Yemen faces critical environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change, conflict, and institutional fragmentation. Our client in Yemen is advancing the development of two environmental initiatives funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF).

Project 1: Protecting Yemen’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (GBFF)

This project aims to enhance biodiversity conservation in Yemen’s coastal governorates (including Al-Mahra, Hadramaut, Lahj, and Taiz). The project focuses on establishing a Protected Area (PA) network, restoring critical coastal ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands), and empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) through co-management and sustainable "blue/green" livelihoods. Key components include:

Establishment of new coastal PAs (e.g., Sharmah–Jethmun, Bab al-Mandab–Al-Makha).

Restoration of high-value ecosystems.

Development of sustainable livelihood enterprises (ecotourism, fisheries).

Project 2: Strengthening Yemen’s National Biosafety Framework (Biodiversity STAR allocation)

This project aims to operationalize Yemen’s National Biosafety Framework to ensure compliance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It addresses the lack of active regulations and infrastructure for managing Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). Key components include:

Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks (regulations, National Biosafety Committee).

Building capacity for risk assessment and border control (including a GMO detection lab).

Enhancing public awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Accordingly, our client seeks to hire a National Coastal and Marine Assessment Consultant to conduct assessments and support the Project Development Team Leader.

The objective of this consultancy is to carry out the necessary survey work, assessments, consultations, and other data collection, and contribute to the development of the project document. The National Coastal and Marine Consultant will work closely with the Project Document Preparation Team Leader, International SES Expert, and Project Preparation team members. They will provide the data and information from the ground, findings of the consultations with local communities and the government, and results from various on-site assessments.

 a. Baseline Studies and Analysis

•  Start from the information provided in the PIF, and collect all background information on policies, related regulations, strategies, planning documents on biodiversity, protected areas, ecosystem restoration, and land management.

• Collect all baseline information on ongoing and past projects related to terrestrial and marine biodiversity, protected areas, ecosystem restoration, and land management in Yemen. Contribute to analyses on gender situations and conduct a preliminary livelihoods assessment to characterize the current use of ecosystems and areas targeted 

• Contribute to the spatial assessment of forest areas, land use, degraded areas, and emission factors with ground truthing.

• Contribute to a detailed barrier analysis for each of the activities to be addressed in the project.

• Survey potential stakeholders and beneficiaries (e.g., community leaders, farmers) at the local level and assess their level of interest and willingness to engage with the project.

• Identify pilot sites for project implementation in discussion with the PPG Team Leader and the Ministry of Water and Environment.

•  Evaluate current policies and community and national-level procedures aimed at the conservation of land and biodiversity.

• Support the assessment of the options available for the investment component of the project, taking into consideration the stakeholders, pilot locations, and related projects.

• Community Dependency Assessment: Assess the dependency of the communities on the mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems, estimate rates of degradation, and identify resultant losses to local communities and economies.

•  Lead the assessment of environmental, social, economic, and financial benefits and disadvantages of each alternative with the Project Development Team Leader and the Ministry of Water and Environment.

• Provide recommendations on the best and most suitable sustainable livelihoods activities, as well as best land and biodiversity management practices.

b. Project Design and Preparation of the Project Document

• Participate fully in the formulation of the project objectives, outcomes, outputs, and activities, as well as baselines, targets, and indicators. Contribute to sustainability and replication plans, stakeholder participation plans, and budgets, including the Total Budget and Workplan.

• Participate in detailed incremental cost analysis to justify GEF intervention under the project.

•  Participate in the costing of expected project outcomes, outputs, and activities.

•  Present the proposed interventions of the project at the project validation workshop.

• Provide inputs to revise the draft project document to address comments and suggestions made by our client, GEF RTA and HQ, GEF Secretariat, and other reviewers.

The National Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and PPG Team Leader.

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as environment, marine sciences, and biodiversity

•  Minimum 7 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area of coasts and marines

• Proven experience in compiling and analyzing biodiversity data

• Proven experience in Protected Areas

• preparing technical reports for national biodiversity assessments or similar projects.

• Proficiency in English & Arabic both Oral & Writing.

Interested qualified and experienced consultants must apply through the CTG website and should submit their detailed CVs, including past experience in similar assignments.