Background
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BACKGROUND
Morne Trois Pitons National Park (MTPNP) was proposed as a forest reserve in 1952 but later designated as a National Park under the National Parks and Protected Areas Act # 16 of 1975. MTPNP includes large highly scenic tracts of the most extensive almost undisturbed tropical forest in the Lesser Antilles and the headwaters of most of the major streams and rivers in the southern half of the Small Island Developing State (SIDS). These support a high level of biodiversity. The Park lies within a Conservation International- designated Conservation Hotspot, a WWF/IUCN Centre of Plant Diversity and a Bird Life-designated Endemic Bird Area. In 2011 the Revised Management plan recommended the following proposed buffer zone for the MTPNP WHS consisting of the establishment of a 305m buffer in the northern area of the park in the Pont Casse’ areas where approved building development has been granted to land owners. In other areas of the park a 200 m buffer was recommended.
Noting the challenges faced by the communities on the edge of MTPNP and the threat that poses to the protection of MTPNP, the Government of Dominica initiated the project Supporting Sustainable Ecosystem by Strengthening the Effectiveness of Commonwealth of Dominica’s Protected Areas System. The project aims to demonstrate a model for effective integrated landscape management encompassing the strengthening of an existing Protected Area (Morne Trois Pitons National Park) and establishment of its buffer zone in order to reduce threats to biodiversity and ecological functioning. The project has the following two components:
- Component 1: Strengthening the core zone management of Protected Areas at systemic level and scale up innovative interventions at core zone of selected Protected Areas to improve Sustainability.
- Component 2: Establish and manage Buffer Zone as a key component of National Protected Area System and select experiences to be scaled up beyond the buffer zone
In addition, as part of the overall development and operationalization of a wider system of the 7 national protected areas in the Commonwealth of Dominica, the project aims to enhance both opportunities for sustainable livelihoods within, and generated by its network of protected areas, as well as community participation and collaboration in effective management of the sites and their resources. This would entail equitably increasing all stakeholders access and capacity for livelihood opportunities in keeping with the goals and objectives of the protected areas.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project will hire a consultant to carry out a feasibility assessment for sustainable financing of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s Protected Area System (there are 7 legally established PAs in Dominica-1 marine and 6 terrestrial) and develop a sustainable finance plan for each site incorporating any prior or existing sustainable finance work that exists. These efforts should include the consideration of the development and implementation of a visitor/user fee system. Furthermore, enhanced sustainable livelihoods, including small- and micro-enterprises that support protected area objectives and conservation, should be integrated into overall financial planning for the protected area sites and the site-based financial plans developed through this consultancy. These sustainable site-based finance plans will incorporate gender-responsive socio-economic and livelihood assessments of of persons who depend on the natural resources for their livelihoods. Accompanying recommendations to enhance and strengthen gender-responsive livelihood opportunities (e.g tour operators, taxis, tour guides, vendors) developed through stakeholder engagement, should also be included. These sustainable finance plans are intended to further support long-term sustainability of livelihoods dependent on the protected area sites while accounting for natural hazard risks and climate change threats, and the overall management and institutional growth of the system of protected areas for the Commonwealth of Dominica in its context as a small island developing state (SIDS).
Objective
The consultant will develop site-specific sustainable finance plans for the suite of 6 terrestrial PAs and one Marine PA within the Commonwealth of Dominica’s national System of Protected Areas. The project’s primary aim for the system is to support long term conservation and protection of the protected areas resources, taking into consideration its vulnerabilities associated with natural hazard risks and climate change. In addition, outputs of this consultancy will support the Project’s aim to enhance stakeholder livelihoods and co-management in its financial planning, as appropriate, to support overall Protected Area System management.
Activity Description
Improve financial stability of the Protected Area System by improving the allocation and monitoring of financial resources for the management of Protected Areas, diversify revenue sources and generate multiple financial streams.
- Submit an inception report and desk review, with stakeholder comments incorporated and finalized prior to the consultant’s mission, that includes:
- A literature review of successful TPA/MPA financing mechanisms in SIDS, especially in the Caribbean (including Belize and Dominican Republic). This should at a minimum describe the mechanisms used, the enabling environment (e.g. policies, laws, partnerships, agreements), key success factors, difficulties encountered. It should also examine the legal, regulatory and administrative context for Protected Area financing in the Commonwealth of Dominica and how the case studies may be applicable or present risks in the Commonwealth of Dominica context.
- Methodology and approach to develop the sustainable site-based finance plans for the following; Morne Diablotin National Park, Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Cabrits National Park; Central Forest Reserve; Northern Forest Reserve; Soufrière Scotts Head Marine Reserve and Stewart Hall Water catchment Protected Forest, including community and stakeholder engagement plan for this process. Data collection (content and methodology) should be developed and presented for approval, ensuring data needs are identified and appropriate tools for their collection are designed and tested.
- A detailed work plan and schedule.
- Prepare a Revenue Generation Feasibility Assessment for Sustainable Financing of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s Protected Area System by identifying the revenue generating opportunities for each of the 7 individual sites. This should include the potential for using fee structures (entrance, user, commercial, special and concession fees), as well as grants and philanthropic donations. The assessment should incorporate legal and social considerations, administration, and revenue management costs (e.g. staffing, infrastructure, hardware, software, banking and other costs associated with fee/revenue management), revenues and any other considerations deemed pertinent, and that incorporate mechanisms for revenue generation. The assessment will gather essential information/data to help determine the current levels of investment in the Protected Area estate and identify the level of financial resources necessary for its long-term management. The feasibility analysis should include, but not be limited to:
- a comparative analysis of the current expenditure and investment levels for the Protected Area System by the different managing agencies;
- required investment and funding requirements;
- the quantified shortfall in funding for the present Protected Area estate; and
- recommendations on addressing the funding shortfall and developing needed financial capacity.
- Provide recommendations, including business planning, capacity building and tools for cost-effective management; and tools for revenue generation by Protected Areas.
- Develop respective Protected Area site-based sustainable finance plans for 7 sites, including MTPNP, in collaboration with the Project, relevant agencies and stakeholders, that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Outputs of the above feasibility assessment, identified sustainable livelihood recommendations (working with the Protected Areas Consultant) that support conservation, Protected Area management objectives, gender-responsive community supported management.
- Ensure all revenue, expenditures and financial needs of the Protected Area sites are addressed and incorporated into financial planning for each site, and consequently develop an annual budget for Protected Areas management
- Design a strategy for financial flows between agencies responsible for the maintenance, sales and use of environmental goods and services (i.e. Forestry, National Parks, Tourism and Finance)
- 2, 5 and 10- year financing goals for each site to accommodate 1) an anticipated increase in visitor use; 2) anticipated Protected Area infrastructure to accommodate projected increased visitation; and 3) financing profiles for selected sustainable livelihood initiatives (TBD), including small- and micro-enterprises that support co-management of the Protected Area site (working in collaboration with the Protected Areas Consultant).
- Ensure that site level financing mechanisms stem from and support a system level financial strategy, and that replicability supports overall Protected Area system growth. These plans should also ensure current expenditures of institutions for Protected Area management do not represent an underestimation of the actual cost of Protected Area management and conservation due to existing restrictions of available budgets, that funds are spent effectively and opportunities for cost savings between Protected Areas are optimized. Further, ensure that the identified sustainable site funding activities incorporated meet biodiversity and other Protected Areas objectives based on management and Protected Area System plan information.
- Design a strategy to optimize existing revenue sources and increase their total value considering:
- Tourism entrance and user fee collection, administration and purchase system is improved and updated;
- Rationalize fee structures and rates across all Protected Areas and for all revenue mechanisms;
- Establish a process and methodology for periodic evaluations of rate suitability, to ensure that the Protected Area fees remain competitive as a revenue source;
- Generate an effective communication strategy to promote Protected Area goods and services among stakeholders and partners
- Develop a roadmap for establishment of a Protected Areas conservation trust fund with special provision for the involvement of local women’s organisations working in, on or around TPAs.
- Develop a co-management plan (involving vulnerable groups, women and youth) for MTPNP core and buffer zone. The plan should include administrative and financial processes specific to MTPNP and a standardized plan which can be replicated for Protected Areas in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The plans shall be presented for validation to the stakeholders who were consulted in their development. Revisions shall be made based on their feedback for final submission of the financing and co-management plans and associated annexes.
- It is expected That this consultancy will have 3 missions (Two at 2 weeks each and one at 1 week)
Competencies
Years of experience:
- At least 10 years of experience in financial management , especially in sustainable development
- At least 5 years of experience in financial planning and management relating to conservation or management of natural resources, including Protected Areas
- Demonstrated expertise in public finance, microeconomics, fiscal, financial and monetary policies, especially in relation to conservation
- Demonstrated experience in financing PA and guidance on development of business plans for protected areas (linked to management plans)
- Evidence of work in integrating sociocultural, environmental and economic analyses, including gender equality
- Experience in working and collaborating with and brokering partnerships among governments and communities
Competencies:
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Facilitation of consultative and participatory research and planning processes
- Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent English, both written and oral
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications:
- Minimum of a Master’s degree in environmental economics, conservation economics, finance, economics, conservation biology, ecology or closely related field