Historique
ESwatini’s formal Protected Areas (PAs) cover approximately 4% of the country’s total land area and are relatively rich in biodiversity with their share of endemism as represented in various ecosystems. Furthermore, the country has set targets for the conservation of its ecosystems and species in line with the National Development Strategy (Vision 2022) and other international targets such as the Aichi Targets under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity. While some of the critical ecosystems and species are found in existing PAs, some are found in areas where they are prone to unstainable utilization and overexploitation of resources, thereby threatening livelihoods and impeding sustainable development. The SNPAS Project has been organised around three components: (i) knowledge-based platform operationalised at the national, regional and community levels to address current and emerging threats to PAs and biodiversity conservation; (ii) Expansion of PA network, and (iii) strengthening PA functioning through improved conservation management and operational support for existing and new PAs, including both formal and informal.
The Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2010-2020 calls for Parties to the CBD that by 2020 they achieve at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services. These should be conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures and be integrated into the wider landscape. An opportunity now exists to further strengthen landscape protection areas through designing and recognising the interconnected sustainable networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). Therefore, the Government Authority “ENTC” requires to be capacitated on how it can customise the step-by-step methodology for identifying, reporting, recognising, and supporting OECMs. Accordingly, the services of a national consultant (NC) is being sought to compliment an international consultant and facilitate the process for Customising OECMs Methodology to Eswatini Context and for mainstreaming OECM in other land uses where conservation is secondary.
Objective:
To customise the generated guidelines of OECMs for use by ENTC in reporting areas that qualify as OECMs to UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre to be uploaded to the World Database on OECMs.
Scope:
To increase national protected area through valuation of informal conservation areas where conservation is secondary in order to make an important contribution towards achieving Aichi Target 11.
Devoirs et responsabilités
Working under the guidance of the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC), PMU, Project Technical Committee (PTC); the National Consultant will work with the international consultant and perform the following tasks:
- Conduct and document consultations with key stakeholder to gather issues and priorities for consideration in the development of country guidelines for OECMs in accordance with national legislation and circumstances, and consistent with national policy, regulation and land management approaches.
- Meet key stakeholder from government and specific sectors to present OECMs and understand sectors
- Facilitate stakeholder validation and capacity building workshops and write workshop reports
- Present the OECM methodology to government officials
- Capacitate the government authority (ENTC) to understand the definition and characterises of an OECM, and its role, responsibility and obligation on the governance of OECMs.
- Present the OECM methodology to government officials
- Support capacity-building to various landowners/managers (private, communities, public) for them to recognise, report and be declared under OECMs.
- Facilitate a practical tool/guide test by evaluating at least four informal conservation area for OECM declaration.
- Facilitate a meeting during which the Reports and Guideline will be presented to managements structures of MTEA and ENTC.
Impact of Results:
- Increase Protected Areas (PAs) coverage in the country;
- Strengthened capacity for Eswatini professionals to conduct OECM valuations in the country;
- Facilitate the mainstreaming of other effective area-based conservation measures into key sectors, that consider biodiversity conservation secondary to their activities.
- A guide will be generated which will inform decision makers on protocols to be followed in declaring OECMs.
Proposal:
Submission of comprehensive methods and processes to be used for the UNCBD OECMs guidelines. This should highlight the following;
- Outline approach to be adopted when carrying out the task
- State and justify method/tool that will be used in the OECM exercise (ensuring that the method is clear and replicable) – state areas where it has been successfully applied, its limitation, etc.
- Highlight risks inherent to the OECMs exercise that might compromise the quality of the product and how they will be managed
- Activities that will be undertaken and corresponding schedule to demonstrate how the allocated time will be utilized.
- Patent rights clause.
Financial proposal, and Credentials for consultant.
Deliverables:
- Inception report within 5 days of signing of contract. Inception report will give details on literature to be reviewed, work plan, methods to be used, stakeholder engagement plan.
- Conduct a stakeholders training/workshop) on step-by-step evaluations and compliance for OECMs.
- Assessment of one conservation area as a practical test for the tool.
- A final report and clear recommendations based on the finding of the assignment.
Compétences
Functional Competences:
- Proven experience in Natural Resources Management in Eswatini/ Southern Africa/ Africa and in support to country process implementation and the land use planning approaches.
- Strong knowledge of actors in biodiversity conservation.
Core Competencies:
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Sound judgment and strong client and results orientation.
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Qualifications et expériences requises
Education:
- A postgraduate degree (Masters or higher) in a subject related to Protected Areas Management, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Economics, Development Studies, or related field.
Experience:
- At least 10 years’ experience in managing Protected Areas;
- Experience in facilitating declaration;
- Experience in developing Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures;
- Experience in land use conflict management
- Demonstrated strong analytical, research, presentation skills and
- Report writing skills;
Language Requirement:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and SiSwati
Submission of Applications:
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
1. Technical Proposal:
(i) Explaining why candidate is the most suitable for the work (experience, knowledge)
(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work
2. Financial proposal:
(i) All costs including fees and expected travel days to the project sites
3. Personal P11 form/CV including experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
P11 Form Link found here: https://un.org.sz/p11/P11.docx
Evaluation:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
Cumulative analysis
When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual 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 solicitation.
* Technical Criteria weight- 70%
* Financial Criteria weight- 30%
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.