Solidaridad Identification of Development Options Around Priority Conservation Areas Jobs in Uganda

Solidaridad Identification of Development Options Around Priority Conservation Areas Jobs in Uganda

1. Introduction

Solidaridad envisions a world in which all we produce, and all we consume can sustain us while respecting the planet, and the next generations.

Globally, Solidaridad works around commodities and innovations that include climate and landscapes, impact investments, gender and digital solutions (http://www.solidaridadnetwork.org).

Background

The DRC, Uganda and Rwanda manage an interconnected conservation landscape that has a range of challenges arising from population increase pressures.

In response to the global biodiversity and deforestation crisis, Solidaridad steps up its efforts to align conservation challenges with human development.

In Solidaridad’s view, conservation, restoration and human land use should go hand in hand. It is a win-win: development of sustainable livelihoods is a precondition for conservation, while robust ecosystems are an indispensable component of resilient livelihoods. This is ever more true in vulnerable communities and in the face of climate change.

In Uganda, where population averages 300 people per square kilometer, and changing ecological conditions push wildlife into agricultural areas, human-wildlife conflict is on the increase.

Expanding farming activities and other forms of encroachment around conservation areas have resulted in accelerated degradation, causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

In order to address these challenges, Solidaridad and her partners, Ministry Of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are in the process of developing a programme that aims to create sustainable livelihoods in ways that support the conservation of high conservation value (HCV) areas.

To this effect, the following steps will be taken:

Identify key development and conservation issues and options around HCV areas in Uganda;

Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, create a guiding policy framework for investments around HCV areas;

Pilot solutions that address conservation while improving community livelihoods;

Facilitate access to blended finance for investment in successful pilots in the landscape.

2. Purpose of the Consulting Assignment

A first round of dialogue with key stakeholders has identified Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park as priority areas.

The purpose of the present Terms of Reference is the identification of issues and options related to conservation and development around these National Parks and the identification of potential business cases to improve the situation.

These business cases will need to meet the following selection criteria:

i. Significant livelihoods improvement, ideally both in terms of and income and food security;

ii. Contribution to human-wildlife conflict reduction;

iii. Complementary to conservation goals;

iv. Fast uptake potential of technologies/solutions amongst stakeholders;

v. Private sector interest;

vi. Proof success in the framework of a one-year pilot project;

vii. Investible.

3. Key questions

The following questions will need to be answered:

i. What are the main issues related to human activity, development and conservation in the areas of interest? Are there significant cases of conflict (both social and environmental)?

ii. Which (economic) activities or production systems - both existing and potential - offer the best opportunities for livelihoods improvement (income and food)?

iii. How do these perform in terms of

environmental and conservation impact, or how are these expected to perform?

iv. For important activities/production systems with significant negative impact, which means of mitigation can be conceived? Are these viable (cost-effective, feasible, etc)?

v. Do important (investment) risks exist (including in relation to climate change and ecosystem resilience)?

vi. Are there any significant policy or governance matters in this regard?

vii. What actors exist to provide key development and conservation services?

viii. What business cases can be conceived to synergistically achieve conservation and development?

4. Detailed Tasks Description

Under the overall supervision of the country manager Uganda and in close collaboration with Solidaridad technical staff and key stakeholders, the consultant will need to perform the following tasks:

Desk study:
The objective of the desk studies is to provide as much insight in the existing situation based on available data. It tries to answer as many and much of the questions raised above. The key deliverable here is the intermediary report.

Field missions:
Based on the desk study and feedback from programme partners, field work and stakeholder meetings will be organised.

Validation
This will entail an in-depth, collaborative interrogation of results from the desk review and the field mission, as well as a multi-stakeholder workshop to discuss and elaborate business cases.

5.0 Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The consultant will deliver to Solidaridad the following:

Feedback on ToR and a proposed methodology, notably for assessing livelihoods improvement potential and conservation impact assessment

Intermediary report about issues & options - 30 April 2019

Workshop 28 - 31 May 2019

Agreed field mission programme

Final report about issues and options, plus an outline of business cases that the present program should consider implementing.

The final report should be ready to print and in line with the agreed specifications and timelines.

6.0 Expertise Required and Qualification

To be eligible to apply for this role the consultant/s must have;

A degree in a relevant field: agriculture, natural resources management or similar

A good network in the Uganda conservation and agriculture sectors

Knowledge of the contexts of the intervention areas, stakeholders and cultural aspects

Relevant and demonstrable experience in consulting and writing

Excellent communication skills – fluency in facilitation, oral and written English, previous proven experience in facilitating stakeholder processes

7. Duration and timing of services

The assignment is expected to take maximum 20 working days from the date of signing the contract. The consultant is expected to start immediately upon signature.

8.0 Application Process Interested and qualified applicants are required to submit a proposal interpreting this Terms of Reference elaborating the proposed methodology, a detailed work plan and budget indicating both the professional daily rates and costs for logistics/operations in Uganda Shillings.

The proposal should contain the applicant’s detailed CV showing comparable consultancies or engagements recently completed (provide sample links /related work successfully produced in the last 2-3 years) and at least 2 work references.

How to Apply:
Interested?

Send your application to: recruitment.secaec@solidaridadnetwork.org

On OR Before 22nd March 2019 1700HRS EAT

Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.