Biodiversity Proposal Writer (Suriname Based or Remote)

Job Title: Biodiversity Proposal Writer
Initiative Name: Biodiversity Finance Proposal Writer and Capacity Development Consultant
Job type: Consultancy
Location of Position: Remote or Suriname Based
Reporting to: Project Director, BioGov Project
Remuneration: Fees are subject to negotiation and shall not exceed established market rates.
Indicative LOE/Time Frame: 14 days over 6-month
Language Requirements: English, Dutch a strong asset
Application Deadline: October 9, 2026

Application Instructions:

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

Equal Opportunity Statement
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 (2025-2030), 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
The BioGov seeks to improve the capacity of national authorities to access and manage international biodiversity finance (e.g., GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund and other biodiversity-related financing mechanisms) in ways that address the needs of vulnerable groups, including women and Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITP).

It is expected that experienced biodiversity finance proposal writers will work alongside government staff and ITP representatives through a “learning-by-doing” approach to develop high-quality biodiversity finance concept notes and funding proposals aligned with BioFIN priorities and identified funding opportunities.

The Consultant will:

1. Support indigenous and tribal people institutions in identifying and pursuing biodiversity financing opportunities.
2. Develop high-quality concept notes and full funding proposals for priority international biodiversity financing mechanisms.
3. Strengthen the capacity of ITP organizations, government staff and relevant stakeholders through hands-on proposal development and mentoring.
4. Ensure biodiversity finance proposals incorporate social inclusion, gender equality, and ITP priorities.

The Role
Strategic Reflection and Opportunity Mapping

• Facilitate reflection and mapping sessions with VIDS and KAMPOS to assess organizational priorities, biodiversity-related initiatives, and investment needs against the NBSAP framework and organizational strategic objectives.
• Translate priorities identified during the reflection sessions into a shortlist of project concepts and investment ideas suitable for external financing.
• Review BioFIN reports and relevant donor intelligence to identify and assess potential biodiversity financing opportunities.
• Develop a funding opportunity pipeline for both organizations, including eligibility criteria, funding windows, submission timelines, and strategic recommendations on the most suitable opportunities.

Proposal Development

• Lead the development of a concept note and/or funding proposal for the Cassava Witches’ Broom Disease Response initiative, building on lessons from the Brazil exchange, incorporating a women-led approach, and aligning the intervention with relevant NBSAP targets and biodiversity outcomes.
• Facilitate the stakeholder consultations required to inform and validate proposal design.
• Support the design and conceptualization of the Local Research Centre Galibi initiative, with a focus on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and community engagement.
• Develop two to three concise investment idea notes emerging from the reflection sessions, focused on strengthening traditional governance systems, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation outcomes.
• Where relevant, co-develop theories of change, results frameworks, indicative budgets, and implementation approaches to strengthen concept quality and donor readiness.

Capacity Building and Learning-by-Doing

• Apply a learning-by-doing approach throughout the assignment, engaging VIDS and KAMPOS representatives in opportunity assessment and concept development processes.
• Develop practical proposal development templates, guidance materials, and concept development tools that can be reused by both organizations for future fundraising efforts.
• Provide targeted mentoring and technical advice on biodiversity finance mobilization and donor engagement.

Quality Assurance and Submission Support

• Review and refine all concept notes, funding pipeline analyses, and proposal materials to ensure technical quality and strategic alignment.
• Ensure all outputs are consistent with donor requirements, BioFIN recommendations, and NBSAP priorities.
• Prepare a concise final recommendations note outlining priority financing opportunities and next steps for biodiversity finance mobilization by VIDS and KAMPOS.

Expected Deliverables

1. Facilitated reflection and mapping sessions with VIDS and KAMPOS.
2. Biodiversity finance opportunity pipeline with recommendations on priority funding windows for VIDs and Kampos.
3. One concept note/proposal for the Cassava Witches’ Broom Disease Response initiative or alternative biodiversity related proposal as identified.
4. One or two short idea notes related to traditional governance, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation.
5. Proposal development guidance materials and reusable tools for VIDS and KAMPOS.
6. Final summary report with recommendations for future biodiversity finance mobilization and proposal development.

Required Qualifications:
Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Environmental Economics, Finance, Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development, Public Policy, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in international environmental and biodiversity finance.
• Demonstrated experience developing successful funding proposals for GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund, or similar international financing mechanisms.
• Proven track record in resource mobilization for biodiversity, climate, or natural resource management projects.
• Experience providing capacity development and mentoring to government institutions.
• Experience working with ITP, local communities, and gender-responsive programming.
• Familiarity with BioFIN methodology is highly desirable.

Competencies

• Excellent analytical and proposal-writing skills.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Knowledge of biodiversity finance and environmental governance.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and government counterparts.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Dutch language skills preferred.