Conservation and Adaptation in Asia S High Mountain

Conservation and Adaptation in Asia’s High Mountain

Landscapes and Communities Program

Baseline Study Consultant Terms of Reference

1. Introduction

The Conservation and Adaptation in Asia’s High Mountain Landscapes and Communities Project (hereafter the Asia High Mountains or AHM Project) is a five-year project beingfunded by USAID that is implementing activities in six important snow leopard landscapes in Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, and Pakistan. The project also includes a series of broader regional activities covering the snow leopard’s entire range. The AHM Project was launched on October 1, 2012 and is being implemented by ten core partners: WWF Bhutan, WWF India, WWF Mongolia, WWF Nepal, WWF Pakistan, WWF Russia in Kyrgyzstan, WWF US, Snow Leopard Trust, TRAFFIC, and CARE-Nepal.

The overall goals of the Asia High Mountains Project are to galvanize greater understanding and action at local, national and regional levels across the snow leopard range states to conserve this iconic and endangered species, and to connect snow leopard conservation to a broader set of environmental, economic, and social issues with consequences for Asia’s future sustainability, namely local livelihood, water and food security and climate change adaptation.The two formal objectives of the AHM Project are to:

• Promote climate-smart management of high mountain landscapes and snow leopard habitat for sustainable development in specific sites.
• Improve transnational collaboration on climate change adaptation and snow leopard conservation in Asia’s high mountain landscapes.

Under these two broad objectives, the AHM Project has number of keysub-objectives for snow leopard range areas and adjoining lands that include improving:climate change adaptation capacity, watershed and river basin management, water security, snow leopard and biodiversity conservation, sustainable landscape and natural resource management, community participation in conservation, and efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade. The AHM Project is also striving to build a transnational alliance on protection of Asia’s high mountain landscapes. Interwoven throughout the project will be cross-cutting themes addressing rural livelihoodsecurity, conservation education, gender and social inclusion, and improving internal governance of community natural resource management groups.

The AHM Projectaims to achieve significant results with respect to the goals andobjectives listed above in each of the six project countries. These results will be measured by13 project indicators, including both USAID standard indicators and custom indicators created specifically for the AHM Project. The nineproject standard indicators are as follows:

1)Number of hectares of biological significance and/or natural resources under improved natural resource management as a result of U.S. Government (USG) assistance.

2)Number of hectares of biological significance and/or natural resources showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of USG assistance.

3)Number of people receiving USG-supported training in natural resource management (NRM) and/or biodiversity conservation.

4)Number of person hours of training in NRM and/or biodiversity conservation supported by USG assistance.

5)Number of people with increased economic benefits derived from sustainable NRM and biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance.

6)Quantity of greenhouse gas emissions, measured in metric tons CO2 equivalent, reduced or sequestered as a result of USG assistance in NRM, agriculture, and/or biodiversity sectors.

7)Number of stakeholders with increased capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change as a result of USG assistance.

8)Number of USG-assisted consensus-building processes resulting in an agreement.

9)Number of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions.

While the four project custom indicators are:

10)Number of households benefiting from human-snow leopard conflict mitigation schemes.

11)Number of households that adopt water-smart technology.

12)Number of wildlife trade recommendations adopted.

13)Number of Institutions Participating in a Transnational Alliance.

These indicators are described in detail in the AHM Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

Thus the purpose of the proposed AHM Project Baseline Study will be to establish a baseline for the above indicators and other relevant factors at the beginning of the project by which to measure the achievements and overall success of the project. With the project entering its second phase with a new focus on climate adaptation and improving watershed management; it is imperative that project indicator baseline values be established at the earliest date possible.

2. Project Sites

The AHM Project is being implemented in sixhigh altitude landscapes of importance for snow leopard conservation in the Himalaya, Karakorum, Tian Shan and Altai Ranges.Specific project sites are as follows:

• Bhutan:Wangchuck Centennial Park.
• India:Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and buffer zone, Sikkim State.
• Kyrgyzstan:Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve, the proposed Khan Tengri National Park, the Chon KyzylSuu Valley, and surrounding areas, IssykKul Province.
• Mongolia:JargalantKhairkhan Mountain, Khovd Province and other local nature reserves in neighboring areas of Khovd, Uvs, and UlgiiAimags.
• Nepal:Kangchenjunga Conservation Area.
• Pakistan: Hoper Valley, Hunza-Nagar District, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Rumboor and Laspur Valleys, Chitral District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.

3. Rationale for the Baseline Study

The baseline study will set a benchmark against which to later measure the achievements of the Asia High Mountains Project. The baseline study will be conducted by a team of consultants hired on a country-by country basis who will take a participatory approach to the study and engage relevant project staff as much as possible. It is anticipated that the baseline study will provide opportunities for project staff to better understand the project as well asthe technical aspects of developing project baseline values.These baseline values will be essential for evaluating project indicator targets and, if necessary,for modifying indicator targets to make them achievable within the AHM Project’s time frame.Thus the baseline will provide a clear foundation for measuring AHM Project achievementsby establishing both qualitative and quantitative baseline valuesfor relevant indicators.

4.Objectives of the BaselineStudy

• To establish baseline values for the indicators included in the AHM Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
• To develop a common understanding and acceptance among AHM Project staff and core partners, particularly project participants, concerning the project indicators, measurement of project indicators, and how project indicator information will be used.
• To revise, if necessary, the targets stated in the original project performance management plan to make them more realistic while remaining ambitious.
• To propose revisions, if necessary, to the existing proposed indicators to make them more focused, relevant and measurable.

5. Methodology

The methods to be used by the assigned consultant for each countryshouldinclude but are not limited to:

• In-depth literature review/desk top study.
• Sample surveys for selected indicators, as necessary.
• Field visits and interaction with AHM Project staff and implementingpartners in the field.
• Consultation with district andprovincial-level stakeholders as well as conservation and development expertsknowledgeable about the project region.
• Focus group discussionswith AHM Projectbeneficiaries in the field, particularly to capture the status, interests and aspirations of women, youth, marginalized groups and ethnic minorities in relation to project goals and objectives.
• Data acquisition, processing and analysis.
• Production of a final country baseline study report.

In addition to the above, selected consultants are expected to devise appropriate methodologies, as needed, for determining baseline values for each indicator. Consultants should refer to the AHM Project Performance Management Plan for detailed descriptions of each of the standard and custom indicators to be examined during the baseline study process.

5.1 In-depth Literature Review/Desktop Study

The literature review will be carried out for the collection of relevant existing data and information onindividual project sites, as appropriate. The literature review will includevarious project documents, study reports, species reports, socioeconomic reports, annual progress reports, evaluation reports, district development plans and any other pertinent documents. Consultants should actively search for these documents online;in WWF resource centers;at project field offices, core partners’ offices, government organizations, and other relevant NGOs and institutions.Consultantsshould also draw upon preliminary materials produced by the AHM Project.

5.2 IntensiveField Visit and Interaction with AHM Project Staff

Consultants will make intensive field trips toAHM Project sites and field offices to interact with AHM Project staff and relevant project stakeholders. At some sites, WWF programshave been implemented for multiple year periods prior to the launch of the AHM Project, hence consultantsare expected to collaboratively explore and utilize the information base and monitoring system created by earlier WWF projects to develop baselines for relevant indicators.

5.3 InteractiveMeeting and Consultation with District and Provincial-Level Stakeholders and Conservation and Development Experts

Consultants will also holdmeetings and consult with district and provinciallevel stakeholders as well as conservation and development experts knowledgeable about the project regions. These include organizations and government agencies that AHM Project staffareclosely working with, including various forest and environment ministries, protected area administrations, NGOs and community groups.

5.4 Focus Group Discussions withAHM Project Beneficiaries

Consultants will conduct focus group discussions with project stakeholders on various topics, as appropriate, such as gender issues and empowerment of women and marginalized groups,linking these issues to improved natural resource management and governance of community-based organizations, community perceptions ofclimate adaptation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation alternatives, livelihood improvement, benefits of conservation and natural resource management, and conservation benefit sharing mechanisms - particularly how the poor, excluded and marginalized benefit.It should be noted that topics for focus group discussions should build upon existing information for key project indicators.

5.5 Sample Surveys

Consultantswill conduct sample household surveys to capture the perceptions of household members and other information on different aspects of relevant AHMProject indicators. Theseshort surveys will be designed on a country-by-country basis with input from AHM Project field staff.

5.6 Data Processing and Analysis

Consultantswill be responsible for gathering, processing, analyzing, and presentingall relevant information gathered on AHM Project site socio-economic and bio-physical conditions.

Upon completion of initial research, site visits, and data analysis, consultantswill present preliminary baseline study draft reportsto the WWF AHM Project manager, WWFAHM Projectcountry staff, core partner experts, and relevant stakeholders for review. Based on their feedback, the draft baseline study report will be revised and submitted in two hard copies and an electronic copy on CD for review by the AHM Project management team by an agreed upon deadline. Relevant persons from the AHM Project management team will review the second draft of the report and provide comments/suggestions to the consultants. Consultants will incorporate these comments/suggestions and submit the final version of the report electronically as well as in three hard copies.

6. Specific tasks

Consultants will establish baseline values for the 13AHM Project indicators listed above at the time of the AHM Project’s launch (October 1, 2012) and also prepare an update on the critical issues, progress,and current context of the AHM Project. Notably in Project Year 3 (Oct. 1, 2014-Sept. 30, 2015), AHM Project offices in Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal and Pakistan will launch major, mid-project, integrated river basin management and climate adaptation initiatives that should be a primary focus of the baseline studies. Therefore, key areas for the baseline study to address will include the status of the following items at project sites:

• Climate change adaptation for people, ecosystems, and wildlife
• Water security of local residents and ecosystems
• Watershed management
• Water resource management in rural communities
• Community-based natural resource management organization governance and capacity
• Population levels of snow leopards, other wild predators, and prey species
• Landscape-level biodiversity conservation activities
• Livelihoodsecurity
• Development of alternative livelihoods to herding and farming
• Gender and social inclusion

Specific tasks for consultants include:

1.Preparing a detailedplan to execute the baseline study which addresses indicators, methodology,means of verification, study time line, data collection, field visits, and meetingwith AHM Project WWF country and partner teams to review this TOR and discuss the consultants’ plan for the study.

2.Develop appropriate data collection instruments such as questionnaires, checklists, interview guidelines for focus group discussions etc.

3.Determination of target groups and sample size for each target group.

4.Preliminary field testing of questionnaires.

5.Review availability and conduct collection of secondary data from outside sources.

6.Data entry and analysis.

7.Sharing of the first draft baseline survey report with WWF AHM country offices, the AHM Project manager, and other project partners and stakeholders for review.

8.Preparation of a second draft baseline survey report incorporating comments on the first draft report that clearly shows indicator baseline values and supporting evidence and analysis.

9.Sharing of the second draft report with the AHM Project core team for further review.

10.Preparation of a final AHM baseline survey report based on comments on the second draft report.

7. Consulting team composition and responsibilities

Consultants will be responsible for obtaining the services ofadditional consulting team members, as needed,with sufficient expertise to adequately address all AHM Project indicators.

Consultants must also ensure that the cross cutting issues of gender and social inclusion, livelihoods and internal community-based organization governance are well considered and analyzed during the baseline study.

Consultants will needs to have the following competencies:

1. Excellent written English and report writing skills.
2. Proven experience in conducting outstanding conservation project baseline studies addressing climate change vulnerability assessment, climate change adaptation strategy development for rural communities, rural water resource management,watershed management, integrated river basin management, landscape-level biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, community-based natural resource organization governance, development of alternative livelihoods to herding and farming, and gender and social inclusion.
3. Excellent monitoring and evaluation skills, preferably with familiarity of USAID monitoring procedures.
4. Excellent field research and documentation skills.
5. Sound knowledge of conservation, the environment, livelihoods, and cultures of the respective high altitude country project sites.
6. Knowledge of social inclusion and sensitivity towards different ethnicities, religions, cultures, and gender.
7. Ability to handle SPSS and other relevant software for data processing to produce reports.

8. Technical deliverables

The following deliverables are required:

• Plan for conducting the baseline study (written and presented to WWF country and AHM Project staff)
• Meeting minutes for each person or group consulted
• Original, filled survey questionnaires
• First draft of the baseline study report for comments from all stakeholders
• Second draft of the baseline study report for comments from the core AHM Project management team
• Final baseline study report (digital and hard copy) in Englishincluding references for all sourcematerials and a 2-3 page executive summary– not to exceed 50 pages per country, although additional information can be provided as appendices.
• Maps, photographs, SPSS files, and other relevant documents procured under this contract, with full reference information for each.

9. Structure of the baseline report

The outline for the structure of the final baseline survey report is presented in the appendix to this TOR, below.

Baseline report annexes, at minimum, should include:

• Terms of Reference;
• Study methodology, including key research questions or hypotheses, sampling strategies, and data analysis procedures;
• Data gathering instruments (survey forms, focus group discussion points, observation points);
• List of people consulted/interviewed
• Data presentation and analysis.
• Consultants’ CVs

10. Timeframe and duration of the survey

The duration of the consultancy is 12 weeks. Deadline for submission of the final draft country reports in April 15, 2015.The tentative schedule is as follows:

Activities / Week
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
Review the 13 AHM Project indicators and present questions to WWF if further clarification is needed. / x
Design and plan the baseline study. / x
Develop tools and finalize baseline study plan, including presentation of study plan to the AHM Project teams and other relevant stakeholders / x / x
Literature review, sampling survey, and other field work / x / x / x / x / x
Data analysis and processing / x / x / x
Presentation of 1st draft report and key findings for review to the AHM Team and other relevant stakeholders / x
2ndDraft report preparation and submission for review / x / x
Final report writing based on AHM Feedback and submission / x / x

11. Preparation and logistical support

Staff of WWF Asia High Mountains Project country officeswill provide all relevant information to the consultant to expedite the baseline study process. The AHM Project and its partnerswill schedule meetings and field visits. Consultants are expected to arrange all their own transportation within capital cities and to and from AHM Project fieldsites, as needed, as well as food, lodging, and secretarial support, from the total baseline study award for each country.

12. Supervision, coordination and communication

Consultants will report to AHM Project directors in each country as well as to the central AHM Project Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, JasodaChuwan (), based in Thimphu, who will jointly supervise the consultancy. During implementation consultants will work closely with AHM Project staff as necessary.Other senior AHM Project staff will also be involved in reviewing the baseline study design process and results.