National Consultant for Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Services and Economic Valuation

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam. UNDP is a global development network of the United Nations, established in 1965, with a mission to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people to address their development challenges. The organization focuses on various areas, including democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, and environmental sustainability. In Vietnam, UNDP has been actively involved in supporting the government and communities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing climate change impacts.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Services and Economic Valuation will play a crucial role in assessing the vulnerability of coral reef ecosystems and evaluating the ecosystem services they provide. This position is part of the Viet Nam Climate-Smart Coastal Communities (VN-CSCC) Project, which aims to enhance the resilience of coastal communities in Vietnam to climate change. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive vulnerability assessment, estimating emergency response costs, and supporting the design of risk transfer solutions that align with local socioeconomic priorities. The consultant will collaborate with other national and international consultants to ensure that the approaches taken are context-specific and ecologically grounded. The work will involve both home-based research and field travel, requiring a balance of technical expertise and practical fieldwork.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Consultant include:

• Conducting a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of coral reef ecosystems in Vietnam, identifying key threats and vulnerabilities.
• Evaluating the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs, including their economic value and contribution to local livelihoods.
• Estimating emergency response costs related to coral reef degradation and climate impacts.
• Supporting the design of risk transfer solutions that reflect ecological conditions and local socioeconomic priorities.
• Collaborating with the National Consultant on Institutional and Public Finance Mechanisms to analyze institutional and policy arrangements.
• Working closely with the International Consultant on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance to ensure alignment with global best practices.
• Co-designing reef-related risk transfer mechanisms under Activity 1313.3, ensuring that approaches are context-specific and ecologically grounded.
• Preparing technical reports and presentations to communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Engaging with local communities and stakeholders to gather input and ensure that their perspectives are considered in the assessment and design processes.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the National Consultant position include:

• A strong background in marine biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in conducting vulnerability assessments and economic valuations of ecosystem services, particularly in marine and coastal environments.
• Familiarity with climate change adaptation strategies and risk transfer mechanisms.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools for data analysis and visualization.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a Master's degree in marine biology, environmental science, ecology, or a related field. A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline is preferred but not mandatory. Additional certifications or training in climate change adaptation, ecosystem services valuation, or related areas will be considered an asset.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the National Consultant position includes at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in marine and coastal ecosystem assessments, economic valuation, and climate change adaptation. Experience working with international organizations, government agencies, or NGOs in similar roles will be highly regarded. The consultant should also have a proven track record of successfully managing projects and delivering results within specified timelines.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Vietnamese is highly desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities. Additional language skills relevant to the region may also be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is for a fixed duration of 67 working days, which includes 53 home-based days and 14 field travel days, spanning from December 2025 to July 202

• Female consultants are encouraged to apply, and preference will be given to equally technically qualified female candidates. The position is classified as an individual contractor role, and offers must be submitted directly through the UNDP Supplier Portal. The selection process will prioritize proposals that obtain the highest weighted points based on technical and financial evaluations, subject to positive reference checks on past performance. Interviews may be conducted if necessary, and any requests for clarification must be submitted in writing through the messaging functionality in the portal.