📢 Job Opportunity with WCS!

WCS is looking for a "Biodiversity assessment of Phou Hi Phi National Protected Area "  to join our team.

📍 Location: Xay and La districts Oudomxay province 
🗓️ Duration: November 2026 to January 2027 (3 months)
• Type: Consultancy, fixed term
• Reports to (Supervisors): Senior Technical Advisor
• Country Program/Sector: WCS Lao Program, Greater Mekong Region, GCP 
• Expected travel: As required within the country to field offices, and internationally if/when needed

• 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 Phou Hi Phi Forest was designated as a Provincial Protected Area in 1996. At that time, the area demarcation did not yet have modern tools for area calculation, and the area was estimated to be approximately 22,800 hectares (Nam Kat river in Xay district zone). In 2007, a technical team from the Department of Forestry conducted a survey of the protected area using modern tools to help calculate the area, which was revised from 22,800 hectares to 19,700 hectares. In early 2009, the province proposed an additional 30,000 hectares, which was a restoration area of Xay District. Two other sites were also included: the Nam Heung watershed protection forest area in La District with an area of 6,250 hectares, and the forest restoration area of La District with an area of 31,400 hectares. In total, the combined area became 87,350 hectares. After that, Oudomxay Province submitted a proposal to upgrade it to a National Protected Area (NPA) (decree designated No. 396/PM, dated 11 Sep 2012).

The Wildlife Conservation Society, Lao PDR (WCS) recently signed a cooperation agreement with GIZ to update the Management Plan for Nam Kan, Nam Ha, Phou Hi Phi, Nam Poui, Nam Xam and Nam Et Phou Louey National Park and include Guidelines on categorization. To support the Phou Hi Phi NPA management planning process in 2026-2035 the following analyses will be made and compiled for Phou Hi Phi NPA;(1) biodiversity information, including terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna; (2) analyses of threats to this biodiversity; (3) the bio-physical environment; (4) topography and landscape conditions; (4) climate/weather conditions; (5) hydrology and geology; and (6) proposals for updated village landuse plans and boundary delineation.  All these activities are recommended under the NPA decree and Forestry Law. To achieve data collection and technical report, WCS Laos would like to hire an expert consultant to conduct an assessment on the biodiversity of the area.

• Objectives:
The main question to be addressed - What are the current conservation priorities for Phou Hi Phi NPA in terms of species, habitats

The overall objectives of this consultancy are:
1. Complete a 16-day field mission including 10 days in the forest to assess biodiversity status in Phou Hi Phi NPA,
2. Complete a formal assessment of the current biodiversity conservation status and targets of Phou Hi Phi that will be embedded into management. This will be based on the survey area, which will be representative of overall habitats.
3. Assess threats and their perceived impact on wildlife and habitat conditions.

• Scope and Duties
A. Forest Transect and Camp Survey:
• Cover a route transecting the NPA with camps and tangent explorations to explore areas of potentially important habitat along the way
• Collect observational data on wildlife directly observed and on wildlife spoors.
• Collect observational data on habitats walked through
• Collect data on threats observed.
• Train WCS and government staff involved in the survey in methods used

B. Reporting:
• Provide all data to WCS
• Collect the data collected into a draft overview for WCS to finalize.
• Review and edit the report after WCS input
• The report should be included in the biodiversity baseline information, threat analyses, biological environment/Bio-physical environment, Topography/Terrain/Landscape conditions, Climate/Weather conditions, Hydrology, Geological system/Geology, Wildlife and aquatic animals/Terrestrial and aquatic fauna, Forests and flora/Forest resources and plant species.

C. Further details of task
• The biodiversity expert will evaluate and analyze the current situation compared to other forests of the area. Based on knowledge and data from other northern Lao forests and informed assumptions of prior states, the field assessment will provide a baseline for the species of significance and critical habitats.
• This biodiversity assessment will inform management and recommendations should be made, based on accurate scientific knowledge and reasoning, on what conservation targets should be, e.g. habitats that need special conservation focus because of the high level of endemism associated with it, or species that need special conservation focus.
• For management, the above also needs to be illustrated spatially. Where do the habitats and species requiring conservation attention occur?
• The consultant should also provide recommendations on management needs for the above-mentioned conservation areas. Which areas require total protection? Which areas can continue to hold their biodiversity value while used by local communities?
• The consultant can coordinate with the Nam Kat Yorla Pa resort, who already hold some basic biodiversity data from within their concession area, mostly on invertebrates, birds and reptiles.
• Make recommendations for biodiversity monitoring in relation to conservation targets

4. Key deliverables and expected timeline
The consultant will provide:
• Complete dataset, including raw survey data, field notes, and photographs.
• Draft biodiversity assessment report.
• Final biodiversity assessment report incorporating WCS comments and feedback. 
Final Report Due: 28th Febuary 2027

Timeline
• Field assessment: November 2026 – January 2027
• Detailed timeline to be developed by the consultant, in collaboration with the Phou Hiphi Management Unit and WCS.

🎓 Applicant’s profile:
The consultant should possess:
• Extensive field experience conducting biodiversity and wildlife surveys in northern Lao PDR.
• Strong knowledge of the status and distribution of mammals and birds in Lao PDR and the Greater Mekong region.
• Demonstrated experience in biodiversity assessment, protected area management, and conservation planning.
• Proven record of scientific publications, technical reports, or significant contributions to biodiversity research related to mammals and birds in the Greater Mekong region.
• Experience working with government agencies, protected area authorities, and conservation organizations in Southeast Asia.

📬 To Apply:
Interested candidates should apply by emailing a Proposal that address the criteria outlined in the qualifications and experience section, links/examples that demonstrate skills and expected Rate to: 📧 recruitmentlaos@wcs.org  

🗓️ Deadline: 21st October 2026

📝 Subject line: Please include “Consultancy - Biodiversity Survey of Phou Hi Phi NPA(Xay and La Districts, Oudomxay Province)” in the subject line of your email.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.