IN COMMUNITY RANGELAND MANAGEMENT IN MONGU AND LIMULUNGA DISTRICTS.

1. Background
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 objectives; 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 set project outcomes will be delivered through (three) 3 core outputs as outlined: 1) Secured critical ecosystem integrity for endangered bird species through improved rangeland management, enhanced animal welfare, and community-led conservation work; 2) Strengthened local forestry management by empowering community forest management groups and developing value chains for non-timber forest products, and 3 ) Enhanced access to clean and renewable energy for rural communities to reduce levels of deforestation and encroachment of Indigenous woodlands. WWF Zambia operating as an implementing partner contracted by PIN in Zambia to deliver the first two outputs outlined above. In that context, WWF Zambia is looking for a team of consultants to conduct a capacity needs assessment and facilitate capacity-building-related interventions on the project in Mongu and Limulunga Districts of Western Province in Zambia.

2. Expectations
WWF Zambia intends to recruit a team of consultants on long term basis that will

1. Conduct a community rangeland management capacity needs assessment in target districts.
2. Develop a generic capacity development plan for rangeland management in target districts.
3. Develop training modules based on identified and prioritized training needs
4. Train five (5) Community groups in rangeland management
5. Facilitate the development and Implementation of five (5) community rangeland management plans

3. Objectives
The assignment requires a professional team to;

1. Assess the current institutional, infrastructure, and individual capacity of staff from government departments responsible for livestock in Mongu and Limulunga to deliver effective community rangeland management

2. Conduct a community rangeland management capacity needs assessment, validate and prioritize capacity gaps identified through a detailed capacity-building plan in the target districts.

4. Scope of Works
The scope of work may not be limited to:

1. Stakeholder engagement and consultation with government officials, community members, livestock associations & keepers, community rangeland management groups and non-governmental organizations.
2. Conducting a detailed community rangeland needs assessment and developing a capacity-building plan
3. Developing training modules on priority capacity training needs in collaboration with key government departments
4. Capacitating five (05) Community groups in rangeland management
5. Assessing herbaceous vegetation and providing technical support on the establishment of fodder production in selected rangelands
6. Providing technical support on the establishment and operationalization of livestock service centers
7. Facilitating community skills transfer in practical livestock disease surveillance, profiling, vaccination operations, and other extension services in collaboration with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries.
8. Facilitating a rangeland resources inventory based on a livestock productivity model
9. Propose diversified income streams to sustain community rangeland interventions

5. Deliverables and Time Frame
Below are the specific deliverables; The assignment will be delivered in two phases within 10 months. It would be expected that the consultants will deliver the following.

Phase 1 or Assessment phase; (within 4 months from contracting)

1. Consultancy inception report
2. Consolidated report on community capacity needs with respect to Rangeland management
3. Capacity building plan for selected community groups and governmental institutions responsible for community rangeland in Mongu and Limulunga districts
4. Simple, well illustrative training modules and reference materials for improved rangeland management, improved cattle production, disease management and marketing
5. Training reports and completion certificates for community members and committee members in five (5) community groups practicing rangeland management

Phase 2 or Implementation phase (within 5 months upon completing phase 1)

1. Five (5) community rangeland management plans
2. Technical specifications and operational requirements for infrastructure related interventions specifically two (2) livestock service centers, and two (2) fodder production demonstration centers
3. A policy brief with a focus on addressing policy gaps under rangeland management and
4. Consultancy completion report

6. Supervision and Reporting

The identified consultant(s) will be directly supervised by the WWF Zambia ELEP Project Coordinator based at the WWF Zambia Mongu Office. However, they will interface a lot and work in close collaborations with Western Provincial livestock and fisheries coordinator, Limulunga and Mongu Districts Livestock officers

7. Qualifications and Work Experience

Applicants could either be individuals or registered institutions.

Individual / team applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. At least a Masters level degree in in agricultural sciences with specialization in rangeland management, or Masters Degrees in Natural Resources Management, Veterinary Medicine, and any other related field.
2. The team leader or lead applicant must have an M.Sc. or PhD in any related veterinary medical field (Virology, Zoonotic Diseases, One health and others) or environmental sciences.
3. Traceable experience in development of training and reference modules for community based users evidence of relevant publications will be an added advantage
4. Knowledgeable in community participatory natural resources management facilitation skills
5. Ability to understand and speak local languages used in the Western province of Zambia is desirable.
6. Good communication and strong technical writing skills

Corporate or Civil Society applicants must fulfill the following requirements

1. Must be registered in Zambia
2. Must have staff that have the following qualifications
i. At least a Masters level degree in in agricultural sciences with specialization in rangeland management, or Masters Degrees in Natural Resources Management, Veterinary Medicine, and any other related field.
ii. A key member of the applicant must have an M.Sc. or PhD in any related veterinary medical field (Virology, Zoonotic Diseases, One health and others) or environmental sciences
3. Traceable experience in development of training and reference modules for community based users evidence of relevant publications will be an added advantage
4. Traceable experience in facilitation of community participatory natural resources management
5. Produce evidence of solid financial status
6. Traceable evidence of efficient delivery of similar assignments in the last two years

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 15 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 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 “Capacity Needs Assessment–ELEP Project” 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: 14th October 2024 by 17:00hrs.