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).

Small island provinces such as Siquijor and Ancestral Domains with Ancestral Waters exemplify the vulnerabilities faced by local communities – limited land area, dependence on small-scale fisheries, and increasing exposure to climate-related threats such as sea-level rise, coral bleaching, and extreme weather events. These challenges are compounded further by limited institutional capacities to address and access adaptive livelihood options.

At the national level, WCS Is working to strengthen enabling frameworks that integrate biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable use of marine resources. Through the UK Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transformation (COAST) Initiative, WCS supports the Philippines government in operationalizing national commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) with emphasis on inclusive marine spatial planning (MSP), other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM), and participatory local governance.

This engagement will develop an Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and safeguard instrument that ensures project interventions in Siquijor and national activities are environmentally sound, socially inclusive, and aligned with Philippines regulations and best practices.

PURPOSE OF ENGAGEMENT

WCS is implementing its project under the UK COAST Initiative, From Vulnerability to Resilience: Securing Food and Climate Futures for Philippine Small Island Communities in the Philippines. 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 consultancy aims to develop an ESMF and associated safeguards instruments that:

1. Identifies and mitigates environmental and social risks from project activities in Siquijor and national policy engagements.

2. Supports compliance with national safeguards systems, including prior informed consent mechanisms under the Local Government Code, the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act, and the Environmental Impact Statement System.

This framework will guide WCS in ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are systematically integrated into planning, implementation, and monitoring activities across project levels, especially for community engagements in Siquijor and with selected Ancestral Domain communities at the national level.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Baseline assessment: Review project design, identify potential social risks in Siquijor and national-level engagements, including Ancestral Domains. Assess relevant national policies including DENR Administrative Orders, guidelines from the National Commission on In Indigenous Peoples, and interagency coordination mechanisms, as needed. Analyze Siquijor's ecological and socio-economic context, focusing on livelihood and community engagement.

2. Framework development: Prepare the ESMF, including institutional arrangements, monitoring tools, and grievance redress mechanism, as aligned with WCS's ethics and accountability frameworks and Philippines safeguards standards.

3. Stakeholder consultations: Conduct consultations with national agencies (DENR-BMB, BFAR, NCIP, etc.) and provincial LGUs, as needed. Integrate stakeholder feedback into 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.

DURATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

The engagement covers November 15, 2025 to March 30, 2026. The consultant is expected to submit the following:

Deliverable - Description - Timeline

1. Inception report - Workplan, methodology, and stakeholder engagement strategy for national agencies and Siquijor stakeholders with survey questions as needed

2. Baseline report - Preliminary assessment of environmental and social risks, with maps and analysis. Includes draft ESMF, stakeholder analysis and draft 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 consultant for the ESMF for Tawi-Tawi to ensure alignment.

2. Coordinate with national and local partners: Engage with national government agencies (DENR, BFAR, NCIP, etc.) and the Siquijor Provincial Government.

3. Define research framework. Develop and apply survey instruments, research protocols, and participatory assessment tools, as needed.

4. Ensure compliance with social safeguards mechanisms. Adhere to the IPRA, EIA, and social safeguards policies.

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.
• Proven experience engaging with national agencies and LGUs.
• 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