CONSIDERATIONS:
- MAR Fund is an organization committed to equity and diversity in the workplace. Our employment policy ensures that all decisions—from recruitment to professional development—are based on merit and individual qualifications. We have a zero-tolerance policy on any form of discrimination or harassment. As an organization working toward the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems in the Mesoamerican Reef, we seek to integrate diverse perspectives and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and sectors to strengthen our mission.
- Proponents are responsible for all costs associated with the preparation and presentation of proposals submitted to MAR Fund for evaluation on the framework of this request for proposals, and therefore there is no obligation on behalf of MAR Fund to cover such costs – either in whole or in part – or to provide any advance or compensation if their proposal is not selected.
- Proponents acknowledge and accept that the preparation of the proposal(s) does not constitute a financial obligation on behalf of MAR Fund, and therefore the economic and financial responsibility for the preparation of the proposal(s) is exclusive of the proponent(s), regardless of the selection process outcome.
- The selection process will be carried out in accordance with MAR Fund’s internal evaluation guidelines and the result will be final.
- Only applicants who advance to the next stage of the selection process will be contacted, and due to the number of applications, MAR Fund will not provide feedback to applicants.
Terms of Reference for
Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund)
Focal Point for Belize
Conservation of Marine Resources in Central America III
Financing Agreement: BMZ-No. 2017.6892.8 (Phase III)
I. Background
The Mesoamerican Reef Fund, Inc. (MAR Fund) is a regional and private environmental fund with the goal of protecting the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) ecoregion shared by Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Its mission is to seek, secure and facilitate regional funding, fosters partnerships and drives capacity building for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems in the Mesoamerican Reef.
MAR Fund implements its strategic actions through five programs: 1) Saving Our Protected Areas, 2) Fishing for the Future, 3) Climate Change, 4) Clean Water for the Reef, and 5) Blue and Regenerative Economy. Under the program Saving Our Protected Areas, MAR Fund launched the “Protection of Maritime Resources in Central America III (Phase III)” in December 2021. Phase III is co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW and supports 31 CMPAs through 20 approved projects.
II. Objective
Provide technical support to protected areas with approved proposals, through grantee organizations, to ensure the effective implementation of projects, enabling them to achieve the results indicators established in each approved proposal while also contributing to the overall Phase III results indicators.
III. Responsibilities
a. General:
Technical support and follow-up for protected areas in Belize to facilitate the implementation of approved projects under the Protection of maritime resources in Central America III project.
b. Specific:
b.1 Implementation Phase
- Support the project coordinator in planning and implementing the activities required to effectively implement the Phase III project in selected protected areas and maintain constant communication with the PIU.
- Provide support in establishing the inter-institutional coordination necessary for the effective and successful development of Phase III project activities in and around selected protected areas.
- Support selected protected areas in drafting their Triennial Operating Plan (TOP) and budget and the necessary updates, as may be required.
- Ensure the compliance of the Project Operational Manual (POM) by communicating and reminding of its components to grantee organizations.
- Support selected protected areas in the bidding process of goods and services (e.g., development of terms of reference).
- Conduct field visits for technical oversight to verify the progress of activities and the effective use of granted resources.
- Monitor the scope and compliance with each selected project’s indicators and the Phase III project’s logical framework.
- Review grantees’ financial progress reports (quarterly) and technical progress reports (semi-annually).
- Closely monitor the implementation of selected projects focused on Fish Replenishment Zones (FRZs).
b.2 Management of environmental and social aspects
- Monitor how grantees are applying the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), and any other measure required by MAR Fund’s ESMS.
- Verify that grantees provide adequate updates in their quarterly reports about the ESMS and their environmental and social action plans (ESAP).
- Monitor reports on any grievances made to each grantee through their specific grievance mechanism monthly.
b.3 Project closeout
- Support the follow-up of MAR Fund and KfW’s requirements for a correct and complete project closeout by 2028.
IV. Coordination
The Consultant will work in close coordination with the PIU Coordinator and MAR Fund’s Technical Director and will provide ongoing follow-up and support to Phase III grantees in Belize.
V. Contract duration
The contract will have a duration of 12 months, subject to renewal based on performance evaluation, and will include a three-month probationary period. Phase III has a remaining duration of two and a half years; therefore, this consultancy may be extended through December 2028, subject to satisfactory performance and project needs. Tentative start date: August 2026.
VI. Remuneration
Remuneration will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Payments will be made monthly upon submission of an invoice, inclusive of any applicable taxes. Travel expenses associated with Project activities will be covered by MAR Fund. The contract will include health and life insurance coverage for the duration of the consultancy.
VII. Place of work
The Consultant should preferably be based in the country’s coastal region and must be available to travel to the grantee’s offices and to the selected protected areas within the country.
VIII. Confidentiality and copyright
The Belize Focal point shall perform the assigned tasks with the highest standards and ethical considerations. MAR Fund reserves the right to brief the focal point on the information that must be treated as confidential. MAR Fund holds the copyright of the products derived from this consultancy.
IX. Qualifications and attributes of the project’s focal points
Education
- Must have a professional degree in natural resource management, natural resource and conservation management, project management, rural development, biology, marine biology, aquaculture, environmental engineering, or related careers, with a proven experience in project design, evaluation, and follow-up, particularly on environment and conservation.
Work experience
- At least a 5-year practical experience in conservation and management of coastal and marine resources, preferably in protected areas.
- Experience in designing, evaluating, and monitoring conservation and/or environmental management projects, preferably in protected areas.
- Experience in rural development and community work.
- Experience in developing and implementing environmental and social safeguards.
Skills/Knowledge
- Knowledgeable on the Mesoamerican Reef region in their country.
- Action- and result-driven. Proficient in organization skills, attention to detail, and timeliness with deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Proficient verbal and writing skills in English and Spanish. Capable of producing high-quality technical documents in both languages.
- Availability to travel regularly to coastal and marine protected areas of their country for this project.
X. Required documentation
Interested applicants must submit the following information:
- Résumé
- Three professional references (name, title, organization, email address)
- A 2-page essay describing their work experience and why they consider themselves a suitable person for this position in their language of choice
- Signed Declaration of Undertaking form (Annex 1)
The deadline for receiving applications is July 17, 2026. Applications must be submitted in a digital format to this e-mail: arivas@marfund.org
Anuncio de adjudicación del contrato
Proyecto: Protección de los recursos marítimos en América Central III (Fase III)
BMZ-No. 2017.6892.8
En atención a lo indicado en el numeral 43.2 de la SDO-001-MARFund-FIII-2025, se procede a notificar y publicar la adjudicación del contrato resultante, detallando la siguiente información:
a) Nombre y dirección del Contratante: Mesoamerican Reef Fund Inc. (MAR Fund)
22 Avenida 0-59 zona 15 Vista Hermosa II, Guatemala Ciudad 01015
(502) 2369-3188
b) Nombre, número de referencia del Contrato que se está adjudicando y el método de selección utilizado:
- Título del contrato: Contrato de servicios de Auditoría Externa para el Proyecto “Protección de los recursos marítimos en América Central III” para los períodos de enero a diciembre de los años 2025-2026”.
- Contrato No.: SMF-006-2026
- Método de selección utilizado: Servicios de No-Consultoría / Convocatoria Regional (CR) / Licitación pública nacional (LPN)
c) Nombres de todos los licitantes que presentaron ofertas, con sus respectivos precios tal y como se leyeron en voz alta en el acto de apertura de ofertas y como se evaluaron:
d) Nombres de los licitantes cuyas ofertas fueron rechazadas, con los motivos correspondientes:
Nombre y país del licitante seleccionado, el precio final total del Contrato, su duración y un resumen de su alcance:
- Nombre de licitante: Manuel Cervantes y Asociados, S. C.
- País: Guatemala
- Valor del Contrato: ochenta y ocho mil quinientos dólares (US$88,500.00)
- Fechas de entrada en vigor y de expiración del Contrato: del 15 de abril 2026 al 14 de junio 2027.
- Resumen de su alcance: La firma seleccionada realizará la auditoría financiera externa de los fondos del proyecto financiado por el KfW, asegurando el cumplimiento de las normas internacionales de auditoría (ISAE 3000) y verificando la elegibilidad de los gastos en los cuatro países de ejecución (México, Belice, Guatemala y Honduras).
f) Link de publicación SDO: 1_SDO-NC-Documento-de-Adquisiciones_auditorias 2025-2026_(MAR Fund)
Fecha de publicación: 27 de abril 2026