Terms of Reference
Consultancy to conduct a livelihoods assessment for communities surrounding the Matura forest and coastal zone pilot protected area and to prepare a non-technical guide to assess livelihoods in other protected areas
1. Background
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN) is implementing a four year project, Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The overall project goal is to conserve globally important biodiversity and ecosystems in Trinidad and Tobago. The objectives are to facilitate the development of a new system of protected areas (PAs) for Trinidad and Tobago, consistent with country’s approved 2011 Protected Areas Policy, by:
· Proposing a new PA system for conservation of biodiversity;
· Increasing management effectiveness of PAs; and
· Increasing the capacity for sustainable financing of PAs management.
The project is being implemented in six pilot PAs. These pilot PAs are in Northeast Tobago, Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Matura Forest, Nariva Swamp, Trinity Hills, and Caroni Swamp. Project implementation is being guided in each pilot PA by Subcommittees composed of stakeholders from each pilot PA. Further background information on the project is available at http://eppd-tt.blogspot.com/p/
Each PA Subcommittee formulated and agreed on a work plan for the first year of the project. The Matura forest and coastal zone pilot PA included in their work plan an activity aimed at identifying feasible livelihoods based on the sustainable use of natural resources using participatory, evidenced-based analysis. This consultancy is to provide this information to the Subcommittee and to formulate a methodology that can be replicated in other pilot PAs.
2. Objectives and Scope of Work
The principal objective of the assignment is to prepare an assessment of the livelihoods in the communities surrounding the Matura forest and coastal zone pilot protected area and a guidance document for assessment of livelihoods in other protected areas.
3. Activities
The activities for this consultancy are:
· To conduct a literature review of relevant studies to assist in identifying sustainable livelihoods and in evaluating market needs and opportunities
· To conduct field surveys in the Matura forest and coastal zone pilot protected area to inform the development of a situational analysis of livelihoods in the surrounding communities
· To identify specific products and services that the local communities are interested in developing
· To conduct a Rapid Assessment of market demand for the products and services identified.
· To prepare a Livelihood Assessment report for the Matura forest and coastal zone. The main report should be within 10-12 pages with an executive summary of 2-3 pages. It should contain: a situational analysis describing existing livelihoods based on the natural resources in and around the proposed Matura Pilot Protected Area, how they are distributed and their present status; and conclusions on feasibility supported by annexes with detailed analysis of stakeholders, economic and policy environment, market needs and opportunities and support available etc.; and recommendations to maintain or improve livelihoods given the present and likely future context for PA management.
· To prepare a non-technical guide to conducting a livelihood assessment for protected areas. The guide should not exceed 12 pages. It should contain a step-by-step approach to achieving an assessment and include relevant templates, references and other materials in annexes.
4. Outputs
The outputs of this consultancy will be:
· A field survey report with a preliminary situational analysis and a description of the specific products and services that the local communities are interested in developing
· A Livelihood Assessment report for the Matura forest and coastal zone as detailed above
· A guide to conducting a livelihood assessment for protected areas as detailed above
5. Duration
The intended length of this consultancy is 6 months.
6. Cost
The maximum amount of funds allocated for this activity is USD 15,000.
7. Consultant profile
The consultant should have:
· Experience in rural livelihood issues and on livelihoods based on the sustainable use of natural resources
· Knowledge of assessing livelihoods and market needs and opportunities
· Good understanding of the PA policy context in Trinidad and Tobago
· Excellent facilitation and communication skills
8. Application process
Persons interested in conducting the work are invited to present a short concept paper on how to implement the consultancy and a CV together with their applications. Applications should be submitted to Neila Bobb-Prescott, Chief Technical Advisor at Neila.BobbPrescott@fao.org by Monday 14th November, 2016.
