Plan Bleu is hiring!

Plan Bleu is seeking a highly experienced Consultant/Expert to develop the NT4CC Capitalisation Report on climate-resilient coastal tourism through Nature-Based Solutions.

Job Title: External Expert – Development of NT4CC Capitalisation Report
Job Location: Remote (with potential travel within Mediterranean region)
Application Closing Date: 15 February 2026

Contract Type: Consultancy Contract
Duration: February 2026 – June 2026
Remuneration: Up to €11,000 (including VAT)
Reporting To: Plan Bleu, Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), UNEP Regional Seas Programme

This role involves synthesizing project achievements, developing case studies, and crafting policy recommendations to promote sustainable, climate-resilient tourism in the Mediterranean.

About the Organisation

Who is Plan Bleu?

Plan Bleu is a specialized regional activity centre (RAC) under the United Nations Environment Programme’s Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP).

Established as a French association based in Marseille, France, Plan Bleu plays a pivotal role in promoting environmental sustainability and sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.

The organisation operates under the legal framework of the Barcelona Convention and works collaboratively with 21 countries and the European Union to address regional environmental challenges.

Mission and Vision

As a key actor in environmental monitoring and systemic analysis, Plan Bleu provides decision-makers with vital insights into biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development.

Its primary goal is to foster sustainable and climate-resilient tourism practices in the Mediterranean, leveraging innovative solutions and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Background and Context

Climate Vulnerability of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is recognized as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable hotspots. It is experiencing warming at a rate 20% faster than the global average and is identified as the second biodiversity hotspot globally.

The region hosts over 510 million inhabitants and is a prime tourist destination that faces increasing threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss.

These climate impacts threaten the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and economies, especially the tourism sector, which relies heavily on natural and cultural assets. Climate change effects are likely to influence travel patterns, destination choices, and the economic viability of coastal tourism, necessitating urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The Role of Ecosystem-Based Solutions

Ecosystem-based management approaches are increasingly recognized as effective tools to address climate resilience.

These strategies involve integrating natural ecosystems into planning and decision-making processes, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting nature-based solutions (NbS) that can provide adaptive capacity, preserve biodiversity, and sustain local livelihoods.

The Natour4CChange Project

The Natour4CChange (NT4CC) project aims to enhance the climate resilience of Mediterranean coastal destinations through innovative governance, strategies, and Nature-based Solutions.

Building on successful regional and global experiences, NT4CC develops methodologies to assess climate risks, formulate adaptation strategies, and implement NbS tailored for diverse coastal contexts.

The project emphasizes cross-sectoral collaboration among regional authorities, local governments, private stakeholders, and communities.

It seeks to demonstrate practical solutions at the destination level, including climate-adaptive tourism planning, community engagement, innovative marketing, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

Purpose of the Consultancy

Objective

The primary goal of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive NT4CC Capitalisation Report that synthesizes the project’s achievements, methodologies, lessons learned, and policy messages. This report will serve as a knowledge legacy and toolkit for future climate adaptation initiatives in Mediterranean coastal tourism.

Scope of Work

The expert will be responsible for producing detailed content for the report, including summaries of methodologies, case studies, policy recommendations, and an assessment framework.

The content will be designed to facilitate understanding, replication, and policy uptake and will be finalized without the graphic design or layout components, which will be handled separately.

Main Tasks and Deliverables

Task 1: Didactic Summary of NT4CC Methodologies

Develop clear, simplified descriptions of four core methodologies used in NT4CC:
- Identification and assessment of coastal tourism challenges.
- Development of Regional and Destination Tourism Climate Strategies and Plans.
- Testing and implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and financial models.
- Destination marketing and visitor communication for climate action.

Provide practical guidelines on:
- Planning climate-resilient coastal tourism.
- Involving governance bodies such as Regional Coordination Units and Destination Climate Action Taskforces.
- Mobilizing funding for NbS and adaptation measures.
- Engaging tourists and operators through communication strategies.

Task 2: Case Studies Compilation

Create a standardized format for 12 case studies across five pilot regions and seven destinations.
Each case study will highlight:
- Descriptive information about the site.
- Implementation process and steps.
- Key results, impacts, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Stakeholders involved.
- Factors influencing replicability.
Support integration of at least two destination practices into the IUCN’s Panorama Solutions platform and one regional practice into the Interreg MED Policy Learning Platform.

Task 3: Policy Recommendations

Develop concise, visually appealing policy briefs (one-page summaries) to be used at policy events.
Cover key topics such as governance, NbS integration, funding, and stakeholder engagement.

Tailor briefs to target groups, including decision-makers, private operators, communities, and donors.
Ensure recommendations are actionable, transferable, and aligned with Mediterranean sustainability and climate adaptation goals.

Task 4: Results Assessment Framework

Propose a simple evaluation methodology for the project’s results.
Define criteria, indicators, and a practical assessment framework.
Enable project partners to evaluate effectiveness, added value, and replicability of tested methodologies and solutions.

Expected Schedule and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to commence in February 2026 and conclude by the end of May 2026. The tentative schedule includes:

Contract signing: January 2026
Initial content development: February 2026
Mid-term review and feedback: March 2026
Final revisions and submission: May 2026

All deliverables will be reviewed and approved by Plan Bleu, with opportunities for feedback and revisions integrated into the schedule.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

Experience

Over 10 years of relevant experience in climate change adaptation, sustainable tourism, and coastal management.
Proven expertise in Nature-based Solutions and ecosystem-based management.
Extensive knowledge of Mediterranean tourism stakeholders, policies, and funding mechanisms, including EU and Interreg programs.

Experience in developing institutional documents, reports, and knowledge management tools.
Recognized credibility and reputation in the international sustainable tourism sector to ensure broad dissemination of the report.

Competencies

Strong analytical, synthesis, and writing skills in English.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation abilities.

Ability to manage complex multidisciplinary project content.
Familiarity with Mediterranean environmental and tourism contexts.
Ability to produce clear, user-friendly content with visual potential for infographics and process diagrams.

MORE JOB OPENINGS:

Evaluation Criteria

Methodology and work plan (30 points)
Candidate’s experience and expertise (40 points)
Financial proposal (30 points)

The candidate with the highest aggregate score will be selected for this consultancy.

Contractual and Financial Terms

Contract Duration: February 2026 – June 2026
Maximum Budget: €11,000 (VAT inclusive)
Payment Schedule: 30% upfront upon contract signing; 70% upon delivery of final report

Travel: Costs related to travel and accommodation are covered separately by Plan Bleu and will not be included in the consultancy fee.
Contract Signing: Mandatory by 31 January 2026
Reporting: Final report submission by end of May 2026

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive proposal comprising:

A methodological approach/plan for developing the report.
A detailed curriculum vitae highlighting relevant experience.

An economic/financial offer (not exceeding €11,000 including VAT).
Supporting documentation such as registration certificates (for French candidates) or sworn statements of tax and social security compliance (for international candidates).

Applications must be sent in one PDF file to cmartin@planbleu.org before 23:59 CET on 15 February 2026. Applications can also be submitted via the Plan Bleu website.

Conditions Governing Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI tools is permitted strictly for structuring, brainstorming, or editorial support; AI cannot replace expert analysis or source verification. The expert must clearly declare any AI assistance used and ensure the accuracy and integrity of all content.

Plan Bleu is hiring: External Expert for Development of NT4CC Capitalisation Report on Climate-Resilient Coastal Tourism

Job Description