Background
The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an International Non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to halt the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.  WWF Zambia has worked on freshwater conservation since 1962 having partnered with Government Ministries and Agencies, Companies, Non-governmental Organizations, Communities and other partners in watershed protection and the sustainable management of shared water resources. WWF fosters its mandate with broad public interest through collective actions at basin level and is a strong advocate for responsible private sector engagement on water-related issues.

WWF Zambia, through the Dutch Postcode Lottery – Dream fund has for the last three years been working to support efforts towards sustainably managing the Cuando River basin to secure both its thriving riparian communities and wildlife for the future.  The Cuando is a transboundary river basin shared by Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.  One such area of intervention has been in the promotion of participatory fisheries governance at community level.

Traditionally, the responsibility to manage fisheries at community level may be designated to fisheries community structures organized by the existing governance context.  The governance context is usually dynamic from country to country and may define the scale in which the fisheries regulations, community norms and attitudes towards fisheries can be characterized.  One of WWF’s global goals is to halve the human footprint of consumption and production, under which it calls for efforts to ensure agriculture and aquaculture production are sustainably managed, while doubling the extent of sustainably managed wild fisheries.

WWF aims to contribute to the sustainable management of the Cuando River fishery by promoting the establishment of fish reserves and community-based fisheries management systems across the entire basin. This would in turn contribute to effective conservation of the fisheries asset, while guaranteeing sustainable fishing and preservation of aquatic biodiversity.

To support this initiative, a consultant is hereby sought to conduct a Fish Stock Assessment for the Cuando River in Angola.

Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a thorough assessment of fish populations, their habitats, and associated threats, and to develop actionable recommendations for effective fisheries management and conservation measures, culminating in to a Fish Stock Assessment Report. The assessment report will contribute to scientific research, conservation efforts, and policy development for the Cuando River in Kataha, Kangongo, Rungamabwe, Mengela, Jamba and Rivungo in Angola

Objectives
The objectives of this assignment are to:

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review on fish species, their habitats, population dynamics, ecological interactions, and relevant studies.
• Conduct a detailed comprehensive fish biological survey/ fish stock assessment to understand the current status of fish stocks in the Cuando River, including species composition, abundance, and distribution.
• Analyze collected data using appropriate statistical or modeling techniques to assess population trends, distribution patterns, size structure, reproduction, mortality rates, etc.
• Evaluate the status of fisheries, including the sustainability of current fishing practices, fishing pressure, by-catch and habitat degradation on the fishery with keen consideration of the impacts on livelihoods, aquatic biodiversity and overall ecosystem health.
• Identify and assess potential threats to fish populations and habitats, including those that would arise from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, invasive species, etc.
• Develop clear and actionable recommendations for fisheries management, conservation measures, policy direction, or further research.
• Organize the assessment report in a clear and structured format, including an executive summary, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Submit the draft report for Peer review and revision based on feedback from experts, or peer reviewers.
• Finalize the assessment report with recommendations for dissemination to stakeholders, policymakers, fisheries managers, and the general public.

Deliverables and Timelines
The deliverables of this assessment are outlined below

• A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the ecological survey, including data analysis and interpretation.
• Fisheries Stock Assessment report with set of well-defined and prioritized recommendations for traditional systems, improved management practices and conservation efforts in readiness for publishing.

Required Technical Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in fisheries management and aquaculture, fisheries biology, freshwater biology, aquatic ecology, or any related field with at least 10 years’ experience
• Proven experience in conducting fish stock assessments and fisheries management.
• Experience working on social and economic aspects of fisheries will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with freshwater conservation, community-based management systems, and aquatic biodiversity preservation.
• Candidates with relevant PhD. qualifications are preferable; however proven experience is still needed.
• Extensive experience in assessment, monitoring, surveillance and evaluation of socio-economic dynamics of fisheries.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, excellent communication and inter-personal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Demonstrated oral, writing and presentation skills in Portuguese and English Language are a must.

Desired Skills and Competencies

• Independent worker, pro-active in thinking about opportunities to further improve the work outside the agreed deliverables.
• Strong interest in nature conservation and the mission of WWF
• Adherence to WWF’s values: knowledgeable, optimistic, determined and engaging.
• Exemplification of WWF’s key behaviors:  Strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly, and innovate fearlessly

Reporting
The consultant will report to Freshwater programme Lead throughout the assignment and will collaborate closely with ACADIR and TNC in Angola.

Application Instructions and deadline
Interested applicants should send their application by 29th March, 2024 to the following email address: zcoprocurement@wwfzam.org indicating in the subject line: Fish__Assessment_Report-Cuando_River_KDFNPL_2024.