Background:

The Gender Smart Facility (GSF) is a targeted initiative implemented by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) under the Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) program, which is managed by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The CORE program is designed to strengthen the climate resilience of Caribbean ecosystems and communities by supporting national conservation trust funds and local partners to implement inclusive, gender-responsive, and nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

As a participating National Conservation Trust Fund, PACT is the Sub-grantee for the implementation of the GSF project in Belize, which focuses on building institutional, community, and sectoral capacity to integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into environmental management, conservation finance, and climate resilience programming.

The GSF project recognizes that gender inequalities often hinder equitable participation and benefits in climate-related and environmental decision-making. Therefore, the project aims to close gender gaps in leadership, employment, access to finance, and capacity development across the conservation and environmental sectors in Belize.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) is Belize’s national conservation trust fund, established as a statutory body under Chapter 218 of the Laws of Belize. Since its inception in 1995, PACT has been a key partner in the financing and coordination of protected areas management and biodiversity conservation. With its growing climate finance portfolio and accreditation to international funds, PACT is uniquely positioned to implement the GSF by bridging conservation finance and inclusive development goals.

Through this project, PACT will:

• • • Facilitate gender-responsive planning and decision-making within the protected areas system.
    • Build institutional capacity to mainstream gender in its own policies and operations.
    • Support civil society, conservation partners, and local communities in applying gender-transformative approaches to conservation and climate action.
    • Lead stakeholder engagement and coordination for inclusive implementation of the project.
    • Monitor and report on gender outcomes and lessons learned to inform broader sectoral strategies.

To support the successful implementation of this project, PACT is recruiting a Gender Integration Project Coordinator who will serve as the technical lead on gender and social inclusion while also coordinating project activities, timelines, and stakeholder relationship. 

General Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to provide both technical leadership in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion, and strategic coordination of the Gender Smart Facility (GSF) project being executed by PACT. The Consultant will ensure that gender considerations are fully integrated into all aspects of project implementation, monitoring and reporting, while overseeing the timely and compliant implementation of activities in accordance with the Sub-grant Agreement between PACT and Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF). This dual role will help guarantee that the project achieves its intended outcome of advancing gender-responsive, inclusive and sustainable climate and conservation actions in Belize.

Scope Of This Consultancy

The specific scope of this consultancy will be as follows:

A. Gender Equality and Inclusion Integration 

• • • Conduct a review and update of PACT’s Gender and Equality Policy, ensuring that it aligns with national strategic priorities, and international commitments.
    • Design and deliver training and awareness-raising sessions for PACT staff, focusing on gender mainstreaming, gender monitoring and evaluation, risk mitigation, and inclusive programming. This includes training on the updated PACT Gender and Equality Policy.
    • Conduct capacity development and provide technical assistance to PACT Grantees under this program on how to integrate gender-responsive and socially inclusive principles into all project components, including planning, budgeting, procurement, communications and monitoring. This is inclusive of developing tool kits, templates and guidance materials to support the application by PACT Grantees.
    • Design and coordinate opportunities, via public engagements, media appearances and like in collaboration with PACT’s Conservation Investment Unit, to promote and support the strengthening of Women Leadership in protected areas governance.
    • Ensure gender-disaggregated data collection and reporting are embedded in PACT’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, and that PACT’s MEL templates and tools are updated accordingly, and that PACT staff and partners are adequately trained to utilize them.

B. Project Coordination and Delivery 

• • • Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the GSF project in alignment with the approved work plan, procurement plan and budget.
    • Coordinate procurement processes and ensure compliance with both PACT’s and CBF’s procurement requirements.
    • Maintain close coordination with the internal teams at PACT and CBF, to ensure timely and efficient delivery of project activities.
    • Draft and submit project progress reports, financial summaries and other required documentation in accordance with the Sub-grant Agreement.
    • Track project milestones, and disbursement triggers, ensuring timely use of funds and fulfillment of reporting requirements.
    • Organize and facilitate the RFP evaluation process, inclusive of preparing final evaluation reports for submission for approval.
    • Provide oversight of PACT Grantees in the implementation of their respective grants issued under the Project.
    • Organize and facilitate internal meetings, stakeholder meetings, workshops, field visits, award events, and consultations related to the project activities.
    • Maintain well-organized project documentation and ensure audit readiness.
    • Support in the design and implementation of the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, and that it aligns with PACT’s MEL. This is inclusive of templates to be used by PACT Grantees.
    • Support the monitoring of PACT Grantees in complying with monitoring and evaluation requirements.

Outputs Of The Consultancy

The Consultant will be expected to produce the following deliverables:

• • • Monthly Activity Reports summarizing work completed, outputs delivered, and challenges encountered.
    • Two project reports (i.e. Mid-term and Final Review Reports).
    • Training Materials, Tools, Templates and Workshop Reports on gender mainstreaming and inclusive initiatives.
    • Updated Gender and Equality Policy for PACT.
    • Procurement and MEL Plans inputs as required during the Project.
    • Technical reports, evaluation reports, and other similar as required during the Project.

Qualification of Consultant

The successful candidate must have:

• • • Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.
    • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in designing and implementing gender mainstreaming strategies or programs in Belize or similar context.
    • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in project management.

General and Specific experiences:

• • • Demonstrated experience in working with conservation partners, local communities, and other stakeholders, including government and community-based organizations.
    • Familiarity with Belize’s gender policy and priorities, the national protected areas policy and plan, and the climate change priorities.

Overall skills, knowledge, abilities

The selected consultant will need to have or show:

• • • Strong research and analytical skills.
    • Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with a cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, local communities and resource users, and donor agencies.
    • Time management and organisational skills.
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills and fluency in English.
    • Strong project management, monitoring and evaluation skills.

Engagement Details

Level of effort:  The successful consultant will be employed on a contractual basis. The level of effort required to carry out this assignment is estimated at a maximum period of eighteen (18) calendar months, at an average of 40 hours per week.

Format of Reports:  All report must be in hard and digital copies and in Microsoft office format.

Confidentiality: The consultant is expected to maintain the confidentiality of all training materials and organizational information.

Type of contract:  Monthly payment, including all associated cost.

Reporting & Supervision: The Gender Integration Project Coordinator will report directly to the Conservation Investment Manager. Technical coordination will be maintained with PACT’s internal departments and the CBF’s designated Project Lead and Program Manager.

Location: The Consultant will work in a Hybrid manner, with office in-situ work being hosted at PACT’s Headquarters in Belmopan, Belize.

Payment

This is a fixed term contract and will be paid monthly, subject to approval of monthly activity reports, and associated deliverables. Payment will be made in Belize Dollars and are inclusive of tax requirements.