Technical Business Development Scoping Consultant

Background:
Pact is currently seeking a consultant to support pre-positioning and scoping efforts for the anticipated USAID-funded Climate Change Mitigation through Sustainable Land Use Activity in Ecuador. This Activity aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and advance natural climate solutions in areas affected by deforestation and land degradation through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and mitigation efforts.

Only Consultants based in Ecuador will be considered

Objective:

Technical Business Development Scoping Consultant
In collaboration with Pact’s Proposal Team, the Consultant will work closely with Pact’s Environment & Clean Energy and Business Development teams to support the scoping team while in Ecuador. He/she will advance pre-positioning activities by assisting with relevant background research and organizing and participating in meetings with relevant stakeholders, relevant line ministries and potential partners to gather local contextual data for informing possible partnership strategies and technical approaches for the expected opportunity. Core technical areas for the opportunity will include Climate Change Mitigation, Sustainable Land Use, private sector engagement, Greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, sustainable livelihoods, focusing on forests, páramos, mangroves, and/or other ecosystems that suffer high levels of deforestation and ecosystem degradation.

Statement of Work:

• Gather necessary information and assist with contextual inputs and data synthesis that will contribute to the USAID Climate Change Activity’s strategic design and positioning regarding sustainable land use and climate mitigation in Ecuador.
• Compile and summarize background reports, case studies, evaluations, strategy documents, and other materials from the Government of Ecuador, USAID, other donors, and partners in Ecuador, with emphasis on identifying key country context trends and highlighting current gaps/obstacles and opportunities to inform activity planning.
• Research and provide a list of relevant potential local partners, based on their technical strengths, capacities, and experience in the core technical areas.
• Arrange and participate in meetings with key stakeholders to capture insights on opportunities and constraints in the core technical areas, with translation as needed.
• Contribute to a landscape analysis of possible competitors, their strengths/comparative advantages, and gaps. Reference existing relationships with local partners, where possible.
• Participate in regular meetings with the Pact team to review progress, present key findings and recommendations, and plan next steps.
• Assisting with local cost information to inform proposal pricing and project start-up costs.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree, i.e., M.Sc. in relevant environmental discipline (or BSc plus 10 years relevant experience)
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, including international environment, climate change and sustainable land use programming; with significant relevant work experience in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.
• Experience with USAID or other USG programming at country and if possible global levels
• Experience or familiarity with US government proposal preparation and regulations, particularly for USAID funding
• Extensive networking skills and established relationships with the Ministry of Environment and Water (MAAE)
• Excellent written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Fluency in Spanish is required

Period of Performance: 9/2024 – 10/1/2024 (roughly 5 days)