Consultancy Service for Environment and Social Management Framework

BACKGROUND

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Philippines works across the Bohol, Sulu, and Celebes Seas, which together span over 600,000 square kilometers and form part of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME) — a globally significant marine area recognized under the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF).

These interconnected waters are ecologically rich and serve as major fishing grounds supporting millions of Filipinos who rely on small-scale fisheries for food and income. The region's coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and deep-sea habitats are critical for biodiversity, fisheries productivity, and coastal protection.

Despite their ecological and economic importance, these marine areas remain underrepresented in national marine spatial planning and MPA network design. Small island provinces such as Tawi-Tawi and Siquijor face high poverty rates, limited access to services, and growing vulnerability to climate change impacts — including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and declining fish stocks — all of which disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Through this initiative, WCS aims to build climate resilience, protect coastal ecosystems, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods in climate-vulnerable small island communities, particularly by enhancing the leadership of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs) in ecosystem-based marine resource management. A strong Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approach will ensure that interventions are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of women, persons with disabilities, Sama Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups.

PURPOSE OF ENGAGEMENT

As part of the United Kingdom's Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition-funded initiative (UK-COAST), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is implementing the project, From Vulnerability to Resilience: Securing Food and Climate Futures for Philippine Small Island Communities in Siquijor, Tawi-Tawi, and at the national level. WCS will be collaborating with key national and regional agencies, as well as relevant departments, to co-develop a planning framework that integrates Indigenous knowledge systems with scientific tools. This framework will support improved governance and local livelihoods through marine spatial planning (MSP), the recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM), and the achievement of relevant targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

As an integration site, Tawi-Tawi requires a more culturally based approach given the different traditional and customary frameworks of communities. WCS is seeking a consultant to ensure that project interventions in Tawi-Tawi are environmentally sound and socially inclusive, the project requires the development of an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and related safeguard instruments consistent with Philippine regulations and international good practices.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Baseline assessment: Review project design, identify potential risks, and analyze relevant national and local frameworks including the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act and the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Act and their associated issuances. Review should take into consideration relevant cultural contexts in line with program implementation.

2. Framework development on environmental and social management framework (ESMF) including mitigation measures, institutional arrangements, and monitoring systems. Prepare the environment and social management plan with monitoring tool, and accountability and grievance redress mechanism using good practices and WCS' ethics and redress frameworks.

3. Stakeholder consultations: facilitate onsite consultations, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews as necessary, integrate feedback and present the draft ESMF and safeguards plans.

4. Finalization: Consolidate and integrate all comments and finalize the plans with implementation mechanisms with recommendations for capacity building. The final plan shall be presented to the WCS team through a training session or workshop on operationalizing and updating the ESMF.

DURATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

The engagement cover November 15, 2025 to March 15, 2026. The consultant is expected to submit the following:

Deliverable - Description - Timeline

1. Inception report- Workplan, methodology, and stakeholder engagement strategy with survey questions as needed

2. Baseline report - Preliminary assessment of environmental and social risks, with maps and analysis. Includes ESMF, stakeholder engagement plan, and accountability and grievance redress mechanism

3. Technical report - Final report containing an overview of implementation activities, list of participants, all presentations, and final documents incorporating feedback and validation results, among others.

The consultant will report to the Policy and Governance Unit and work in close coordination with Program Implementation Unit and relevant partners.

OTHER DUTIES RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate his/her activities with the consultants for the ESMF for National and Siquijor and the scoping for Tawi-Tawi to ensure alignment.

2. Coordinate with LGUs and Site-based National Government Agencies in Tawi-Tawi. Ensure timely and transparent coordination with local government units (LGUs), the regional and field offices of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA), and security services for the execution of project activities, securing permits and approvals, as needed. [MM6]

3. Define research framework. Provide the research protocols and methodologies for including survey questions, if any.

4. Ensure compliance with social safeguards mechanisms. Undertake the proper free and prior informed consent (FPIC) and other social acceptability requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Environmental Management, Social Development, or related field, with relevant specialized trainings. Advanced degree an advantage.
• Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in ESMF strategies, tools, training programs, and safeguards instruments, especially in the context of the Bangsamoro Region.
• Strong understanding of intersectionality and inclusive development principles.
• Excellent facilitation, writing, and communication skills.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested applicants must submit:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae highlighting relevant experience
• Brief cover letter or proposal outlining suitability for the role, proposed changes to the timeline, and approach to the assignment
• Submit the requirements to /

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person's membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS's employment policies.

Job Type: Temporary

Contract length: 4 months

Application Question(s):

• Interested applicants must submit:

● Updated Curriculum Vitae highlighting relevant experience

● Brief cover letter or proposal outlining suitability for the role, proposed changes to the timeline, and approach to the assignment

● Please submit proposal to /

Work Location: Remote

Application Deadline: 10/30/2025