Somalia: DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICIPATORY RANGELAND MANAGEMENT PLANS IN PUNTLAND

TERMS OF REFERENCE

DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICIPATORY RANGELAND MANAGEMENT PLANS IN PUNTLAND

CARE International is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and providing lifesaving assistance in emergencies. Its programs go beyond meeting basic needs at the onset of an emergency to helping affected communities recover and rebuild their lives long after the crisis ends. To this end, it is implementing a variety of longer term development activities aimed at supporting the Puntland Government in the achievement of its development milestones. CARE works in partnership with the government, international NGOs, civil society, leaders and local authorities in order to bring effective and lasting change to the most vulnerable communities in Puntland.

PROJECT BACKGROUND & SUMMARY

In Puntland, degradation of rangeland resources has continued to put pressure on traditional pastoral production. Many traditional forms of natural resource management and control systems have been abandoned or ignored resulting in overutilization and increase in resource based conflicts. Serious environmental concerns in Puntland include wanton clearing of trees for charcoal production, gully erosion and development of sand dunes. Trees such acacia are critical for livestock to survive long periods of drought. If rangeland degradation continues at the same pace, the Horn of Africa by and large will be at risk of desertification, pushing hundreds of thousands of already struggling Somali pastoralists and agro-pastoralists into abject poverty.

CARE’sDeegaankaagu waa noloshaada project -“Your environment is your life”, is an EU fundedproject. It aims to combat rangeland degradation and hence contribute to MDG 1 as well as MDG 7. More specifically, improved and sustainable use of rangeland resources will contribute significantly to achieving MDG 1, target C, in Puntland State of Somalia, by addressing the livelihoods of pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and other vulnerable rural people. Restored (and the restoration of) rangelands will provide productive employment to rural populations through revived rangeland-based livelihoods and Cash for Work opportunities.

In addition to improving rangeland conditions and promoting sustainable use of rangeland resources, the initiative also aims to empower local community structures to take charge of NRM issues in their locale, strengthen institutional capacity of the Ministry of Environment to develop and implement a policy framework for effective management of rangeland resources.

CONSULTANCY BACKGROUND

CARE in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MoEWT) will work in 20 villages in Nugal and Karkar regions of Puntland. The main activities involve community mobilization on NRM, construction and rehabilitation of regional offices, water and soil erosion control structures, training of environmental stakeholders and improving the capacity of district and grassroots institutions.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

The objective of this consultancy is to develop two (2) Participatory Rangeland Management Plans that identify (i) community resource maps (ii) existing land utilization patterns and desired land conservation plans (iii) collective approaches to eliminate or minimize further degradation and (iv) roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders at national, regional, district and grassroots levels with respect to management of natural resources in Puntland State of Somalia.

SCOPE OF WORK

CARE is seeking the services of a reputable consultant with vast skills in Developing Participatory Rangeland Management Plans. This assignment will cover 20 villages in Nugal and Karkar regions of Puntland State of Somalia. The plans will be developed in close consultation with all relevant stakeholders, such as the MoEWT, Village Committees, Pastoral Associations, District Pastoralist Associations, local authorities, elders, youth and project staff and the regional and district environmental officers. The consultant will conduct separate meetings with women to ensure that their thoughts and opinions on rangeland utilization, aspirations and challenges are captured.

The consultant is expected to:

1.Review all relevant studies/documents on rangeland management in Puntland;

2.Conduct detailed stakeholder analysis on Puntland rangeland user information in order to identify all interest groups that might affect or be affected by the development and implementation of the plans, and their role in contributing to the successful implementation of the plans;

3.Document existing rangeland utilization as well as community aspirations on how they would like to see their rangeland conserved;

4.Based on these aspirations, assist each village to map out current natural resources and future/preferred resource maps;

5.Facilitate the communities to identify strategies to attain the desired future resources;

6.Based on the individual village plans, develop two (2) rangeland management plans for Nugal and Karkar respectively that encompass multiple villages;

7.Document all rangeland issues/concerns and methods to eliminate or minimize further degradation that arise from the community consultations. This will include existing conflicts in rangeland utilization in each village and potential conflict hot spots;

8.Discuss and document the management, institutional and rehabilitation aspects that will support implementation of the rangeland plans;

9.Based on individual and corporate discussions with the stakeholders, summarize the specific NRM roles and responsibilities that different stake holders will oversee and provide guidelines for their engagement with external players in matters regarding NRM.

METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH

The work will be conducted in 20 selected villages. Meetings will be participatory and consultative involving a wide range of stakeholders, namely - MoEWT, Village Committees, Pastoral Associations, District Pastoralist Associations, local authorities, elders, youth, women, project staff and the regional and district environmental officers. The methodologies of choice will include and not be limited to Community Based NRM (CBNRM), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques, use of watersheds as a unit of analysis and incorporation of traditional indigenous knowledge (TIK). If Village Committees plans related NRM exist, they will be reviewed and incorporated. Each community will map out their NRM plans as an important step in promoting ownership of the final outcome, i.e., community rangeland management plans.

DELIVERABLES

Key deliverables of this work include:

1. 20 village maps showing existing rangeland utilization and anticipated rangeland conservation;
2. 20 village plans that identify the locations and interventions for improving rangeland and related action steps and timeframe for achievement of each intervention;
3. A comprehensive list of the management, institutional and rehabilitation aspects that will support implementation and sustainability of the rangeland plans;
4. A summary of the NRM issues that Pastoral Associations/Village Committees will address over time in order to effectively address NRM issues in their respective communities
5. 2 rangeland management plans for Nugal and Karkar respectively. The plans will reflect, among other things, a comprehensive set of physical works that ensure conservation of soil & water in the headlands as well as erosion control structures designed to restore/reclaim the most degraded lands;
6. A report of the activity capturing all the work undertaken and outcomes of the scope of work.

CONSULTANCY PERIOD

The consultancy duration will be for a period of 20 days.Consultants are required to quote days required for preparation, field work and reporting. All travel, accommodation and meal expenses while in field will be covered by CARE. Please note that dates might change based on flight schedules to Somalia, and travel might be required over the weekend.

QUALIFICATIONS;

Suitable candidates should have;

• A postgraduate degree in Rangeland Management, Natural Resource Management or any other related fields;

· A minimum of 5 years working experience in rangeland management or Natural Resource Management in similar ecological systems;

· Familiarity with traditional rangeland management approaches as well as customary -based conflict management and mediation techniques;

• Previous work experience in Somalia or the Horn of Africa;
• Experience in working with government institutions and familiarity with government/community structures and processes;

· Excellent analytical skills;

· Excellent report writing skills;

• Ability to work in a team and willingness to travel to remote areas;
• Fluent Somali speaker and understanding of the Somalia context.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications should be submitted by Monday 28^th April 2014 by 5pm. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered. Each application package should include the following:

· An application letter expressing interest and suitability for the assignment. This should include how the consultant’s previous experience matches the consultancy objectives;

· Updated CV including qualifications and relevant work experience;

• A technical and financial proposal with a clear work plan;
• Consultant’s availability and daily rates in US dollars;

· A sample of similar work done (attach with application);

· Contact details of 3 referees.

All applications should be sent to consultants@som.care.org with the subject line**: “Participatory Rangeland Management Plans”**

CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer, promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about CARE and its programs, visit www.care.org