The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), through its Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE), is inviting written proposals for the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Junior Consultant position under an Individual Consultant contract. This consultancy forms part of the UNDP/GEF/UNOPS Procaribe+ Project, a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening marine spatial planning, blue economy development, climate resilience, and sustainable ocean governance in the Wider Caribbean Region.
This article presents a detailed overview of the opportunity, eligibility criteria, application requirements, program structure, and deadlines, enabling prospective applicants to access all critical information directly from this page.
Introduction: Background of the UNESCO-IOC/Procaribe+ Consultancy
The Procaribe+ Project (“Protecting and Restoring the Ocean’s Natural Capital in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+)”) is a five-year initiative (2023–2028) designed to support regional ocean governance, sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and climate-resilient blue economies. To advance these objectives, IOCARIBE leads the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) components across the region, in collaboration with national ministries, UN partners, and UNESCO’s MSPglobal Programme.
As part of this effort, UNESCO-IOC is contracting a full-time Marine Spatial Planning Junior Consultant for an 11-month period (1 February – 31 December 2026) to support MSP implementation in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and across the Wider Caribbean. The consultant will work remotely and collaborate closely with international, regional, and national partners.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Academic Qualifications
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in one of the following fields:
- Environmental Sciences
- Oceanography
- International Relations
- Or other related fields
2. Professional Experience
Minimum requirements include:
- At least 4 years of relevant experience, including 2 years with a UN agency in ocean management or advocacy.
3. Technical Experience
Candidates must demonstrate:
- Knowledge or experience in Marine Spatial Planning, Ocean Observations, Climate Change Adaptation, Blue Economy, or Early Warning Systems.
- Strong experience drafting reports, policy documents, and communications materials.
- Proven ability to engage government agencies, NGOs, communities, and international organizations.
- Deep understanding of marine resource management and conservation practices in the Caribbean region.
4. Competencies
Applicants must show:
- High attention to detail.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently.
- Strong communication skills across diverse audiences.
- Ability to synthesize data and present clear, coherent information.
- Capacity to work in multicultural environments with strong team spirit.
5. Language Requirements
- Fluency in English and Spanish is essential for engagement in both English- and Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries.
Program Details
Contract Type
- Individual Consultancy Contract (UNESCO’s contracting modality)
- Full-time remote assignment
Duration
- 11 months
- From 1 February 2026 to 31 December 2026
Duty Station
- Remote, using personal equipment and internet access.
- Occasional travel (covered by UNESCO) to:
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Other Caribbean member states
- IOCARIBE office (Colombia) or UNESCO HQ (Paris) if necessary
- Intergovernmental Session SC-IOCARIBE-XIX in Q3 2026
Main Responsibilities
The consultant will support the MSP components of the Procaribe+ Project through tasks including:
A. Inception Phase (Colombia & Dominican Republic)
- Implement UNESCO’s Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) for MSP.
- Engage stakeholders via online and in-person workshops.
- Develop partnership agreements.
- Support MSP Task Team activities and promote regional MSP efforts.
- Contribute to gender equality actions aligned with the Procaribe+ Gender Action Plan.
B. Training & Capacity Development
- Conduct gap analysis of MSP training in the Wider Caribbean.
- Co-develop capacity-building workplans.
- Support regional workshops and training with MSPglobal.
- Advocate for increased MSP coverage in the region.
C. Stakeholder Engagement & Communications
- Partner with government agencies, NGOs, and regional bodies.
- Coordinate MSP Task Team meetings.
- Prepare communication materials, summaries, and social media content.
D. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Provide quarterly narrative reports and financial reporting support.
- Monitor partner activities in Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
- Prepare deliverables for the IOCARIBE Intergovernmental Session.
- Ensure alignment with UNESCO standards.
Deliverables & Payment Structure
Deliverables are distributed across six major reports due throughout the contract (1–11 months). Payments are issued upon satisfactory delivery and approval of each deliverable:
- DEL1 – 10%
- DEL2 – 20%
- DEL3 – 20%
- DEL4 – 20%
- DEL5 – 20%
- DEL6 – 10%
Fees
Applicants must quote the total amount for the entire assignment in USD or EUR.
Insurance and Benefits
- Coverage for work-related accidents or travel-related illness.
- No medical insurance, pension, sick leave, or paid annual leave.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit two documents (each as a PDF or Word attachment, max combined email size 5MB):
1. Technical Proposal
Must include:
- Updated curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter detailing suitability
- Methodology/approach, workplan, and comments on the TOR (max 2 pages)
2. Financial Proposal
- Quoted in USD or EUR only
Submission Requirements
- Direct email attachments only (Google Drive, WeTransfer, or cloud links not accepted)
- Email must be sent in English or French
Submission Email
Contact person
(Dr. Marko Tosic, IOCARIBE Programme Specialist)
Deadline
15 December 2025 — 17:00 Paris time
Late submissions will not be considered.
Important Links
(These links should be included on your website for credibility and easy access.)
- Call for Proposals / Terms of Reference (PDF)
This UNESCO-IOC/IOCARIBE consultation offers a unique opportunity for experienced ocean professionals to contribute directly to Marine Spatial Planning across the Caribbean through the Procaribe+ Project. With its focus on sustainability, climate resilience, and blue economy development, this consultancy provides meaningful engagement in shaping the future of marine governance in the region. Interested and qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their proposals before the 15 December 2025 deadline.
