Consultant – Ecotourism development in Lamu and Kwale Counties (TERMS OF REFERENCE)
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Job summary
The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen community-led marine ecotourism as a sustainable conservation and livelihood strategy, by supporting the planning, development, commercialisation and management of nature-based tourism enterprises along the Kenya Coast.
Experience Level:
Senior level
Experience Length:
10 years
Language Requirement:
English
Working Hours:
Contract - 8 to 5
Applicant Location:
Kenya
Job descriptions & requirements
Consultant – Ecotourism development in Lamu and Kwale Counties
1. Background
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global conservation and animal welfare organisation working to secure a world in which animals and people thrive together. IFAW's programmes combine species protection, habitat conservation, community partnership and policy engagement, recognising that durable conservation outcomes depend on the wellbeing, rights and economic security of the people who share landscapes and seascapes with wildlife.
In Kenya, IFAW works with government agencies, community institutions, conservation partners and the private sector to reduce pressure on threatened ecosystems while expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities for the communities that depend on them.
The Kenyan coastline hosts some of East Africa's most valuable marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, estuaries and coastal forests. These systems provide breeding and nursery grounds for marine species, buffer coastal communities against climate-related shocks, sustain artisanal fisheries, and offer significant potential for responsible nature-based tourism.
IFAW's marine work on the Kenya Coast focuses on protecting marine megafauna and the migratory corridors on which they depend, strengthening locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) and community-governed conservation areas, and building the capacity of coastal communities to manage marine resources sustainably. This work is delivered in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, county governments, Beach Management Units, community conservancies, research institutions and partner organisations.
Despite the richness of these natural assets, the coastal region records some of the highest poverty levels in Kenya, and many households remain dependent on extractive livelihoods that place mounting pressure on fragile marine ecosystems. At the same time, coastal tourism remains concentrated around conventional beach and resort products. Community participation in tourism value chains is limited, few community-owned experiences are market-ready or commercially packaged, and the linkage between visitor spending and conservation outcomes is weak or absent in most destinations.
IFAW recognises well-governed ecotourism as a credible conservation incentive: it can generate diversified household income, create a direct economic rationale for protecting marine habitats and species, and strengthen community ownership of conservation decisions. Realising this potential requires more than product ideas. It requires capable community institutions, transparent benefit sharing, commercially viable business models, verified market linkages and clear environmental and visitor management standards.
IFAW therefore seeks to engage an experienced Ecotourism Consultant to provide strategic and technical leadership in the assessment, design, development and commercialisation of community-led marine ecotourism initiatives along the Kenya Coast. The consultant will work with IFAW, community organisations, national and county government agencies, conservation partners and private sector tourism actors to develop commercially viable tourism products that deliver measurable conservation, livelihood and community development outcomes.
2. Purpose of the assignment
The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen community-led marine ecotourism as a sustainable conservation and livelihood strategy, by supporting the planning, development, commercialisation and management of nature-based tourism enterprises along the Kenya Coast.
The assignment will contribute to increased community participation in tourism value chains, improved destination competitiveness and readiness, strengthened local governance, and stronger conservation incentives generated through sustainable tourism.
3. Scope of work and level of effort
The assignment is structured across the workstreams below:
Workstream | Key Activities | Deliverables
Workstream 1: Project inception and planning
• Inception meetings and consultations
• Stakeholder mapping and analysis
• Development of methodology and tools
• Preparation of work plan and reporting schedule
Deliverable 1: Inception Phase Deliverable
Workstream 2: Ecotourism assessment and market analysis
• Tourism resource and attraction assessment
• Ecotourism opportunity analysis
• Tourism value chain mapping
• Market and competitor analysis
• Visitor demand assessment
• Opportunity prioritization
Deliverable 2: Assessment and Analysis Package
Workstream 3: Community enterprise and destination development
• Enterprise diagnostics and needs assessment
• Governance and institutional capacity assessment
• Community engagement and codesign workshops
• Development of enterprise growth pathways
• Destination planning and visitor readiness assessment
• Institutional strengthening recommendations
Deliverable 3: Enterprise and Destination Development Package
Workstream 4: Product Development and Market Linkages
• Product identification and packaging
• Experience design and quality assurance
• Development of implementation guidelines
• Business planning and financial modeling
• Market access assessment
• Buyer and partnership mapping
• Investment readiness support
Deliverable 4: Product and Business Development Package
Workstream 5: Capacity building, mentorship and learning
• Training needs assessment
• Development of training curriculum and materials
• Delivery of training and workshops
• Enterprise coaching and mentorship
• Progress monitoring and adaptive support
• Learning documentation and knowledge sharing
Deliverable 5: Capacity Building, Mentorship and Monitoring Package
Workstream 6: Monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Development of performance indicators
• Design of monitoring tools and templates
• Outcome tracking and data analysis
• Lessons learned and case studies documentation
• Validation of findings with stakeholders
• Final reporting and dissemination
Deliverable 6: Final Reporting and Learning Package
The consultancy is expected to span approximately ten (10) months from the date of contract signature, with an estimated sixty (60) to eighty (80) professional working days. The assignment combines field missions to selected sites along the Kenya Coast with remote technical work, report writing, mentorship and stakeholder coordination.
Applicants shall propose their own allocation of days across the workstreams in the financial proposal. The final level of effort, field mission schedule and payment milestones will be agreed during the inception phase.
4. Timeline and duration
Deliverable || Key Contents || Indicative Timing
Inception Phase Deliverable
Inception Report, detailed work plan, methodology, stakeholder mapping and engagement plan, implementation schedule, risk management approach, and reporting framework.
Month 1
Assessment and Analysis Package
Ecotourism Opportunity Assessment Report; Tourism Value Chain Assessment; Market Assessment;
analysis of tourism assets, demand trends, market opportunities, constraints, and recommendations for enterprise development and destination positioning.
Months 2-3
Enterprise and Destination Development Package
Community Enterprise Development Plan; Governance and Institutional Strengthening Framework; Destination Development and Visitor Readiness Plan, including institutional arrangements, community participation mechanisms, infrastructure and service readiness recommendations.
Months 4-7
Product and Business Development Package
Market-Ready Ecotourism Product Portfolio; Product Development and Implementation Guidelines; Market Access and Business Development Strategy; Enterprise Business Plans and investment readiness recommendations.
Months 5-6
Capacity Building, Mentorship and Monitoring Package
Capacity Building Programme and Training Curriculum; Training Materials; Facilitation Reports; Periodic Mentorship and Progress Reports; Monitoring Framework and Data Collection Tools to track enterprise performance and project outcomes.
Months 4-9 (Rolling)
Final Reporting and Learning Package
Final Consultancy Report; Learning and Knowledge Management Report; documentation of achievements, lessons learned, challenges, sustainability measures, and recommendations for scale-up and replication.
Month 10
5. Reporting and Coordination
The consultant will report directly to the IFAW Programme Manager, who will provide overall technical oversight, guidance throughout the assignment, and review and approve all deliverables. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that all outputs meet the agreed quality standards and are submitted within the specified timelines.
The consultant will work closely with IFAW technical staff and collaborate with a range of stakeholders, including community organizations, the Kenya Wildlife Service, relevant national and county government agencies, conservation partners, and private sector tourism stakeholders. This collaboration will be essential to ensure that project activities are aligned with stakeholder priorities and that outputs are informed by diverse perspectives and expertise.
Throughout the assignment, the consultant will participate in scheduled planning, coordination, and review meetings and will provide monthly progress updates to IFAW. Any risks, delays, challenges, or constraints that may affect implementation or delivery of outputs should be communicated promptly and in writing to enable timely mitigation and decision-making.
IFAW will support the consultancy by facilitating introductions to target communities, project partners, and relevant stakeholders. In addition, IFAW will provide access to available background information, project documentation, datasets, and previous assessments relevant to the assignment.
The consultant shall act as an independent service provider and shall not represent IFAW in any official capacity, make commitments on behalf of the organization, or engage with donors, media representatives, or government officials on policy matters without prior written authorization from IFAW.
6. Required qualification and experience
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable tourism development, community based tourism, destination development or conservation-linked enterprise development.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing community-based ecotourism programmes, evidenced by completed assignments.
• Strong working knowledge of tourism value chains, tourism market systems and private sector engagement, including established relationships within the Kenyan travel trade.
• Proven experience in tourism product development, business development and destination management.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating participatory planning and multi-stakeholder engagement processes.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation and report-writing skills in English.
Desirable
• Experience working on marine or coastal conservation initiatives, and familiarity with locally managed marine areas, community conservancies and Beach
Management Units.
• Prior work along the Kenya Coast and knowledge of the local operating context.
• Experience with donor-funded programmes and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Working proficiency in Kiswahili.
• Experience integrating gender equality, disability and social inclusion into enterprise development
8. How to Apply
Please send the following to supplierea@ifaw.org
• Cover letter (Maximum 1 Page) and CV demonstrating relevant technical experience
• Brief technical and financial proposal, including a proposed approach
• Work samples from relevant prior assignments.
Deadline for receiving applications is close of business Monday 28th September 2026
Format of application – Single PDF File
Subject of application email should read: Ecotourism development Consultancy
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