Consultant - Assessment of Marine Protected Area (MPA) Financing Needs

Job Description

Title: Consultant - Assessment of Marine Protected Area (MPA) Financing Needs

Company Name: Wildlife Conservation Society-Bangladesh

Vacancy: --

Age: At least 26 years

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: --

Experience:

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

Advanced degree in environmental economics, conservation finance, natural resource management, protected area management, coastal and marine development and governance or related field.

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Age At least 26 years

• Minimum 7 years’ professional experience in conservation finance, sustainable finance, or environmental economics.

• Proven experience with MPA/OECM financing assessments, preferably in South Asia or comparable contexts.

• Strong understanding of government budgetary processes, conservation trust funds, and financing instruments.

• Demonstrated ability to engage government agencies and local stakeholders.

• Excellent report-writing and communication skills in English.

Location: Remote with site-level visits to Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Duration: 88 days over a period of 12 months.

Internal Liaison: Senior Marine Advisor, Senior Advisor, Blue Action Fund Project Manager, International Technical Advisor, and Country Director.

Background: Bangladesh has established five Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to date and is in the process of expanding area-based conservation measures (OECMs) to safeguard biodiversity and support coastal livelihoods. However, sustainable financing for MPA management remains a critical challenge. Current financing is fragmented, insufficient to meet operational costs, and lacks an integrated national strategy for long-term financial sustainability.

Under the Blue Action Funded “Sustho Sagor (Healthy Ocean)” project, WCS is supporting the development of a Sustainable Financing Plan for MPA Management in Bangladesh. This consultancy focusing specifically on the ‘core’ financing needs of MPAs at both national and site levels, with a focus on ‘established MPA’ project sites (SoNG and Nijhum Dwip MPAs). Findings will feed into the overall Sustainable Financing Plan and inform a national dialogue on MPA financing.