Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Project

Request for Proposals

Various Consultancy Services

1.0 Background and Context

Zambia has a large natural resource base that includes forests, wetlands, fresh water and agricultural land. The country is one of the most forested in southern Africa with -66% (-49 million ha) of its total land mass covered by forest. Eight Zambian wetland systems - the Kafue Flats Wetland, Bangweulu Wetlands, Barotse (Zambezi) Floodplains, Luangwa Floodplains, Busanga Swamps Lukanga Swamps, Lake Mweru-wa-Ntipa and Lake Tanganyika - have been designated as Wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Wetland and forest ecosystems constitute important natural resources in Zambia. Wetlands mostly occur as spatially distinct ecological units and are managed separately though functionally linked to forests. Forests play a critical role in the well-being and functioning of the hydrological cycle. Hence, forest conservation is intimately linked to the health of wetlands and the quality of water downstream Forests also have the capacity to capture and store water, which helps to mitigate floods in periods of heavy rainfall and to ensure steady water flow into wetlands during dry seasons (basal flow). Similarly, many forests depend on groundwater to maintain ecosystem functionality and therefore rely on wetlands to support their flora and fauna. The functional linkages between wetland and forest ecosystems provide essential and reciprocal support to each other

Despite their importance, wetland and forest ecosystems in Zambia are currently experiencing large-scale deforestation and degradation. The degradation of wetlands and forests reduces the capacity of ecosystems to provide valuable ecological and socio-economic services. Consequently, this adversely impacts the livelihoods of dependent local communities living around the wetlands and forests and makes them vulnerable to the effects of this degradation because of their limited access to other sources of income and additional livelihoods.

It is against this background that the Government of the Republic of Zambia was awarded a grant by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to implement the "Building the resilience of local communities in Zambia through the introduction of Ecosystem based Adaptation (EBA) project under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. Part of the grant has been committed to engage consultants to address various aspects of the project.

2.0 Objectives

The objectives of the project interventions will be to:

i) Integrate EbA into wetland and forest restoration and management in Zambia;
ii) Reduce vulnerability of local communities to climate change impacts and demonstrate benefits of EbA
iii) Reduce ongoing degradation of wetlands and forests and
iv) Increase knowledge and awareness of EDA, as well as the benefits provided by wetland and forest ecosystem services

To achieve the project objectives, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Climate Change and Natural Resources Management Department intends to procure the services of the following consultants

1. Ecosystem Based Adaptation Expert (International and National)
2. Livelihood Expert (International)
3. Climate Change Risk Assessment Expert (International)
4. Gender Expert (National)
5. Knowledge Management Expert (National)
6. Research Expert (National)
7. Policy Expert (International and National)
8. Community Capacity Building Expert (National)
9. Adaptation Expert (International)
10. Energy Expert (National)

3.0 Relevant Experience

The applicants should demonstrate relevant experience in line with the consultancy services being applied for, interpretation of the Terms of Reference and should clearly state how they intend to undertake the assignment

4.0 Application Procedure and Deadline

The applicants should clearly state the consultancy service being applied for and the submission of soft copy proposals should be sent to biston.mbewe@gmail.com and nellie.ngulube@email.com. The hard copy proposals can be submitted to the address below. For detailed Terms of Reference for the consultancy services, please visit the website: www.mlnr.gov.zm under Job Advert.

The deadline for submission of applications is 11th June, 2021.

The proposals should be addressed to:
The Permanent Secretary
Attention: Head-Procurement and Supplies Unit
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Mulungushi House
Box 50694
Ridgeway
LUSAKA