Background

The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry (METHI), in partnership with the UNDP is implementing a 6-year GEF funded project entitled “Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management and Climate-Smart Landscapes in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Region of Zimbabwe.” The project is implemented under a National Implementation Modality (NIM) where METHI is the Implementing Partner. This is a child project being implemented under a global parent programme entitled “Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development.” The project seeks to address multiple threats to biodiversity and sustainable community development in the Lower Zambezi which include poaching and associated wildlife trade, retaliatory killing of wildlife, deforestation and associated land degradation due to unsustainable agriculture and firewood consumption, and uncontrolled veld fires. The Zimbabwe project is therefore a multifocal area project whose objective is to promote an integrated landscape approach to managing wildlife resources, carbon and ecosystem services in the face of climate change in the protected areas and communal lands of the Mid to Lower Zambezi Regions of Zimbabwe. The project has 4 components namely: Component 1. Strengthening capacity and governance frameworks for integrated wildlife and woodland management and wildlife/forest crime enforcement in Zimbabwe; Component 2. Strengthening Zimbabwe's PA estate and CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies in areas of global BD significance; Component 3. Mainstreaming BD and ES management, and climate change mitigation, into the wider landscape; and Component 4. Knowledge Management, M&E and Gender Mainstreaming;

The project is being implemented in Muzarabani, Mbire and Hurungwe Districts as well as Mana Pools National Park, and Chewore, Sapi, Hurungwe, Dande, Charara and Doma Safari Areas. Although the project has established baseline and targets for tracking progress towards the overall objective and targets, two of the project components, (2 and 3) and relevant outputs that involve the participation of local communities in the targeted wards require detailed assessments to establish the current status, and to identify and evaluate the feasibility of priority actions in order to guide the implementation of components for the project period.

The components and outputs that require detailed assessment are:

Component 2. Strengthening Zimbabwe’s PA estate and CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies in areas of global BD significance;  

Outcome 2. Improved capacity of PA network and CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies to protect globally significant biodiversity of the mid-lower Zambezi region over a total area of 1,616,900 ha.  The objective of Outcome 2 of the project is to improve capacity of the Protected Area network and CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies (CWCs) to protect globally significant biodiversity of the mid-lower Zambezi region of Zimbabwe. Six CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies with a total area of 334,500 ha will be officially established at Pfundundu and Mukwichi in Hurungwe, Mbire North, Kanyurira/Masoka and Karinyanga in Mbire, and Mavhuradonha in Muzarabani District.

Component 3. Mainstreaming BD and ES management, and climate change mitigation, into the wider landscape [site level];

Outcome 3. Increased area under sustainable management and benefits for local communities from CBWM, SFM and SLM in established CWCs. The objective of Outcome 3 of the project is to ensure that the three districts have comprehensive and implementable plans to manage natural resources effectively and to reduce threats to biodiversity and to ensure that such plans lead increased economic value of wildlife and woodlands for local people and decreased poaching, retaliatory killing of wildlife and other unsustainable forms of NRM by local communities. Under this component the project will invest in the local communities’ sustainable livelihood in the six target CWCs to increase their capacity to manage SFM, SLM, and HWC and development of sustainable biodiversity friendly sources of income.

UNDP is therefore seeking the services of a competent team of consultants to conduct a detailed baseline study and provide recommendations for feasible investments and activities/action to achieve the desired outcomes.

The purpose of the consultancy

The purpose is to provide the project team with a detailed baseline information on the situation relating to the two components of the project, identify and recommend priority actions based on feasibility assessments and provide implementation guidance to achieve the desired outcomes. The baseline will be used to inform Integrated Landscape Management Planning for the targeted landscape.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The objectives of the consultancy are:

• To carry out comprehensive surveys in identified wards to assess the baseline scenario in terms of the status of CWCs;

• To conduct detailed feasibility assessments and identify and recommend investment priorities and viable business models for each CWC;

• To conduct a detailed baseline study of the status of NRM in particular Sustainable Forest Management, Sustainable Land Management, Human Wildlife Conflict, and threats to biodiversity in the targeted wards and recommend priority actions that can be supported by the project;

• To assess the current socioeconomic conditions and the livelihood activities of communities in the project area, identify economic opportunities recommend NRM related alternative livelihood priorities that can be supported within the scope of the project;

• To assess the current local level institutional arrangements for sustainable land management and NRM planning, sustainable forest management, human wildlife conflict management, fire control, and assess their capacity needs and recommend a plan of action for capacity support and training.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The consultancy is expected to conduct the surveys in the three Districts of Hurungwe, Mbire and Muzarabani. The areas of focus are Pfundundu and Mukwichi in Hurungwe, Mbire North, Kanyurira/Masoka and Karinyanga in Mbire, and Mavhuradonha in Muzarabani District and the wards associated with these core areas and the wards identified as wildlife corridors. The details of the scope of work under each outcome area are as follows:

Outcome 2:

• Conduct baseline assessments of the status of CWC of Pfundundu and Mukwichi in Hurungwe District; Mbire North, Kanyurira/Masoka and Karinyanga in Mbire District; and Mavhuradonha in Muzarabani District (Input from all experts except GIS);
• Identify business models, conduct feasibility of the identified  business models and make recommendations (Core input from Business Analyst);
• Develop detailed investments plans for each CWC depending on the needs and within the scope of the project (Core input from Business Analyst).

Outcome 3:

• Undertake a landscape wide community livelihoods assessment, state of environment and activities on community based SFM, SLM, HWC management and alternative sources of income including climate change mitigation and alternative energy initiatives. Prioritize needs and provide recommendations for small grants projects ideas that can be undertaken by community groups, CBOs and CSOs to deliver the desired outcome (Core input from livelihoods expert by livelihoods expert, supported by Forestry, Wildlife);
• Conduct institutional analysis, capacity assessment and training needs analysis for capacities in SFM, SLM, HWC management and recommend a training plan. (Wildlife and Forestry experts);
• Take stock of all woodland restoration activities and recommend a plan of action for woodland restoration activities including possible engagement with private sector (Input from Forestry expert);
• Take stock of alternative sources of energy and energy saving equipment (Forestry expert);
• Conduct analysis to establish the status of NRM planning and needs and gap analysis to inform Integrated Landscape Management Planning for Mbire, Muzarabani and Hurungwe Districts and come up with recommended actions with plans to roll out the development of ILMPs in 2019. (Core input from team leader/NRM specialist with support from all experts);
• Baseline Report Production.

To ensure that all field work by experts is effectively planned and coordinated, field is fully analysed and a detailed consolidated report is produced timely (core input from Team Leader supported by everyone).

Expected methodology to the work

The consultancy is expected to apply a participatory approach that is all-inclusive – including local communities, local traditional and administrative authorities and all stakeholders in all the districts and targeted wards.  Use of both qualitative and quantitative methods is expected.  In particular, financial analysis is expected as part of assessing the business models for the identified CWCs. Knowledge, Awareness and Practice surveys in line with capacity and training needs analysis and awareness programming recommendations required within the scope of the project.

The consultants through the Team Leader, will be expected to present a detailed methodology at inception.

Expected Deliverables

The deliverables for this consultancy are:

• An inception report detailing the approach and methodology, workplan and outline of the report within one week of signing the contract;
• Draft Baseline Report within 10 days after concluding field work;
• A detailed Final baseline report with the recommendations sections structured according to the Outcome areas and relevant outputs of the project document within one week after receipt of comments from UNDP.

The report should include comprehensive information on the following:

• Socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the population;
• Livelihood status/economic activities;
• Institutional arrangements for NRM existing in the six areas and how they relate to CWCs;
• Natural resource base status of the different communities;
• Maps of the proposed CWC boundaries, including wards involved and hectarage;
• Pictures, graphs and other illustrations showing relevant features of /issues in the landscape including ecological/conservation status (wildlife, forestry, fires etc);
• Other maps showing spatial patterns in land cover (and land cover change), vegetation, fires, wetlands, soils and relevant features;
• Biodiversity habitats, wildlife movements/corridors, HWC hot spots;
• Information on connectivity opportunities for the conservancies;
• Potential tourism business opportunities;
• Recommendation on viable business models;
• Details of operations of the private sector already working in the areas (e.g. restocking, lease period) and Private sector partnerships;
• Feasibility assessments of establishing the six CWCs;
• Business analysis of the CAMPFIRE projects – benefits/barrier analysis new value chains analysis; feasibility and financial viability

Consultancy Team Required Skills and Experience

The Consultancy Work will be carried out by a team of Consultants comprising of the following:

• Team Leader (40 working days);
• Economist/Business Analyst (25 working days);
• Forestry expert (20 working days);  
• Wildlife Management Expert (20 working days);
• Livelihoods and Community Engagement Specialist (25 working days);
• Mapping Specialist/GIS (20 working days).

It is anticipated that each team member will require days indicated in brackets above against each role to complete the assignment. The indicative number of working days are inclusive of 15 days field travel which shall be undertaken by all the Consultants at the same time. Applicants should take this into account when preparing their work plans in the technical proposals.

Each team member must apply individually clearly indicating the Position/Role applied for and must possess the qualifications and experience indicated in the Qualification Section below”.

Institutional Arrangements

The successful team will work under direct supervision of the UNDP GEF Project Manager with support from the UNDP PRECC Unit Team Leader and the UNDP M&E Specialist

Duration of Work

The duration of the consultancy will be 60 days (inclusive of the review process) starting 1 February 2019. The expected date of delivery of the final report is April 30th 2019.  

Payment of Milestones

The consultancy team must send a financial proposal based on Daily Fee.  Each consultant should quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the days assigned for the work. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the consultant in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. Travel costs and daily allowance cost should be identified separately.

Payments will be made based on the agreed financial proposal (contract is based on daily fee) and released upon submission of a certificate of payment request, indicating deliverables achieved and days worked to be verified and cleared for payment by the supervisor. For the team members, the Team Leader will be responsible for confirming the quality of the deliverable before payment can be made.

The qualified consultant shall receive his/her lump sum service fees upon certification of the completed tasks satisfactorily, as per the following payment schedule:

• Upon approval of a consolidated Inception Report submitted by the team leader: 20%;
• Upon submission of Draft Consolidated Baseline Report (submitted by the team leader): 40%;
• Upon submission of Final Consolidated Baseline Report and Annexes (submitted by the team leader): 40%;

Competencies

All the team members should have the following competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills;
• Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• Strong inter-personal skills, in particular, demonstrated team leadership qualities and excellent oral communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet challenging deadlines;
• Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure.

Compliance with UN Core Values: 

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Team leader: Master’s Degree in any of the following Environment, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resources Management or development studies;

• Economist/Business Analyst: University Degree in Economics, Natural Resources Economics, Finance or related degree;

• Forestry expert: First degree in Forestry of related fields;

• Wildlife Management Expert: First degree in Wildlife Management ecology or related fields;

• Livelihoods and Community Engagement Specialist: University degree in Rural Development, Development Studies, Business Management, Community Development or a related area;

• Mapping Specialist/GIS: Bachelor's degree in GIS, Geography, or related field, and relevant GIS training.  

Experience:

• Team leader: The team leader should have minimum of 10 years progressive experience in forestry, natural resource economics and management or a related field, a good understanding of natural resources-based tourism-based business and should demonstrate that she/he has led similar tasks before;

• Economist/Business Analyst: The Economist should have at least 5 years experience in business analysis and business viability assessment from a wildlife economy/natural resources economics perspective and should be familiar with CAMPFIRE business models;

• Forestry expert:  Should have at least 5 years’ experience in research and working with local communities in designing sustainable forest management activities, forestry resources assessments, fire management. Should have knowledge of alternative sources of energy and energy saving techniques and an appreciation of climate change related issues;

• Wildlife Management Expert: Should have have at least 5 years experience in wildlife management and landscape biodiversity assessments, managing/addressing Human wildlife conflicts and working with communities in this and related biodiversity management;

• Livelihoods and Community Engagement Specialist: The specialist should have a minimum of 5 years progressively relevant professional working experience in market driven approach to livelihoods programming, income generating activities development, livelihood development support based on environment and forestry, climate smart agriculture and participatory development planning. Should have proven experience of working with CBOs or NGOs in livelihood, socio-economic recovery and resilience building and small grants management;

• Mapping Specialist/GIS: Should have at least 3 years of GIS mapping experience or any combination of education and experience that provides the equivalent knowledge, skills and experience for the required task.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and local language;

Application Proceedure

Applicants are requested to upload copies of:

• Latest CV highlighting the relevant experience;
• Updated P11 Form template of which can be downloaded from this website - http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
• A detailed technical proposal on undertaking the tasks and evidence of previous work;
• Letter Indicating the Position Applied for;

Please group all your documents (CV, P11, Technical Proposal and certificates) into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Incomplete applications will not be given consideration.

• Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Evaluation criteria:

The Consultants will be evaluated based on qualifications and the years of experience, as outlined in the qualifications/requirements section of the ToR.  In addition, the Consultant will also be evaluated on the following methodology:
 
Technical Criteria weight: 70%;
Financial Criteria weight: 30%;
The award of the contract shall be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the Terms of Reference.