Terms of reference - ASEAN5 Data Center Regulation Consultant
Consultancy objective: ClientEarth is looking to engage lawyers/law firms who are experts in data center laws and regulations to conduct a legal gap analysis for the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam on data center laws and regulations on permitting, siting, energy, water and land use, and other social and environmental impacts to ensure equitable energy, water, and land use as well as sufficient social and environmental protections in line with country's just energy transition and growth targets.
Duty station: Remote work/ international
Type and duration of contract: Output based
Closing date: 30 October 12:59pm BST
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is an international environmental legal organisation using the law to protect the earth and its inhabitants. We support practical solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges and work with people, governments and industry to make those solutions a reality. We have grown to more than 300 staff in nine offices across Europe, China, Japan and the United States.
Our approach is tailored to each region in which we operate. In Asia, we work to accelerate the region’s clean energy transition and to protect nature. We have been working in China since 2016 and, since 2020, expanded our work to Southeast Asia and Japan. Our regional team includes more than 30 law and policy experts experienced across six Asian jurisdictions. Across the region, we have also been involved in several capacity-building initiatives through training programmes, seminars and webinars in collaboration with different organisations.
Key Deliverables
1. Legal gap analysis on data center laws and regulations on permitting and siting; energy, water, and land use; pollution; and other social environmental impacts in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
2. Comparative legal analysis of the above vis-a-vis the ASEAN Guide for Sustainable Data Centre Development, international best practices and standards, and other evidence/science-based legal and regulatory frameworks
Tentative timeline
• 1 November 2026: Selection of legal consultants
• 5 November 2026: Start of consultancy
• 30 November 2026: Submission of first draft and first invoice
• 15 December 2026: Submission of second and final draft and second invoice
• Consultation and coordination calls: As needed
Remuneration
There is a maximum budget of USD 10,000 inclusive of UK VAT and applicable local taxes for EACH country of interest (Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam)
Application procedure
Please send a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to demonstrate suitability for the consultancy together with your curriculum vitae to tguanzon@clientearth.org by 30 October 2026 23:59 BST. For law firms, please send the list of individuals who will be working on the project, their respective roles and their CVs.
Please include at least two relevant written samples of past work in your submission. If co-authored, please describe your contribution to the written output. Please note that applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.
Terms of reference - ASEAN5 Methane Regulations Consultant
Consultancy objective: ClientEarth is looking to engage lawyers/law firms who are experts in methane regulations to conduct a legal gap analysis for the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam on regulations governing methane emissions arising from the agriculture, land use, waste, and energy sectors with the objective of strengthening methane regulations to reduce emissions.
Duty station: Remote work/ international
Type and duration of contract: Output based
Closing date: 30 October 12:59pm BST
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is an international environmental legal organisation using the law to protect the earth and its inhabitants. We support practical solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges and work with people, governments and industry to make those solutions a reality. We have grown to more than 300 staff in nine offices across Europe, China, Japan and the United States.
Our approach is tailored to each region in which we operate. In Asia, we work to accelerate the region’s clean energy transition and to protect nature. We have been working in China since 2016 and, since 2020, expanded our work to Southeast Asia and Japan. Our regional team includes more than 30 law and policy experts experienced across six Asian jurisdictions. Across the region, we have also been involved in several capacity-building initiatives through training programmes, seminars and webinars in collaboration with different organisations.
Key Deliverables
1. Legal gap analysis on laws and regulations on methane emissions in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam from agriculture, land use, waste, and energy including but not limited to rice cultivation, land use change, livestock farming, waste management, and upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas.
2. Comparative legal analysis of the above vis-a-vis the EU Methane Regulation, the Methane Management Roadmap for Oil and Gas in ASEAN, the UNECE's Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Management in the Oil and Gas Sector, international best practices and standards, and other science-based legal and regulatory frameworks.
Tentative timeline
• 1 November 2026: Selection of legal consultants
• 5 November 2026: Start of consultancy
• 30 November 2026: Submission of first draft and first invoice
• 15 December 2026: Submission of second and final draft and second invoice
• Consultation and coordination calls: As needed
Remuneration
There is a maximum budget of USD 10,000 inclusive of UK VAT and applicable local taxes for EACH country of interest (Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam)
Application procedure
Please send a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to demonstrate suitability for the consultancy together with your curriculum vitae to tguanzon@clientearth.org by 30 October 2026 23:59 BST. For law firms, please send the list of individuals who will be working on the project, their respective roles and their CVs.
Please include at least two relevant written samples of past work in your submission. If co-authored, please describe your contribution to the written output. Please note that applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.
Terms of Reference: Power Purchase Agreements Legal Consultant
Consultancy objective: ClientEarth is searching for a Philippine-qualified lawyer who is an expert in power purchase agreements to conduct analysis and prepare, briefs memoranda, and other required research on legal, regulatory and policy issues to accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Duty station: Remote work/ international
Type and duration of contract: Consultancy contract of 6 months (0.6 FTE/3 days a week); 01 Jan 2027 to 30 June 2027
Preferred starting date: 01 Jan 2027
Closing date: 15 Oct 2026 23:59 BST
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is an international environmental legal organisation using the law to protect the earth and its inhabitants. We support practical solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges and work with people, governments and industry to make those solutions a reality. We have grown to more than 300 staff in nine offices across Europe, China, Japan and the United States.
Our approach is tailored to each region in which we operate. In Asia, we work to accelerate the region’s clean energy transition and to protect nature. We have been working in China since 2016 and, since 2020, expanded our work to Southeast Asia and Japan. Our regional team includes more than 30 law and policy experts experienced across six Asian jurisdictions. Across the region, we have also been involved in several capacity-building initiatives through training programmes, seminars and webinars in collaboration with different organisations.
In the Philippines, we work with government, the private sector and civil society to strengthen energy regulations to hasten renewable energy (RE) development and the energy transition.
Background
Coal-fired generation continues to account for a significant share of the Philippine power system. Accelerating the transition of existing coal-fired power plants therefore requires not only the development of broader energy transition policies, but also legal and regulatory solutions that address the contractual arrangements underpinning individual generating assets.
Existing PPAs and PSAs can affect the timing, cost and feasibility of coal plant retirement, refinancing, repurposing or replacement. Contractual provisions relating to term, capacity and energy payments, fuel and other cost pass-throughs, termination, assignment, refinancing, change in law and other rights and obligations may need to be considered alongside applicable regulatory requirements and the interests of generators, distribution utilities, consumers, lenders and government. A legal expert with experience in PPAs and Philippine power sector regulation is being sought to provide legal and policy support on contractual and regulatory pathways for coal plant transition, including mechanisms to enable the early retirement, repurposing, refinancing and replacement of coal-fired generation.
Education and training
- Law degree (essential), post graduate degree in energy, environmental or climate field (desirable)
- Significant experience as a Philippine-qualified lawyer (essential) in power sector transactions, energy sector regulation in private practice, public service or in an NGO in the Philippines (essential)
- Experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating or advising on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other power sector contracts (essential)
- Experience or knowledge of energy regulation and energy transition issues in the Philippines (essential)
- Experience engaging at different levels (national, local) with different groups of stakeholders (civil society organisations, think tanks, government and/or the private sector) (essential)
- Experience or knowledge of climate, air and water pollution, and biodiversity regulation (desirable)
- Good knowledge of corporate governance and financial laws (desirable)
Key Competencies
- Fluent (CEFR level C2) in English and Tagalog or another Philippine language
- Excellent legal research, analysis, writing, advisory and advocacy skills
- Confident working with and analysing complex technical, scientific, political and legal material
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to influence external audiences, adapting communication style to specific audiences such as government, industry and civil society
- Able to grasp new concepts and relevant laws quickly
- An openness to learning and developing new ideas
- Able to work independently and in a team-oriented collaborative manner within a multi-disciplinary, multi-lingual and multicultural environment
- Able to work well from a distance and across different geographies and time zones with crosscultural sensitivity
- Excellent organisation skills and ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks and react positively in light of shifting and competing timelines.
Key Deliverables
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Conduct legal and regulatory research and analysis on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other contractual arrangements relevant to coal-fired power generation and transition;
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Provide legal analysis on contractual and regulatory pathways for the early retirement, repurposing, refinancing, restructuring, and replacement of coal-fired power generation;
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Review and provide legal inputs on contractual provisions, regulatory approvals, and other legal requirements relevant to the amendment, renegotiation, replacement, or termination of PPAs;
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Draft and present legal inputs and advocacy/position papers, in close consultation with ClientEarth staff and other key partners, to contribute to ongoing energy market regulatory reform processes in the Philippines;
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Work closely and liaise directly with ClientEarth staff and key Philippine and international partners to deliver on joint outputs and strategies to facilitate the Philippines’ transition to sustainable energy systems in accordance with the goals of the Paris Agreement; and
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Any other tasks as may be reasonably required of this role.
Tentative timeline
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30 October 2026: Selection of legal consultant
-
01 Jan 2027: Start of consultancy
-
Second week of Jan 2027: Organisational Call
Remuneration
There is a maximum budget of GBP 8,000 (inc. Philippine VAT and all applicable taxes; Consultants shall pay their own Philippine taxes) exclusive of UK VAT. Please include your proposed daily rate and annual rate based on 0.6 FTE (3 days a week). Payment will be on a monthly basis upon receipt of accomplishment report and invoice.
Application procedure
Please send a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to demonstrate suitability for the consultancy together with your curriculum vitae to cyu@clientearth.org by 15 October 2026 23:59 BST.
Please include at least two relevant written samples of past work in your submission. If co-authored, please describe your contribution to the written output.
Please note that applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.
Terms of Reference: Transmission Planning Legal Consultant
Consultancy objective: ClientEarth is searching for a Philippine-qualified lawyer who is an expert in power systems and transmission planning to provide technical and policy support on transmission planning and grid development in the Philippines, including the integration of renewable energy, energy storage and distributed energy resources, and the development of planning approaches to support the country’s energy transition.
Duty station: Remote work/ international
Type and duration of contract: Consultancy contract of 6 months (0.6 FTE/3 days a week); 01 Jan 2027 to 30 June 2027
Preferred starting date: 01 Jan 2027
Closing date: 15 Oct 2026 23:59 BST
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is an international environmental legal organisation using the law to protect the earth and its inhabitants. We support practical solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges and work with people, governments and industry to make those solutions a reality. We have grown to more than 300 staff in nine offices across Europe, China, Japan and the United States.
Our approach is tailored to each region in which we operate. In Asia, we work to accelerate the region’s clean energy transition and to protect nature. We have been working in China since 2016 and, since 2020, expanded our work to Southeast Asia and Japan. Our regional team includes more than 30 law and policy experts experienced across six Asian jurisdictions. Across the region, we have also been involved in several capacity-building initiatives through training programmes, seminars and webinars in collaboration with different organisations.
In the Philippines, we work with government, the private sector and civil society to strengthen energy regulations to hasten renewable energy (RE) development and the energy transition.
Background
The transition of the Philippine power system will require significant development and modernization of the country’s transmission network to accommodate increasing renewable energy capacity while maintaining system reliability and security. This requires legal and regulatory frameworks that support timely and adequate transmission planning, development and investment.
Transmission planning can affect the pace and location of new generation development, the integration of renewable energy and other emerging energy resources, and the ability of the grid to respond to changing generation and demand patterns. Legal and regulatory frameworks relating to transmission development planning, grid access, investment and cost recovery, coordination among relevant energy sector entities, and regulatory oversight therefore play an important role in supporting the country’s energy transition.
A legal expert with experience in transmission regulation and Philippine power sector regulation is being sought to provide legal and policy support on transmission planning and grid development, including legal and regulatory frameworks for transmission expansion, grid access, renewable energy integration, planning and investment, and related regulatory and governance issues.
Education and training
- Law degree (essential), post graduate degree in energy, environmental or climate field (desirable)
- Significant experience as a Philippine-qualified lawyer (essential) in power sector regulation, transmission regulation, grid planning and development, or related energy sector matters in private practice, public service or in an NGO in the Philippines (essential)
- Experience reviewing or advising on laws, regulations, policies and other legal and regulatory frameworks relating to transmission planning, grid development, grid access and power system planning (essential)
- Experience or knowledge of energy regulation and energy transition issues in the Philippines (essential)
- Experience engaging at different levels (national, local) with different groups of stakeholders (civil society organisations, think tanks, government and/or the private sector) (essential)
- Experience or knowledge of climate, air and water pollution, and biodiversity regulation (desirable)
- Good knowledge of corporate governance and financial laws (desirable)
Key Competencies
- Fluent (CEFR level C2) in English and Tagalog or another Philippine language
- Excellent legal research, analysis, writing, advisory and advocacy skills
- Confident working with and analysing complex technical, scientific, political and legal material
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to influence external audiences, adapting communication style to specific audiences such as government, industry and civil society
- An openness to learning and developing new ideas • Able to work independently and in a team-oriented collaborative manner within a multi-disciplinary,
multi-lingual and multicultural environment - Able to work well from a distance and across different geographies and time zones with cross
cultural sensitivity - Excellent organisation skills and ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks and react
positively in light of shifting and competing timelines
Key Deliverables
The key deliverables are:
- Conduct technical and policy research and analysis on transmission planning, grid development
and power system planning in the Philippines; - Review and provide technical inputs on transmission development plans, transmission planning
methodologies and related policies, regulations and planning documents; - Provide technical analysis on transmission requirements associated with the integration of
renewable energy, energy storage and distributed energy resources; - Draft and present legal inputs and advocacy/position papers, in close consultation with ClientEarth
staff and other key partners, to contribute to ongoing energy market regulatory reform processes
in the Philippines; - Work closely and liaise directly with ClientEarth staff and key Philippine and international partners
to deliver on joint outputs and strategies to facilitate the Philippines’ transition to sustainable energy
systems in accordance with the goals of the Paris Agreement; and - Any other tasks as may be reasonably required of this role.
Tentative timeline
- 30 October 2026: Selection of legal consultant
- 01 Jan 2027: Start of consultancy
- Second week of Jan 2027: Organisational Call
Remuneration
There is a maximum budget of GBP 8,000 (inc. Philippine VAT and all applicable taxes; Consultants shall pay their own Philippine taxes) exclusive of UK VAT. Please include your proposed daily rate and annual rate based on 0.6 FTE (3 days a week). Payment will be on a monthly basis upon receipt of accomplishment report and invoice.
Application procedure
Please send a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to demonstrate suitability for the consultancy together with your curriculum vitae to cyu@clientearth.org by 15 October 2026 23:59 BST.
Please include at least two relevant written samples of past work in your submission. If co-authored, please describe your contribution to the written output.
Please note that applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.