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, 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 National Biodiversity Office within 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 this initiative, PACT is seeking an individual consultant to conduct one (1) micro and macro invertebrate assessment in the project implementation area. The findings of the assessment will inform and support evidence-based management strategies and guide restoration planning.

3.  GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The objective of this consultancy is to establish a scientifically robust baseline of aquatic ecosystem health for the Macal and Mopan River watersheds using freshwater macroinvertebrates as bioindicators, enabling future monitoring of trends and impacts from land-use change, agricultural runoff, and other anthropogenic pressures.

3.1 Specific Objectives

1. 1. 1. To identify and quantify the diversity, abundance, and composition of benthic macroinvertebrate communities at strategically selected sites across the watersheds.
      2. To calculate standardized biotic indices to assess water quality and ecological health at each site.
      3. To establish a permanent baseline against which future changes in aquatic ecosystem health can be measured.
      4. To correlate invertebrate data with key physico-chemical parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, nutrients) to provide a comprehensive water quality assessment.
      5. To produce a final report with maps, data analysis, and recommendations for long-term monitoring and watershed management.

4. Scope of Work

 Desk Study and Site Selection

• • • Conduct a desk review of existing data on water quality and ecology of the Macal and Mopan Rivers.
    • Identify and map approximately 15–20 sampling sites using a stratified approach, including reference sites in upper, forested reaches with minimal anthropogenic disturbance, impacted sites downstream of major pollution sources (agriculture, urban areas of San Ignacio/Santa Elena, and tourism developments), and sites along the main stem and major tributaries.
    • Lead citizen scientists in supporting site validation, basic data collection, and reporting, and, in close coordination with the Project Coordinator, provide technical guidance and supervision to ensure data quality and effective coordination.

Field Sampling

• • • Collect macroinvertebrate samples at each site using standardized methods.
    • Preserve all biological samples appropriately and ensure clear labelling with site identification, date of collection, and collector’s name.
    • Measure in situ physico-chemical parameters at each site.
    • Collect water samples for laboratory analysis of nutrients and sediment load, following standard water quality protocols.
    • Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental protocols during all field activities.

Laboratory Processing and Analysis

• • • Identify macroinvertebrates to the lowest practical taxonomic level.
    • Record all data systematically in a database to ensure traceability, quality control, and consistency across sites.
    • Calculate standard bioassessment metrics.
    • Conduct multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate site differences and potential ecological impacts.
    • Integrate laboratory and field data to support baseline assessment and site comparison for eventual evaluation of ecological changes over the project period.

Reporting

• • • Integrate biological and physico-chemical data to provide a comprehensive assessment of ecological condition at both site and watershed levels.
    • Establish baseline conditions prior to project interventions and conduct a second assessment near project completion to evaluate ecological changes attributable to the interventions.
    • Analyze and interpret trends across multiple indicators, including macroinvertebrate community structure, physico-chemical parameters, and standard bioassessment indices, to provide robust evidence of ecosystem health.
    • Prepare a comprehensive final report that includes methodology, baseline and endline comparisons, and interpretation of ecological status. The report should also provide guidance for adaptive management of the river ecosystem.

5. Deliverables

The consultant shall provide the following deliverables, ensuring that each is completed within the specified timeline for the assignment:

1. 1. 1. Inception Report detailing finalized sampling locations, site selection rationale, field and laboratory methodologies, the implementation schedule, and the roles of youth citizen scientists in site validation, basic field data collection, and reporting.
      2. A complete, curated dataset in an accessible format (e.g., Excel/CSV) containing all raw and analyzed data for the baseline assessments.
      3. Georeferenced Map of all sampling sites.
      4. Baseline Assessment Report presenting preliminary analyses and methodological documentation for review by relevant agencies.
      5. Final Report presenting a full comparison of baseline and end-point conditions, analysis of ecological changes resulting from project interventions, and providing evidence-based recommendations.

6. Professional Qualifications and Experience Requirements

• • • Advanced degree (Masters or higher) in freshwater ecology, entomology, aquatic biology, or a closely related field.
    • Proven experience in bioassessments, including macroinvertebrate sampling, identification, and ecological monitoring.
    • Experience conducting field studies and ecological assessments in tropical freshwater systems.
    • Knowledge of Belizean ecosystems, biodiversity, and relevant environmental regulations is highly desirable.
    • Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality scientific reports and technical documentation.

7. Skill Requirements

• • • Proficiency with GPS and GIS tools for site mapping.
    • Experience using statistical software for ecological data analysis.
    • Strong organizational skills
    • Ability to communicate complex ecological findings clearly in both written and oral formats.
    • Attention to detail and capacity to maintain high standards of data quality and reporting.

8. Reporting and Supervision

• • • The project is expected to be completed within three (3) years, allowing for both seasonal sampling rounds and adequate time for laboratory analysis and reporting.
    • The selected consultant will report directly to the Project Coordinator or designated officer of the National Biodiversity Office.

9. Budget and Payment Schedule.

The consultancy will be conducted over a period of three (3) years,

Payments will be linked to the approval of deliverables: 

1. 1. 1. 15% upon submission and approval of the Inception Report
      2. 20% upon submission and approval of the Baseline Datasets and Georeferenced Map
      3. 25% upon submission and approval of the Baseline Assessment Report
      4. 40% upon submission and approval of the Final Comprehensive Report, including validation workshop.

10. Proposal submission and selection process

The Proposal Package should be comprised of the following:

A. Cover Letter

• • • A cover letter detailing interest in and suitability for the consultant. The letter should indicate availability and commitment for the duration of the consultancy, including Phase I (Baseline Phase) and confirm willingness and indicative availability for Phase II (End line Phase) in Year 3.

B. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of consultant (s):

• • • A CV highlighting professional qualifications and relevant experience in freshwater ecology, entomology, or a related field.
    • Experience working with government agencies, local communities, and diverse groups in participatory planning processes, including the application of the principles of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocol, should be clearly outlined.

C. Technical Proposal

As the consultancy will be conducted in two (2) phases, the technical proposal should clearly present a breakdown of proposed methodology and approach for both phases. Phase I will be completed within five (6) months and will include Deliverables 1, 2, and 3. Phase II will involve re-engagement in Year 3 to conduct the endline assessment and deliver Deliverable 4, preceded by a coordination meeting to confirm scope prior to implementation.

• • • Detailed approach for conducting both baseline and end line assessments.
    • Design and implementation of field surveys, with the engagement of citizen scientists to support data collection.
    • Strategies for macroinvertebrate sampling, physico-chemical measurements, and selection of key parameters for end-of-project assessment.
    • Plan for systematic data recording, management, and quality assurance.
    • Approach for engaging relevant agencies and local stakeholders, incorporating local knowledge to inform site selection and study design.
    • Draft timeline showing key milestones and deliverables throughout the consultancy period, indicating a five (5) month implementation period for Phase I and providing an indicative schedule for the Endline Assessment in Year 3.

D. Financial Proposal

The financial proposal must provide a detailed breakdown of all consultancy fees and associated costs. This should include expenses related to research and data collection, travel, accommodation, per-diems, training materials, local taxes (international taxes 25%), and administrative costs. The consultant will be responsible for covering all costs associated with executing the consultancy.

Cost related to community engagement (venue, transportation, food and drinks for participants) is not to be included.

Proposals submitted incomplete or missing any of the above requirements will not be considered.

Complete Proposal and the signed Cover Letter with expression of interest that responds to the requirements of the Terms of Reference, should be submitted no later than March 6, 2026, digitally, and addressed to: