WWF Zambia Country Office
Background
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an International Non-Governmental Organization with a network that is active in more than 100 countries. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF is working with companies, governments, communities and other partners in watershed protection and the sustainable management of shared water resources in the public interest through collective actions at basin level. WWF has worked on freshwater conservation for decades and is a strong advocate for responsible private sector engagement on water issues.
The Lukanga swamp is situated in the heart of Zambia, about 100 km north of capital Lusaka. The core of the wetland is 3300 km2 in size in the dry season, growing to 6000-8000 km2 in the wet season. The wetland is a significant contributor to the Kafue river basin: about 1/3 of water downstream of Lukanga comes from the swamp. The area also acts as natural retention basin for the Kafue river, storing excess water that overflows from Kafue during wet years, and slowly releasing it in later years. As such, the Lukanga swamp plays an important role in water regulation for downstream water users, such as urban drinking water, agriculture and energy provision through the hydropower dam. The wetland also traps sediment that would otherwise affect the capacity of the hydropower dam, and filters water, thereby improving water quality. The Lukanga swamp is a designated RAMSAR wetland and the area is very attractive for wildlife, fish and birds, hosting various globally threatened species. The wetland contributes 10% of the national fish supply and fishing is a key livelihood in the area. Other key livelihoods in the area include basketry (using reed material from the swamp), wood collection for charcoal production, collection of high-value natural products (e.g. honey, nuts), hunting wildlife and agriculture (livestock and cultivation). The swamp also plays a key role in cultural ceremonies for resident ethnic groups.
Throughout the country, wetlands are threatened by increasing population and economic development, which is driving land use change in the form of human settlement, mining, construction of hydropower dams, conversion to agriculture and overexploitation of natural resources, such as fish and game. Increasing abundance of invasive species further threatens the ecological integrity of the swamps. Downstream of the Lukanga Swamps, economic activities such as the hydropower dam (ZESCO, LWSC)) and agricultural areas (e.g. Zambia Sugar) partly depend on the Lukanga swamp for a steady water flow of sufficient quality. If these services further decline, this can have significant impact on energy and water security in the region.
To reverse the negative impact of unsustainable resource and land use on Lukanga, identification and viability assessment of alternative livelihood models is needed, as well as a plan to introduce and scale these models in the area. Possibly attractive sustainable business models in the area include reforestation, management of (re)forested areas, sustainable agriculture and development of eco-tourism. To restore and conserve ecological and hydrological integrity, physical interventions may include e.g. protection of riparian zones; trapping sediments suspended in water from leaving the swamp (e.g. using bio-based permeable dams); dredging sediments to retain retention capacity; using dredged sediments to heighten agricultural areas and improve fertility of soils; restore hydrological connectivity e.g. with weirs and culverts. Furthermore, to steer population growth and infrastructure development in a sustainable way, a sound land use and infrastructure development plan is needed to ensure infrastructure does not impair the hydrological and ecological function of the swamp and the wider Lukanga watershed.
Objective of the Consultancy
To have a clear overview of the key actions and nature-based solutions options (location, area, typology, stakeholders involved and benefits to society and nature) needed in the Lukanga Swamps to reverse the negative impact of unsustainable resource and land use on Lukanga.
Scope of Work and Expected Outputs
An appropriate methodology will have to be determined by the consultant in consultations with WWF and key stakeholders
Identify sustainable business projects and NbS options that would help to address local challenges, provide area of intervention, typology, size, and estimate costs, as well as key stakeholders to be engaged. In this exercise, map the locations, the areas and the communities that are located and need to participate in the decision making.
Analyze how the above mentioned projects can contribute to Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation and Improvement Projects (ZMERIP) measures with regards to the community-based resource management and conservation plan for the Lukanga Swamp and other activities being implemented in the region
Identification of where set measures should be taken, key actions needed, and overview of the stakeholders involved, including roles and responsibilities
Identify and characterize the interested parties on whom action areas critically depend; building out reasoning for identified measures (stakeholder mapping and analysis).
Outline of the risks and mitigation actions regarding engaging in identified measures, projects/actions.
Provide a roadmap/plan of approach for key NbS implementation in the swamp, as a support to the Lukanga Swamp Conservation Plan.
Deliverables
Inception Report in English with a clear description of methodology to carry out the assessment.
To hold bilateral meetings with WWF and stakeholders to validate business figures based on hydrological assessment done by UNZA
To hold workshops in the landscape with key stakeholders to design and propose NbS and bankable ideas
Project report detailing key nature based solutions and bankable projects including
Brief context of the landscape
Overview of the challenges and threats that NbS or bankable projects could address
Identifying intervention/ project opportunities (NbS or other typology of solution) and provide area of intervention, typology, size, and estimate costs.
identifying and characterizing the interested parties on whom action areas critically depend (e.g. climate risks)
Identification of specific measures and opportunities in terms of sectors, themes, trends
Identify and characterize the interested parties on whom action areas critically depend; building out reasoning for identified measures
Identify key actions that will help WWF move to pre-feasibility study stage with any projects that are ready
Identify risks related to key measures and mitigation measures needed
Measure the business risk and operational risk to the key industrials upstream
Measure the business risk and operational risk to the key industrials downstreams
Develop a map detailing where interventions will take place, if NbS or other typology of solution, provide area of intervention, typology, size, and estimate costs, as well as key stakeholders to be engaged. financing needed, whether bankable or not (or both), small summary of the measure and roadmap for implementation.
Develop a 10-page slide deck to outline findings
Eligibility/Qualifications
The consultant(s) must have the following qualifications:
- Master’s degree water resources management, hydrology and water resources, soil and water engineering, physical land resources management, natural resource economics, natural resources management, land and water development, candidates with qualifications in business administration, international development, agricultural economics, economics, rural development or related fields are encouraged to apply.
- Five years or more relevant experience; including a strong technical negotiation background, experience of stakeholder engagements, and people management experience.
- Extensive experience in assessment, monitoring, surveillance and evaluation of conservation and development projects
- Experience working with the private sector to understand risk
- Excellent facilitation, communication and inter-personal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and partners, external actors and allies.
Total Duration of the Assignment (9 Months)
The consultant/firm is required to provide a projected project programme (Gant Chart). The final due date for the assignment will be agreed upon with the selected consultant in the inception phase.
Staff and Qualifications
The project team proposed by the consultant or firm and their qualifications have to reflect the scope of services and show excellent technical and professional qualifications. The consultant shall provide a description of tasks to be performed by each team member as well as details on the selection and experience of the proposed members with regard to their tasks.
The consultant shall provide updated curricula vitae (CV) of the proposed key members of the project team. The key staff should have adequate education, professional experience, language skills and experience in similar assignments. Please note that key staff presented in the consultant’s proposal may not be replaced without the prior approval of WWF.
Budget
The consultant shall estimate the human and other resources that will be required to complete the Deliverables (1-6). Their financial offer(s) shall include all costs for elaboration of works, as described above, including travel costs.
Request for Proposals
On the basis of the full TORs attached, the Consultant should prepare a proposal that covers:
- Proposed tasks and outputs (Methodology);
- Team Composition, including summary of expertise and experience;
- Tentative Work Schedule (Activities and Milestones);
- Estimated level of effort;
- Estimated Travel Cost; and
- The availability to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement
The proposal will be submitted by 17:00hrs, 31st May 2023 to the following [email protected]
Proposal Evaluation
The proposal will be evaluated by WWF against the following criteria:
- Level of expertise and experience in implementing similar assignments;
- Level of expertise and experience in the region,
- Experience on similar assignments in Zambia will be an added advantage;
- Language skills (English);
- Overall quality of the proposal (Including quality of the proposed methodology for stakeholder identification, needs assessment, and facilitation of stakeholder engagement);
- Cost – i.e. value for money; and
- Availability.