Evaluation Criteria

Weighting

E.g. Quality (logic, thoroughness, well-researched, clarity)

20%

E.g. Price (criteria – overall cost)

10%

E.g. Technical Merit (experience working in developing countries (West/Central Africa), protected area, law enforcement/patrol-based monitoring, use of SMART approach , experience delivering training, project design and management, reporting)

70%

ZSL

Means Zoological Society of London, Reg. Charity 208728

Contract

Means any contract that results from this Request for Proposal

Proposal

Means a written offer submitted in response to this Request for Proposal

Proposer

Means an entity that submits, or is invited to submit, a Proposal in response to this Request for Proposal

Requirement

Means the supply to be made by the entity that forms a Contract with ZSL in accordance with Part 2 of the RFP.

INTRODUCTION

The Zoological Society of London’s Africa Programme is seeking a Technical  Advisor for W-Arly-Pendjari conservation complex (WAP-COM (based in Cotonou, Benin) to manage and provide technical support to the project, based primarily in the field around the WAP complex.

The W-Arly-Pendjari conservation complex (WAP-COM), spanning the borders of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin, is one of the most important areas for conservation in West Africa. It represents the last relatively intact savannah system in the region and is a conservation priority for both large carnivores and African elephant. The complex faces increasing threats from illegal hunting, encroachment from pastoralists and agriculture all compounded by a lack of capacity to monitor, protect and manage the landscape.

SUMMARY

The consultant will be based primarily in the field around the WAP Complex with time also spent at the ZSL office in Cotonou. The post resides within the Africa Programme, reporting directly to the Programme Manager for Africa.

They will work closely with the regional co-ordinator of the Rangewide Conservation Programme for Cheetah and African Wild dog (RWCP), law enforcement advisor and other team members in Benin to be recruited and the wider ZSL Africa team.

WAP Project aims

1. Support effective law enforcement monitoring and protection in W Niger national park through the establishment and implementation of the SMART approach and the capacity building and mentoring of park rangers.
2. Support the capacity building of law enforcement agencies (eaux et forets, police, gendarmerie, judiciary) in Benin and Niger.
3. Support the establishment and implementation of research and monitoring programmes aimed at sustainable management of the parks and surrounding areas.
4. Develop the capacity of local and regional partners to manage and protect the parks, carry out research, support community-based initiatives and any other relevant aspects of project activities.
5. Engage and collaborate with other stakeholders to integrate the project into existing and future initiatives for conservation in the region.

DELIVERABLES

Deliverable 1: Technical support for protected area management

•  Work with WAP complex parks management, ZSL and Panthera colleagues and other relevant stakeholders to maintain and develop law enforcement and patrol-based monitoring systems for the parks.
•  Work with park managers, colleagues and other stakeholders to develop a plan for implementing the SMART approach within W Niger park.
•  Work alongside park management, patrol teams and other relevant stakeholders to implement the SMART approach to adaptive management for W Niger park.
•  Support any other relevant initiatives related to the project objectives, including but not limited to, ecological monitoring, use of new technologies and other research.
•  Ensure that all relevant project activities are carried out using robust, scientifically sound methodologies in line with ZSL best practice.

Deliverable 2: Capacity building

• Work with colleagues from ZSL and partner organisations to provide training and ongoing technical support to relevant partner staff in all aspects of implementing the SMART approach and any other methodologies applied as part of the project.
• Selection (where appropriate), guidance and supervision of local and international students carrying out agreed research projects in conjunction with the project, including training in research, survey and analysis techniques as appropriate.

Deliverable 3: Project development

• Work with the UK team on project development and design, proposal development and writing of technical and financial reports for ZSL, partners and donors.
• Work with ZSL colleagues to support other ZSL programmes in the region, especially the Range-Wide Conservation Programme for Cheetah and African Wild Dog.
• Work with colleagues to explore other opportunities to expand project activities to other parts of the WAP complex.
• Participate in the development and promotion of ZSL’s overarching conservation strategy and policies, and work with the UK team and in-country team to develop and adapt the WAP landscape strategy.

Deliverable 4: Project management

• Set and adhere to project objectives and annual work plan as agreed with line manager.
• Manage country budget and financial records, with submission of a financial report every month to the relevant line manager.
• Liaise with line manager and project team to ensure that agreed work is completed on schedule, to budget and in compliance with ZSL health and safety procedures and UK/in-country laws and regulations.
• Where necessary, lead on the recruitment of suitable field team(s) in collaboration with line managers and/or other relevant project personnel.
• Oversee procurement of project equipment, supplies and vehicles, ensuring it is compliant with ZSL and donor procurement policies and ensure the project team keep equipment inventories up to date and equipment maintained.
• Submit monthly project reports to ZSL’s project database
• Adhere to the ZSL field health and safety policy and insure it is followed in all managed projects.

Deliverable 5: Stakeholder relationships

• Maintain and develop relations with key partners, CENAGREF, MEEF, African Parks and Panthera under the terms of existing Memoranda of Understanding and associated annexes and agreements;
• Liaise with donors directly where necessary
• Develop new relationships and partnerships with relevant stakeholders including authorities, donor agencies, local and international NGOs, private sector actors, research institutions and local communities.
• Liaise with other relevant academic, conservation and development organisations working in-country as well as internationally, to ensure that the work of the project complements and builds on existing initiatives.
• Ensure regular communication with in-country partners regarding project progress.

Deliverable 6: Dissemination

• Publish research findings in scientific journals, policy papers and technical reports (e.g. ZSL Conservation Report) where relevant.
• Contribute to regular updates for partners/donors/stakeholders, regular blogs and updates for the ZSL website and occasional longer pieces for ZSL publications.
• Promote relevant areas of the project and ZSL’s work in the project area through media interviews and articles as required.
• Provide any project reports required by government, partners or funders as required.
• Disseminate project findings in international fora, to facilitate lesson-learning and information exchange.

Deliverable 7: Representation and promotion of ZSL

• Represent ZSL at, and participation in, relevant national, regional and international conservation policy/planning events (as funds allow).

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Experience of working in developing countries, ideally Central or West Africa.
• Experience of protected area management.
• Experience in law enforcement, patrol based monitoring in the context of protected area management.
• Experience in using the SMART approach or similar systems to support law enforcement and patrol based monitoring is highly desirable.
• Experience of delivering training, both in more formal settings and informal ‘on-the-job’ environments.
• Proven experience with working with multiple collaborators and stakeholders.
• A higher degree (MSc or above) in a subject related to conservation/natural resource management is desirable or equivalent level of work experience in a relevant field.
• Understanding and strong experience of working for or with NGOs. 
• Experience in project design, planning and management.
• Experience of proposal development and technical and financial report writing.

Knowledge

• A good understanding of current international and Africa specific biodiversity conservation issues.

Skills & Abilities

• Fluent spoken and written French essential.
• Fluent spoken and written English desirable.
• Ability to communicate in English essential.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills, with ability to carry out multiple tasks to deadlines.
• Personable with ability to work both within a team and independently.
• Must be good self motivator and comfortable with independent working.
• Effective networking and people skills.
• Good experience of delivering training and technical support to differing abilities.

Other Requirements

• Driver’s license.
• Able and willing to work long hours and over weekends when required.
• Comfortable spending prolonged periods in the field in remote locations

EXCLUSIONS

Proposers will be excluded from this RFP if:

• they are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts, have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended business activities, are the subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations;
• they or persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a judgment of a competent authority which has the force of res judicata;
• they have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the Beneficiary(ies) can justify;
  • they have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the Beneficiary(ies) or those of the country where the contract is to be performed;
  • they are not in compliance with their obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the contracting authority or those of the country where the contract is to be performed.
  • they or persons having powers of representation, decision making or control over them have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering or any other illegal activity, where such illegal activity is detrimental to the EU's financial interests;
  • they are currently subject to an administrative penalty referred to in section 2.3.4 of the Practical Guide

Proposers must certify below that they are not in one or more of the situations listed above.

Do you confirm that you are not in one or more of the situations listed above?

Yes/No