JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Be Part of a National Model for Community‑Led Conservation

This consultancy offers a rare opportunity to contribute to one of PNG’s most respected community‑based conservation initiatives. Your expertise will help strengthen governance systems that protect biodiversity, support local livelihoods, and shape national best practices for protected area management. If you’re passionate about conservation, governance, and community empowerment in Papua New Guinea, we’d love to hear from you.

Consultancy Opportunity: YUS Conservation Area Governance & Management Effectiveness

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program – Papua New Guinea (TKCP‑PNG)

Contract Duration: May 2026 – December 2027 (actual duration may change)
Location: Lae, with travel to YUS Conservation Area in Kabwum, Morobe Province.

About YUS Conservation Area and Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program

The YUS Conservation Area is Papua New Guinea’s first Conservation Area, spanning 162,683 hectares from the Saruwaget Range to the Bismarck Sea. Most of the conservation area is located in YUS Local Level Government, Kabwum District, Morobe province. The conservation area was gazetted in 2009 under the Conservation Areas Act of 1978. The area provides protection for a broad range of endemic and endangered species, promotes sustainable management of natural resources by its 15,000 indigenous residents among 50 remote villages, and serves as a national model for the conservation of customary-owned land. The YUS Conservation Area is governed by Conservation Area Management Committee comprising of all levels of government representative and community representative through their community-based organisation.

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program-PNG is a local NGO based in Lae, Morobe Province that provides technical support in the management of the YUS Conservation Area. Formally established in 2013, its technical staff implement programs across wildlife research and monitoring, community livelihoods and sustainability.

About the Opportunity

The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program – PNG (TKCP‑PNG) is seeking a highly qualified specialist organisation or individual consultant to lead a major governance and community‑capacity strengthening initiative across the YUS Conservation Area.

This consultancy is part of TKCP’s multi‑year effort to strengthen community‑based governance, improve stakeholder accountability, and enhance management effectiveness for PNG’s first nationally designated Conservation Area. The work is supported by the British Government under the Darwin Initiative.

The successful consultant will work closely with TKCP’s Governance & Engagement Manager to deliver targeted training, coaching, participatory assessments, and practical tools that empower Ward Councillors, Community‑Based Organisations (CBOs), and community leaders to fulfil their roles in conservation governance.

Why This Work Matters

The YUS Conservation Area spans 163,000 hectares and protects globally significant biodiversity, including the endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo. It is home to more than 15,000 people across 50 villages, all of whom rely on customary land and local governance systems.

Recent assessments (METT 2021, SAPA 2021) highlight critical gaps in governance, representation, and coordination between communities and government stakeholders. Strengthening these systems is essential to ensuring long‑term conservation success and improved community well‑being.

This consultancy will directly contribute to:

• Improved community participation in protected area governance
• Stronger Ward‑level planning and representation
• Increased capacity of newly formed CBOs
• More effective stakeholder coordination through the YUS Conservation Area Management Committee (CAMC)

Scope of Work

The consultant will deliver an interlinked series of activities across 2026–2027, including:

1. Community‑Based Organisation (CBO) Capacity Strengthening

• Conduct a literature review on CBOs in PNG protected areas
• Develop an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) template and interview guide
• Train interviewers and support OCA implementation in YUS
• Analyse OCA results and produce a comprehensive report
• Develop training manuals covering:
• Effective leadership
• Public advocacy
• Group facilitation
• Conflict resolution
• Persuasive presentation & public speaking
• Project management
• Deliver a Training‑of‑Trainers (ToT) program for CBO leaders
• Develop coaching and guidance tools for ongoing mentoring

2. Strengthening Community Engagement in Ward & LLG Planning

• Support Ward Councillors and Ward Development Committees in participatory planning
• Facilitate community forums and governance workshops
• Provide mentoring and monthly coaching transcripts
• Support integration of community priorities into Ward, LLG, and District planning processes

3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Develop Monitoring & Evaluation questionnaires and tools
• Deliver M&E training and produce workshop reports
• Produce a comprehensive end‑of‑project report

Deliverables & Compensation

Payments are tied agreed deliverables upon contracting. Additionally, TKCP will cover consultant travel, accommodation, workshop venues, and approved materials.

Required Qualifications

We are seeking organisations or individuals with:

• Demonstrated experience in community‑based conservation, protected area governance, or customary land management in PNG
• Strong background in capacity building, training design, and facilitation
• Experience working with Ward Councils, LLGs, or community governance structures
• Proven ability to produce high‑quality analytical reports and training materials
• Excellent communication skills and cultural competency working with rural PNG communities
• Ability to travel to remote areas and work collaboratively with TKCP staff

How to Apply

Interested organisations or individuals should submit:

• A cover letter outlining relevant experience
• A technical proposal describing your approach to the Scope of Work
• A financial proposal
• CVs of key personnel
• Examples of previous similar work
• IPA and IRC documents to confirm business entity.

Applications should be submitted by: 8th May 2026
Send to: [email protected]