Consultancy: Desk-based review of existing methods and research for ascribing ‘value’ to spatially defined units of biodiversity

WCS is looking for a “Consultancy: Desk-based review of existing methods and research for ascribing ‘value’ to spatially defined units of biodiversity” to join our team. 📍 Location: Remote 🗓️ Duration: 8 months (1 August 2026 to 31 March 2027) • Type: Consultancy, fixed term • Reports to (Supervisors): TA Policy for Biodiversity Impact Mitigation • Expected travel: Not required • Country Program/Sector: WCS Lao Program, Greater Mekong Region, GCP • This position open to national and international candidate firms Background: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US nonprofit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US-based, nonprofit global conservation organization that saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature. The WCS Lao PDR program was established in 1993 and has successfully implemented projects with the Lao Government especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Local government agencies with more than 30 projects supported by more than 30 donors. WCS core supports are to improve the management of biodiversity by enhancing technical capacity for government officials and local partners, improving the management of wild places by involving communities in protected areas management including wetlands, and improving responses to wildlife trafficking and wildlife health. Context The existing global assessments methods are helpful for distinguishing the ‘tip of the iceberg’, or the regions of high significance and priority such as the Annamite Bioregion from a global perspective; but they hit a ceiling when trying to distinguish priorities within the region. For instance, if a comprehensive evaluation for KBA designation were carried out for the whole of Lao PDR, most remaining large blocks of natural habitat would undoubtedly qualify. As the designations are binary (KBA or not KBA), further criteria are needed to derive more detailed levels of relative value (significance) for identifying pragmatic approach to the planning and management of these important areas, especially as they face high development pressures. Project Background This work is part of a larger project ‘Operationalizing Biodiversity MH-NNL/NG’, and will directly input into one of the key building block ‘Testing a Biodiversity Value (Significance) Mapping Approach towards a System for Spatial Prioritization for Conservation’. The deliverable of this work will be integrated into the abovementioned building block and be annexed to the ‘Concept Blueprint for a System for Spatial Prioritization for Conservation’. The contract will be a lumpsum firm contract under FGMC2 project funding. Objectives of the Assignment: The main purposes are: to evaluate and document existing methods and schemes for assessment of biodiversity significance (value) and related research. Evaluation will include providing pros and cons, and limitations as appropriate of each. In particular, the following are expected to be included in the review: - constituent factors and characteristics that comprise the definition of significance or value of a unit of biodiversity (especially spatial units); and - how these are combined to derive a single value, or how these are used to ascribe relative value, ranking, or scale of a unit of biodiversity. Method: The work is to consist of desk-based review of existing methods and research for ascribing ‘value’ to spatially defined units of biodiversity (i.e. co-occurring aggregations of species and the biotic and abiotic interrelationships and processes present). It is expected to gather input through virtual meetings with researchers active in this field. Key deliverables and timeline Deliverable: technical report covering existing methods and research works for ascribing ‘value’ to spatially defined units of biodiversity, along with their pros, cons, and limitations. The period to complete this work is expected to be as follows: - Submission of the first compilation of contents and notes in draft report form for discussion with WCS team. Target date: November 2026. - Submission of final report for discussion with WCS team. Target Date: March 2027. Applicant’s profile The consultant must conform to the following qualifications: Overall, this task is seeking those with extensive firsthand knowledge and experience in site and landscape assessments of biodiversity significance and priority, and in spatial mapping. The following qualifications must be fulfilled: - Minimum total 20-year field experience in Southeast Asia on biodiversity assessment and conservation site prioritization, strong preference will be given to those with field experience in Lao PDR. - Minimum total 15-year experience working on spatial planning combining remote sensing and in-situ data. - Minimum total 15-year experience engaging in IUCN Red List species assessment. - Demonstrated knowledge of species distribution and population trends, and various assessment criteria (redlist, KBA).

Overall, this task is seeking those with extensive firsthand knowledge and experience in site and landscape assessments of biodiversity significance and priority, and in spatial mapping. The following qualifications must be fulfilled: - Minimum total 20-year field experience in Southeast Asia on biodiversity assessment and conservation site prioritization, strong preference will be given to those with field experience in Lao PDR. - Minimum total 15-year experience working on spatial planning combining remote sensing and in-situ data. - Minimum total 15-year experience engaging in IUCN Red List species assessment. - Demonstrated knowledge of species distribution and population trends, and various assessment criteria (redlist, KBA).