Position Summary
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is dedicated to saving the world’s coral reefs. Our teams are leading science-based, holistic projects that support resilient coastal communities, create reductions in water pollution, and promote sustainable fisheries so that coral reefs can adapt to global climate change. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1994, CORAL is proud to operate as a passionate and highly motivated remote working team. We take pride in addressing some of the most significant challenges with a blend of creativity, scientific rigor, and a profound sense of humanity. We invite qualified individuals to join us in our mission to make a lasting impact on the health and sustainability of coral reefs worldwide!
Role type: Part‑time consultancy for the Coral Reef Alliance, with the possibility of ramping up toward full‑time depending on funding and workload
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Location: Eastern Caribbean (priority: Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines)
Reports to: Eastern Caribbean lead, Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL)
Background
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is expanding engagement in the Eastern Caribbean to help governments and partners advance effective marine protection, sustainable financing, and wastewater solutions. Priority themes include:
- Dominica – Advancing actions to address land-based sources of pollution in Roseau, Soufriere, and Scott’s Head, and strengthening the Soufrière–Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR) fee system.
- Saint Lucia – Advancing actions to address land based sources of pollution in Soufrière and exploring a role in supporting a climate‑resilient national MPA network and fee system.
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) – Scoping opportunities and potential partnerships within the Tobago Cays Marine Park and the South Coast Marine Conservation Areas.
At the regional level, CORAL is exploring efforts to move Eastern Caribbean countries from high‑level 30×30 commitments under the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework toward practical, climate‑resilient MPA/OECM implementation.
CORAL seeks a consultant to build relationships, interpret political context, represent CORAL in key forums, and move early concepts toward implementation, while working closely with CORAL’s technical teams on MPAs, wastewater, and finance. As new Eastern Caribbean opportunities emerge during the year, the consultant may also take on additional, agreed tasks that build logically from this core scope.
Objectives:
The consultant will:
Provide flexible capacity to pick up a limited number of new or expanding projects in the Eastern Caribbean that align with CORAL’s strategy and are agreed in advance.
Build and maintain strategic relationships in Dominica, Saint Lucia, and SVG that position CORAL as a trusted ally on MPAs and wastewater.
Provide political‑economy and institutional insights to guide what is feasible, when, and with whom.
Support design and early implementation of priority initiatives in each country.
Help connect country work to regional 30×30 and wastewater–reef leadership and learning, including emerging work on climate‑resilient MPA networks and reef‑health monitoring.
Scope of Work:
Relationship‑Building, Context, and Communications
- Map out key institutions, champions, and partners in each country, drawing on local experience and feedback from CORAL staff & existing scoping.
- Serve as CORAL’s on‑the‑ground presence for priority meetings, workshops, and field visits.
- Scope and recommend local partners for implementation, and support CORAL in designing, awarding, and managing small grants to these partners.
- Provide regular contact notes and quarterly context updates summarizing key developments, risks, and opportunities.
- Work with CORAL’s communications team to provide regular, concise content (e.g., short updates, stories, and photos) from the three countries that can be used in newsletters, social media, and donor communications.
Dominica
- Support the Local Area Management Authority for the Soufriere‑Scotts Head Marine Reserve to strengthen its user‑fee system by hiring a community liaison and establishing a clear governance framework for digital fee collection, transparent revenue management, and a community‑endorsed benefit‑sharing model.
- Work with partners to explore a climate‑resilient marine 30×30 pathway linking key reserves/protected areas and other priority coastal sites across the country.
- Support engagement on Roseau, Soufriere, and Scott’s Head wastewater investments, in coordination with a dedicated wastewater consultant.
Saint Lucia
- Prepare a short stakeholder/institutional map for coastal and marine governance.
- In coordination with key stakeholders, strengthen the marine user‑fee system for the Soufriere Marine Reserve in Saint Lucia by putting in place clear governance for digital fee collection, transparent revenue management, and a community‑endorsed benefit‑sharing model.
- Work with partners to explore a climate‑resilient marine 30×30 pathway linking key reserves/protected areas and other priority coastal sites across the country.
- Support CORAL and WaterWays to formalize their partnership and develop a shared plan of action for the Soufrière wastewater–reef work, including agreed roles, priority activities, and a concise stakeholder and institutional map for coastal and marine governance.
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Conduct a targeted scoping mission around priority marine managed areas, engaging relevant MPA authorities, government agencies, tourism representatives, and community groups.
- Produce a brief scoping report outlining partner priorities, early opportunities for sustainable financing, visitor and mooring management, and water‑quality improvements, and potential anchor partners.
- Help identify 1–2 early actions (e.g., fee/mooring policy dialogue, basic monitoring alignment, or communications on clean water and reef health).
Regional 30×30 – Climate‑Resilient MPA Networks
- Provide exploratory, light‑touch support to 2–3 governments (as agreed with CORAL) to explore leadership opportunities for ministers to improve existing MPAs and to identify or expand priority MPA/OECM sites.
- Help CORAL and partners scope how best to use the TNC Caribbean 30×30 dashboard and related regional processes as entry points for future discussions in Dominica, Saint Lucia, and SVG about climate‑resilient MPA/OECM networks and national 30% ocean‑protection pathways.
Financing, Monitoring, and Healthy Reefs – Early Concept Support
- Lightly track emerging opportunities with regional and global funders that could align with CORAL’s Eastern Caribbean wastewater–reef and MPA‑effectiveness priorities, and help keep a short list of 2–3 flagship “reef‑positive” concepts.
- Through discussions with national partners and regional experts, help CORAL clarify priority needs for ecosystem and water‑quality monitoring.
Flexibility for Emerging Opportunities
- Subject to agreement with CORAL’s Eastern Caribbean lead, take on a limited set of additional tasks that build logically from this scope, provided they fit within the overall level of effort and do not displace core responsibilities.
Key Deliverables
Inception note (within 6–8 weeks) with refined workplan, indicative travel schedule, and short political‑economy snapshots for each country.
Four brief quarterly context and engagement reports.
Short written products as agreed with CORAL.
Level of Effort, Availability, Expenses
The consultancy will start on a part‑time basis, with an initial level of effort of approximately 10–15 days per month for the first 3–6 months. As funding and workload evolve, the role may increase to a higher part‑time or full‑time level, subject to mutual agreement. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Availability for regular coordination calls with CORAL (at least weekly) and frequent travel within the Eastern Caribbean.
All reasonable, pre‑approved travel expenses (including flights, accommodation, per diem, and local transport) will be borne by CORAL and reimbursed in line with CORAL’s travel policies. CORAL will not cover the cost of computers, phones, software licenses, or other personal supplies required to perform the consultancy
Qualifications
7–10+ years of experience in marine conservation, environmental governance, or related fields in the Caribbean.
Proven experience working with governments, communities, and NGOs on MPAs and/or wastewater/water‑quality issues.
Demonstrated skill in relationship‑building, governance, facilitation, and navigating political and institutional dynamics.
Highly organized and a clear, concise communicator, able to synthesize complex discussions into actionable notes and briefings.
Experience with user‑fee systems, benefit‑sharing, or conservation finance as an asset.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Based in or with strong operational familiarity with the Eastern Caribbean; able to travel regularly.
Management, Confidentiality, and Conflict of Interest
Essential
- The consultant will report to CORAL’s designated Eastern Caribbean lead and coordinate closely with technical staff on MPAs, wastewater, finance, and monitoring.
- All non‑public information shared under this assignment will be treated as confidential unless otherwise agreed.
- The consultant will disclose any potential conflicts of interest and avoid activities that could compromise CORAL’s objectives in the region.
CORAL Values
Collaborative: We work in partnership with individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to find real-world solutions to save coral reefs; We believe that we are stronger when we work together.
Adaptable: We pride ourselves on our ability to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems with creativity, science, and humanity.
Committed: We are dedicated to creating lasting change for coral reefs and the people who depend on them; We hold ourselves accountable to communities, supporters and each other.
Science-based: Our solutions are informed by traditional knowledge and the latest science; We use research and monitoring to tell us how to effectively keep reefs healthy so that they can adapt to the effects of climate change.
Optimistic: Our research shows that there is hope for coral reefs and the people who depend upon them; We believe that we can make a difference.
About the Coral Reef Alliance
Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is committed to saving the world’s coral reefs. We work at local, regional, and global levels to keep coral reefs healthy, so they can survive for generations to come. As one of the largest global NGOs focused exclusively on coral reefs, CORAL has used cutting-edge science and community engagement for nearly 30 years to reduce direct threats to reefs and to promote scalable and effective solutions for their protection.
The CORAL team is dedicated, passionate, and outcome-oriented. CORAL has 30 team members across remote work sites in the US, as well as at project sites in Hawai‘i, Mexico, and Honduras. Governed by an 11-15 member Board of Directors and supported by a flourishing group of conservation leaders and donors, CORAL has an annual budget that has grown to $5.5M.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following in a single PDF file by email to [email protected], with the subject line “Eastern Caribbean Senior Advisor – Marine Conservation”:
- A one-page cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation for this consultancy.
- A current CV (maximum 3 pages), including contact details for two professional referees.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 3, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.