CONSULTANCY - Global Ecosystems Atlas Project Design SSA-2026-GEO 7

Background

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is an intergovernmental partnership whose mission is to make Earth Intelligence a public good, ensuring that governments, businesses, and society have access to the data and insights required to support informed and impactful decisions for people, planet, and nature.

The Global Ecosystems Atlas is a collaborative effort to build the world’s most comprehensive and standardised resource on the global distribution, condition, and change of ecosystems. Convened by GEO in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Atlas supports national reporting, corporate disclosure, private investment, conservation planning, and local action, while complementing existing initiatives.

As the Atlas core service of global ecosystem extent mapping nears completion (Phase 1: scheduled for launch in late 2026), the initiative is laying the groundwork for Phase 2: the design and implementation architecture for measuring ecosystem change and condition at scale. This work is being developed through co-design workshops during 2026/2027, supported by targeted expert consultations. Initial steps to design Phase 2 have commenced with an expert workshop that was held in April 2026; and planning has begun for a follow up workshop in March 2027. In addition, an expert elicitation process and a theory of change for Phase 2 have been drafted.

The purpose of this consultancy is to build on these initial steps and support the Global Ecosystems Atlas initiative in delivering a comprehensive, donor-ready implementation blueprint for Phase 2 by June 2027. The Project Design Consultant will translate the existing theory of change, workshop outcomes and expert consultations into a coherent, technically robust and fundable implementation Blueprint — ensuring scientific, methodological, institutional and financial coherence across workstreams, and delivering a document suitable for phased implementation and donor engagement. The consultants will support the Atlas team on the expert elicitation process and on the second expert workshop (planned for March 2027); helping to design the program, run the sessions and collate the outcomes. 

This is not a facilitation role. It is a synthesis, design, and delivery role.

Duties and Responsibilities

Blueprint Architecture Design

• Develop and refine the overall Phase 2 programme structure.
• Define modular workstreams (e.g., change detection, condition modelling, ecosystem-type differentiation, data integration, governance, piloting).
• Identify interdependencies, sequencing, and implementation pathways.
• Ensure alignment with:
• IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology (Levels 4–6)
• SEEA Ecosystem Accounting
• GBF implementation needs
• Relevant private sector standards and market frameworks

Workshop Integration & Synthesis

• Participate in  workshops (1-2 in-person sessions).
• Capture, structure, and integrate outcomes into the evolving programme architecture.
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and unresolved assumptions.
• Conduct expert elicitation to refine technical components.
• Validate feasibility, scalability, and resource assumptions.

Technical & Programmatic Elaboration

• Develop detailed descriptions of methodological domains, data and modelling architecture, institutional collaboration structures, governance arrangements, piloting strategies, and risk mitigation approaches.
• Elaborate theory of change and implementation logic.
• Define phased roll-out options (geographic, ecosystem-based, or hybrid).

Financial & Operational Structuring

• Develop work packages, budget architecture, staffing assumptions, resource mobilisation logic, and timeline and milestone structure.
• Ensure the Blueprint is donor-ready, including a clear value proposition, framework budget and measurable outcomes.

Drafting & Delivery

• Produce iterative drafts of the Blueprint document.
• Integrate feedback from partners and workshop participants.
• Deliver the final comprehensive Phase 2 Blueprint, including:
• Executive summary
• Technical architecture
• Governance framework
• Implementation roadmap
• Budget framework
• Partnership model
• Risk analysis
• Monitoring & evaluation framework

Main Deliverables

• See attachment

   

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in environmental science, ecology, geography, earth systems science, economics, public policy, sustainability, data science, or a closely related field; or
• A combination of formal education and equivalent senior professional experience in programme design, data infrastructure, or large-scale environmental initiatives.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience designing large-scale environmental or data infrastructure programmes.
• Strong understanding of ecological monitoring, nature and carbon metrics, earth observation, or environmental accounting.
• Proven ability to develop donor-ready programme documents at multi-million USD scale.
• Capacity to synthesise across scientific, technical, policy, and financial domains.
• Fluency in engaging senior experts across science, government, multilateral institutions, and business.
• Familiarity with relevant frameworks including IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology, SEEA, GBF, and emerging market standards.

Other Requirements: 

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to integrate inputs across scientific, technical, and institutional domains.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing complex programme documents for diverse audiences.
• Ability to operate effectively in conditions of ambiguity and to structure work in evolving initiatives.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating across distributed, multi-institutional teams.
• High standards of professional judgement, integrity, and discretion.

Languages: 

Native or excellent command of English (written and spoken). 

Note: The official languages of WMO are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Salary and Allowances: Pay band C - Candidates are asked to include a financial proposal as part of their application.

Duration: 6 months

Focal Point: Andrew Skowno : jobs@geosec.org 

Applications:

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system.

Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Statements:

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

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