Democratic Republic of the Congo: Consultancy at WWF-DRC

I. Context

The “Réserve Naturelle d’Itombwe“ (RNI) has attracted much attention from the conservation community since the early 20th century. This complex of montane and intermediate forests, as well as altitude savannahs, harbors a vast number of species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift. The forest has important populations of fauna which are also the conservation target of the project: Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) and, African Forest Elephant (Loxondonta africana cyclotis), all priority species under the WWF Global Programme Framework. Besides its value as a nature reserve (5,732 Km2), the RNI is also well-known for its mineral deposits. Artisanal Small Scale Mining (ASM) has been on-going since 1920s . Cassiterite and, to a lesser extent, gold, can be found all over the reserve while mining in the southern part of the reserve mainly concentrates on gold exploitation, using mercury for gold mining in Tulambo and Tumungu areas.

Based on recent WWF field experience, supported by various studies, the main direct threats for the Réserve Naturelle d’Itombwe that affect conservation targets are: illegal commercial hunting, slash and burn agriculture, and eventual large-scale gold mining with over half of the proposed Reserve area being currently covered by exploration permits. Additionally, medium direct threats include artisanal and small-scale mining, unsustainable wood harvest and conversion of forest to pastureland. In addition to the direct threats to the main biodiversity targets, the most relevant indirect threats affecting the Réserve Naturelle d’Itombwe conservation targets include: (i) habitat degradation; (ii) habitat destruction;(iii) subsistence hunting; (iv) armed poaching; (v) lack of public awareness on law governing extractive mining; (vi) mining concessions in and out of the RNI.

With all challenges that the partners have to face in managing Itombwe, the WWF NL funded the project about Participatory Delineation, Management and Conservation of the Itombwe Natural Reserve for almost 39 months. The project was funded through the WWF-NL African great Apes program. An evaluation of the project was done in February 2015 identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the work conducted in Itombwe leading to concrete recommendations for the design of the new phase of the project. Among the key recommendation was the preparation of a long-term project design covering all needs and risks that have to be addressed.

For conducting such design, WWF E-DRC is looking for a consultant who will prepare the design of long term project.

II. Aims of the consultancy

The aims of this consultancy are:

· To prepare a long-term Itombwe Conservation program covering all needs and risks that have to be addressed in order to achieve a successful and sustainable protected area and including all current and future funding sources;

· To insert in the design a draft management plan, business plan, and conservation strategy,

· To develop a law enforcement strategy,

· To prepare the estimates of funds needed for the implementation of the overall program.

III. Qualification and Planning

a) Qualifications of the consultant

The consultant should be bilingual (English/French) for being able to interact directly with key partners to be interviewed. The consultant has to have extensive experience in Africa and have skills related to what is required in this ToR. The familiarity with all of the issues surrounding wildlife conservation and management of Protected Areas in Africa is also an advantage.

b) Proposed timeline for the consultancy

The two weeks itineraries (see appendix 1) would allow the consultant to visit key project sites as well as to hold in-depth discussions with the project managers, field staff, partners and stakeholders.

Best period for field visit will be: between October 2015 to December 2015.

Preparation and organisation of evaluation

The following should be required pre-reading material for the consultaant:

· Project Description (appendix 2);

· Technical and Financial reports for FY14 and FY15;

· Report of the last on-site evaluation of the project (2015 WWF-NL)

The consultant will conduct a preparatory briefing meeting with relevant WWF Netherlands staff charged with overseeing the Itombwe project prior to his/her site visit to DRC.

The evaluation will be based in great part on interviews and discussions with the following individuals and organisations including:

· WWF staff responsible for the supervision and implementation of the project both in the DRC and donor NOs;

· WWF partners in government administrations, including the ICCN, ministry of Environment and sustainable development;

· WWF Stakeholders and beneficiaries, including the members of the CoCoSi (ICCN, WCS, Civil Society representative, Chiefdom Association representatives).

At the end of the site-visit, feedback meetings in Goma and Kinshasa will bring together personnel responsible for implementation and monitoring of the project. A debriefing call with funding NOs will be scheduled following the site visit. A first draft of the evaluation report should be submitted no longer than four weeks following the site visit.

IV. Expected Outcomes

The principal expected outcome of the consultancy is a detailed report with specific sections related to the aims of the consultancy. The report will be presented in English and French. It will include an executive summary of maximum 2 pages in length.

V. Financial Terms

The costs of an international flight will be covered by the project. All domestic travel within Eastern DRC will also be arranged and paid by the project. Accommodation and travel expenses incurred outside of Eastern DRC but directly related to the site visit or evaluation-related meetings will be reimbursed by the project (original receipts justifying expenses will be required). An honorarium and per diem during travel will also be provided, to be specified in the final tender.

APPENDIX 1: Itinerary

Day 1:Flying Locality of departure to Kigali Kigali If the flight arrives at night, it is better to stay in Kigali. A taxi will pick the consultant at the airport

Day 2 :Travel Kigali-Goma with the taxi man Goma Once at the frontier Goma, a driver and/or the WWF logistician will pick the consultant. Hotel CARITAS Installation/Lunch Discussion with WWF Goma staff PM. A driver will pick the consultant at the CARITAS Hotel to the office

Day 3:Discussion with Goma Staff continues Goma If necessary could be change for going directly in Bukavu and increase the time in the field

Day 4: Travel Goma –Bukavu Bukavu By boat earlier in the morning Discussion with Program Manager in Bukavu PM Discussion with WCS team PM

Day 5:Discussion with Ministry of Environment in Bukavu Bukavu AM Discussion with staff ICCN in Bukavu AM Discussion with Representative of CocoSi PM

Day 6:Travel Bukavu-Mwenga Mwenga AM, by car Visiting one alternative activities along the road AM and before Mwenga

Day 7:Courtesy visit and discussion with administrative authorities in Mwenga Open discussion Discussion with ICCN staff Office ICCN Mwenga

Day 8 : Fields visit with WWF and ICCN in the multiple use area of Itombwe.Mwenga-Bilalo Mbili-Mizulo-Kalundu and Mukunguzi (entrance of the RNI).Prospecting visit with local communities around the last participative Reserve delineation Kalundu All day on foot.

Bring sleeping bag, raincoat, walking shoes, hat, insect repellent Discussion with ICCN, local population for participative delineation of the Reserve

Day 9:Visit of some patrolling areas in the Reserve with ICCN, around Mukunguzi river Mwenga AM on foot Mukunguzi – Mwenga PM on foot

Day 10: Mwenga –Bukavu Bukavu AM by car Debriefing with WWF staff in Bukavu PM

Day 11: Bukavu – Goma Goma AM by boat. Driver will pick up the consultant at the port of Goma Resting and debriefing preparation PM

Day 12: Debriefing with WWF staff in Goma. Goma Additional discussion if needed after the field trip

Day 13:Travel Goma Kinshasa; Debriefing with Staff in Kinshasa (Country Director, Conservation Director ) Kinshasa

AM: Flight to Kinshasa;PM : WWF Office in Kinhsasa

Day 14 AM: discussion in Kinshasa ( in needed)

PM: Back to XXX

All candidates interested in conducting this evaluation on a consultant basis should submit a detailed technical proposal, before 30 October 2015, to*WWF DRC Human Resource in Kinshasa (e-mail: Madunagow@wwfdrc.org)**with copy to WWF Eastern DRC (e-mail: rfaralala@wwfdrc.org)*.

The detailed documents will include:

· A curriculum vitae detailing his/her experience in project NGO conservation planning and implementation in Africa ;

· The proposed evaluation methods (description of approach, suggestions for interview questions, timeline, etc.) and comments on the Terms of Reference;

· A proposed date for the site visit in Eastern DRC Itombwe ;

· The length of time the proposal will be validated between WWF and the consultant.

· A detailed budget proposal that takes into account the financial conditions specified in this ToR and specifies the honorarium and perdiem fees as well as any other costs.