CONSULTANCY FOR SEACONNECT PROJECT PREPARATION GRANT (PPG) Safeguards Specialist

Background

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership among six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, committed to safeguarding the marine and coastal resources of the Coral Triangle region. The CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat (RS) serves as the administrative and coordinating body for this initiative.

The SEACONNECT Project is a regional initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8), executed by the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF), and supported by Conservation International as the GEF Implementing Agency. The project aims to enhance the management of seascapes and marine protected areas across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines through a regional integrated approach.

The Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase is designed to prepare the full project document (ProDoc) and CEO Endorsement Request, incorporating safeguards, gender integration, stakeholder consultations, execution modalities, and baseline analysis. The Consultant will coordinate this preparation and ensure compliance with CI-GEF requirements and CTI-CFF Rules and Procedures.

Scope of Work

The consultant will spearhead the preparation and finalization of the Environmental and Social Management Framework Plans.

1. Completion of the ESS Screening Form

  -  Draft the Secondary ESS Screening Form based on the Preliminary ESS Screening Form at the PIF Phase

  -  Revise and finalize the Secondary ESS Screening Form based on the feedback from the CTI-CFF Regional

     Secretariat, CI-GEF ESMF team and Safeguards Manager

2. Development of the following plans:

   -  Environmental and Social Management Framework

   -  Indigenous Peoples Plan

   -  Community Health, Safety and Security Plan

   -  Gender Mainstreaming Plan

   -  Stakeholder Engagement Plan

   -  Accountability and Grievance Mechanism Plan

3. Revision of the ESMF

   -  Revise the ESMF according to the comments from the GEF Secretariat and CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat

Timeline & Duration

The consultancy is expected to be carried out over a maximum of 40 working days between July 2025 and April 2026, in accordance with the SEACONNECT PPG workplan. Activities will be phased to align with major deliverables and internal review milestones, ensuring timely coordination and submission of required outputs.

Consultant Qualifications

The Safeguards Specialist Consultant must possess a strong background in designing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for large regional environmental projects. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

  -  Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Social Science, Environmental Law, Natural Resource

     Management, Development Studies, Sociology, International Development/Relations/Policy, Human

     Rights, and other related fields of study.

   -  Minimum of 10 years of progressive and technical experience in ESS, with demonstrated design and

     application of ESMF in large-scale environmental-related regional projects.

   -  Candidates with proven knowledge of international safeguards standards and frameworks will be

     considered, especially in a GEF funded project.
 

  -  Experience working in multi-cultural and diverse contexts, preferably in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the

     Philippines.  

  -  Proven ability to lead, facilitate, and engage with communities, stakeholders, and government

      institutions on safeguards-related matters.

   -  Familiarity with ESMF in fisheries, marine management, and climate change considerations.

   -  Excellent analytical, communication, and reporting skills in English will be considered.

   -  Candidates who are ready to start immediately will be given preference.

Condition of Application