[Hiring] Consultant - Cost-Benefit Analysis for Mangrove Projects @Forliance GmbH

Role Description

FORLIANCE GmbH is seeking an experienced individual consultant to conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for potential mangrove conservation and restoration investments in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia. The consultancy forms part of the IKI-funded project “From Roots to Tides: Resilient Ecosystems”, implemented by a consortium led by Fondo Patrimonio Natural, together with INVEMAR, IIAP and FORLIANCE. The project supports climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable community-based economic opportunities in Colombia’s Caribbean and Pacific regions.

The consultant will develop a robust CBA for up to three priority mangrove intervention areas, assessing the socio-economic and environmental value of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) measures. Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting a baseline assessment and targeted desk review of climate, ecological and socio-economic data.
• Facilitating the identification and selection of up to three priority intervention areas with relevant stakeholders.
• Developing baseline (“no action”) and intervention scenarios for mangrove conservation and ecological restoration.
• Estimating investment and operational costs (CAPEX and OPEX) over relevant time horizons.
• Conducting hydrodynamic modelling to assess the coastal-protection benefits of mangroves under different storm scenarios.
• Valuing ecosystem services, including avoided damages and blue-carbon potential.
• Calculating key CBA indicators, including Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR).
• Carrying out sensitivity analyses and preparing a final technical report, decision matrix, geodatabase and maps.

The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with FORLIANCE, CORALINA and relevant local stakeholders. FORLIANCE will support coordination with partners and may provide technical support on GIS and biophysical modelling where required.

Qualifications

• University degree in environmental engineering, industrial engineering, forestry, biology, economics or a related field.
• Master’s degree in environmental economics, natural-resource economics, climate change management, environmental sciences or a related discipline. A PhD is an advantage.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in environmental, climate change or sustainable-development projects.
• At least 3 years of proven experience applying Cost-Benefit Analysis to environmental or climate-investment projects.
• Demonstrated experience in Ecosystem-based Adaptation, Nature-based Solutions and, ideally, coastal or mangrove ecosystems.
• Experience facilitating participatory workshops with government institutions and local communities.
• Experience in Latin America and/or the Caribbean; experience in island contexts is an advantage.
• Advanced knowledge of economic valuation methods, including avoided-damage and replacement-cost approaches.
• Strong skills in R, Stata and advanced Excel.
• Proven experience with hydrodynamic modelling tools such as ADCIRC+SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D or similar.
• Advanced proficiency in ArcGIS Pro or QGIS.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish and intermediate English.

Requirements

• Signed technical proposal, including a critical analysis of the Terms of Reference, proposed methodology and work plan.
• Signed financial proposal in a separate document, stating consultancy fees in Colombian Pesos (COP). The financial proposal should cover professional fees only.
• CV demonstrating the required qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• Contract type: Individual consultancy; subcontracting is not permitted.
• Duration: Up to 12 months from contract signature.
• Location: The assignment focuses on the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia.
• Travel, accommodation, local mobilisation and fieldwork costs required for the assignment will be covered by the project.