Initiative for Conservation of Mara-Serengeti Transboundary Ecosystem

Baseline Survey - Terms of Reference

1.Introduction and Background

The Serengeti-Mara transboundary ecosystem is renowned for its spectacular wildlife and scenery. It comprises multiple resource use areas and different categories of protected areas, communal and private lands extending from South-Western Kenya and into Northern Tanzania. The ecosystem is governed by Narok and Bomet Counties in Kenya and Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA) in Tanzania. Although the Trans Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) is an integral natural asset to both countries, pressing natural resource management and biodiversity conservation challenges are threatening the ecosystem; these include socio-economic, environmental, climate change impacts as well as inadequate policy, legal and institutional responses. It is against this background that Vi Agroforestry and co-applicants seek to intervene in partnership with affected communities living in the Mara-Serengeti TFCA. Under this proposed action, technical assistance will be offered to selected sites within the TFCA to support interventions which improve cross-border collaboration in conservation and ecosystem management as well as law enforcement. Capacities of the target communities in the TFCA will be strengthened to support sustainable ecosystem management and wildlife conservation and incentivised though livelihood development and interventions advocating for fair benefit sharing.

The overall objective of the proposed action is to enhance regional cooperation and partnerships among stakeholders of the Mara-Serengeti TFCA for improved sustainable management of the TFCA. To attain this the action will seek to foster inclusive and participatory decision-making processes and policy dialogue between TFCA stakeholders in Kenya and Tanzania. It will also rejuvenate the political will among key decision makers and institutions towards implementing agreed actions that will lead to improved TFCA ecosystem as well as promote sustainable livelihoods development for local communities. The desired outcome of the action will improve management of shared ecosystem and contribute primarily to the progressive achievement of SDG 15 to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and many of its associated targets, in particular target 15.5, to take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

2.Overall Baseline Objective

The overall objective of the baseline survey is to establish benchmarks for effective project planning and implementation, as well as form the basis for the progressive monitoring of the achievement of the planned outputs and results, through the collection of quantitative and qualitative facts, figures and indicators of the situation at the beginning of the project. Furthermore, it will provide information on the specific issues and needs of stakeholders in the project area. The findings of which will be used to inform project implementation interventions. Primary data collection will identify the issues and bottlenecks within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and bilateral cooperation.

2.1Key Priority Areas of the baseline survey

SO 1.To empower local communities and stakeholders to conserve and protect Mara-Serengeti transboundary ecosystems. This specific objective will support people in their efforts to rehabilitate and conserve TFCA natural resources. This will involve engaging the local communities, and other formal and informal community structures in the protection of the TFCA. This will involve environmental education, biodiversity conservation, reforestation and implementation of agroforestry. The action will also promote conservation of wildlife corridors and habitats around the TFCA. Support around alternative livelihood options outside the wildlife corridors will be provided to minimise human-wildlife conflicts.

At the beginning of the project, the following information is needed:

  • Mapping of the area to be covered by the project both in Kenya and Tanzania
  • All the formal and informal community structures within the project area relevant for the implementation of the project.
  • The areas (estimating the Hectares) that require rehabilitation and implementation of agroforestry within the project area
  • The Key wildlife corridors and habitats in the project area and prioritize the wildlife corridors and habitats to be rehabilitated
  • Estimated the gender disaggregated human population within the project area
  • Estimated the disaggregated human population within the project area (focusing on women, youth) currently sustainably benefitting from the ecosystem
  • To establish the nature, extent and frequency of human wildlife Conflict.

SO 2. To promote diversified sustainable livelihoods for communities in TFCAs. In promoting sustainable diversified livelihood options, the proposed action will seek to expand livelihood resources for the local communities in TFCA and incentivise wildlife conservation and benefit sharing. Competitive agroforestry value chains and climate smart agriculture will be promoted among local communities and will involve deliberate incorporation of livestock, trees and crops on the same land. Women, men and youth along the Mara-Serengeti transboundary will be supported to establish viable enterprises and links to markets. Diversified income sources will reduce competition and pressure on natural resources and the desire to poach wildlife for survival will be mitigated. Pastoralists will be supported to adopt sustainable livestock management to reduce wildlife conflict and minimise competition for pasture particularly during dry season.

At the beginning of the project, the following information is needed;

  • The extent of human wildlife conflict within the project area
  • The viable livelihood options that can incentivise wildlife conservation.
  • Establish existing benefit sharing arrangements /schemes
  • Viable enterprises for supporting women, men and youth in the project area
  • The per capita income of local communities in the project area and expected change in per capita income due to project activities
  • Members of community currently generating income from sustainable livelihood enterprises within the project area
  • Identify past sustainable and assess the current livestock management practices within the project

SO 3. To promote regional dialogue, cooperation and community involvement in wildlife law enforcement and management of the TFCA. The action will seek to improve regional trans-boundary cooperation between Kenya and Tanzania through improved bottom-up accountability and decentralisation mechanisms. This will entail a coordinated approach in the enforcement of anti-poaching laws involving the communities, expansion of the collective capabilities to enforce laws on wildlife conservation, conflict mitigation, dialogues and revamping of joint platforms for harmonizing policies and deployment of resources.

At the beginning of the project, the following information is needed;

  • Establish the existing policies and regulations on wildlife and TFCA management between Kenya and Tanzania.
  • To point out areas of convergence and conflicts within the existing policies.
  • To establish the existing platforms on wildlife and TFCA management between the two countries.
  • To establish, if any cross-border issues that might hamper or promote transboundary conservation of wildlife.
  • Extent of community participation in anti-poaching and wildlife law enforcement
  • To map out national and regional stakeholders and actors in the thematic area
  • Identify any conflict management mechanisms in various levels

2.2Area to be covered by the baseline survey and partners involved

The baseline survey will be conducted in Bomet East, Narok West and Narok south in Kenya and Tarime, Mara and Serengeti in Tanzania.

3.Methodology

The baseline survey will be conducted by an external consultant who will lead the study team and will work under the supervision and support of: Regional Advisor M&E/GIS. The consultant is expected to come up with a detailed methodology for conducting the survey, taking into consideration the local context. The consultant will develop appropriate tools and will also propose an appropriate sampling methodology and size that is statistically valid and cost effective. The sample size and proposed tools will be discussed and approved by the Vi Agroforestry team before the commencement of the survey.

The study should employ both quantitative and qualitative methods. The following data collection methods should be given due consideration while designing the research methodology.

  1. Secondary data collection that will involve review of specific project start up documents, monitoring and evaluation framework, other literature, documents and studies from Vi Agroforestry, government departments and other NGOs, including CBOs.
  2. Primary data collection of both qualitative and quantitative data.

a)Sample surveys to generate quantitative data from different target groups within the community

b)Focus group discussions with women, men and youth within the target communities (both pastoralist and farmers)

c)Key informant interviews with conservancies, WRUA’s, KWS, SENAPA, TAWA, TFS, TAWIRI, local governments, communities’ cultural leaders and partners

3.1The baseline’s expected outputs Design methodology for the baseline survey.

  • A clear and concise well written baseline report containing lists and tables, facts and figures on the situation at the beginning of the project.
  • Power point presentation of not more than 15 slides
  • Final workshop with Vi Agroforestry and its partner on the findings of the baseline. The final report will be submitted to Vi Agroforestry in English.
  • Bound hard copies of the survey data collection questionnaires used
  • Soft copy (CD) of the survey data used in analysis

3.2Outline of the baseline report

The baseline report will contain the different elements mentioned below:

  • Cover page
  • Table of contents
  • An executive summary that can be used as a document. It should include the methodology, major findings of the baseline and summarise conclusions and recommendations.
  • The objectives of the baseline
  • The main question or central survey question and derived sub-questions.
  • A justification of the methods and techniques used (including relevant underlying values and assumptions, theories) with a justification of the selections made (of persons interviewed).
  • Eventual limitations of the survey.
  • A presentation of the findings and the analysis thereof (including unexpected, relevant findings). All key priority areas above should be addressed, paying attention to gender issues.
  • Conclusions, which will analyse the various research questions. Conclusions should be derived from findings and analysis thereof.
  • Recommendations should be clearly related to conclusions but presented separately. Recommendations should be practical and if necessary divided up for various actors or stakeholders.

Report appendices that include:

  • The Terms of Reference.
  • The technique used for data collection (including the people interviewed);
  • The list of questions used or ‘interview guide’ or topic list (also for possible group discussions).
  • Concepts and list of abbreviations.
  • List of documents and bibliography.
  • Composition baseline team

4.Baseline Duration and Reporting

A total of 22 calendar days will constitute the baseline period; an estimated five days to prepare relevant tools and review documentation, ten days for data collection, five days for compiling the information gathered, analyse, draft and complete the baseline report. The consultant will arrange for a feedback meeting to share a draft of the baseline report with the programme staff. A final report will then be provided after including the comments. The consultant will share the final report with stakeholders in a two (2) days stakeholders workshop.Probable date for the baseline survey to commence will be on 2nd April2018.

5.Profile of Consultant(s)

The consultant(s) should have the following qualifications/expertise:

  • Post graduate degree in international relations, natural resource management, Agriculture, economics, or others as may be relevant
  • 5 years’ experience of carrying out programme baselines and research
  • 5 years’ experience and knowledge of governance, human rights, gender and participatory development programmes
  • Knowledge of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife conservation context
  • Experience of working with local communities, non-governmental organisations and government in areas of ecosystem conservation
  • Experience in the design and use of participatory methods for assessment and evaluation
  • Excellent writing, editing, attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Fluency in English and Kiswahili

6.Baseline fees and modalities of remuneration

The consultant and Vi Agroforestry will agree on the remuneration rate per person/day. Charges related to taxes, mission allowances for fieldwork and secretarial fees are to be borne by the consultant. As part of this negotiation process, the consultant should propose the fees s/he wishes to charge noting that Vi Agroforestry will cover the transportation costs to and from the field assignments and accommodation during the field work. Vi Agroforestry will also provide online database and mobile data collection tools.

7.How To Apply

The offer should contain:

  • A letter of interest addressed to the Regional Director
  • A Technical offer showing the interpretation of the ToR and indicating a detailed proposed methodology
  • A CV of the consultant or consultancy firm showing previous relevant experience
  • A detailed financial offer (expressed in Kenyan Shillings indicating the cost required for the undertaking of the work required)

Submissions should include: ‘Expression of Interest to Conduct Baseline Survey’ in the subject box.

Send Technical and Financial Offers addressed to the and should be received no later than 26th March 2018