Job Opportunities

Términos de Referencia (TdR)
Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund)

Evaluación del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones de MAR Fund

1. Introducción:

El Mesoamerican Reef Fund Inc. (MAR Fund) es un fondo ambiental regional cuyo objetivo principal es proteger la ecorregión del Arrecife Mesoamericano (SAM) compartida entre México, Belice, Guatemala y Honduras. Su misión es buscar, asegurar y facilitar financiamiento regional, fomentar alianzas y promover el desarrollo de capacidades para la conservación, restauración y uso sostenible de los ecosistemas marinos y costeros en el SAM.

MAR Fund desarrolla sus actividades a través de seis programas: 1) Salvando nuestras áreas protegidas, 2) Pesca para el Futuro, 3) Cambio Climático, 4) Fondo Marino de Belice, 5) Agua limpia para el arrecife, y 6) Economía azul y regenerativa. Además, MAR Fund ha apoyado el establecimiento y operación de redes regionales como la Red de Conectividad, la Red de Restauración de Arrecifes y, más recientemente, la Red de Sitios de Agregaciones Reproductivas de Peces.

El Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones (PPD) es uno de los mecanismos de financiamiento más longevos y flexibles de MAR Fund. Gracias a su adaptabilidad frente a los retos y amenazas regionales, el PPD ha apoyado proyectos estratégicos vinculados a todos los programas de la organización. El PPD es financiado por fondos patrimoniales aportados por la Cooperación Alemana a través de KfW y del Fondo Francés para el Medio Ambiente Mundial (FFEM), así como por fondos programáticos de la Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. Estos recursos han permitido impulsar iniciativas locales que contribuyen a la protección de áreas marinas y costeras prioritarias, el uso sostenible de los recursos marino-costeros y la conservación de las funciones ecológicas del SAM.

MAR Fund lleva a cabo evaluaciones externas del PPD aproximadamente cada cinco años. La evaluación 2025 tiene como finalidad contar con un análisis independiente de las convocatorias implementadas y de los principales resultados alcanzados, así como con recomendaciones y lecciones aprendidas que orienten la mejora continua, la efectividad y sostenibilidad del Programa en el futuro.

2. Antecedentes del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones

El Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones de MAR Fund cuenta con dos ventanas financieras: 1) la ventana Tradicional que se centra en contribuir a la conservación de las funciones ecosistémicas del SAM y a su resiliencia y 2) la ventana de la Iniciativa de Rescate de Arrecife que busca apoyar a la restauración, repoblación y rehabilitación de arrecifes de coral del SAM. Una vez al año, organizaciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales, instituciones académicas, organizaciones de la sociedad civil y grupos comunitarios organizados de los cuatro países de la región del SAM tienen la oportunidad de presentar propuestas que respondan a uno o más de los objetivos específicos establecidos en cada convocatoria.

Desde 2006, MAR Fund ha lanzado 18 convocatorias a través de las cuales se han apoyado 159 proyectos ejecutados por más de 40 organizaciones de la sociedad civil, la academia y el sector gubernamental en los cuatro países de la región.

3. Objetivo de la consultoría
El objetivo de la consultoría es realizar una evaluación independiente ex post de una muestra de al menos 8 proyectos, distribuidos entre los cuatro países de la región y financiados por el Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones, correspondientes a las convocatorias 10ª a la 15ª, que ya han concluido sus actividades. La evaluación se basará en los criterios de pertinencia, eficiencia, eficacia, impacto y sostenibilidad, y permitirá obtener una valoración externa de los principales resultados alcanzados, junto con recomendaciones para fortalecer y mejorar el diseño y la implementación futura del Programa.

4. Metodología y Resultados
La metodología para la evaluación combinará la revisión documental, la visita de campo y la consulta a actores clave, con el fin de generar información basada en evidencia que sea creíble, confiable y útil para la toma de decisiones.

El evaluador o evaluadora llevará a cabo entrevistas con el equipo técnico de MAR Fund involucrado en el Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones, los Puntos Focales, miembros del Comité de Evaluación de Propuestas y los ejecutores de los proyectos seleccionados en los cuatro países de la región.

Como condición previa, la persona consultora deberá familiarizarse con los documentos relevantes, entre ellos el Manual del Ciclo de Proyectos, los textos de las convocatorias, el Sistema de Gestión Ambiental y Social de MAR Fund, las tablas de resumen de los proyectos apoyados, los resultados de encuestas a ejecutores, así como los informes intermedios y finales de los proyectos. El trabajo se desarrollará en estrecha coordinación con el personal técnico de MAR Fund.

La evaluación se llevará a cabo con base en los criterios de pertinencia, eficiencia, eficacia, impacto y sostenibilidad. La pertinencia analizará la coherencia de los proyectos respecto a las necesidades de los beneficiarios, de protección, restauración y uso sostenible de los recursos naturales en la región, de los contextos local y regional, y de las políticas nacionales. La eficiencia examinará la capacidad de transformar recursos financieros, humanos y de tiempo en productos de calidad en los plazos previstos. La eficacia medirá el nivel de cumplimiento de los objetivos y resultados esperados. El impacto evaluará los cambios de largo plazo, positivos o negativos, directos o indirectos, atribuibles a los proyectos. Finalmente, la sostenibilidad examinará la continuidad de los beneficios alcanzados, las capacidades de las organizaciones para mantenerlos y la existencia de condiciones que favorezcan su permanencia.

Cada criterio será analizado con base en una guía de preguntas adaptada (adjunta a este documento) de las Pautas Generales para la Evaluación Ex Post de Proyectos de Inversión Pública (Agencia de Cooperación Internacional del Japón (JICA) y Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas del Perú (MEF). 2012), la cual fue ajustada a la naturaleza de los proyectos del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones.

Para más información, por favor descargue TdR – Clic aquí

5. Actividades de la consultoría
Las actividades a realizar por el/la consultor/a se ejecutarán conforme al calendario detallado a ser acordado con el/la consultor/a y la oficial del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones de MAR Fund. Las principales actividades a realizar durante la consultoría serán las siguientes:

1. Establecer, junto con el equipo encargado de MAR Fund, el calendario de actividades a desarrollar y el índice del informe final del documento de evaluación.
2. Proponer los criterios que guiarán la selección de los proyectos a evaluar, a ser discutidos y acordados con el equipo encargado de MAR Fund.
3. Seleccionar los proyectos a evaluar junto con el equipo encargado de MAR Fund. Se seleccionarán al menos 8 proyectos, al menos uno por país.
4. Analizar la documentación sobre el Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones y los documentos de los proyectos seleccionados.

Para más información, por favor descargue TdR – Clic aquí

6. Entregables esperados de la misión
Los resultados esperados, producto de la evaluación, serán los siguientes:

1. Un plan de trabajo y calendario, a ser presentado a los 7 días hábiles a partir del arranque de la consultoría.
2. Informe Inicial con la presentación de la documentación consultada y los hallazgos iniciales y puntos de atención a tener en cuenta durante las misiones a las áreas. Incluirá el borrador del índice y estructura del informe final, incluyendo un esquema de cómo se presentará la información solicitada. Este informe será preparado desde la sede del consultor y presentado a los 15 días hábiles a partir del arranque de la consultoría.
3. El primer borrador del informe final será entregado 15 días hábiles después de haber concluido las visitas a las áreas. El documento deberá contener lo siguiente:

• • Una breve descripción del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones y una descripción de los criterios que guiaron la evaluación de los proyectos seleccionados.
  • Resultados de las evaluaciones a los proyectos del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones realizadas con relación a los siguientes parámetros: a) Pertinencia, b) Eficiencia, c) Eficacia, d) Impacto, y e) Sostenibilidad.
  • Una apreciación externa de los principales resultados obtenidos sobre el Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones.
  • Un capítulo que brinde un conjunto de conclusiones, lecciones y recomendaciones.

Este documento será objeto de observaciones por parte de MAR Fund. Las observaciones se enviarán al consultor a más tardar 15 días hábiles después de su recepción.

4. El informe final, a ser aprobado por MAR Fund, será elaborado en español e inglés (2 versiones), e incluirá un resumen ejecutivo de 5 páginas. Este informe será entregado al equipo de MAR Fund a más tardar 7 días hábiles después de haber recibido las últimas observaciones.

Para más información, por favor descargue TdR – Clic aquí

7. Principales Fuentes de información y referencia
Para la realización de esta sistematización de proyectos, se contará con el siguiente apoyo:

• Manual del Ciclo de Proyectos.
• Mapa con la ubicación de los proyectos sujetos a evaluación, de ambas ventanas.
• Informes técnicos y financieros (intermedios y finales) de los proyectos apoyados de la 10ª a la 15ª convocatoria.

8. Perfil del experto/a
Se busca un/a consultor/a con experiencia en manejo y evaluación de proyectos, especialmente en consultorías relacionadas con la conservación y gestión de áreas marino-costeras protegidas, que cuente con una sólida formación académica, preferentemente en torno a recursos naturales y conservación o áreas afines. Debe poseer excelentes habilidades de comunicación verbal y escrita en inglés y español, con capacidad para producir documentos de alta calidad en ambos idiomas, y disponibilidad para viajar dentro de la región del SAM, con pasaporte y visas vigentes y seguro médico internacional.

9. Organización y desarrollo de las actividades
La supervisión de la actividad estará a cargo de la oficial del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones.

10. Plazos de la consultoría
La consultoría tendrá una duración de 60 días. Los productos se entregarán en español y en inglés en formato electrónico (Word MS Office) a la oficial del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones de MAR Fund para su aprobación.

11. Documentación requerida

1. Curriculum Vitae (versión completa en inglés y español), incluir foto reciente.
2. Tres referencias personales.
3. Propuesta técnica y financiera. Además de la metodología y plan de trabajo, deberá incluir un presupuesto para el consultor (horas de trabajo para la consultoría) y un presupuesto para los viajes.

12. Fecha límite y contacto
La fecha límite para recibir la información requerida en formato Word o PDF es el 31 de octubre de 2025. Por favor remítala a la oficial del Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones de MAR Fund, Elisa Blanda, al correo electrónico eblanda@marfund.org.

Terms of Reference:
CONSULTANCY: FEASIBILITY STUDY OF SANITARY LANDFILL FOR SARGASSUM DISPOSAL IN QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO.

1. Background:
The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR), stretching over 1,000 km along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. It supports ecosystems and economies valued at approximately USD $4.5 billion annually through tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection (WRI, 2016). However, declining reef health threatens these benefits and could result in economic losses reaching billions of dollars by 2030 (Burke et al., 2011). The Mesoamerican Reef Fund promotes reef conservation through funding mechanisms and strategic partnerships. One such initiative is MAR+Invest, launched in 2022 by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. MAR+Invest focuses on financing reef-positive ventures, including sustainable tourism, waste management, and other nature-based solutions (UNEP, 2022). More information is available at mar-invest.org.

Sargassum, a brown macroalgae that forms part of the “Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt,” has increasingly inundated Caribbean shores, especially along the coastline of Quintana Roo. As it decomposes, sargassum releases nutrients and toxins that damage coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves. It also emits hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ammonia, contributing to unpleasant odors and potential health issues. In 2024, Quintana Roo collected approximately 37,000 tonnes of sargassum, an increase of 60% compared to 2023 (Mexico News Daily, n.d.-a). When improperly disposed of in unlined sites, sargassum can leach heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium, threatening both groundwater and nearby marine ecosystems (Western, n.d.; Florida Department of Health, 2023). Anaerobic decomposition further exacerbates the issue by producing methane and H₂S, posing serious environmental and public health risks (United States EPA, n.d.; Vázquez-Delfín et al., 2024).

Carbonwave, a company that transforms sargassum into agricultural and cosmetic products, plays a key role in valorizing this biomass. However, current collection volumes exceed processing capacity, leaving residual waste that requires safe disposal. To address this, MAR+Invest and Carbonwave are proposing a feasibility study for the development of a sanitary landfill designed specifically for sargassum. This facility would comply with Mexican environmental standards (e.g., NOM-083-SEMARNAT-2003) and include safeguards such as impermeable liners, leachate collection systems, and gas control infrastructure to mitigate environmental impacts.

2. Objectives of the consultancy
The overall objective of this consultancy is to assess the feasibility of adapting and operating a sanitary landfill dedicated to Sargassum disposal in Quintana Roo, Mexico, to safely manage the region’s sargassum influx in an environmentally sound manner. This entails a comprehensive evaluation of technical, environmental, and regulatory aspects to ensure that any proposed landfill solution:

1. Meets environmental protection standards: effectively containing or treating leachate and gas emissions to prevent pollution of soil, groundwater, and air (thereby mitigating impacts on the MAR coastal ecosystem and nearby communities).
2. Complies with Mexican laws and guidelines: adhering to all relevant federal and state regulations for waste disposal (including Official Mexican Standards (NOMs) and Quintana Roo’s specific permitting requirements for waste management and coastal protection).
3. It is technically and economically feasible: identifying suitable site options and necessary infrastructure (liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring systems, etc.), evaluating operational requirements, and estimating costs for implementation and maintenance.
4. Needs to be demonstrated through an experiment to to measure leachate generation and composition, gas emissions (e.g. methane, H₂S), and other “fermentation” by-products, to inform the full-scale design of a landfill solution and assess potential impacts.

By achieving these objectives, the consultancy will provide MAR Fund, Carbonwave, and local authorities with a clear roadmap for establishing a sanitary sargassum landfill that protects the environment while handling the growing volumes of beached seaweed. The findings will guide decision-making on whether and how to proceed to full-scale project development, including any further investment, engineering design, or Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) that may be required.

3. Contract responsibilities
To accomplish the above objectives, the consultant or consulting team will carry out the following scope of work:

1. Preliminary Research and Site Selection: Conduct a review of current sargassum disposal practices and alternatives in the region (e.g., landfilling, composting, agricultural uses), and identify potential site(s) in Quintana Roo for a dedicated landfill. This should include evaluating existing facilities operated by municipalities or private operators that could be upgraded, as well as assessing new site options.
2. Sargassum Waste Management Infrastructure Analysis: Assess the existing waste collection and transportation infrastructure for sargassum in Quintana Roo. This involves understanding how sargassum is currently collected (e.g. by Navy boats, municipal crews, contractors) and transported to disposal sites and evaluating whether the current logistics can support the operation of a dedicated landfill. The consultant should evaluate the capacity and conditions of any current landfill or dumpsite being used for sargassum (e.g. capacity remaining, presence or absence of liners/leachate systems, operational practices).

For more information – Please download ToR – Click here

Deliverables
The consultancy will produce several key deliverables to document the work and results:

1. A technical feasibility study report detailing all analyses, findings, and recommendations from the tasks above. This report should include an executive summary, methodology, results (with supporting data, graphs, and maps as needed), conclusions, and recommendations. It should be provided in English.
2. A PowerPoint presentation (in English and Spanish) summarizing the objectives, approach, key findings, and recommendations. This presentation will be used to communicate results to stakeholders (e.g. MAR+Invest partners, local authorities, donors) in a concise format.
3. An Excel data workbook containing all raw and processed data collected during the study and pilot implementation. This should include, at minimum, the environmental monitoring data from the pilot (leachate analysis results, gas readings over time, etc.), as well as any relevant site evaluation data, cost calculations, or regulatory checklists compiled during the consultancy. The data should be well- organized and labeled, enabling independent review or future reference.
4. A short video (approximately 5 minutes) and pictures capturing the pilot trial and results. The video should visually document the pilot landfill setup and operation, including footage or images of the site, the process of laying liners and collecting sargassum, interviews or commentary explaining the project’s purpose, and highlights of the outcomes. The video is meant for communication purposes to showcase what was done and the benefits of proper sargassum management. It should be of good quality suitable for presentation to stakeholders or on websites.

All deliverables should be prepared to high professional standards. All data collected (monitoring results, analysis outputs, photographs, etc.) must be handed over to MAR Fund and Carbonwave along with the final report. Photographic images should be provided in high resolution. If the consultant captures any photos or videos that include identifiable people, the consultant must obtain written consent (release forms) from those individuals for use of their image in project communications.

For more information – Please download ToR – Click here

4. Oversight
The consultant will work under the direct oversight of the MAR+Invest Coordinator at MAR Fund, who will serve as the focal point for this consultancy. The MAR+Invest Coordinator will be responsible for overall supervision, facilitating access to information, and coordinating the review and approval of deliverables. The coordinator will also liaise with MAR Fund’s donor (GFCR/Pegasus Capital) as needed for any technical reviews.

In addition, the consultant will work in close coordination with the Research & Development (R&D) team of Carbonwave. Carbonwave’s R&D staff will provide technical input regarding sargassum characteristics, operational practicalities of collection/upcycling, and desired outcomes. They will collaborate with the consultant especially on pilot design details and will review technical deliverables to ensure they meet the innovative goals of the project. The R&D team may also assist in providing access to Carbonwave’s facilities or data if needed (for example, if the pilot is conducted near an area where Carbonwave operates, or if previous sargassum analysis data is available). Regular update meetings (e.g. biweekly or monthly) will be held with MAR Fund and Carbonwave representatives to monitor progress. The consultant is expected to maintain open communication lines, promptly raise any issues or needs (such as delays, additional resources, or changes in scope), and incorporate feedback from the oversight team.

Final approval: of all products and reports will be agreed with MAR Fund. The MAR+Invest Coordinator, in consultation with Carbonwave and relevant experts, will review each delivery for quality and completeness. Only upon written approval by MAR Fund will a deliverable be considered accepted. The consultant should factor in time for revisions based on feedback in the work plan.

For more information – Please download ToR – Click here

5. Duration of the contract
This consultancy is expected to last a maximum of 12 months from the date of contract signature. Work is anticipated to commence in September 2025 (exact start date to be determined upon contracting). The timeline below is an approximation and will be refined in the consultant’s work plan:

• Months 1-3: Preliminary research, site visits, stakeholder consultations, and site selection (Tasks A & B). Initial regulatory review and permitting discussions (Task C). Submission of a brief inception report and work plan after the first month; draft site selection and regulatory findings report by end of Month 3.
• Months 4-5: Detailed pilot design and preparation (Task D). This includes engineering design of the pilot cell, procurement/installation of materials, and setup of monitoring systems. Permitting processes should be initiated in this period if required for the pilot.
• Months 6-8: Pilot implementation and active monitoring phase (Task E & F). Sargassum will be placed and observed, data collection ongoing. This period may vary depending on sargassum availability, so the schedule should be adjusted to ensure the pilot captures a realistic scenario of disposal.
• Months 9-10: Data analysis as the pilot concludes, and formulation of draft feasibility study report (Task F). Additional consultations with authorities on preliminary findings (especially if any regulatory or design adjustments are indicated by pilot results).
• Months 11-12: Finalization of deliverables, incorporate feedback from MAR Fund/Carbonwave on the draft report, finalize the report, presentation, and video. Conclude any pending activities and formally close the pilot site (ensure proper decommissioning or interim measures for the pilot cell until full project execution).

The above timeline is an estimation, and the consultant may propose a slightly different schedule of tasks based on their methodology. The key is to align the schedule with sargassum seasonal patterns and allow sufficient time for thorough analysis. Any extension beyond 12 months would require justification and approval by MAR Fund. Conversely, a significantly shorter duration (e.g. under 6 months) is not envisioned given the need to implement and monitor the pilot over time.

6. Payments
Payments for this consultancy will be disbursed according to a deliverable-based schedule, tied to the satisfactory completion of agreed products and milestones. The payment tranches and amounts will be finalized during contract negotiations based on the consultant’s financial proposal.

It is emphasized that all payments will be contingent on MAR Fund’s approval of the corresponding deliverables. The consultant is expected to produce high-quality output; if deliverable is deemed unsatisfactory or incomplete, MAR Fund may request revisions before payment. The consultant’s financial proposal should consider all the costs of the consultancy (professional fees, travel, equipment, permits, etc.), as no additional reimbursements will be made outside the agreed contract sum. All payments will be made in USD or MXN (to be specified) and are inclusive of any taxes or obligations that the consultant must fulfill.

7. Place of work
The consultant is not required to be based in Quintana Roo but must be available to travel there as needed. While some tasks (e.g., data analysis, report writing) can be completed from their primary location, field presence is essential for key activities such as site reconnaissance, stakeholder meetings, pilot supervision, and monitoring. Travel frequency will depend on the work plan, with extended stays likely during pilot setup. The consultant must manage their own travel logistics within Mexico, particularly to coastal areas like Cancún, Tulum, or Cozumel. Support from MAR Fund and Carbonwave will be provided for coordination, but the consultant should be prepared to work independently under tropical outdoor conditions with strict safety protocols and appropriate insurances.

8. Qualifications and attributes of the consultants
The assignment may be undertaken by an individual consultant or a team/firm. In either case, the collective qualifications should cover expertise in environmental sciences, specifically solid waste management and compliance. The required profile is:

• Solid Waste Management Expert / Environmental Scientist (Lead Consultant or Team Lead): Minimum of 5 years of experience related to solid waste management, with a strong understanding of landfill systems including liners, leachate control, and gas management—particularly in the context of organic or biodegradable waste. Familiarity with waste challenges in coastal or environmentally sensitive areas is desirable. Experience with innovative or nature-based waste solutions will be considered an asset.
• Environmental Scientist/Analyst: Experience in environmental impact assessment, water quality or soil contamination analysis, and handling of environmental monitoring data. Should be capable of designing sampling plans and interpreting results for pollutants (e.g. familiarity with leachate chemistry, gas emission metrics).

For more information – Please download ToR – Click here

9. Application procedure
Interested consultants or consulting firms should submit a proposal for this assignment. The proposal must include the following elements:

• Technical Proposal: This should describe in detail the proposed approach and methodology for the consultancy. It should include a work plan with a timeline and milestones, a description of how each task will be carried out, and any specific techniques or tools to be used (for example, modeling of leachate, use of drone surveys for site selection, etc., if applicable. The technical proposal should also outline the consultant’s team composition and the responsibilities of each member, as well as a timetable of activities. A draft outline of the final report and list of expected contents can be included to demonstrate understanding of the ToR. Important: The proposal should address all the components listed in these Terms of Reference and ensure that the pilot implementation and monitoring aspects are well-covered (including how the consultant will ensure reliable data collection). If the ToR includes an Annex A (e.g. monitoring parameters), the proposal should confirm inclusion of those items or justify any deviation.
• Financial Proposal: A detailed budget in USD (or MXN, with conversion to USD) for the consultancy, broken down by deliverable or task. The budget should clearly distinguish professional fees for personnel (with daily or monthly rates and expected days of effort) and any reimbursable expenses (travel costs, equipment purchases or rentals, laboratory analysis fees, etc.). The financial proposal must cover all costs of the consultancy; no additional funds will be provided beyond the contracted amount. The total cost should be summarized, and a suggested payment schedule linked to deliverables should be included.

All proposal documents should be submitted in electronic format (PDF preferred for the technical and financial proposals). The technical and financial proposals may be submitted as one combined document or as two separate files.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Prospective proponents are responsible for all costs associated with the preparation and submission of their proposals. MAR Fund will not be liable for any costs incurred by applicants in preparing proposals or attending interviews/presentations, regardless of the outcome of the selection process. No advance payments or compensation will be provided for proposal preparation.

For more information – Please download ToR – Click here

10. Deadline and contact
Interested consultants should submit their proposals (technical + financial) no later than October 20, 2025 at 23:59 hr (GMT-5, Cancun local time). Late submissions will not be considered.

Proposals and any inquiries regarding this ToR should be sent via email to the following contacts:

• Amy Jones, MAR+Invest Coordinator – MAR Fund (Email: ajones@marfund.org)
• Sebastián Aguilar, R&D Scientist – Carbonwave (Email: saguilar@carbonwave.com)

Please include both contacts in all correspondence. The email should have the subject line: “Proposal for Sargassum Landfill Feasibility – [Your Name/Company]”. If files are large, you may send a download link. You should receive an acknowledgment of receipt within 2 business days; if not, please follow up to ensure your submission is received.

Timeline Summary: The deadline for questions or clarification requests is one week before the proposal submission deadline. Answers to all queries will be compiled and shared (via email) to all who posed questions or expressed interest, to ensure fairness.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this important initiative. Through this consultancy, MAR Fund, MAR+Invest, and Carbonwave aim to develop a sustainable solution to the sargassum influx that will safeguard the precious Mesoamerican Reef and the well-being of Quintana Roo’s coastal communities. We look forward to your proposals and to partnering on this innovative pilot project.

Annex A: Pilot Landfill Environmental Monitoring Plan
To ensure the pilot disposal cell yields actionable data, the consultant will implement a monitoring plan with the following components:

Leachate Analysis
Objective: Determine the quantity and quality of leachate generated by the decomposing sargassum in the pilot cell, to assess contamination risks and inform leachate management design for a full-scale landfill.

Parameters to Measure:

• Volume of leachate collected (e.g. liters per day or after each rain event) to estimate leachate generation rates.
• Basic water quality: pH, Electrical Conductivity (salinity/TDS), and Temperature. These indicate general leachate characteristics (acidity and salinity are expected to be high due to seawater content in sargassum).