Somalia: Baseline Assessment for Sustainable Coastal Restoration and Development project

PROJECT SUMMARY

While artisanal fishers and nomadic pastoralists predominated, Somalia’s marine and coastal ecosystem thrived, but war, lawlessness, and foreign illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing forced local fishermen out of the waters, while the vital mangroves and fringing coral reefs were badly degraded. For all these reasons, Somalia has seen a decline of coastal ecosystem health and biodiversity. With fisheries degraded and few legal employment options (unemployment among young people is 67%), Somali fishermen were drawn into piracy and extremism. Community-managed fisheries and coastal zone management (CZM) are the most effective solution for the development and ecological needs of these communities. These investments will achieve ecological as well as livelihood and food security goals.

This is a one year (12 months) project, from August 2015 to July 2016 which is being implemented by Adeso’s funded a foundation. Among different interventions focusing to pilot community-managed habitat restoration and coastal agriculture and fisheries infrastructure and training. This will leverage an ongoing study on illegal fishing in Somalia’s EEZ to analyze the impacts of illegal fishing on marine and coastal ecosystems and livelihoods. We will work with community councils, fisherman’s and business associations, and other stakeholders to set up locally managed coastal zone management and agriculture. Adeso is leveraging ongoing support from Natural Resources Management (NRM) program to implement the project. Three villages namely Elayo, Duriduri and Qaw on the Gulf of Aden that are participating in the NRM project have been selected for this initiative.

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Adeso is seeking a qualified consultant specializing in conducting baseline assessments in the field of Natural Resource Management with specific reference to restore ecological damages in particular mangroves, land rehabilitation and restoration of degraded coastal habitats, coastal agriculture, and provide livelihoods and food security, and other community capacity development initiatives.

The assessment will utilize different data collection methodologies including desk review, field level primary data collection, collection of existing secondary data on land management, stakeholder consultations, data analysis, report writing, review and possible revision of the log frame and presentation of the findings at field level in a phased manner. Collection and analysis of data in technical areas like land use pattern and terrain, soil conditions and agricultural/land fertility status analysis, fishing resources, ecological damages in particular mangroves, land rehabilitation and restoration of degraded coastal habitats in the area as applicable should be part of the baseline assessment process.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of the baseline assessment is to make an initial measurement of the expected long-term impact for monitoring the success of the project actions. The assessment will serve as the base measurement of the key indicators of the project, thereby setting the basis for the project M&E systems. The overall objective of the baseline is to inform actors involved regarding the actual situation in relation to the project, restore coastal ecosystems and fisheries resources, and improve food security issues at the initiation of the project and support the design of the interventions to maximize impacts.

Sp**ecific objectives of the baseline survey are as follows:**

· Conduct natural resources baseline assessment in the villages of Duriduri, Elayo and Qaw, Puntland and document the state of the environment and issues around the project highlighting underlying causes of degradation of coastal habitats, livelihoods, and conflicts of using fishing resources, and other natural resources.

· Identify representative coastal communities on the Puntland coast to pilot community-managed habitat restoration and coastal agriculture and fisheries infrastructure and training.

· Identify techniques for mangrove restoration and date palm nurseries development in selected communities to restore ecological damages and provide livelihoods and food security.

· Conduct an assessment of presently existing community based structures and systems for natural resource management and conflict resolution; identifying the functional capacities and gaps of these structures in the villages of Duriduri, Elayo and Qaw.

· Assess the capacity of local community and government systems to contribute to the management of natural resources.

· Provide recommendations on developing sustainable fishing techniques, salt harvesting support, marketing and business skills, and value chains for fishermen and others in the communities, to ensure that they can gain economically from their marine resources, while preserving fisheries for future generations.

CONSULTANCY PERIOD

The consultancy period will be 30 days, and sign off to the final product will be held by the Deputy Program Manager, and the final approval given by the NRM Program Director.

DELIVERABLES

Initial work plan and proposal for the baseline survey outlining the proposed methodology and process of data collection and analysis that specifies:

1. Initial work plan and proposal for the baseline survey outlining the proposed methodology and process of data collection and analysis that specifies:
2. The indicators that fall within the scope of the baseline study;
3. The indicators for which the baseline value can only be established on a later stage;
4. A detailed methodology for implementation of the baseline (include samples size).
5. Inception report detailing consultants understanding of the works, methodology to be used and draft data collection tools for all indicators (within & outside the scope of this study).
6. Draft and final report of the assessment.
7. Summary version of the final report to be shared with project communities.

METHODOLOGY

The expected methodology for such a baseline survey would include both direct and indirect data collection, analysis and cross referencing and formulating recommendations. Data collection will be done through site visits in operational areas. The methodology will be further defined by the consultant; the consultant will finalize the methodology that suits the scope of the baseline assessment mainly focus on the initial assessment of the potential project villages and sites selected by the project, the deliverables of the coverage of sites will be further reviewed during the process of carrying out the baseline.

It is envisaged that the methodology used during this assessment will include, review of existing secondary information and reports relevant to the baseline study topic as well as discussion with key project staff of Adeso and partners at field and country level and other key informants.

QUALIFICATION PROFILE

The successful applicant will have an adequate experience to conduct the assessment and that meets the following requirements:

· Post graduate degree in related field (marine resources, NRM, agriculture, community development, development studies, M&E, etc.) relevant for the baseline assignment study.

· Strong technical background in the field of coastal habitats, agriculture, NRM and environmental issues with demonstrated experiences in conducting research studies in the sector.

· Good knowledge and experience in survey design, implementation of surveys and statistical data analysis is required.

· Experience in the use of participatory appraisal techniques in data collection and analysis.

· Previous work experience in and knowledge of the context of Somalia is preferred.

· Experience in the use of participatory appraisal techniques in data collection and analysis.

IN****T****ELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

All documentation related to the assignment shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Adeso.

Applications should be submitted by 23^rd October 2015. The selection committee consisting of Adeso staff will review all applications as they arrive. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.

Each application package should include the following:

• An application letter addressing the selection criteria including how the consultant’s previous experience matches the consultancy objectives as well as the interest for the position. It should also indicate the candidate’s availability and consultancy rates. The letter should be no longer than two pages.
• A brief proposal for the baseline studies with methodology and work plan (not more than 7 pages).
• A sample of recently written report for a similar assignment.
• Updated CVs for all consultants including relevant work experience and qualifications.
• Contact details of 3 references.

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. All applications should be sent to Adeso at consultancy@adesoafrica.org with the subject line**:** Application for Baseline Assessment – Coastal restoration Project.