Consultant for Community-Based Field Assistant - Development of Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Plan

Background

Timor-Leste is located within the Coral Triangle, one of the world's most biologically diverse marine regions, supporting exceptional biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services for coastal communities. The country's marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and other coastal habitats - are critical for food security, fisheries productivity, climate resilience, tourism development, and the cultural identity of coastal communities.

Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, marine ecosystems in Timor-Leste continue to face increasing pressures from overfishing, destructive fishing practices, habitat degradation, climate change, coastal development, marine pollution, and limited institutional capacity for effective marine governance.

The Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle (SOMACORE) Project is being implemented across the Lesser Sunda Seascape (LSS), covering Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Funded through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Government of Germany, the SOMACORE Project aims to enhance the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Under the SOMACORE Project, Timor-Leste is currently facilitating the establishment of two new Marine Protected Areas located in Manatuto Municipality and Bobonaro Municipality. The SOMACORE Project seeks to recruit a Consultant as Community-Based Field Assistant to provide field and national level technical, logistical, and coordination support throughout the Management Plan development process.

Scope of Work

The Consultant shall perform, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

• Stakeholder Coordination
• Community Consultation
• Technical Support
• Documentation

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in marine science, Fisheries, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Social Sciences, Community Development, or related fields
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience in marine conservation, coastal resource management, community development, or natural resource governance
• Demonstrated experience supporting Marine Protected Area planning or management
• Experience facilitating participatory community consultations and stakeholder engagement
• Experience working with government agencies, local communities, and development partners
• Familiarity with Timor-Leste's marine governance framework is highly desirable

Technical Skills

The Consultant should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of Marine Protected Area Planning and Management
• Understanding participatory planning approaches
• Familiar with Open Standards Tools
• Experience in socio-economic and governance data collection
• Strong report writing and documentation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams

Application Requirements

Interested applicants are requested to submit:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and contact details of two professional referees
• Technical Proposal
• Financial Proposal
• Samples of Previous relevant works (reports, publications, or consultancy outputs, where available)

How to Apply

Application should be submitted via email to: [email protected]

Application package in English by Wednesday 19 August 2026 (17:00 Dili Time).

Subject line: Application for Consultant for MPA Management Plan

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.