EASTERN PROVINCE JURISDICTIONAL SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE PROGRAM - EMISSIONS REDUCTION PROJECT

This is being done to update the system

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MINISTRY OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Assignment Title: CONSULTANCY FOR STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY FORESTRY MANAGEMENT IN EASTERN PROVINCE

Project Name: EASTERN PROVINCE JURISDICTIONAL SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE PROGRAMME – EMISSION REDUCTION PROJECT

Project No. P155827

Reference:   ZM-MGEE-EPJSLP-INDV_001

1.0     PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic Zambia (GRZ) through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) with support from the World Bank is implementing the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP), which is a follow-on to the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project (ZIFLP). The Project Development Objective (PDO) is “To generate payments to the Program Entity for measured, reported, and verified Emission Reductions (ERs) and to distribute the payments according to an agreed Benefit Sharing Plan (BSP). Core to the Programme is the involvement of stakeholders and communities in sustainable management of natural resources such as Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs), Community Resource Boards (CRBs), farmers’ groups, cooperatives as well as Traditional leadership structures where local land use planning decision making, land allocation and control takes place. The Chiefdom will, therefore, be the key unit of land management focus to identify the key Emissions Reduction and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation which contribute to Greenhouse Gas emissions across the province.  The Jurisdictional Programme will support enhancing the management capacity of all Community Forestry Management Groups (CFMGs) established under Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project (ZIFLP) in sustainably managing their land, and the establishment of new CFMGs, hence expanding the area under sustainable land management. To strengthen the community forestry management in Eastern Province, the EP-JSLP now wishes to engage a Community Forestry Technical Advisor (CFTA) as an Individual Consultant.

2.0     OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this role is to strengthen community forestry management in Eastern Province as one of the core approaches to generating emissions reductions through sustainable land management. This will be achieved through strengthening capacity to manage existing Community Forest Management Areas and gazetted Forest Areas as well as scaling up initiatives to increase the area of forest land being managed sustainably in Eastern Province.

3.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The CFTA will undertake the following specific tasks to achieve the objective of the assignment:

1. Supporting forest management planning (CFM or JFM) including interventions promoting forest restoration:

1. Support approaches and review progress reports on the planning for and implementation status of community forestry in relation to the Zambia Guidelines for Community Forestry including an assessment of the support services provided to community groups in relation to the developed Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Participatory Land Use Plans (PLUPs).
2. Together with the FD and project staff, develop Community Forest site selection criteria and support subsequent transfer of forest rights to communities for new CFMGs (30) based on the legal provisions and National Guidelines of steps to secure rights and responsibilities for forest management set out in legal agreements and management plans.
3. Support the FD with restoration planning of protected forest areas with community involvement with areas identified in the EP-JSLP MRV management system.
4. Support the FD with processes and approaches of stakeholder engagement and consultation leading to the drafting and/or implementation of forest management plans for selected protected forest areas piloting forest restoration through community participation.
5. Together with the FD and project staff, develop detailed annual work plans which will be funded by the project.
6. Working with the PIU, support the establishment of a participatory monitoring and evaluation system for CF in Eastern Province for use as the basis for monitoring the progress of the project’s contribution to REDD+ by ensuring effective forest conservation, monitoring deforestation rates, and implementation strategies to reduce emissions.
7. Advice on practices that enhance carbon sequestration in forests, including maintaining healthy forests, promoting fire management practices, ANR, reforestation, and preventing deforestation.

1. Supporting the strengthening of community forest management processes in the province:

1. Strengthen management capacity of CFMGs through assessing the functioning of the CFMG executive to highlight areas of weakness in the practice of community forestry. This should include governance in terms of meetings, records, financial management, elections and benefit sharing. An action plan should be developed with community groups and support staff based on field findings.
2. Support the FD and PIU with the role out of the CFM Emissions Reduction Performance Incentive scheme through a process of monitoring and mentoring the CFMGs under the scheme that aims to promote emissions reduction through better forest management practices.
3. Promoting forest protection and management, primarily through strengthening capacity and practices in community led fire management planning and action.
4. Develop a sustainability strategy for the CFMGs that can be established and sustained, including ensuring that all CFMGs have fully developed and functional benefit-sharing plans.
5. Support key stakeholders with the development of appropriate forest-based value chains to spur income generation, household food security and climate resilience.
6. Translate learning into best practice for supporting the formation and capacity building of new CFMGs to expand the area under sustainable land management. This shall include the development and facilitation of the CFM training programme under the EP-JSLP.
7. Update CFM guidelines and other communication materials with best practice and learning from EP-JSLP support including sharing through CFM networks.

1. Supporting the operationalization of the local forest law enforcement through Honorary Forest Officers (HFOs):

1. Support the FD with review of post HFO training including a needs assessment for supporting forest law enforcement operations.
2. Support the FD with capacity building of HFOs as well as developing systems and procedures to promote local level law enforcement.
3. Support the FD with updating training and other related guidance material.

1. Supporting the rolling-out of the Emissions Reduction benefit sharing and application of safeguards in the EP-JSLP support to community forestry.
   1. 1. Support the FD and other CF practitioners with ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are implemented and adhered to on the program in line with the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental Management Act under the World Bank and Government of Zambia respectively.
      2. Benefit sharing: support the PIU with ensuring the CFM element of the CERPAs performance as a driver of ERs in the respective Chiefdoms.

1. 1. 1. QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

To qualify for issuance of the Request for Technical Proposal, consulting individual should have the following minimum qualifications:

1. At least a Masters’ degree in Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Climate Change, Environmental Management, or related fields relevant to Forestry, Land Use, Energy or Climate Change.
2. Minimum of 10 years’ post-qualification experience in Zambia in Community Forestry Management / participatory forestry or relevant climate change/ Natural Resources Management projects or related assignments.
3. Experience with stakeholder engagement processes, dissemination and communication at various levels (national and local), including non-state actors (private sector, NGOs and customary authorities) relating to forest governance. Documented experience of working with forest structures at various levels, in Zambia is an advantage.
4. Experience with community forest enterprises, NTFP development and value chains and related private sector engagement is strongly desired
5. Demonstrated experience in development of policy/legal documents, development of technical manuals and guidelines in forestry, community forestry or climate change.
6. Extensive knowledge of government/public sector policies, plans and strategies having applied these in similar projects, preferably in Zambia.
7. Experience with preparation and management of externally funded projects including at least 3 years in a management role (procurement process, planning, financial and technical reporting) would be an added advantage

The consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection Method (INDV) set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrower dated September 2023

5.0 DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The duration of the consultancy is 250 days spread over a period of 24 calendar months.

6.0 DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION

The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, now invites eligible Individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should submit Curriculum Vitae (CV’s) that provide information that will demonstrate that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

For any enquiries and clarifications contact; Head Procurement on +260 211 252525 or email:  Sibeso.Mataa@mgee.gov.zm

Curriculum Vitae’s (CV’s) must be submitted electronically via email to: Sibeso.Mataa@mgee.gov.zm copy sakalaellison@gmail.com. The deadline for submission of CV’s is Friday, 29th November, 2024 at 10:00 hours

Head- Procurement and Supplies Unit

For/Permanent Secretary

MINISTRY OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT