Introduction
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is an international non-governmental organization which has been implementing conservation of biodiversity interventions for more than 60 years with an exclusive focus on Africa's wildlife and wildlands. All the AWF's conservation programs and strategies are designed to protect Africa's wildlife and wildlands and to ensure a rights-based approach to conservation for sustainable future of the people living in Africa. Since its inception in 1961, the organization has protected endangered species and lands, promoted conservation businesses that benefit local African communities, and trained thousands of African nationals in conservation.
Project Background
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in partnership with ICRAF and FAO received funding from the United Kingdom (UK PACT) to implement the project “Delivering nature-based solution outcomes through strengthened policy implementation, institutional capacity, and enhanced monitoring and reporting of forest and landscape restoration in Kenya”. The geographic area of focus for this project is Taita Taveta and Makueni counties. The project focus on six work packages as follows;
WP 1: Co-development, implementation, and capacity building on Nature based solutions (NbS) and forest and landscape restoration (FLR) monitoring and reporting frameworks.
WP 2: Domestication of the Forest and Landscape Restoration Implementation Plan (FOLAREP) 2023-2027 into county-level governance.
WP 3: Strengthening coordination of community forest associations (CFAs) and their contribution to county forest conservation and management policies.
WP 4: Capacity development and engagement of key national-level stakeholders to strengthen implementation of cross-sectoral frameworks and policies on climate change, forestry, and restoration.
WP 5: GESI: Building institutional capacity for equitable and inclusive FLR.
WP 6: Project Management and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning.
Consultancy Scope and Purpose
The main goal is to undertake participatory value chain and market analysis toward sustainable forest management in Taita Taveta and Makueni counties. The viable value chains in the long run will be leveraged to promote alternative livelihood options for communities living around the forest. The objectives include but not limited to
Determine the interface between forest value chains and landscapes.
Identification of specific opportunities for women and youth to be involved in these forest value chains.
Document and analyze the potential forest value chains
Identify the markets for the forest value chain products and conduct a swot analysis
Identify the linkages available for the community forest associations and organizations to tap on the markets for the forest value chains.
Methodology
The consultant will be expected to suggest a robust methodology to achieve the objectives of the assignment. This shall be firmed up with the successful consultant during inception meeting. The proposed methodology is expected to employ a mix of methods that will include the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather primary and secondary data. These may include but not limited to;
Desk review of background documents
Site visits/Observations
Surveys
Key informant interviews
Gender analysis
Specific method of sampling, data collection and analysis tools will be proposed by the consultant and discussed further with project implementing partners.
Consultancy deliverables
The specific outputs for the consultancy will be, within the agreed timeframe and budget:
An acceptable inception report that includes a clear and agreed sampling strategy, a data collection and analysis methodology.
Raw data in any of the following statistical packages (STATA, EXCEL, SPSS, CSPro) and transcribed qualitative scripts.
A maximum 35-page draft and final study report (in MS Word and PDF) excluding annexes written in clear and concise English. A report which includes an executive summary and practical recommendations that can be used to inform the development of viable, sustainable, and locally appropriate strategies aimed at creating viable forest value chains for alternative livelihoods. The set of recommendations should include actions, partnerships, and investments that are necessary to ensure the sustainable implementation of the value chains. The report should at the least have:
Inventory and comparative analysis of viable forest value chains being exploited or potential
Linkages with other actors and gaps identified.
How financial margins are shared amongst chain actors.
Current theories and application of supply chain of the identified forest products, guiding principles, lessons, and future steps.
Strategies intermediary organizations can use to help communities improve their position in the chain.
Design of interventions to improve value chain performances, including technologies, institutional innovations, and policies.
Geo spatial data for the existing and potential value chains
Conclusions and Recommendations for each of the study objectives
Annexes.
A Market analysis on the viable forest value chains
Coordination and management
Reporting: The consultant will be reporting to the Community Development Officer, African Wildlife Foundation on a regular basis and shall submit all deliverables highlighted in the TORs as per the agreed workplan.
Logistics: The consultant is expected to provide a budget breakdown of all the cost to be incurred in delivering the consultancy. In their proposal, consultants should consider that the budget would cover approximately 30 consecutive calendar days.
Qualification and application procedures
Upon engaging into a contract, the successful consultant will have up to 30 calendar days to deliver the FINAL report in the prescribed format. A tentative work plan will be agreed upon between the consultant and AWF during the inception meeting.
Selection process
AWF will use its internal guidance, pre-designed checklists and an interview process to select the successful consultant. The guidelines require the applicants to submit, a technical proposal explaining, their understanding of the Terms of Reference, and how they would approach this assignment, with a detailed methodology, especially in terms of how they plan to meet the objectives, including a work plan and budget. The technical proposal should include the consultant’s CV including relevant experience, a detailed budget, work plan, and time availability/anticipated starting date. The consultant must comply with AWF's Rights Based Approach (RBA) to Conservation and AWF’s code of conduct.
Consultant composition and required competencies.
Companies or individuals not fulfilling the minimum criteria will be excluded from the selection process and will not be assessed against the other criteria.
The consultant or company should have individual/s possessing significant knowledge and experience on aspects of forest value chain analysis and economics, and agribusiness development.
The lead consultant to posses advanced degree in forestry, economics or agribusiness development.
Experience in undertaking a similar role in the past 7 years.
Local presence and capability to collect primary data efficiently from the ground in the desired area.
Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis.
Experience working in multicultural environments.
A good understanding of Makueni and Taita Taveta counties
Be able to communicate fluently using both verbally and writing in English and Swahili
Proficiency both in English and French
Submission of application
Interested consultants are expected to submit via procurement@awf.org with a copy to Mwanyika@awf.org the following not later than 16th February 2024, 5pm EAT.
A technical proposal including a detailed budget and a proposed work plan. The technical proposal should outline a clear methodology to deliver the assignment.
The CV of consultant elaborating on assignments of similar magnitude delivered by the consultant or with the leadership of the consultant.
African Wildlife Foundation encourages interested parties to submit the above for selection process. Persons with disabilities, women and the youth are highly encouraged to apply