I. WCS ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, 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.
With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities.
Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of vulnerable rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.
II. WCS MONGOLIA PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Established in Ulaanbaatar in 2003, WCS Mongolia has dedicated over two decades to conserving Mongolia’s wildlife and expansive steppe and desert landscapes.
WCS Mongolia works at a landscape scale, with major efforts in the Southern Gobi, Eastern Steppe, and Central Mongolia. The program focuses on maintaining ecological function, securing landscape connectivity, and strengthening resilience to climate change, aligned with Mongolia’s national conservation priorities and global biodiversity commitments. In the Gobi region, WCS works closely with local herder communities, soum and aimag governments, and national authorities to secure wildlife movement corridors between existing State Protected Areas.
III. BACKGROUND
WCS Mongolia is supporting local government authorities and communities in advancing the establishment and elevation of Local Protected Areas (LPAs) in the Gobi region to secure important wildlife corridors between existing State Protected Areas.
This work builds on ecological assessments, long-term collaboration with local authorities, and engagement with Community-Based Organizations. The proposed Local Protected Areas are intended to strengthen ecological connectivity and improve long-term conservation of key wildlife habitats.
Under Mongolian law, LPAs are designated by soum or aimag Citizens’ Khurals and provide a legally recognized mechanism for conservation outside the national protected area network. The designation process requires technical justification, boundary verification, stakeholder consultation, and preparation of formal documentation in accordance with government procedures.
To support this work in 2026, WCS Mongolia seeks a Protected Area Expert to provide legal and technical support for the designation and elevation of two proposed Local Protected Areas in the Gobi region, including preparation of the required management plans.
IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The overall objective of this consultancy is to lead and deliver Stage 1 of the Local Protected Area (LPA) designation process for two proposed Local Protected Areas in the Gobi region and support preparation of the protected area management plan in accordance with Mongolian legislation.
Specific objectives are to:
- Develop a clear and practical roadmap outlining the legal, technical, and institutional steps required for Local Protected Area designation or elevation.
- Confirm legal and procedural requirements for designation through consultations with relevant government authorities.
- Review existing ecological, spatial, and land-use information and identify gaps in documentation required for designation.
- Prepare the technical documentation required to formally initiate the Local Protected Area designation process.
- Lead the preparation of the Local Protected Area management plan in accordance with national requirements.
V. SCOPE OF WORK
The Protected Area Expert will lead the technical and legal work required to support the designation and strengthening of Local Protected Areas in the Gobi region. The work will focus on two proposed Local Protected Area sites, with documentation prepared separately for each site where required. The consultant will work closely with the WCS Governance and Community Team, the Protected Area Specialist, and local government partners.
1. Development of the LPA Designation Roadmap
The consultant will develop a practical roadmap describing the steps required for Local Protected Area designation or elevation in accordance with Mongolian legislation.
The roadmap will include:
- Required technical documentation and studies
- Institutional roles and responsibilities
- Boundary verification requirements
- Approval procedures and sequencing
- Indicative timeline and key decision points
- Potential risks or procedural challenges
The roadmap will be reviewed and agreed with WCS before proceeding to the next stages of the assignment.
2. Institutional Consultations and Confirmation of Requirements
The consultant will consult relevant authorities to confirm legal and procedural requirements for Local Protected Area designation.
Consultations will include soum and aimag authorities, the Aimag Environmental Department, land administration and cadastre authorities, mining and license authorities, and other relevant institutions as needed.
The consultant will:
- Confirm documentation standards and submission requirements
- Confirm boundary verification procedures
- Confirm approval pathways
- Document confirmed institutional requirements.
3. Review of Existing Documentation and Gap Analysis
The consultant will review available ecological, spatial, and land-use information for the proposed Local Protected Area.
The consultant will:
- Review biodiversity studies and ecological information
- Review spatial and cadastral data
- Review land-use and tenure information
- Assess alignment with legal requirements
- Identify gaps in technical documentation
- Identify potential land-use conflicts and risks
- Recommend additional information or verification required.
4. Preparation of the Stage 1 Technical Documentation Package
The consultant will prepare the technical documentation required to formally initiate the Local Protected Area designation process.
The documentation package will include:
- Scientific and legal justification for designation
- Description of conservation values and threats
- GIS boundary description and maps (in coordination with WCS technical staff)
- Summary of land-use and tenure considerations
- Summary of stakeholder consultations
- Proposed governance framework.
The documentation must be suitable for submission or formal review by relevant authorities.
5. Preparation of Local Protected Areas Management Plans
The consultant will lead preparation of the Local Protected Area management plan in accordance with Mongolian requirements.
The consultant will:
- Organize consultation meetings with stakeholders
- Identify main threats and management priorities
- Define management objectives and strategies
- Prepare management plan text and maps
- Support review of the management plan by soum and aimag authorities.
VI. DELIVERABLES
The consultant will deliver the following outputs:
1. LPA Designation Roadmap
A practical roadmap describing the legal and procedural steps required for Local Protected Area designation or elevation. The roadmap will outline required documentation, institutional roles, approval steps, and key risks. The roadmap will serve as the work plan for the assignment.
Deadline: 30 April 2026
2. Institutional Requirements Confirmation
A short written summary confirming legal and procedural requirements for Local Protected Area designation based on consultations with relevant authorities. The summary will describe documentation requirements, approval pathways, and boundary verification procedures. Deadline: 30 May 2026
3. Gap Assessment Report
A concise report reviewing existing ecological, spatial, and land-use information and identifying gaps in documentation required for designation. The report will identify key risks and recommend additional work required.
Deadline: 30 June 2026
4. Mid-Term Progress Report
A short progress report summarizing work completed to date, results of institutional consultations, and progress toward preparation of the Stage 1 documentation package and management plan.
Deadline: 1 July 2026
5. Stage 1 LPA Documentation Package
A submission-ready technical documentation package suitable for formal submission or pre-review by the aimag Environmental Department and submission to the Citizens’ Khural. The package will include the scientific and legal justification for designation, boundary maps, and summaries of land use and stakeholder consultations.
A draft version will be submitted to WCS for review prior to finalization.
Deadline: 30 October 2026
6. Local Protected Area Management Plan
A draft and final Local Protected Area management plan prepared in accordance with national requirements, including management objectives, key threats, proposed management actions, and maps.
Supporting documentation will include records of stakeholder consultations where required.
Deadline: 31 January 2027
7. Final Report
A final report summarizing work completed to date, results of institutional consultations, and key achievements toward preparation of the Stage 1 documentation package and management plan approvals.
Deadline: 1 March 2027
VII. REPORTING AND SUPERVISION
The consultant will report to the WCS Mongolia Governance and Community Manager and work closely with the Protected Area Specialist and Governance and Community Team. Regular coordination meetings will be scheduled (virtual or in-person).
VIII. DURATION OF THE WORK
Estimated total working days between March 2026 and March 2027, depending on progress of the legal process and government timelines.
IX. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The consultant should meet the following criteria:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in environmental law, conservation policy, land governance, natural resource management, or related field.
- At least 5 years of professional experience in protected area designation, land-use planning, or environmental governance in Mongolia.
- Demonstrated experience with Mongolian protected area legislation and administrative processes.
- Experience working with soum and aimag governments.
- Strong understanding of pastureland governance and community-based natural resource management in Mongolia.
- Proven ability to draft technical and legal documentation in Mongolian (English desirable).
- Experience in the Gobi region is highly desirable.
X. PAYMENT SCHEDULE
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Deliverable
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Payment %
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LPA Designation Roadmap completed and approved by WCS. Institutional consultation requirements confirmed. (30 May 2026)
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20%
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Gap Assessment Report and Mid-Term Progress Report submitted and approved by WCS. (1 July 2026)
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20%
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Stage 1 LPA Documentation Package completed (draft and final versions approved by WCS). (30 October 2026)
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30%
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Local Protected Area Management Plan completed and approved by WCS. Final report submitted and approved. (1 March 2027)
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30%
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XI. SUBMISSION DETAILS
Interested consultants are invited to submit a single PDF including:
- Technical Proposal (understanding of assignment and approach)
- Financial Proposal (daily rate and estimated total cost)
- CV
- Two references from similar assignments
Proposals must be submitted electronically to WCS Mongolia by 5:00 pm Ulaanbaatar time, Friday, 27th of March 2026. via email at: procurementmongolia@wcs.org ; Subject line: “Consultancy for LPA Designation Support – Gobi”. Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for follow-up discussion.
Applications should be sent on or before; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program
201 San Business Center, Amar Street-29, Small ring road, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia. Tel: +976-11-323719