Ecotourism Development Consultant for Lamu & Kwale Counties

About the role

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) seeks an experienced consultant to design and implement ecotourism initiatives in Lamu and Kwale counties. The role focuses on linking community livelihoods with sustainable nature‑based tourism while supporting marine and coastal conservation.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of ecotourism potential in the target counties, including natural assets, cultural attractions and market demand.
• Develop a strategic ecotourism plan that aligns with IFAW’s marine conservation objectives and local development priorities.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops with county governments, Beach Management Units, community conservancies and private sector partners.
• Identify and design community‑owned tourism products that are market‑ready and generate measurable conservation benefits.
• Provide technical guidance for the establishment of locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) and related tourism infrastructure.
• Prepare detailed reports, monitoring frameworks and recommendations for funding proposals.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of experience in ecotourism development, community‑based natural resource management, or related fields.
• Proven track record of working with NGOs, government agencies and coastal communities in East Africa.
• Strong understanding of marine ecosystems, coastal livelihoods and sustainable tourism models.
• Excellent analytical, communication and facilitation skills.

Required skills

• Ecotourism planning and market analysis.
• Community engagement and participatory planning.
• Marine conservation principles and LMMA frameworks.
• Project design, monitoring and evaluation.

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence conservation‑linked tourism in a high‑impact region.
• Collaboration with a global wildlife welfare organization.
• Competitive contract remuneration.