Consultant to Develop a Fauna and Flora Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Management Plan for the Barotse Floodplains

Job description

1. Background
The WWF (The World Wide Fund for Nature) is an International Non-Governmental Organization that was born from a drive to conserve threatened wildlife and their habitats in the world. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. In August 2023 the World Wide Fund for Nature in Zambia (WWF Zambia) in collaboration with People in Need (PIN) secured funding from the Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and Czech Development Agency (CZDA) to implement a project aimed at contributing towards the conservation of the local ecosystem, restoration of biodiversity and alleviation of poverty in the Barotse Floodplain of Western Zambia. The project duration period is three years. The project interventions are centered on achieving the following specific objective; to create alternative and climate-resilient livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers in two districts (Mongu and Limulunga) of Barotse Floodplain in Western Zambia through strengthened management of the local ecosystem, development of alternative value chains and enhanced access to clean energy.
The Barotse Floodplains, a Ramsar site known for its rich biodiversity, including over 120 species of fish, migratory birds, and unique cultural practices such as the Kuomboka ceremony, is facing threats from fauna and flora invasive alien species (IAS). These species disrupt local biodiversity, affect livelihoods, and compromise ecosystem services which have been provided by the wetland for centuries. The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), in collaboration with WWF, Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources aim to develop a comprehensive Fauna and Flora IAS Management Plan to mitigate these impacts and promote sustainable management of the floodplains. A consultant will in this regard be hired to develop a Fauna and Flora IAS Management Plan for the Barotse Floodplains. He/she will work in close collaboration with ZEMA, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to ensure successful delivery of the IASMP.

2. Objectives:
1. Assess the current status and impacts of Fauna and Flora IAS in the Barotse Floodplains.
2. Develop a strategic management plan to control and mitigate the effects of Fauna and Flora IAS, restore ecological balance and protect native biodiversity, including bird and fish species in the Barotse floodplains.
3. Engage local communities and stakeholders in the management process.
4. Provide recommendations for long-term monitoring and management.

3. Scope of Work: The consultant will:
1. Conduct a thorough assessment of Fauna and Flora IAS in the Barotse Floodplains, including species identification, distribution, and impact analysis.
2. Review existing literature, policies, and management practices related to IAS.
3. Identify and engage relevant stakeholders that can participate in the project and describe what roles they will play in the project.
i. Provide a record of all consultation events/meetings including minutes, meeting/workshop reports and list of participants/attendees.
4. Develop a detailed Fauna and Flora IAS Management Plan, including, prevention, control, and restoration strategies.
5. Facilitate stakeholder consultations and workshops to gather input and build consensus.
6. Prepare and present a final report with actionable recommendations.

4. Deliverables:
1. Inception report outlining the methodology and work plan.
2. Interim report with preliminary findings and stakeholder feedback.
3. Draft Fauna and Flora IAS Management Plan for review.
4. Final Fauna and Flora IAS Management Plan incorporating all feedback.
5. Summary report and presentation to WWF, ZEMA, BRE, Ministry of Land and Natural Resources and key stakeholders.

5. Duration: The consultancy is expected to last for 6 months from the period of contracting.

6. Qualifications:
1. An Msc or advanced degree in environmental science, resource economics, ecology, or a related field.
2. Proven experience in IAS management and biodiversity conservation.
3. Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
4. Experience working with local communities and stakeholders.
5. Excellent communication and facilitation skills.

7. Supervision and Reporting

The consultant will be directly supervised by the WWF Zambia ELEP Project Coordinator based at the WWF Zambia Mongu Office. He/she will work closely with WWF Zambia Wetlands Officer, Barotse Landscape Programme Assistant and Staff from government agencies responsible for environmental and natural resources management.

8. Application Submission Process:
Your application should consist of the following:
1. Applicants are requested to submit a technical and financial proposal inclusive of detailed methodology and work plan of not more than 10 pages that include the following;
a. Context: Outline your understanding of the context, project objectives, key challenges and specific tasks outlined in the ToR’s
b. Methodology: Propose an approach or methodology you will use to achieve the objectives of the assignment. Include a detailed outline of the IAS management plan, work plan with timelines, key milestones, and the tools/technologies you will use.
c. Qualifications and Experiences: Outline your team composition, including roles and responsibilities. Highlight relevant experience with similar projects. Attach CVs of key team members and provide examples of deliverables your team has delivered.
d. Budget estimates: Provide a budget breakdown by task and deliverables, including all anticipated costs. Please include a brief justification for your proposed budget, taking into consideration a limited project budget
e. Time lines and deliverables: Provide a project timeline, with key milestones and deliverables with dates and they should align with the project scope.
f. Risk Management: Identify potential risks associated with the project and suggest mitigation measures. Please propose a contingency plan for challenges that may arise
g. References and support documents: Provide references from previous clients on similar projects. Include any additional supporting documents, such as reports and plans you have developed in the past
2. Include a 1-page expression of interest,
3. The above should be submitted in Soft copy as a single PDF document and in one folder

Apply by emailing the above compressed in one folder to zcoprocurement@wwfzam.org with “Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Management Plan” in the subject line. Communication, clarifications, and submissions about this consultancy should all be via email to: zcoprocurement@wwfzam.org. Only successful applicants will be contacted. DEADLINE: 25th October 2024 by 17:00hrs.