Consultancy Opportunity: Sustainable Financing for Reef-Friendly Businesses in Solomon Islands

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), through the GEF-funded Coral Reef Rescue (CRR) Project, is seeking a qualified consultant to support the identification and mobilisation of investment opportunities for reef-friendly businesses and SMEs in Solomon Islands.

Background:

The CRR Project aims to safeguard globally significant coral reef ecosystems from the impacts of climate change and local threats. In Solomon Islands, the CRR National Hub is co-chaired by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECDM) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and is working to address drivers of reef degradation. WCS is the National Technical Facilitator for CRR in Solomon Islands and is supporting the Hub to achieve long-term conservation and sustainable development outcomes.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will support WCS and the National Hub to:

• Develop a business engagement strategy targeting private sector actors that can contribute to coral reef conservation.
• Identify existing and potential reef-friendly businesses and investment opportunities, including community-based enterprises.
• Engage with selected businesses to assess opportunities for reducing reef impacts and enhancing positive contributions.
• Recommend technical assistance and partnerships to help businesses become investor-ready.
• Identify opportunities and barriers for engaging with national and regional investors.

Timeframe:

The consultancy is expected to commence in August 2025 and be completed by 31 July 2026.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in environmental economics, business administration, marine conservation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in sustainable development, private sector engagement, and SME investment-readiness in the Pacific region.
• Strong knowledge of sustainable business practices and blue economy principles.
• Experience working in Solomon Islands or similar Pacific contexts is preferred.
• Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Solomon Islands Pijin is an advantage.

Application Requirements:

Interested applicants should submit:

1. A brief technical statement (1–2 pages) highlighting relevant experience. Links or examples of past work are encouraged.
2. A CV.
3. A short financial proposal (in USD) that includes all applicable costs, taxes, and fees.

Submission Deadline:

Applications should be submitted by email to solomonislands@wcs.org no later than Thursday 31 July 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.