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 RFD 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.
The population living in and around the reserve is approximately 129,059, divided between six ethnic groups, four of which are sedentary (Badjoué, Boulou, Fang, Nzimé) and two semi-nomadic (Baka and Kaka). Traditional agriculture is the main economic activity, while hunting provides essential animal protein. However, industrial logging and mining are expanding, exacerbating the conservation and sustainable development challenges around the Dja faunal reserve. Development infrastructures are limited, and the area suffers from significant isolation. In terms of community activities, farming activities, mainly for self-consumption, include food crops such as cassava and maize. Semi-nomadic groups, such as the Baka, depend on sedentary people for farming and are often marginalized. Livestock farming is traditional and limited, while fishing is practiced on an artisanal basis, with a growing interest in fish farming. Hunting, both traditional and commercial, poses major challenges for wildlife conservation, as does the exploitation of forest resources, which has evolved towards small-scale sawing practices.
Given these complex socio-economic dynamics, it is essential to update the socio-economic data through this in-depth study in and around the Dja faunal Reserve, in order to support the revision of the management plan. The study will provide an understanding of the interactions between the well-being of local communities and the management of the Dja Faunal Reserve, identify conservation challenges and opportunities, and propose integrated strategies to reconcile natural resource conservation and socio-economic development.
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is therefore seeking the services of a competent Consultant to carry out a socio-economic assessment of the communities living in the outskirts of 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 clarification requests 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/gjw93vz1n73spf9cyc73v1f5arnst3sj
All proposals must be submitted via email to the above-mentioned addresses on or before 9th May 2025.