Terms of Reference. National or International consultants: International Consultant

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference National or International consultants: International Consultant Description of the assignment (Title of consultancy): Development of National Guidelines for the Management of Rangelands Outside Forests Project Title: Sustainable Land Management in the Qaraoun Catchment (SLMQ) Period of assignment/services: 60 working-days spread over a period of 7 months. 1. Background The UNDP Sustainable Land Management in the Qaraoun Catchment (SLMQ) Project aims at embedding sustainability considerations in land use planning and development activities in the Qaraoun Catchment. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment in Lebanon. The project is intended to reshape land and natural resource management to (i) alleviate land degradation, (ii) maintain existing ecosystem services and (iii) improve livelihoods in the Qaraoun Catchment. The project objectives will be achieved by developing institutional tools upstream at national level which will provide the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as well as related agencies such as the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, the Bekaa Governorate, and District Administrations and Municipalities in the districts of Zahle, Rachaya, and West Bekaa with the know-how, means and mechanisms for promoting sustainable land use as in the best interest of the land owners, farmers and communities as well as the nation. The implementation of the proposed project will have an immediate environmental benefit, through the increased management efficiency of arable land and rangelands and the expansion of the area under forests through land use plans, buffer zones, and riparian strips. It will also contribute to the restoration of natural productivity and conservation of the habitats of various plant and animal species and valuable ecosystems and will secure migratory bird pathways. As grazing remains socially and economically critical to rural livelihoods, high priority should be given to the sustainable management of the natural resources base that supports them. Indeed, grazing animals are a major practical method of exploiting natural vegetation and pastoralism and is considered an important economically, culturally and socially appropriate strategy for maintaining the well-being of rural communities, as it can simultaneously provide secure livelihoods, conserve ecosystem services, promote wildlife conservation and honor cultural values and traditions. Thus, the basis for action at the local level requires the implementation of national measures to manage rangelands and restore and rehabilitate rangelands identified in the districts of West Bekaa and Rachaya so as to ensure the sustainability of available resources. This exercise will be done in close coordination with the MoA and MoE as well as local communities including municipalities, land owners, herders etc. to ensure the sustainability of the implemented measures.

2 2. Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work Objective The objective of this consultancy is to develop a guidance document that aims to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental values of rangelands outside forests, for the benefit of present and future generations in Lebanon. It aims at establishing a standard approach for the development of locally adapted Management Plans for Rangelands outside forests (RMP). The guidelines shall propose a unified and standardized procedure based on international best practices, adapted to the national context taking into account local conditions. It shall constitute a working tool for both the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, as well as other public-sector authorities such as municipalities and other concerned stakeholders for the development, implementation, and monitoring of RMP. The RMP for the specific project sites will be developed based on the guidelines developed through these TORs by a national expert that will be hired by the Project in parallel to this assignment. The requested guidelines will ultimately lead to the optimization of ecosystem health and the improvement of management of rangelands and their resources. This consultancy is divided into the following tasks: - Task 1 Desk review of existing rangelands management guidelines and tools - Task 2 Development of National Guidelines for the Management of Rangelands Outside Forests - Task 3 Establishment of methodologies for the evaluation of rangelands elements to prepare plans for range use and ecosystem restoration - Task 4 Development of training material for trainers and execution of Training of Trainers Scope of Work The tasks mentioned below shall be performed in close cooperation with the UNDP/SLMQ team and closely linkaged with both the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment. It is understood that the Consultant shall perform all the services/work as necessary to fulfill the objectives of the Consultancy Contract. The requested Management Guidelines should be developed taking into account the local context and the national regulations/policies in this sector, i.e. existing small ruminants systems and their behavior, land management rights, available resources for grazing, the prevailing Lebanese socioeconomic situation and reliance on grazing for livelihoods, climate conditions, vulnerabilities most importantly land degradation, and other relevant local aspects. The Consultant will be supported by the Project Team and by a local Consultant contracted by the project to ensure a good understanding of the local context and conditions for the development of the said Management Guidelines.

3 The Tasks involved will cover the followings: Task 1 Desk review of existing rangelands management guidelines and tools The Consultant shall conduct a literature review of best international management guidelines and tools for rangelands outside forests, including but not limited to the relevant technical modules and guidelines developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The review shall cover at least the following: - Structure and purpose of the generally adopted guidelines; - General principles on best practices (rangelands development, improvement and rehabilitation; management tools; pasture development methods (if applicable); herd management; tenure; markets and trade; herder organization and community participation; rangelands in the environment including functions of carbon sequestration, where relevant; etc.) - Permitting types and modalities of execution; - Implementation resources and arrangements, - Etc. Based on the above synthesis, and taking into account the Lebanese context, the desk review report shall include a suggested scope (Table of Content) for the National Guidelines for the Management of Rangelands outside Forests to be cleared by the Project. The report should also include a set of technical and regulatory recommendations consistent with the existing legal framework or policies of the Ministry of Agriculture. On the other hand, an additional set of recommendations should be provided to ensure that best-practices identified can also be incorporated into the planned draft Forest Law. Task 2 Development of the National Guidelines for the Management of Rangelands Outside Forests The National Guidelines for the Management of Rangelands outside Forests ought to identify and apply methods to control grazing land use, within site capability and adjustable over time. Although based on internationally approved guidelines, the guiding document shall be tailored to the Lebanese context, taking into account local specificities such as local small ruminants systems and herd management practices, land management rights, availability of forage species, etc. Details about the local systems will be provided by the local consultant hired by the Project however international consultant should nevertheless undertake extensive research and local data collection on site as well. S/he should provide feedback to the project as needed related to any data that is not available or where support is needed. Where possible, the guidelines shall include provisions for participatory planning to allow for the engagement of herders and associated parties without gender bias in the planning process and their adherence to the subsequently developed plans.

4 The guidelines shall also include a list of needed annexes and useful form sheets for the development of management plans and their monitoring (e.g. Legal Documents and Regulations relevant to the Rangelands Management Plan, Sampling form, Example of decision chains for identification of suitable activities for Management Planning, etc.) The guidelines shall be developed in English to be validated by the Project Team, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment. Task 3 Establishment of methodologies for the evaluation of rangelands elements to prepare plans for range use and ecosystem restoration Through this assignment, the Consultant shall develop methodologies for the establishment of the technical basis for optimal management of rangelands outside forests. These methodologies ought to be tailored also to the area of the project, i.e. to the districts of Zahle, West Bekaa and Rachaya. The proposed methodologies shall cover the elements required under the national Guidelines generated under Task 2 for the development of site-specific rangelands management plans, including at least the following topics: - Diagnosis of current small ruminants systems, - Analysis of productive potential and stocking capacity of rangelands outside forests, - Study of space use patterns by small ruminants through the grazing season or year, as judged necessary. The methodology shall take into account (1) availability of technology to be used and price efficiency, (2) reliability of the info gathered, (3) time constraints. The use of GIS based tools is highly recommended. The methodologies should be applicable and practical allowing for the translation of the above-mentioned guidelines into site-specific Management Plans. Furthermore, and in close collaboration with the Project, the Consultant shall assess and validate measures and techniques proposed for rehabilitation of rangelands outside forests, based on an on-going land degradation mapping and assessment exercise implemented by the Project. The Consultant shall provide the Team with an appraisal of each of the measures proposed using a simplified scorecard sheet with recommendations for each of these measures. The scorecard shall include objective grading elements of rehabilitation of the rangelands outside forests. It shall also include elements of sustainability of the proposed measures. Task 4 Development of training material for trainers and execution of Training of Trainers The Consultant shall prepare a Training Plan and Training Material addressed to Ministries professionals, local authorities, consultants and other relevant stakeholders. A minimum of a four-day Training of

5 Trainers (ToT) for targeted stakeholders shall be organized. The trainings shall cover both the methodologies set by the Consultant as well as the Management Guidelines including monitoring, to ensure a good understanding of these tools and engagement in both the data collection and formulation of the plans. Furthermore, the necessary training material (reports and presentations) shall be developed and delivered in English. Based on the trainings executed, the Consultant shall develop a training report including an account of activities, recommendations for future trainings and target groups. 3. Expected Outputs and deliverables ID Deliverables/ Outputs Inception report including: 1 Revised methodology and work plan Desk review Draft National Guidelines for 2 Training plan and Draft Training material (English) 3 Report on rangelands assessment methodologies and rehabilitation options 4 Final National Guidelines for Final Training material (English) Training report Estimated Duration to Complete Target Due Dates 10 2 weeks from contract 25 3 months from contract 10 4 months from contract 15 7 months from contract 4. Institutional arrangements The consultant will work under the direct guidance of the SLMQ Project Manager. Regular coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment and other concerned stakeholders is expected and shall be channeled through the Project. 5. Duration of work The overall duration of the contract covered by this ToR is 60 man-days spread over a period of 7 months from the date of contract. 6. Duty station

6 The assignment requires deskwork, research, meetings, as well as coordination between the different concerned stakeholders (ministry officials, local authorities, experienced NGOs, selected local communities, etc.). The consultant is requested to conduct at least 3 missions of at least 5 working-days each to Lebanon as per the following: Mission 1: Introductory mission Mission 2: Testing and validation of the guidelines Mission 3: ToT mission The remaining time of the consultancy can be undertaken from home. 7. Requirements for experience and qualifications The consultant must present the following qualifications: Education: Higher degree in natural resources related field with an extensive knowledge of grazing and vegetation management; Experience: At least 10 years of work experience on the preferred field of pasture management and livestock keeping in general; Experience of working cooperatively with livestock producers, government agencies (centrally and locally), and environmental interest groups on rangelands-related assignments; Experience in rangelands management planning; Ability to interpret and make practical applications of current range management research findings on Mediterranean rangelands; Knowledge of Mediterranean rangelands, other natural resources, its people, and culture is an asset; Knowledge of the existing related policies, legal and regulatory frameworks is a plus; Experience with UN or international donor project(s) is an asset; Language Requirements: Proficiency in English language. Arabic or French are asset. 8. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments The payments will be issued upon submission and approval of deliverables as per the following: Task Payment Deliverables Payment due date 1 15% upon approval of the Inception report including: 2 weeks from contract inception report Revised methodology and work plan Desk review 2 40% Upon approval of the First Draft National Draft National Guidelines for 3 months from contract

7 Rangelands Guidelines Management Training plan and Draft Training material (English) 3 20 % upon approval of the rangelands assessment methodologies and rehabilitation options 4 25% upon approval of Final Rangelands Management Guidelines and training outputs Report on rangelands assessment methodologies and rehabilitation options Final National Guidelines for Final Training material (English) Training report 4 months from contract 7 months from contract The Consultant is expected to submit a financial proposal based on a Lump Sum amount including fees and foreseeable expenses, including all travel to Lebanon and within Lebanon during missions. Lump sum amount must be all-inclusive 1 ; The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. 1 The term all inclusive implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal.