AWF is initiating a five year program in Eastern Equatoria State in the Republic of South Sudan, entitled “Improving the Integrated Watershed Management of the Imatong Mountains”. Through this program, AWF will ensure that the water tower with the Imatong Mountains and the catchment area of the upper Kinyeti River are protected and sustainably managed, to ensure long-term water access to communities and ecosystems in the lower Kinyeti River system and beyond.
One proposed outcome of the project is ‘key natural resources and their uses around the Imatong water tower and upper Kinyeti watershed mapped and zoned at macro and micro level for various land uses taking into account future climate change scenarios’’. Respectively, the project needs to have a good understanding of the natural resource types, their occurrence and trends related to land use changes across space and time.
OBJECTIVE: AWF seeks to hire a consultant to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the natural resources and land use in Imatong water tower and upper Kinyeti watershed.
SCOPE OF WORK: The consultant shall:
Determine and display boundaries in the Imatong and upper Kinyeti watershed:
- Using clear methodology / approach (geo-spatial analysis and field documentation), determine the ecological boundary of the Imatong water tower and upper Kinyeti watershed.
- Provide an accurate-as-possible map showing delineation of various land uses in the Imatong water tower and upper Kinyeti watershed in relation to key biophysical features.
Complete ecological assessment of Imatong and upper Kinyeti watershed:
- Document presence/absence of wildlife species– not thorough census.
- Document and map vegetation zones including forest types.
- Document and map key ecological features such as key waterways, including but not limited to streams, wetlands, springs.
- Document ecological integrity of the system.
- Document land use around and inside the forest.?
Determine key threats to the forest and other vegetation types:
- Document key threats to the forest.
- Quantify levels of deforestation and represent spatially on a map(s).
- Quantify and rank threats to the forest and other key conservation targets.
- Determine main causes of deforestation and degradation of the forest and other habitat types.
- Determine rate of deforestation and degradation, % reduction.
- Determine key sources of key threats.
- Represent key threats on maps including human influences such as settlements.
- Identify and map potential and existing key areas of conflict over resources
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES: The consultant will prepare and submit an acceptable report – according to terms of reference - with appropriate illustrations to AWF within the stipulated timeframe.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Masters Degree or equivalent in natural resource management, ecology and development or other relevant training with at least five year experience.
- Good understanding of the environment and related sectors in South Sudan.
- Knowledge of policy and legislation in South Sudan is an added advantage.
- Good knowledge of international and regional environment agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Proper knowledge and writing in English.
- Ability to travel and work in South Sudan and to interact positively with stakeholders.
REQUIREMENTS TO THE PROPOSAL: The proposal should be submitted in English and include:
- A brief technical proposal describing methodology/approach, deliverables, clear work plan.
- Curriculum vitae / profile showing clearly the relevance to this assignment.
- Three references for similar or related work done.
- Financial proposal including all itemized fees for the consultancy. No other costs will be paid except those agreed in a signed consultancy agreement.
- This consultancy is open to qualified individuals or firms who must demonstrate they are approved to work in South Sudan.
TIMELINE AND OTHER INFORMATION:
- This assignment will commence on the day an agreement shall be signed by AWF and the consultant and final report submitted by 30th July, 2014.
- The consultant may spend up to 10 days in the field.
- Materials provided by AWF for the purpose of this assignment will only be used for that purpose.
- In the performance of these tasks, the consultant will undertake a desk review and hold consultations with key players in the land, forest, wildlife and other relevant sectors in South Sudan and beyond. Irrespective of method used, the consultant will be primarily responsible for the final product submitted to AWF.
- The consultant will regulate his/her own procedures. AWF may assist but will not be responsible for acquiring information on behalf of the consultant.
- The consultant will liaise with another one engaged to undertake ‘an assessment of water vulnerabilities and opportunities to build resilience through improved water management of the Upper Imatong Mountain Watershed, Eastern Equatoria State’’.
- Proposal should be submitted to Philip Muruthi, Senior Director – Conservation Science, African Wildlife Foundation at PMuruthi@awf.org
AWF reserves the right to award contract at any time if a suitable consultant is identified. Proposal Deadline: 20th June 2014
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