • Experience working on a donor-funded project is an advantage;
  • Familiarity with and experience within the Philippines and Malaysia or otherASEAN Member States will be an advantage;
• Skills
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to interact positively with awide range of stakeholders in an international, regional and national context.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a positive, enthusiasticand self-motivated attitude, with professional and personal ethos and integrity;
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and manage time effectively;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent oral andwritten communication skills in English.
• Nationality
  • Must be a national of any of the ASEAN Member States

Interested applicants may obtain further information from the ACB Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat and may download the Terms of Reference and the Consultant’s Pre-Qualification Form on the ACB website.

Applicants should prepare the following and send all to acb-bac@aseanbiodiversity.org:

1. 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. Safeguards, Feasibility and Market Studies Consultant – Philippines should be indicated in the aforesaid letter;
2. Comprehensive curriculum vitae;
3. Completed Personal History Form and
4. Technical and Financial Proposal.

The deadline for submission of completed applications is on 9 September 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

Personal History Form

TOR_Safeguards, Feasibility and Market Studies Consultant – Philippines

REI – Safeguards, Feasibility and Market Studies Consultant – Philippines