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Consultancy for the elaboration of options for a regional mangrove vision

Terms of Reference

Title :                        Consultancy for the elaboration of options for a regional mangrove vision
Department:            Conservation
Project:                    MG204200 – Project Save Our Mangrove Now! 2
Supervisor:             WWF Madagascar NMCi Leader - and the Regional Secretary of the Western Indian Ocean
                                 Mangrove Network (WIOMN)
Type of contract:    Consultancy (international)
Date:                        12th July 2022
Reference:               AO-020/TNR/22       
 

1.  Background on Save Our Mangroves Now!

WWF in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wetlands International and the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is implementing the international initiative “Save Our Mangroves Now!” (SOMN!). The project goal is defined as follows: Mangrove ecosystems - as part of land- and seascapes - are conserved, restored, and sustainably used to the benefit of people and nature, locally and globally. The initiative thus contributes to the achievement of international agreements and processes, mainly the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. SOMN 2.0 builds on the achievements, findings and lessons learnt from the first phase of the initiative. For this second phase, there are two main expected outcomes. First, ambitious international political goals set enabling global framework conditions for effective mangrove conservation. The target for this outcome is to have in place and/or advance at least 2 international policy outcome documents/mechanisms (Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework, SDG 14 2020 outcome, UNFCCC/NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) guidance, IUCN resolution) and 2 international policy work programmes supporting further mangrove conservation. The second outcome is to establish the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) as an internationally recognized example (champion) of successful mangrove conservation. For this outcome, the first target is to increase pledged commitments by WIO countries (NDC, Voluntary Commitments, Bonn Challenge, WIO GLISPA Challenge) on mangrove conservation and identify means of implementation by 2022. The second target is to set the WIO on its way to achieving a net zero rate of mangrove loss by 2030 (trend by 2022).
These outcome targets will be achieved through three work packages:
  1. Work package 1: International policy agenda setting
  2. Work package 2: National and regional policy work in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region
  3. Work Package 3: Building partnerships
This consultancy contributes to work package 2.
 

2. Background on the Regional Mangrove Vision

 
To achieve a trend towards zero net loss of mangroves by 2030, relevant national and regional policies and action plans need to acknowledge and prioritize mangroves as nature-based solutions and means of implementation need to be identified. Since coastal ecosystems are highly interconnected across national borders, streamlining the political efforts on a regional level drawing up a joint mangrove vision and related action plan is key to achieving the zero net loss goal. SOMN! envisions this to happen through a Regional Policy Dialogue (RPD), which will bring together representatives from the WIO countries from a variety of sectors (including, but not limited to politics, science, conservation and the private sector), to discuss and agree on a Regional Mangrove Vision (RMV) as an entry point for the development of a regional mangrove action plan
To achieve this, a discussion paper around the RMV was submitted and presented at the Science to Policy Forum of the UNEP Nairobi Convention Secretariat organized in preparation of the 10th Conference of Parties (COP 10). As a direct effect of this, the UNEP Nairobi Convention COP 10 adopted a decision in favour of the development of a Regional Mangrove Action Plan (RMAP) through Decision CP.10/12(2d). The decision give mandate to the Western Indian Ocean Mangrove Network (WIOMN) with support from all SOMN! partners to develop the RMAP. In the process to implement the decision, the RMV is seen as a first step towards developing the RMAP through RPDs. The kick-off virtual RPD was held in January 2022. It aimed to ensure a common understanding of the ecological, economic and legal stakes of mangrove ecosystems and to develop a consented idea and coordination on how to proceed with the Regional and National Policy Dialogues towards formulating the RMV and developing the RMAP.

3. Content of this consultancy

As stated above, one of the main SOMN! Goals is to make the WIO region a champion for mangrove conservation and to achieve net zero mangrove loss. This consultancy will contribute towards this goal by moving forward the development of a RMV: A common vision for the WIO countries (Comoros, Mayotte, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Republic of South Africa, Seychelles, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania) on the conservation and sustainable management of mangroves provides a basis for developing a joint RMAP, thereby coordinating actions to preserve mangrove ecosystems and working towards zero mangrove loss. This should ultimately lead to better recognition at the international level.
The consultant shall elaborate and develop recommendations for three options for a regional mangrove vision. For this, a thorough comparative analysis of existing policies and commitments by the WIO countries, as well as ecological and socio-economic baseline data is needed (see Scope of work and methodology for more detailed information). This consultancy shall serve as the basis for the participants of the RPD to agree on a common vision for the conservation and effective management of mangroves in the WIO region (the “RMV”), upon which the RMAP will be developed.

4. Scope of work and methodology

The work involves the identification, verification and comparative review of existing national commitments, policies, strategies, and action plans relevant to a RMV of the ten countries with mangroves in the WIO region as well as supporting documents on a regional level developed under SOMN! (listed below). The contractor shall also compare existing commitments at the international level (NDC, SDGs, Voluntary Commitments, Bonn Challenge, etc.) that can contribute to an ambitious vision for mangrove conservation and management in the region. In addition, socio-economic and ecological baselines should be taken into account for the ambition and elaboration of the vision. Subsequently, recommendations shall be made for the content of a regional mangrove vision for the WIO region and three options of formulations shall be given that will be debated by the RAG and at RPDs for a joint consensus on one version. The three RMV options may range from very short regional goal statements to more elaborate formulations. The output of the consultancy should also include concrete next steps towards this vision and the development of a RMAP after that. The research and considerations shall be presented comprehensibly in the form of a report as well as a presentation summarizing the options and reasoning for the proposed options.
It should be considered that the vision:
  • shall encapsulate the region’s commitments and priority needs
  • shall be strong and ambitious but also take into account relevance to national sensitivities so that it will likely be adopted by governments and key actors at regional and international policy fora and backed by commitments
  • shall aim towards the goal to make the WIO region an internationally recognized “mangrove champion”
  • shall be a foundation step towards the RMAP
  • shall be in line with the Guiding principles on sustainable mangrove ecosystem management
In addition to relevant international and national policies and commitments, the following SOMN products can be considered and will be provided to the consultant:
  • Synthesis report: Towards a Regional Mangrove Vision and Action Plan for the Western Indian Ocean
  • Mapping report of the mangroves in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania to establish a baseline and current trends in mangrove extent in the WIO region
  • Reports and policy briefs of socio-economic profiles and conservation frameworks relevant to the mangroves in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar to help identify pivotal aspects of the importance of mangroves to people living in the WIO region and hence a key tool in advocacy efforts for mangrove conservation
  • Discussion paper of regional mangrove vision presented at the Science to Policy Platform of the UNEP Nairobi Convention
  • Regional Policy Dialogue white paper
  • Policy and Legal Analysis of the Adoption and Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAS) and Global Commitments in the Western Indian Ocean
  • Recommendations on Linking WP2 with Nairobi Convention and Post 2020 GBF Process
  • Tangled roots and changing tides: mangrove governance for conservation and sustainable use:
    • Policy Briefs for Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania (updated in 2021)
    • Country matrices
  • The Community of Ocean Action for Mangroves – Towards the Implementation of SDG14 – WIO focus report
  • The State of World’s Mangroves 2021
The provision of the service must be carried out in close coordination with the client. The main contact person on the client’s side (WWF Madagascar) is the NMCi Leader. This work is supported and done by SOMN on behalf of the WIOMN and as such the contact person for the Network is Regional Secretary (Mwita Mangora) or any other member of the Secretariat (as will be communicated) who will be designated to oversee the process towards RMAP. As work package 2 of the mangrove initiative is implemented by several partners, presentation of results to a larger group is required. The contractor is also required to name a central contact person.
After the contract has been awarded a virtual meeting is to take place within two weeks for coordination (see 6). Further necessary coordination meetings as well as exact deadlines during the contract duration will be determined during this initial meeting. During the contract, further coordination meetings will take place as may be required to keep track of progress and associated deliverables. The first coordination meeting is planned to be held before 5 August 2022.
Field sites visits and therefore travel is not foreseen as part of this contract. All necessary meetings are to be held virtually.
 

5. Assignment period

The execution of the entire contract is to take place between 1 August 2022 – 30 September 2022. The deadlines for the individual work sections are listed under deliverables in this ToR. The consultancy should not exceed 28 working days to complete spread over the two months.
6. Deliverables
Services Maximum number of days of work Deadline
  1. Virtual kick-off meeting (approximately 1h) with the Save Our Mangroves Now!/WIOMN team for coordination
 0,5 15 August 2022
  1. First draft of report, which sets out the three options for a RMV and the process of elaboration
 20 17 September 2022
  1. Virtual meeting to discuss feedback on draft report
 0,5 24 September 2022
  1. Presentation (for example as a powerpoint) summarizing the results to SOMN/WIOMN team/RAG (1h presentation including 30 min Q&A; slide set to be prepared by contractor and to be shared with the client)
 2
 		 01 October 2022
  1. Final report (approx. 10 pages)
 5 07 October 2022
 
Deviations are to be presented in a detailed time and cost planning.
 
Any delay in submission of the reports/products will result in a deduction of 1‰ per day of delay from the total fees.

7. Coordination and supervision

The consultant will carry out the assignment under WWF MDCO NMCi Leader and the Regional Secretary Western Indian Ocean Mangrove Network (WIOMN) technical supervision.

8. Eligibility/Qualification of consultants

  • At least 5 years of relevant experience related to marine conservation and/or regional policies around marine governance, multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in connection with marine resources or blue economy.
  • Demonstrated understanding of policy and institutional context for mangrove conservation, biodiversity conservation, and ‘blue economy’ development in the WIO region;
  • At least three references of similar services provided;
  • Excellently demonstrated ability to distill information and formulate key recommendations;
  • Broad knowledge on the ecosystem and related societal challenges around climate change (resilience, adaptation and mitigation), biodiversity conservation and sustainable development as well as the linkages between them and their respective international conventions, ideally in the WIO region;
  • Ability to plan independently and manage conflicting priorities, and work under pressure;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Good level of French and/or Portuguese is optional, but an added advantage;
  • Ability to deliver results, while remaining flexible and adaptive in light of challenging circumstances due to evolving COVID-19 situation.

9. Application

Those interested, either as individuals, consortium or institutions, are required to submit the following by email only to procurement@wwf.mg with the reference “AO-020/TNR/2022 Consultancy for Proposing WIO Regional Mangrove Vision” in subject line delivered not later than COB 27 July 2022 at 17 pm EAT with:
  1. A technical proposal outlining:
·       Profile and CVs of the consultant(s) undertaking the work indicating relevant experience and contribution of each one of them in this assignment (a template is available from the link https://bit.ly/2H2M8Ed, or request to be sent to procurement@wwf.mg)
·       Methodologies as per the tasks assigned, 
·       Relevant information demonstrating past experience in related field (cases of relevant prior work),
 
       b. A financial proposal in Euro (for non-resident) and Ariary (for resident):
the budget should give details of consultancy days as well as daily rates, along with management secretariat costs. Daily rates and expenditures should be shown separately. The offer should also show tax-except and taxable costs. Where costs are tax-exempt, explanations should be provided.  (Please note that any costs for developing proposals in response to this assignment should not be counted in and are not reimbursable)
As no travel is foreseen, travel costs are not expected to be in the budget. However, should the consultant see a need, travel costs are to be included in the offer and should be accompanied by a strong and clear justification.

10. Evaluation of Applications

An evaluation committee will review and rank the received offers.  The evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being opened and compared.
Applications will be evaluated as follows:
-       Understanding and technical soundness and merit of methodology to execute the assignment (40 points);
-       Organizational capacity and expertise to execute the assignment (25 points);
-       Past experience and performance relevant to the assignment (25 points)
 
The adjudication returns to the technical best offer (among those higher than 50/90) whose financial offer does not exceed the budget available. The possibility of negotiation is not excluded in conditions that the technical best offer makes a financial offer exceeding available budget.
 
If the negotiations are unsuccessful, the second-best technical offer's financial offer is opened, and so on.
 

11. Notes on cancelling the current tender

The current offer may be canceled under the following conditions:
-       Competitiveness is not adequate;
-       No offers meet the requirements;
-       Received offers significantly overreach the proposed budget.

12. Conditions of the tender

The proposed work will be carried out under contract, of which this TORs will be part of. The contact will be drawn up after the offer has been confirmed. The consultant will assume all fiscal responsibilities relative to his/her tax status. As an independent employee, the consultant is responsible for the payment of any tax that might be demanded within the framework of this agreement, assuming that he/she is able to justify he/she is in good standing and up to date vis-à-vis administrative and tax authorities; otherwise, and in accordance with the law, WWF is obliged to withhold at source on the amount of its services or fees / bills, the percentage to be paid to the taxes authorities. For the particular case of non-resident consultants, the consultant is subject to the payment of the Tax on Income from Non-Resident (under Article 01.01.14.'s Tax Code CGI) up to 10% (or 5 % if based in Mauritius). A remark on this tax should appear in the financial offer.
 
The WWF Madagascar is the budget holder for this work and therefore the consultant will be subject to WWF Madagascar procurement management procedures at all times.

13. Payment of fees

Payments will be made in two installments as follows:
 
(i)             40% of the total amount of fees, upon completion and submission of the deliverables a)-b) and their acceptance by the Technical Supervisors; and submission and approval of an invoice detailing services rendered.
(ii)           60% of the total amount of fees, upon completion and submission of the deliverables c)-d)-e) and their acceptance by the Technical Supervisors; and submission and approval of an invoice detailing services rendered.
The invoice must contain the following information: name and address of the consultant, invoice date, unique invoice number, amount of fees free of charges, amount of taxes, service rendered, deliverable and/or number of hours charged, period in which service was provided, bank details.
WWF cannot grant in advance honorary fees. Though, well justified field trip expenses, in accordance with WWF procedures, are payable in advance once the consultancy contract established.

14. Fraud, corruption and conflict of interest declaration

Candidates have read entirely the WWF Policy for interests and the WWF Policy Conflicts for Prevention and the Survey of Fraud and Corruption. He/she understands his/her responsibilities to comply, and fully commit to it. He/she acknowledges he/she has no conflicts, as described in the WWF's Policy on Conflicts of Interest: https://bit.ly/2H2M8Ed

15. Ethics

Candidates must respect the professional rules of conduct without any reproach in the conduct of its mandate. Furthermore, the contractor will ensure not to tarnish the image of the WWF execution of its mandate. WWF gives the right to terminate the agreement in proven cases of misconduct that can harm the WWF.
 
 
Prepared by: _________________________ Date:  ________________
 
 
 
Reviewed: ___________________________ Date: ________________
 
 
 
Approved by: _________________________ Date: ________________