Background

The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Tourism and Hospitality Industry (MECTHI), 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, known as the Zambezi Valley Biodiversity Project (ZVBP). 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 governments of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique are working together to establish two Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Zambezi Valley, namely the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools (LOZAMAP) and the Zimbabwe-Mozambique-Zambia (ZIMOZA). Transfrontier Conservation Areas are a relatively new concept in the conservation arena. They are founded on the realization that natural resources that straddle international boundaries are a shared asset with the potential to meaningfully contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the welfare and socio-economic development of communities. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) acknowledges that TFCAs can be effective vehicles for fostering regional cooperation and integration and enhancing socio-economic development in rural areas through the sustainable use of shared natural and cultural resources,

The two TFCAs in the Zambezi Valley are at the conceptual stage. The ZIMOZA TFCA area covers four districts - Mbire in Zimbabwe; Zumbo and Magoe in Mozambique; and Luangwa in Zambia, with a total area of approximately 29,859 km2. The area encompasses the confluence of the Zambezi and Luangwa Rivers including national parks, game management areas, safari areas and communal land. The ZIMOZA TFCA overlaps slightly with the Lower Zambezi – Mana Pools TFCA which lies directly on its western border. The LOZAMAP TFCA measures 17,745 km² and is composed of the Lower Zambezi National Park and several game management areas on the Zambian side; and encompasses Mana Pools National Park, Sapi, Chewore and Hurungwe Safari areas; and surrounding communal areas in Zimbabwe,

The government of Zimbabwe, through the MECTHI and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA), together with respective representatives from Mozambique and Zambia, is working to facilitate and finalise the establishment of the ZIMOZA and LOZAMAP TFCAs. In this regard, a consultant is being sought to do a baseline assessment of issues within the proposed LOZAMAP and ZIMOZA TFCAs that will assist in the establishment and development of these two TFCAs. The consultant will collect data from Zimbabwe and Zambia for the proposed LOZAMAP TFCA; and from Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe for the proposed ZIMOZA TFCA.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBLITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

Conduct Analyses and produce a detailed description of proposed LOZAMAP and ZIMOZA TFCAs

To understand and contextualize landscape-wide conservation issues, the consultant is expected to carry out a detailed evaluation and description of proposed TFCAs. The consultant should build on the existing work done during discussions on TFCAs by members states. The analysis should include the following:

• Maps with proposed boundaries of the two TFCAs,
• Assessment of the landscape including biodiversity and land use patterns,
• Description of socio-economic issues in the proposed TFCAs including those of communities and existing livelihood systems. The consultant should also identify the population groups in the area including any indigenous peoples,
• Identification of potential wildlife corridors in the proposed TFCAs and how they are currently managed,
• Identify any prevailing land-use conflicts and ameliorative recommendations for the future,

Carry out a desk study of laws and policies in the three countries that are relevant for harmonization and effective management of the proposed TFCAs

• Carry out a desk study of relevant laws and policies in the three countries,
• Identify shortcomings and gaps in laws and policies that may inhibit efficient and effective management of the proposed TFCAs,

Assess potential business and other opportunities in the proposed TFCAs

•  Assess existing tourism products/activities in the TFCAs and identify potential opportunities to enhance cross-border tourism development,
• Assess any other business opportunities and potential benefits for communities residing in the TFCAs.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards,
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability,
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Judgement/Decision-making

• Strong technical skills and analytical capacities, sound judgment;
• Strong technical problem-solving skills;
• Ability to understand and establish priorities and work by objectives.

Teamwork

• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds;

Ability to work under stress and work overtime when required.

• Excellent knowledge of the UN system and UN joint country programming processes (CCA/UNDAF),
• Good knowledge and experience with the national development frameworks, especially Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) PRSP, SWAP, key legislation, etc.
• Specialised technical knowledge, including in conducting external programme evaluations, data collection and analytical skills, mainstreaming the HRBA to programming and gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations, and transition contexts.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork and adept at working with people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds,
• An understanding of and ability to abide by the core values of the United Nations.

Skills

Intrinsic skills:

• Demonstrate commitment to the missions, visions, and values of the United Nations,
• Demonstrate sensitivity and adaptability to differences in culture, gender, race, nationality, and age,

Functional skills:

• Development and operational efficiency,
• Ability to undertake several specialized activities in the areas of information collection and analysis,

Leadership and self-management:

• Focuses on results for the client,
• Works with energy and a positive and constructive attitude,
• Remains calm, under control and in a good mood even under pressure,
• Demonstrates an openness to change,
• Responds positively to differing opinions

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Minimum Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Conservation or related qualification,

Experience

• A wildlife biologist with extensive practical experience in wildlife management, research and monitoring in African Savannah ecosystems,
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience,
• Experience in natural resources management conservation, environmental impact mitigation,
• Previous experience in transboundary issues will be an added advantage,
• Experience in budget preparation, organisation, planning, and reporting on ecological and socio-economic surveys,
• Proven GIS, mapping and report writing skills,

Language

Knowledge of English is a requirement for this consultancy, and knowledge of Portuguese will be an added advantage.

PAYMENT MILESTONES AND AUTHORITY

The consultant must send a financial offer based on Daily Fee.  The consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. Travel costs and daily living allowance shall be charged to UNDP separately as and when there is need for travel according to the requirement of the consultancy,

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,

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

1st Instalment - Presentation and approval of an Inception Report with detailed methodology and work plan - 20%,

2nd Instalment- A draft report with detailed description of proposed LOZAMAP and ZIMOZA TFCAs, policy issues and potential business and other opportunities - 30%,

3rd Instalment - Final report  with A draft report with detailed description of proposed LOZAMAP and ZIMOZA TFCAs, and potential business and other opportunities - 50%,

Application Procedure

• Applicants are requested to upload copies in pdf format  as one document 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;
• Financial proposal (All-inclusive daily fee)- Interested individuals are kindly requested to submit an all-inclusive daily consultancy fee using the template which can be downloaded from:     https://www.dropbox.com/s/789q1hvdrdgwqqc/PPG_Cons_Letter%20of%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx?dl=0

• Please group all your documents (CV, P11, Technical Proposal, Financial 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 Consultant 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,

  CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA OWNERSHIP

  The consultant shall ensure that the collected data in the TFCAs remains confidential. No data or other information from the baseline survey will be released to third parties without written approval from UNDP and MECTHI,

• “UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Well qualified candidates, particularly women and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply”.