National Consultant – Biodiversity and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) Specialist

The National Consultant – Biodiversity and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) Specialist will provide specialized technical expertise in biodiversity assessment, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation, and environmental conflict analysis to support a climate resilience and ecosystem restoration project in Qushtapa, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The consultancy involves conducting baseline assessments, stakeholder consultations, and providing technical recommendations for project interventions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing literature, datasets, and reports related to biodiversity, ecosystems, climate change, and environmental degradation in the project area.
• Develop and submit an Inception Report including methodology, workplan, sampling strategy, and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Design and implement field-based biodiversity and conflict assessments including identification of key ecosystems and ecological conditions.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations including Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions.
• Analyze historical and current biodiversity trends, key drivers of biodiversity loss, and linkages between environmental degradation and conflict dynamics.
• Assess ecosystem vulnerability to climate risks such as drought, water scarcity, and land degradation.
• Submit Baseline Biodiversity and Climate Analysis Report and a report on conflicts over natural resources.
• Assess potential implications of proposed project interventions on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and conflicts.
• Analyze biodiversity co-benefits, risks, and trade-offs of intervention options.
• Develop technical recommendations for biodiversity integration into project activities.
• Provide guidance on ecosystem functionality, biodiversity conservation outcomes, community resilience, and conflict reduction.
• Prepare and submit a Final Consolidated Report synthesizing findings and recommendations.
• Produce and disseminate a digital awareness product on EbA, biodiversity, and climate change in the project area.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
• Additional training or coursework in conflict studies, environmental governance, or related fields is an advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in biodiversity assessment, ecosystem management, or environmental research.
• Demonstrated experience in Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA), Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Biodiversity or climate change adaptation projects.
• Proven experience in conducting field-based ecological assessments and environmental data analysis.
• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or post-conflict contexts, with an understanding of resource-based conflict dynamics.
• Experience in applying conflict-sensitive or “do no harm” approaches in environmental or development programming is highly desirable.
• Experience in designing and facilitating stakeholder consultations, including focus group discussions and participatory approaches, in diverse community settings.
• Experience in developing monitoring frameworks and indicators for environmental or biodiversity projects.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess linkages between climate change, biodiversity, livelihoods, and conflict dynamics.
• Familiarity with dryland ecosystems, agricultural systems, and water resource management is highly desirable.
• Strong report writing skills and ability to produce clear, concise, and actionable technical outputs.
• Proficiency in relevant tools such as GIS, remote sensing, or environmental data analysis software is an advantage.
• English and Kurdish are required; knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage.

Skills

• Biodiversity Assessment
• Ecosystem-based Adaptation
• Nature-Based Solutions
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Ecological Field Assessments
• Environmental Data Interpretation
• Conflict-Sensitive Programming
• Do No Harm Principle
• Multi-Stakeholder Consultation
• Participatory Approaches
• Monitoring Framework Design
• Indicator Development
• Climate-Biodiversity-Livelihoods Analysis
• Report Writing
• GIS
• Remote Sensing
• Environmental Research
• Resource-Based Conflict Analysis
• Environmental Governance

Languages

English, Kurdish, Arabic