The African Wildlife Foundation is an international conservation organisation working in large landscapes across the African continent. The organisation works to ensure wildlife and wildlands thrive in modern Africa through a multi-faceted approach of conservation strategies for wildlife, wildlands and people.
The Dja Faunal Reserve was created in 1950, classified as a Biosphere Reserve in 1981 and listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 due to its biodiversity, the presence of endangered species and the absence of disturbance within the reserve. It is located 243 km south-east of Yaoundé and covers an area of 5,260 km², between latitudes 2°49'-3°23'N and longitudes 12°25'-13°35'E. Around 80% of the reserve is surrounded by the River Dja, which forms a natural barrier, although crossing it by pirogue is common. Administratively, the Dja Faunal Reserve covers two regions (East and South), with the East region divided 4/5 and the South region 1/5, as well as two departments (Haut-Nyong and Dja et Lobo).
The Dja faunal Reserve is part of the dense tropical forests of the Congo Basin. It is one of the largest and best-protected rainforest reserves in Africa, with around 90% of its area intact. The reserve is particularly notable for its diversity of species, including the western lowland gorilla, chimpanzees and elephants. The reserve plays a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, regulating the climate and supporting the livelihoods of the surrounding communities, particularly the indigenous Baka people.
Institutionally, the Dja Faunal Reserve is managed by the Conservation Department of the Ministry of Forests and Fauna (MINFOF), headed by a Conservator. To ensure adequate protection and good coordination of activities, the reserve is divided into four sectors called antennas, each with a base in the nearest town: Lomié (East Antenna), Djoum (South Antenna), Meyomessala (West Antenna) and Somalomo (North Antenna). The North antenna, where the conservator is based, is the reserve's headquarters. Each branch is managed by a head of branch who coordinates the eco-guards, and the activities carried out in the Dja Faunal Reserve.
As part of the management of protected areas in Cameroon, the regulatory and legislative framework stipulates that each protected area must have a management plan (MP) drawn up in a participatory and inclusive manner to guide actions for the protection and sustainable development of biodiversity, while taking into account the priorities of local communities and indigenous peoples. As a result, the management plan is the guiding document for action on aspects related to law enforcement, biodiversity conservation and enhancement, community involvement, sustainable use of resources and governance, to name but a few.
However, in the case of the Dja Faunal Reserve, the management challenges and issues have changed over the last few years with the implementation of structuring projects (Mekin hydro dam, South Cameroon rubber agro-industry), leading to disruption of the pre-existing ecological connections around the reserve. This situation has contributed to an increase in pressures such as poaching, habitat degradation and human-wildlife conflicts. Furthermore, although the Dja faunal reserve benefits from the support of Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs), in addition to state budget allocations, the problem of a sustainable funding mechanism remains a major concern.
Aware of the management issues and challenges mentioned above, MINFOF, with the support of the TFPs, has revised and validated the Dja Faunal Reserve's management plan for the period 2020-2024. Now that this period has expired, and in view of the dynamics taking place in and around the Dja Faunal Reserve, a new management plan is needed to build on past achievements while responding to new threats and ad management planting to socio-economic developments. This will involve an assessment of the level of implementation of the previous management plan to support the revision of the new plan.
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is seeking competent Consultants to carry out an Evaluation of the management plan for the Dja Faunal Reserve.
Any clarification requests must be submitted in writing to AWF no later than 2 working days prior to proposal submission deadline. AWF will respond to all inquiries from consultants at least 1 working day before submission deadline. All clarifications should be sent to the following email addresses LBurinyuy@awf.org copying BTabot@awf.org NSonne@awf.org CMProcurement@awf.org and CTuekam@awf.org
Please note that any expenses incurred by consultants during the preparation and submission of their proposals will not be reimbursed.
For more information and guidance, please refer to the Terms of Reference (ToR) and the Call for Proposals document available @ https://awf.box.com/s/4ly21fubrsxfnj9a5crarbfi7soo36p6
All proposals must be submitted via email to the above-mentioned addresses on or before 9th May 2025.