Individual Consultant to Conduct Target Species Survey (Birds & Bats)

Background

The Improving Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Improved Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Timor-Leste Project is a five-year, Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded initiative that will run from September 2025 to August 2030. The project will be implemented in the southern municipalities of Ainaro, Covalima, Manatuto, and Manufahi.

The project aims to enhance the management and conservation of wetland ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, foster peaceful coexistence between local communities and crocodiles, and promote sustainable livelihoods that contribute to both environmental and socio-economic resilience.

The project has identified four core crocodile habitat areas and seven wetlands: Hasan Foun, Onu Bot, Modomahut, Bikan Tidi, Raimea, Naankuru, and Welenas. Five of these wetlands are located within four protected areas. These protected areas are very crucial for biodiversity conservation, supporting critical ecosystems and habitats that sustain key species.

Target species survey (Birds and Bats) are fundamental to be conducted and expected to be completed prior to the detailed design of the relevant wetland management plans which will be part of the protected areas management plan, so that the results will support biodiversity conservation and future monitoring arrangements.

Objective

The overall objective is to conduct a biodiversity assessment particularly for target species (bird and bats). The result will serve as data for overall protected areas management plan which includes wetlands management plan that provides baseline ecological information, environmental management, and monitoring.

The consultant will be responsible for designing the methodology, leading the survey in four protected areas and two wetlands. Practical field training will be carried out in two nearby protected areas, namely Modomaut and Welenas.

Scope of Service

The consultant/team will provide technical leadership for the target species survey (birds and bats), and shall undertake the following tasks:

• Survey design and preparation
• Field survey implementation
• Data analysis

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Advanced degree (master's or PhD) in Tropical Forestry, Ecology and Environmental Science, Forest Conservation, Forest Inventory or related field
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in vegetation surveys, environmental assessment including target species surveys (birds and bats), wildlife surveys, wetland ecology, or biodiversity assessments, preferably in Southeast Asia, Timor-Leste or Timor Island
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing field surveys in remote locations such as in the wetlands which risk human-wildlife coexistence, including team safety procedures, community engagement, and coordination with government counterparts
• Understanding local context, including cultural values, socio-economic conditions, environmental sensitivities, and human–wildlife coexistence issues in Timor-Leste or similar settings

Application Requirements

Interested applicants are requested to submit:

• Letter of Interest
• Technical Proposal
• Financial Proposal
• At least 2 samples of previous relevant works
• CV(s) highlighted relevant work

How to Apply

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

Application package in English by Friday, 23 October 2026 (17pm Dili Time).

Subject of the email: Application - Consultant for Target Species Survey (GEF)

For details, please refer to TOR for Target Species Survey Consultant

Please Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, and applications received beyond the cut off business day will not be considered.

Duration: 4 Months