Terms of Reference for Consultancy to Develop a Three-Year Management Plan of Gishwati Forest Reserve

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference for Consultancy to Develop a Three-Year Management Plan of Gishwati Forest Reserve 1. Background The Gishwati Forest Reserve (GFR) is a secondary montane rainforest fragment located south of Volcanoes National Park in western Rwanda, Rutsiro District (1 49 S, E). This forest has a history of deforestation extending over the past 50 years. In1970s, it was 28,000 hectares. In 2002, the remnant forest was only 600 hectares. The efforts to restore Gishwati Forest Reserve have been growing since 2002 and increased its size up to 1, 484 hectares. The interventions include restoration activities done by Project d Appui à la Reforestation au Rwanda (PAFOR) from 2005 through 2007, the ones of an International Non Government Organization, Great Ape Trust of Iowa/Gishwati Area Conservation Program (GACP) from 2008 through 2011and the activities of Forest of Hope Association (FHA), a local Non Government Organization (NGO) working on conservation of the Gishwati Forest Reserve, from January 2012 to current. Gishwati Forest Reserve (GFR) is a home to important biodiversity including world-wide recognized species namely eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, listed as Threatened on the IUCN Red List); golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti, listed as Endangered); mountain monkeys (Cercopithecus l hoesti, listed as Vulnerable); and more than 130 species of birds including 14 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift and two IUCN Vulnerable species: Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) and Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum). The FHA mission is to engage local communities in conservation of the Gishwati Forest Reserve. Its main activities are: forest protection, community outreach, mitigating conflicts between the forest and local people, improving local livelihoods and facilitating research on the forest and its biodiversity. In August 2014, FHA received a grant from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) to strengthen the conservation of GFR through producing a Five-Year Management Plan of this Forest Reserve, establishing Community Forest Protection Initiative Committees (CFPIC), training CFPIC in environmental, forest and mining laws as well as in reporting crimes, and training Cells Officials in environmental, mining, forestry and wildlife laws and related punitive sanctions. 1

2 These Terms of Reference (ToR) are only for the consultancy to develop the Three-Year Management Plan of Gishwati Forest Reserve. 2. Objectives of the consultancy The main objective of this Consultancy is to provide a draft Three-Year Management plan of Gishwati Forest Reserve to support the change in forest management from Reserve to National Park. More specifically, the Consultancy will: Overview the conservation efforts of the GFR since the time it was declared a National Forest Reserve including research Undertake socio-economic and livelihoods analysis taking into account the interaction between the forest reserve and zones of influence Analyze the land use around the GFR considering different actors Map investment opportunities in the area Undertake infrastructure analysis Propose the appropriate biodiversity and ecosystem management options 3. Scope of the work - Organize the conceptual workshop with stakeholders to define the outline of the management plan - Elaborate the Five-Year Management Plan and circulating the draft to the key role players in protected areas management in Rwanda for comments - Organize the validation workshop for the final copy The successful completion of above tasks will lead the Consultant to elaborate and compile the management programmes described briefly here below: 1) Ecological Management and Monitoring Programme : The purpose of this programme is to enhance the conservation and understanding of the ecological services and conservation values through targeted ecological management, research and monitoring. 2) Zonation of GFR: This will provide a mechanism for management of the forest reserve as well as the protection of key ecological areas and set out keys areas for tourism to limit overuse of the forest reserve. 3) Tourism Management & Development Programme: This programme deals with the vital need to generate significant economic returns to meet the costs of the Gishwati Forest Reserve management. It also addresses the need to increase the support of neighbouring communities for the forest s conservation through revenue sharing schemes and community participation 4) Community Partnership Programme: This programme addresses the need to ensure that communities neighbouring the GFR benefit from the Forest and are empowered to achieve sustainable livelihoods through resource use practices beneficial to both the Forest Reserve and the communities themselves 2

3 5) Forest Operations Programme: This programme deals with management systems that are critical to the effective management of Gishwati Forest Reserve including forest protection. 6) Plan of appropriate land use around GFR 4. Methodology/Approach The Consultant will be required to execute this work following, but not limited to, the techniques below: Desk Review: Document analysis and literature review. Information surveying and check listing. Field visits and focused workshops Consultative meetings and interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. line ministry, related NGOs, CSOs, private sector and academic & research institutions) as well as local community Basic mapping of key stakeholders giving their geographic distribution and what they are currently doing. Note: Documents to be reviewed will include but not limited to policies and strategies on protected areas, natural resources management, state of the environment, energy; PAFOR, GACP and FHA documents, Multi-lateral & bi-lateral organisation reports (eg. FAO, World Bank, UNEP, IUCN, UNDP etc.); MDG progress documents; Rio +20 report; EDPRS documents, Rwandan parks/natural forests management plans, etc. Stakeholders Consultations with: Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA), Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA), Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA); Key NGOs; key private sector and research institutions; Qualitative data and information should be, where possible, supported with quantitative information. 5. Deliverables Inception report: Within four weeks of contract signing the Consultant should produce an inception report outlining the key issues, approach to the assignment, and detailed work plan. The deadline is fixed on January 31, 2015 Meeting and Workshops: The consultant will work for six months: his work will start in January 2015 and will be ended in June He will conduct two workshops (on management plan outline, and presentation of the draft three-year management plan of GFR). He will also organize a meeting with key stakeholders to discuss on the draft Three-Year Management Plan before the Validation Workshop. The management plan outline is available by the end of January 3

4 2015. The meeting with all stakeholders to share the draft three-year management plan is scheduled in early April The validation workshop is scheduled in mid-june Communication: The Consultant will develop a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the content of the Three-Year Management Plan of GFR to the stakeholders of FHA in the validation workshop. 6. Competencies The consultant in this assignment should be conversant on conservation management issues as well as socio-economic, ecological, wildlife, soil and water conservation, tourism management, equipment and infrastructure, community development issues as well as protection aspects in the forestry sector. Therefore, the consultant should have excellent knowledge in Protected Areas Management, Natural Resources planning, policy development and strategy documents formulation, and demonstrated experience on performing similar assignments. 7. Required skills and experience To be registered in Rwanda A Masters or higher level degree in conservation management related fields (biodiversity, forestry, environment/natural resources management, landscape management, or related areas) A minimum of 5 years relevant experience undertaking management plans is required Substantive experience related to issues of protected area management Demonstrate experience in institutional design and governance relating to environmental management Experience in buffer zone management issues A sound knowledge of environment and protected areas issues in Rwanda Excellent English writing and communication skills are required 8. Time frame The consultancy should be conducted within a period of 6 months from January to June The contract should be signed before the consultancy starts. 9. Reporting The consultant will report to the FHA Coordinator. 10. Mode of application The consultant or consultant team is required to submit separate technical and financial proposals, which must include the following items: Technical Proposal should include: o Methods proposed, clearly demonstrating adaptation to unique context of Gishwati o Work plan and timeframe proposed 4

5 o Team structure, roles and responsibilities and time allocation if applicable o Detailed CV(s) of the team members o List of the most relevant previous consulting projects completed, including a description of the projects and contact details for references Financial Proposal should include: o Total budget proposed o Detailed budget with costs related to the following items: i. The Consultant s time, and the time of any other team members. The day rate for the Technical Assistant and all team members should be clearly specified. ii. Transport costs, accommodation costs and per-diems for the Consultant and any other team members. iii. Communication costs, office costs, supplies and other materials. iv. Tax should be clearly included o TIN or registration certificate to operate legally in Rwanda Suitably qualified Consultants are invited to respond by sending their proposals to the FHA Coordinator (fharwanda2012@gmail.com) with a copy to FHA Administration and Finance Manager (manirihoaristide1@gmail.com) not later than November 22,