The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, including Jordan since 1976, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in supporting countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s Sustainable Green Pathways & Inclusive Growth Portfolio integrates environmental protection, climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, inclusive green growth, innovation, and gender equality across all programs and projects.

Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba is home to a unique coral reef ecosystem, stretching along over 13 kilometers of coastline and covering approximately four square kilometers. These fringing reefs are ecologically and economically vital, supporting diverse marine life and contributing to marine tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection. The Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR), managed in partnership with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), plays a central role in safeguarding this fragile ecosystem.

However, Aqaba’s coral reefs are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change, including rising sea temperatures, extreme weather events, and flood-related sedimentation. These challenges, compounded by coastal development and anthropogenic pressures, require robust scientific research, restoration efforts, and localized capacity-building.

The Coral Wet Lab Unit (CWLU), located at the Marine Science Station (MSS) in Aqaba, was previously a key facility supporting marine research, coral restoration, and capacity-building activities. It offered a controlled environment for simulating marine conditions, enabling research on coral bleaching, disease resistance, hybridization, and other restoration techniques. The CWLU also served as a national platform for hands-on training in coral husbandry and marine science.

Currently, the CWLU is out of service due to aging infrastructure, unreliable water and energy systems, and the absence of modern automation and monitoring tools. Its deterioration has halted essential research and training functions at a time when marine resilience and conservation efforts are more critical than ever.

To address this, UNDP intends to fully renovate and reactivate the CWLU, restoring it as a functional and modern facility that meets the growing regional needs for coral reef restoration, climate adaptation research, and biodiversity conservation.

Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), UNDP is seeking the services of a qualified engineering consultancy firm (“the Consultant”) to provide design, supervision, and contract management services for the renovation and reactivation of the Coral Wet Lab Unit. The Consultant will also support UNDP in managing the construction process and act as the “Engineer” in accordance with UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions for Civil Works and relevant national laws and standards.

This initiative is closely aligned with UNDP’s global and national priorities on climate resilience, marine biodiversity protection, and sustainable development, and aims to strengthen Jordan’s position as a regional leader in coral reef science and conservation. 

·       Online pre bid meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 July 2025 at 11am Bidders shall notify send an email to offers.jo@undp.org  to request online meeting link