Coastal Multi Use Management Area (MUMA) Plans Assessment Consultant

Job Title: Coastal Multi Use Management Area (MUMA) Plans Assessment Consultant
Initiative Name: Review and Assessment of MUMA’s
Job type: Temporary Part-Time Consultancy
Location of Position: Suriname
Reporting to: Project Field Manager, BioGov Project
Remuneration: Fees are subject to negotiation and shall not exceed established market rates.
Indicative LOE/Time Frame: Approximately 6 days over a period of 2-month period
Language Requirements: English, Dutch
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 (2025-2029), 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’s coastal ecosystems contain some of the country’s most important biodiversity assets, including extensive mangrove systems, shorebird habitats, sea turtle nesting beaches, estuarine ecosystems, and wetlands that support local livelihoods and provide globally significant ecosystem services. Effective management of these areas is essential for the achievement of Suriname’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024-2035 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
To strengthen biodiversity governance and conservation outcomes within Suriname’s coastal MUMA network, the BioGov Project will undertake a review and assessment of the four coastal Multiple Use Management Areas (MUMAs):

• Bigi Pan MUMA
• North Coronie MUMA
• North Commewijne-Marowijne MUMA
• North Saramacca MUMA

The assessment will review the status and effectiveness of management plan implementation, identify institutional, technical, financial, governance, and policy gaps affecting implementation, assess alignment with national biodiversity priorities and NBSAP targets, and determine priority areas requiring support. It will also provide recommendations to strengthen conservation outcomes, management effectiveness, stakeholder participation, governance arrangements, and resource mobilization across Suriname’s coastal protected area network.

The Role The Consultant shall:
Review and Assessment of Coastal Protected Area Management Plans (3 days)

• Review available management plans, implementation reports, and relevant supporting documentation for:
  o Bigi Pan MUMA
  o North Coronie MUMA
  o North Commewijne-Marowijne MUMA
  o North Saramacca MUMA
• Conduct a rapid desktop assessment of the status of management plan implementation based on available documentation.
• Identify key achievements, implementation challenges, governance issues, management gaps, and constraints affecting the achievement of management objectives.
• Review available evidence on management effectiveness, governance arrangements, institutional coordination, enforcement mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement processes.

Assess the extent to which management plans support conservation objectives, sustainable resource use, and ecosystem protection. 

• Review how Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs), local communities, women, youth, and other stakeholder groups are reflected in management plans, governance arrangements, and decision-making processes.

Output:

• Summary of management plans reviewed.
• Assessment of implementation status and management effectiveness for each site.
• Identification of key gaps and challenges.

NBSAP Alignment and Support Needs Assessment (2 days)

• Assess the alignment of management objectives and implementation activities with Suriname’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024-2035.
• Identify key institutional, governance, technical, financial, and resource gaps affecting implementation.
• Assess opportunities to strengthen stakeholder participation, including youth, women, ITPs and local communities.

Output:

• NBSAP alignment assessment matrix.
• Gap and support needs assessment.
• Priority support requirements.

Recommendations and Reporting (1 day)

• Develop practical recommendations for strengthening management plan implementation.
• Identify priority actions for improving alignment with the NBSAP.
• Prepare a concise roadmap for future support.

Output:

• Consolidated Coastal Protected Area Assessment Report (approximately 15-20 pages, excluding annexes), including:
  o Implementation review of coastal protected area management plans
  o NBSAP alignment assessment
  o Gap and support needs analysis
  o Stakeholder participation and governance considerations
  o Priority recommendations
• PowerPoint presentation.
  o Presentation of Findings to BioGov and relevant government counterparts

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Marine Ecology, Protected Area Management, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, or a related field. Appropriate experience may be considered equivalent to post-graduate qualifications.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, protected area management, natural resource governance, environmental planning, or related fields.
• Experience reviewing or assessing protected area management plans, biodiversity strategies, conservation programmes, or environmental policies.
• Experience conducting policy reviews, gap analyses, or rapid assessments.
• Experience working with government agencies, conservation organizations, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs), local communities, and other stakeholders.
• Familiarity with biodiversity governance frameworks and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) implementation processes.
• Sound knowledge of biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and environmental governance.
• Familiarity with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), and NBSAP implementation.
• Understanding of inclusive and gender-responsive biodiversity governance, including the participation and rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.
• Strong analytical, research, report-writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to synthesize technical information into practical recommendations and priority actions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in English, Dutch language skills preferred.