Cameroon: Dja Landscape Private Sector Consultant

INTRODUCTION

ZSL is seeking an experienced, innovative and adaptable consultant to support aspects of ZSL’s work in engaging Private Sector entities within the Dja landscape. The consultant will provide technical input on project initiation, monitoring and evaluation systems, research and reporting.

SUMMARY

The key areas of focus for consultancy are to:

(1) Support the review of potential impacts on the on-going and planned activities of the private sector operating around the Dja Faunal Reserve (DFR; e.g., rubber, mining, dams, gravel mining) to identify appropriate measures to be undertaken to foresee, reduce and mitigate potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Values (OUV) of the DFR

(2) Provide technical support for the development and implementation of identified mitigation measures

(3) Facilitate the substantive contribution of private sector partners to long-term land-use plans for the landscape in consultation with all stakeholders which will ensure the conservation of the OUV of the site

DELIVERABLES

This consultancy, funded through an EU grant will work directly with staff and project partners to implement key grant deliverables and increase knowledge/capacity of staff and partners on private sector management.

1) Tasks

Engaging Key Private Sector Companies

· Meet with Sud Hevea & HydroMekin and carry forward discussions on approaches for mitigation of their environmental impacts on DFR, especially on illegal wildlife trade, river degradation, and buffer zone habitat loss

· Establish relationships with other key private sector actors in the Dja Landscape

· Work with MINFOF and ZSL staff to arrive at how best to integrate them into upcoming land use planning processes for the Dja Faunal Reserve and broader landscape

Technical Support

· Work with ZSL staff and others to share relevant technical information and approaches with private sector companies on how to assess and mitigate environmental impacts on the OUV of the DFR

· Recommend an approach to identify targets, threats, and mitigation actions, as well as a monitoring approach for different private sector entities

Assessment of Impacts from Planned Projects

· Assess the potential impacts of the Dja River gravel mining project, the iron railway project, the large dam above Hydro Mekin Dam, and the Intra-Africa transportation Corridor

· Provide an investigative report on Forestry Management Unit (FMU) 10-036 in the SE corner of the Dja Reserve, specifically to identify the concession owners, management authorities, and those who have the authority to keep the road from being further developed and the bridge built and forests settled within the FMU.

2) Key Deliverables

· Summary reports of meetings with Sud Hevea and Hydro Mekin, and any other relevant private sector companies

· Development of strategy for private sector engagement that can be followed by ZSL staff

· Submit mid-term and final reports on private sector analysis and engagement as outlined above, for delivery to ZSL, CAWHFI, ECOFAC, and MINFOF in line with reporting periods

· Investigative report on FMU 10-036 as outlined above as a final report.

REQUIREMENTS

Consultant Specifications:

· Strong experience in the field of private sector engagement;

· A good understanding of current international and Africa specific private sector issues linked to illegal wildlife trade;

· Ability to speak and write fluent French is essential as is having excellent written and spoken English;

· Knowledge of private sector and politics within Cameroon;

· Proven success in planning, managing and implementing conservation projects (project, financial and personnel management) and strategies.

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.

CONSULTANCY DATES

November 2017 – August 2018

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applicants should apply via email to Anna.Squier@zsl.org and include a CV, a covering letter and financial offer on the basis of the key deliverables. We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview. Closing date for applications is 1 November, 2017.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.