Consultant (m/f/d) - Cost-Benefit Analysis for Mangrove-Based Adaptation Projects

FORLIANCE GmbH is seeking an experienced individual consultant to conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for potential mangrove conservation and restoration investments in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia.

The consultancy forms part of the IKI-funded project “From Roots to Tides: Resilient Ecosystems”, implemented by a consortium led by Fondo Patrimonio Natural, together with INVEMAR, IIAP and FORLIANCE. The project supports climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable community-based economic opportunities in Colombia’s Caribbean and Pacific regions.

Assignment

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting a baseline assessment and targeted desk review of climate, ecological and socio-economic data.
• Facilitating the identification and selection of up to three priority intervention areas with relevant stakeholders.
• Developing baseline (“no action”) and intervention scenarios for mangrove conservation and ecological restoration.
• Estimating investment and operational costs (CAPEX and OPEX) over relevant time horizons.
• Conducting hydrodynamic modelling to assess the coastal-protection benefits of mangroves under different storm scenarios.
• Valuing ecosystem services, including avoided damages and blue-carbon potential.
• Calculating key CBA indicators, including Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR).
• Carrying out sensitivity analyses and preparing a final technical report, decision matrix, geodatabase and maps.

• University degree in environmental engineering, industrial engineering, forestry, biology, economics or a related field.
• Master’s degree in environmental economics, natural-resource economics, climate change management, environmental sciences or a related discipline. A PhD is an advantage.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in environmental, climate change or sustainable-development projects.
• At least 3 years of proven experience applying Cost-Benefit Analysis to environmental or climate-investment projects.
• Demonstrated experience in Ecosystem-based Adaptation, Nature-based Solutions and, ideally, coastal or mangrove ecosystems.
• Experience facilitating participatory workshops with government institutions and local communities.
• Experience in Latin America and/or the Caribbean; experience in island contexts is an advantage.
• Advanced knowledge of economic valuation methods, including avoided-damage and replacement-cost approaches.
• Strong skills in R, Stata and advanced Excel.
• Proven experience with hydrodynamic modelling tools such as ADCIRC+SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D or similar.
• Advanced proficiency in ArcGIS Pro or QGIS.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish and intermediate English.

How to apply

Please submit the following documents by 27 September 2026:

1. Signed technical proposal, including a critical analysis of the Terms of Reference, proposed methodology and work plan.
2. Signed financial proposal in a separate document, stating consultancy fees in Colombian Pesos (COP). The financial proposal should cover professional fees only.
3. CV demonstrating the required qualifications and experience.

• we grow well financed, managed and monitored forests and ecosystems
• we grow long-term alliances with project stakeholders and clients
• we grow financial mechanisms and payment for ecosystem services to scale and improve projects
• we grow transparency and traceability through robust carbon standards, digital solutions, and earth observation technologie
• we grow the competency of our team by trainings, education and onboarding world leading experts.  

• we partner with implementation organizations, international investors and development banks to develop the most robust climate projects  
• we help industry clients to account and manage their greenhouse emissions  
• we monitor, report and verify impact and results of performance indicators  
• we create climate solutions that are based on scientific research  
• we initiate transformation to fight climate change and to achieve carbon targets.

• we mobilize finance for ecosystem services and develop new integrated value chains together with local stakeholders  
• we use nature to build robust and proven carbon sinks by applying internationally recognized carbon standards and methodologies  
• we turn carbon reduction plans into concrete action, and projects  
• we think new ways and combine proven nature-based solutions with innovative financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technology  
• we unlock new climate action project types and promote developing of new methodologies for carbon sinks.