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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A CALL FOR PARTNERS TO SUPPLY BEEHIVES AND OTHER BEE KEEPING EQUIPMENT AND UNDERTAKE CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE HONEY MARKET FOR KAMIKOLO AND KAELONGWA-MAKABA ECOSYSTEM CONS. PROJECT SITES

1.0 Introduction/brief background about the Project (abridged from the Project document)
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has received funds from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to implement the Ecosystem Conservation and Community Livelihood Enhancement Project (The Project) in North-Western Zambia. The project being executed by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is aimed at addressing the drivers of deforestation, forest degradation and barriers to sustainable agriculture and management of forests and other natural resources. The Project objective is to strengthen community-based sustainable management of forest landscapes and provide improved livelihood opportunities for targeted forest-dependent rural communities in Zambia’s North-West Province.

The Project is being implemented through three Components:
1. Component 1: Developing the enabling regulatory and planning frameworks for community-based, sustainable forest management
2. Component 2: Promoting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in community-managed forests
3. Component 3: Enhancing the sustainability and productivity of agricultural practices in community-managed forests

2.0 Background
The project is implemented in three districts: Mwinilunga, Kalumbila, and Kasempa, with one project site identified in each district. The overall vision is to secure communal forests, natural resources, and the biodiverse landscape, ensuring meaningful participation and equitable benefits for local communities. The project follows a holistic approach to conservation and community development, addressing underlying drivers of ecosystem degradation and mitigating direct threats to resources and livelihoods.

In Mwinilunga District, the project site focuses on the north central portion of the West Lunga Complex, including West Lunga National Park, Musele Matebo GMA, Chibwika Ntambu GMA, and Lukwakwa GMA. The site covers approximately 50,000 hectares, part of the Chibwika Ntambu Game Management Area (GMA). It is a miombo woodland area abundant in non-timber forest products, and the local communities have a traditional heritage of honey production. The project site is located approximately 150 kilometers from Mwinilunga Central and can also be easily accessed from Kalumbila, around 100 kilometers from Kalumbila Trident Mine.
In Kasempa District, the project site is located within the Greater Kafue Ecosystem, comprising Kafue National Park and surrounding GMAs. The focus is on the Kelongwa-Makaba, a newly established Community Forest Management Area (CFMA) adjacent to the East Lunga National Forest and connected to Kafue National Park through the Lunga Luswishi GMA. The site covers approximately 52,000 hectares and is characterized by miombo woodland vegetation. The area is rich in non-timber forest products, and the communities have a long-standing tradition of honey production. It is situated approximately 80 kilometers from Kasempa Central, off the Kasempa-Mumbwa road.

In Kalumbila District, the project site is situated in Senior Chief Mukumbi’s area. The Kamikolo CFMA, currently under development, is approximately 65,000 hectares in size. The site is predominantly covered by miombo woodland, known for its diverse non-timber forest products. The local communities have a historical connection to honey production. It is located approximately 90 kilometers from Kalumbila Central.
These project sites, with their miombo woodland ecosystems and rich non-timber forest products, provide valuable opportunities for conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources. The project aims to leverage the communities’ traditional expertise in honey production, among others, to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the long-term ecological well-being of the region.

3.0 Solicitation Purpose and Criteria
The project has identified honey as a significant conservation-friendly, forest-based enterprise that can be effectively managed by the Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs) in Kamikolo and Kelongwa-Makaba. To enhance the honey value chain within these two sites, a comprehensive Value Chain Study conducted by the project has revealed critical gaps that need to be addressed. These gaps include:
1. Limited trade opportunities due to the absence or incompleteness of markets.
2. Insufficient technical capacity and limited access to information among the producers, resulting in low productivity.
3. Inadequate management of product quality standards.
4. Scarce availability of productive equipment and inputs.
5. Inadequate infrastructure to support honey production and trade.
6. Low levels of organization among producers.

To overcome these challenges, the project aims to collaborate with private sector partners that can offer holistic support throughout the honey value chain in the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites. By partnering with these companies, the project intends to address the identified gaps and promote sustainable development in the honey sector.

3.1 Scope of Work
The proposals from interested companies, at a minimum, should address the following in support of establishing a sustainable honey value chain in Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo:

i. Technical Support and Capacity Building:
1. Provide technical support and training to beekeepers in the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites, focusing on sustainable honey production practices.
2. Develop and implement a knowledge management system to facilitate the dissemination of technical information and best practices to beekeepers.
3. Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of beekeepers’ practices to ensure adherence to sustainable production methods.
4. Facilitate the establishment of beekeeping associations or cooperatives to enhance knowledge sharing and collaboration among beekeepers.

ii. Supply and Installation of Beekeeping Equipment:
1. Supply 5000 modern top bar beehives, transported to the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites.
2. Support the full installation or setup of the beehives, including site preparation and hive placement.
3. Supply 500 beekeeper suits, 500 pairs of protective gloves, 500 pairs of protective footwear, and 2500 food-grade buckets to beekeepers in the project sites.

iii. Market Development, Scaling, and Offtake:
1. Facilitate the market development for honey produced by the supported beekeepers in the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites.
2. Provide an offtake market for all the honey produced by the beekeepers supported by the project in the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites.
3. Demonstrate a commitment to offering beekeepers beneficial prices that reflect the value and quality of their honey products.
4. Develop marketing strategies to promote the honey products and enhance their market visibility.
5. Provide support and guidance to beekeepers in meeting quality standards and certification requirements for accessing high-value markets.

iv. Aggregation Services:
1. Coordinate and manage the aggregation of honey produced by the supported beekeepers in the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites.
2. Establish collection centers and logistics systems for efficient and timely collection of honey from beekeepers.
3. Ensure proper quality control and compliance with food safety standards during the aggregation process.
4. Implement transparent and traceable systems to track the origin and quality of honey throughout the aggregation process.
5. Provide support and training to beekeepers on proper honey handling and storage practices to maintain product quality.

v. Quality Standards Management:
1. Develop and implement appropriate quality standards for honey produced in the Kelongwa-Makaba and Kamikolo project sites, considering both local and international market requirements.
2. Support beekeepers in meeting the established quality standards through training and capacity building initiatives.
3. Conduct regular quality assessments and monitoring to ensure compliance with the set standards.
4. Facilitate the certification process, where applicable, to enhance market access and competitiveness for honey produced in the project sites.

4.0 Proposal Submission
Interested companies are requested to submit their proposals, clearly addressing the outlined scope of work, additional deliverables, aggregation services, and quality standards management. Proposals should include:
1. Company profile, highlighting relevant experience and expertise in the honey sector and value chain development.
2. Established business presence in North-western Province, demonstrating successful honey market development for local communities and scaling strategies.
3. Technical approach and methodology for providing the required support and services.
4. Detailed implementation plan, including timelines, activities, and budget estimates.
5. Team composition and key personnel qualifications.

5.0 Selection Criteria
The selection of the preferred company will be based on the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated experience and expertise in the honey sector, including market development and value chain support.
2. Established business presence in the rural communities around North-western province, traceable market connections and scaling strategies.
3. Capacity to offtake honey products from the beekeepers in the sites.
4. Technical approach and methodology proposed for providing the required support and services.
5. Ability to supply and install the necessary beekeeping equipment and materials.
6. Commitment to offering beekeepers beneficial prices and promoting fair trade practices.
7. Capacity for coordinating aggregation services and ensuring efficient honey collection and handling.
8. Experience in developing and implementing quality standards for honey products.
9. Financial proposal, including cost estimates for the required support and services.
10. Ability to scale the presence and impact beyond the project’s duration.

6.0 Submission of Proposals
Interested companies should submit their proposals in electronic format to the following addresses no later than Monday 5th June 2023 by end of business day.
[Contact Address: Email: Ethel.Mudenda@TNC.org and Nabeene.Kambaila@TNC.org]

7.0 Contact Information
For any inquiries or clarification regarding this solicitation document, please contact:
Ethel Mudenda
Project Manager
Ecosystem Conservation and Community Livelihood Enhancement Project for Northwestern Zambia
The Nature Conservancy
377A Martin Luther king Road, Kabulonga
Lusaka
Email: ethel.mudenda@tnc.org

We look forward to receiving your proposals and partnering with a company that shares our commitment to the sustainable development of the honey sector in North-western Zambia.

To apply for this job email your details to ethel.mudenda@tnc.org