1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:

As a low-lying developing state, Belize is highly vulnerable to the climate change impacts such as sea level rise, erosion, storm surges and flooding. A 2014 assessment categorized Belize’s vulnerability index to climate change as extremely high: country’s high risk to climate change based on its adaptive capacity linked to the vulnerability of the agriculture sector. Belize is ranking 9th on the list of 38 other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF, 2014). The assessment highlighted the seasonally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, which on average, according to scientific reports, are becoming more intense each year because of human-induced global warming and higher sea surface temperatures. Belize is also highly exposed to other natural hazards such as flooding and drought, more pronounced in inland areas.  These can lead to infrastructure and economic losses, especially in agricultural and inhabited areas during the hurricane season. There has also been evidence that the average annual temperature of Belize has been rising and is projected to rise further. To effectively address these issues, the threat of climate change requires multilateral action from policy makers, technical experts, the private and public sector as well as local communities, in order to seek solutions and make changes to effectively adapt to climate change impacts. To reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to future climate risks and hazards Belize must devise mechanisms to adapt to the imminent changes affecting economic sectors, livelihoods, and natural ecosystems.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has received grant funding from the Adaptation Fund (AF) for the project “Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation,” under the Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) funding window. The goal of this project is to improve Belize’s long-term capacity to protect communities from climate threats posed by drought, unpredictable water availability, floods and improper wildfire management. The Project is being executed by PACT and will function as an on-granting mechanism for climate finance in country, targeting five interlinked project components:

• • • Component One: Safeguarding Forest and Water Resources through Strategic Protection and Restoration Solutions.
    • Component Two: Combating Wildfires through Adaptive Management.
    • Component Three: Creating Opportunities to Support Alternative Livelihoods.
    • Component Four: Building National Capacity to Access Adaptation Finance.
    • Component Five: Community Disaster Risk Management.

2. JUSTIFICATION

The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management (MSDCCSWM) through the Adaptation Fund’s “Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation” project is going to implement the sub-project entitled “Safeguarding Forest and Water Resources through Strategic Protection and Restoration Solutions in the Macal and Mopan River Watersheds.” This sub-project forms part of Belize’s broader strategy to strengthen ecosystem-based adaptation by addressing water security, forest degradation, and climate-related vulnerabilities in two of the country’s most important watersheds. To support of this initiative, PACT is seeking the hiring of a Project Coordinator to lead the project’s implementation. The coordinator will lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of project activities to ensure effective implementation in line with the project’s objectives. The role requires strong organizational and leadership skills, with proven experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and environmental governance.  The coordinator will work closely with partner institutions such as the Forest Department, the Department of the Environment, local communities and PACT/EDA Project Management Unit to guide implementation, facilitate collaboration, and ensure timely reporting.

3. OBJECTIVES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

To oversee and coordinate the effective implementation of the project activities, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and alignment with project objectives. The coordinator will be responsible for the following:

A) Project Planning, Administration and Reporting

• • • Prepare Project Annual Operations Plans, along with detailed procurement plans
    • Prepare and update detailed work plans (monthly, quarterly) in collaboration with the NBIO project implementation team to support implementation of the annual plan.
    • Lead the procurement activities to ensure timely delivery of supplies, equipment, and services. This includes development of terms of reference and contract oversight, where this is necessary.
    • Produce technical and financial progress reports in line with project requirements.
    • Collect disaggregated participation data (by gender, youth, indigenous group) to fulfill monitoring and evaluation (M&E) reporting obligations.
    • Actively participate, as required, in project coordination meetings.
    • Coordinate logistical and administrative arrangements for project activities, consultations, trainings, and events.
    • Monitor the project’s work plan, logical framework, and risk matrix to ensure timely achievement of targets.
    • Liaise with PACT/EDA Project Management Unit to ensure adherence to relevant project implementation procedures for the Protected Areas Conservation Trust and the Adaptation Fund.

B) Project Implementation

• • • Lead engagement with communities, local leaders, government partners, landowners, and partner institutions to build trust, transparency, and sustained commitment to project goals.
    • Act as the primary contact for stakeholder inquiries, feedback, and collaboration.
    • Coordinate and provide logistical support for consultants, technical experts, and other contracted personnel, and support in the delivery of training programs on water monitoring, nursery management, riparian restoration, NVCCA governance, and forest fire management.
    • Provide technical input for baseline assessments (water quality, biodiversity, land use, gaps) and guide restoration strategy development, and other technical reports developed as part of the project.
    • Oversee and manage community MoUs, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
    • Support establishment and operation of community nurseries, riparian restoration, and monitoring activities.
    • Support the implementation of the national fire management strategy by working closely with local fire brigades and community partners.
    • Organize outreach and consultation activities to inform and engage stakeholders in project processes.
    • Ensure accurate documentation, record-keeping, and reporting of field activities.
    • Maintain PACT/EDA Project Management Unit informed of project implementation progress.

C) Training and Capacity Building

• • • Provide technical support to community groups, ensuring they build skills in conservation, restoration, nursery management, and fire management.
    • Support the design and delivery of community education on nature-based solutions and sustainable resource management.

D) Monitoring and Evaluation

• • • Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress of water quality, restoration, NVCCA, and fire management activities.
    • Collect and analyze monitoring data to track achievements and identify challenges.
    • Recommend corrective measures and adaptive management strategies as required.
    • Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories for knowledge-sharing and scaling.

E) Other Responsibilities

• • • Ensure gender, youth, and social inclusion considerations are mainstreamed into all project activities.
    • Support the visibility and communication of project results and activities.
    • Carry out any other related duties required to ensure successful delivery of the project’s goals and outcomes.
    • Ensure project complementarity and alignment with the NBIO existing and pipeline projects.
    • Support NBIO operations, including meeting minutes, procurement, stakeholder engagement and records management.

4. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• • • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, forestry, natural resource management, or a related field.
    • Minimum of two years’ professional experience in implementing environmental or conservation projects.
    • Demonstrated experience in community-based natural resource management, conservation, or water and forest ecosystem projects.
    • Proven skills in stakeholder engagement and logistical coordination.
    • Experience in project administration, including tracking, monitoring, and reporting on project activities.

5. SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• • • Ability to manage small teams or field staff effectively, providing guidance and support to achieve project objectives.
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
    • Strong ability to prioritize tasks, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced project environment.
    • Capable of identifying challenges and implementing solutions. 
    • Proficient in preparing technical and stakeholder reports, maintaining accurate records, and documenting project activities.
    • Strong interest in conservation and biodiversity management is desired. 

6. DUTY STATION

• • • The Project Coordinator will report to the Director and be based at the National Biodiversity Office, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management.
    • Preference will be given to applicants who reside in the communities along the project implementation area.