Expert in Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) – Multiple countries

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Expert in Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for a environment consultancy assignment financed by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in Multiple countries.

Aninver Development Partners is seeking an Expert in Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for a prospective consultancy assignment funded by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). This initiative focuses on the sustainable protection and management of coastal and marine ecosystems to enhance community resilience across multiple countries in the Pacific region.

The selected expert will play a vital role in supporting Pacific Island Countries and Territories to strengthen the understanding, identification, recognition, and operationalisation of coastal and marine OECMs. The assignment involves conducting comprehensive legal, institutional, spatial, and economic analyses, as well as developing practical tools, templates, and regional guidelines reflecting local contexts.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Develop regional and comprehensive guidelines supporting Pacific Island Countries and Territories in strengthening coastal and marine OECMs.
• Conduct a thorough legal and policy review and institutional analysis across multiple jurisdictions.
• Perform consent-based opportunity and spatial analyses alongside costing and incentive assessments.
• Develop clear OECM criteria, processes, procedures, and practical tools to support regional conservation efforts.

Scope of work

• Participate in the inception phase to refine the scope of work, assess feasibility, and review relevant background documents.
• Conduct a legal and policy review analyzing institutional regimes and regulatory instruments across multiple countries and territories.
• Perform institutional and spatial analyses utilizing IUCN OECM guidelines, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols, and regional portal data.
• Develop a costing and incentive assessment matrix using regional case studies and reports on conserved areas.
• Design practical tools, templates, case studies, and draft final regional guidelines tailored to the Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia sub-regions.

Your role as Expert in Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

• Provide specialized technical expertise on IUCN and FAO OECM guidelines throughout the assignment.
• Analyze coastal and marine fisheries management frameworks and Pacific customary tenure arrangements.
• Integrate Indigenous rights and FPIC principles into spatial and institutional analyses.
• Support marine ecology and biodiversity monitoring components of the regional guidelines.
• Contribute to GIS and sensitive-data governance protocols in coordination with geospatial specialists.
• Ensure the integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles across all deliverables.
• Facilitate participatory stakeholder sessions and contribute to the development of practical tools and templates.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, conservation, natural resource management, or law.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of IUCN and FAO OECM guidelines.
• Extensive knowledge of coastal and marine fisheries management and Pacific customary tenure.
• Proven legal expertise relating to Indigenous rights and FPIC.
• Familiarity with marine ecology, biodiversity monitoring, and GIS sensitive-data governance.
• Experience applying GEDSI principles in environmental or conservation projects.
• Strong participatory facilitation skills and experience in practical tool development.
• Fluency in English with excellent technical writing and communication skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of local Pacific languages.
• Prior working experience within the Pacific Island region.

An experienced conservation specialist with deep knowledge of IUCN OECM guidelines, Pacific customary tenure, and Indigenous rights, capable of delivering practical regional guidelines for coastal and marine protection.

Assignment details

• Location: Multiple countries
• Financed by: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
• Sector: Environment
• Estimated duration: 8 months
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme-financed project in Multiple countries.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.