Job Title Biodiversity Diplomacy Expert (BDiE)
Initiative Name Capacity building in biodiversity diplomacy for Suriname
Job type Temporary Part time
Location of Position Remote with travel to Suriname and Armenia
Reporting to Project Director, BioGov Project
Remuneration Fees are subject to negotiation and shall not exceed established market rates.
Indicative LOE/Time Frame 42 days over a 7-month period
Language Requirements English, Dutch a strong asset

Application Deadline April 17, 2026
Application Instructions:

We welcome applications from individuals and from governmental, non-governmental and private organizations.
A cover letter is mandatory to be considered. Cover letters should detail how you fit the opportunity, your daily fee and current availability.
Click the “Apply now” link to upload your cover letter and CV (Curriculum Vitae). Apply Now
Only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Alinea is an international development consultancy providing technical and management expertise that helps people improve their lives. We work with governments, investors, companies, and communities to create lasting change. Over 39 years, Alinea has successfully delivered more than 1000 projects worldwide.

At Alinea International we value equity, diversity, and inclusivity in everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer opposed to all forms of discrimination. We actively seek and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds recognizing that an inclusive workforce enriches our organization and achieves smarter, more innovative results.

Due Diligence statement Alinea is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of our work, all candidates will be subject to due diligence checks and extensive background checks where appropriate.

BioGov Description:
The Biodiversity Governance Innovation Programme (BioGov) project is a five-year (2025-2029), Global Affairs Canada-funded initiative implemented by Alinea International. It supports the Government of Suriname to strengthen inclusive, coordinated, and gender-responsive biodiversity governance, with a focus on marine and coastal ecosystems. Working closely with national ministries, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, and civil society, BioGov helps operationalize Suriname’s 2024-2035 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

About the work
Suriname is emerging as a proactive and increasingly influential actor in global biodiversity negotiations, particularly within the context of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the upcoming Conferences of the Parties (COPs). As one of the world’s most heavily forested countries and one of the few that remains carbon negative, Suriname is leveraging its unique ecological profile to champion ambitious conservation commitments and to advance regional cooperation in the Caribbean.
In December 2025, Suriname convened a high level sub regional dialogue that brought together Caribbean governments, UN partners, and technical experts to strengthen national biodiversity monitoring and reporting systems. The discussions focused on updating National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and preparing Seventh National Reports under the GBF framework.

Suriname further reinforced its regional leadership by hosting the Caribbean Sub Regional Dialogue on biodiversity monitoring and reporting, organized in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This platform enabled countries to exchange best practices and develop coordinated regional input for future COP deliberations, including COP16 and COP31. The dialogue underscored Suriname’s role as a regional convenor and its commitment to advancing harmonized monitoring frameworks aligned with GBF requirements.
Building on this momentum, the BioGov project aims to further strengthen the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment’s capacity by enhancing the negotiation and advocacy skills of its delegation in preparation for COP17. This targeted support will help ensure that Suriname can continue to effectively represent its national priorities, influence global biodiversity discussions, and uphold its leadership position within the region.

The Role
The Biodiversity Diplomacy Expert (BDiE) shall:

Review of Negotiation Issues for COP17 (8 days)

Conduct a focused review and analysis of KMGBF and Surinam’s past engagement and participation in biodiversity COPs.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment prioritize a limited set of key negotiation issues that require attention and improvement in upcoming multilateral biodiversity-relevant agreement processes.
Prepare concise, targeted materials and resources to support Suriname’s negotiating teams on the priority issues identified, including consideration of potential implications for gender equality, women, and Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs). (e.g 2-4-page negotiation briefs per key issue designed for practical use by negotiators before and during COP17).

Biodiversity Negotiation and Advocacy Skills Strengthening (17 days)

Develop a set of rapid capacity and training needs assessment tools that consider both hard and soft skills for biodiversity diplomacy/negotiators.
Using these tools, conduct remote, rapid training needs assessment to an existing cadre of negotiators, focusing on the current KMGBF Surinamese negotiators.
Using best training and capacity development approaches and practices, design, develop and deliver of an initial training program for Suriname’s Biodiversity Negotiators. The objective of the program is to build and/or enhance technical knowledge, soft skills and attitudes of biodiversity negotiators in biodiversity diplomacy.
Where applicable, identify and/or organize regional (i.e.,CARICOM) networking opportunities (virtual) (forums, conferences, events) to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the formation of partnerships for biodiversity advocacy initiatives between inter-regional government representatives, CSOs, academic institutions, etc.

On-Site Support for COP17 (17 days)

Participate with the Suriname Biodiversity Delegation in COP17, coaching and mentoring Suriname Biodiversity Negotiators participation and negotiations at COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia 19-30 November 2026.
Support the Negotiators in helping to organize bilateral meetings, side events, and networking sessions to foster dialogue, information exchange, and potential collaboration between government and ITP representatives and other participating countries.
Produce a post-COP debrief report outlining key outcomes and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:

Advanced degree/education in political science, international relations, conflict resolution, mediation or similar. Appropriate experience may be considered equivalent to post-graduate work
Minimum of 15 years in diplomacy, government-to-government relationship-building, government-to-government negotiations, advisory services with a good understanding of diplomacy and negotiations process; ideally in the KMGBF process with proven record of successful outcomes
Ideally suited for a current or retired diplomat, senior advisor and/or negotiator with demonstrated success in concluding government-to-government or multi-lateral agreements and discussions (biodiversity related)
Sound knowledge, experience and understanding of the biodiversity and/or biodiversity action ecosystem, what works and doesn’t work within the KMGBF or other multilateral context
Experience in CBD or other multilateral environmental agreement negotiations
Experience designing and delivering capacity-building programmes.
Demonstrated capacity for managing complex negotiation with a good understanding of diplomacy, protocol, processes and procedures. Able to leverage negotiation processes to achieve a desired outcome
Previous experience managing, safeguarding and leveraging sensitive and delicate state information
Capable of explaining negotiations and negotiation processes to others; ideally with some background in training, coaching and mentoring others on these processes
Knowledge of Suriname and/or regional and international biodiversity policies, regulations and standards.
Well-honed communication skills including a mastery of persuasive writing and presentations; able to think and respond quickly to changing information, scenarios and circumstances
Fluency in English