The National Environment Service (NES) is seeking suitably qualified and experienced consultants and professionals to support implementation of the Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protection Programme in the Cook Islands, with a specific focus on Island-Scale Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).
This Programme is being implemented in partnership with New Zealand and complements related regional activities in Niue, Palau, Solomon Islands and Kiribati, as well as multi-country support implemented by SPC and SPREP. The MSP initiative is implemented in accordance with the Marae Moana Act 2017 and is intended to strengthen coordination, coherence, and implementation of existing agency mandates and work plans.
NES now invites Expressions of Interest for the following roles supporting Island-Scale MSP:
- Administration Officer – Island-Scale MSP Project (full-time)
- Communications Officer – Island-Scale MSP Project (consultancy)
- Legal Adviser – Island-Scale MSP Project (consultancy)
- Policy Adviser – Island-Scale MSP Project (consultancy)
- GIS Coordinator – Island-Scale MSP Project (consultancy)
- MSP Technical Adviser – Island-Scale MSP Project (consultancy)
These roles will be integral to developing and trialing an Island-Scale MSP framework across at least five islands, and to ensuring that biodiversity, climate change, and community priorities are effectively reflected in marine spatial plans under Marae Moana.
Submission details
Expressions of interest must be submitted by email to:
Email: nes@cookislands.gov.ck
Subject line: “EOI – Island-Scale Marine Spatial Planning Project – [Position(s) applied for]”
EOIs must be received by, Monday 4:00pm 30th March 2026, Cook Islands time. Late submissions may not be considered.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. NES reserves the right not to proceed with any or all of the proposed positions if circumstances change
TOR is available on the NES website here.