TERMS OF REFERENCE–Short-Term Consultancy

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Short-Term Consultancy:

Title: Livelihood needs assessment for 10 coastal communities in the Yawri Bay Marine Protected Area.

20th March 2024–31st May 2024

The Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) is a national non-governmental, non-profit environmental organization established in 1986 with the mission of conserving and promoting the wise use of Sierra Leone’s natural resources. It is a membership-based organization open to the general public and includes members from many different backgrounds. 

The Society provides policy advice, undertakes environmental education, facilitates learning and advocacy on good conservation practices, implements conservation and sustainable livelihoods projects and facilitates biodiversity research. 

CSSL is at the forefront of protecting endangered species and their habitats in Sierra Leone, working in collaboration with several partners both in-country and internationally to deliver its Programmes and get its message out. These partners include grassroots community-based groups, other NGOs, schools, government agencies, academic institutions and international conservation and sustainable development organizations.

Background :

Yawri Bay in the Moyamba District is on the West Coast of Sierra Leone within 8° 11.305’N to 13° 4.945’W and 7° 56.769’N E to12° 58.328’W and 60 km south-east of Freetown (see map). Situated within the Grand Mano Landscape, the site is a 91km2 expanse of intertidal mudflats, along 60 km of foreshore, backed by mangrove swamps and coastal forest, interlaced with a network of creeks.

The Bay is an important spawning ground for fish and has been described as ‘the fish basket’ of Sierra Leone. It is also hugely productive in terms of other ecosystem goods and services including climate regulation, flood control, seafood availability, energy/fuel wood production etc. Its conservation and sustainable management are essential for the development and resilience of the 51 communities in 4 Chiefdoms with around 80,000 people (c. 9,530 households) who live in and around the bay, especially for those that depend on the natural resources and ecosystem services for survival and livelihoods.

Yawri Bay is one of nine Important Bird Areas/Key Biodiversity Areas in Sierra Leone. It is one of the most important stop-over and wintering grounds for birds in West Africa with forty-six species of Palearctic migrant birds known to occur in the Bay. For all taxonomic groups, 19 species of global conservation importance have been recorded in the bay including West African Manatee Trichechus senegalensis (VU), Cape Clawless otter, Aonyx capensis (NT), Western chimpanzee Pan troglodyte’s verus (EN), and several globally threatened turtle species.

Despite its importance, Yawri Bay has had very limited protection with no government land use policy in place, and no management plan. The Bay has therefore been under serious threat from over-fishing and over-harvesting of mangroves.

The BNCFF Yawri Bay project implemented by the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone in partnership with Green Life West Africa focuses on mangrove conservation and restoration to address resource depletion from overfishing and deforestation. Targeting 50 hectares within the Marine Protected Area, it aims to improve biodiversity, boosting tourism potential for 80,000 coastal residents.

The project will pilot five climate-smart livelihood options, reducing ecosystem degradation and enhancing socio-economic status. Emphasizing youth and women’s involvement ensures skill retention and immediate adoption of new management practices. Stakeholder engagement, habitat restoration, and monitoring are key, with government and local communities encouraged to participate actively. This initiative promotes sustainable practices and livelihoods, underpinning ecosystem protection and climate change mitigation.

This consultancy will assist the implementing partners in conducting a livelihood needs assessment for the 10 coastal communities in three chiefdoms including the Western Rural Area (Morchail, Mokobu and Ribbimen in Ribbi Chiefdom; Shengebull, Shenge and Plantain Island in Kargboro Chiefdom; Samu and Seaport in Bumpeh chiefdom; and Gbankoh Sinneh and Tissanah in Western Rural Area) all in Yawri Bay and provide recommendations on the possible climate-smart livelihood initiatives that the communities should focus on to enhance their socio-economic conditions that will contribute to reducing the impact of climate change and boost income of the local communities.  

Outputs 

The consultancy will result in the identification of livelihood opportunities and provide recommendations on the possible climate-smart livelihood initiatives that the communities should focus on to enhance their socio-economic conditions that will contribute to reducing the impact of climate change.  

Activities related to the assignment 

Prepare an inception report which includes a summary of the context and work plan, the scope of the analysis and detailed methodology and tools to be used for the livelihood needs assessment for the 10 coastal communities in Yawri Bay.  

Interviews and consultation(s) with coastal communities and other relevant stakeholders to conduct livelihood needs assessment for Yawri Bay coastal communities. 

Draft livelihood needs assessment report for the coastal communities 

Validation workshop to present draft reports to communities government officials and stakeholders.

Final and approved livelihood assessment reports for coastal communities, incorporating feedback from communities, Government officials and relevant stakeholders.

For all deliverables, the estimated time requirement is 60 days over an estimated period of 2 months. The costs of the validation workshop and any travel expenses for consultations will be covered by the consultant. 

Desired experiences 

• Master’s degree in Social Science or equivalent to vulnerability and livelihood assessment degree, or a similar field from recognized and reputable institutions. 

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience and expertise in the sectors of focus for this assignment.
• Executed at least two project livelihood assessments within the last 10 years.
• Experience working with government institutions, as well as, civil society/private organizations, and local communities.
• Experience with project development and results-based management methodologies is highly desired.
• Excellent analytical, writing, advocacy, presentation, and communication skills are required. 

Reporting and work arrangement 

• The consultant will work closely with the Project Manager and Livelihood officer of the project 

• The consultant will work closely with the Head of Programs of CSSL, who will provide technical guidance for the project.

Application process: To apply for this consultancy, please submit a statement of interest including, a CV (4 pages max), and expected budget to the Human Resource Officer at CSSL or info@cs-sl.org specifically mentioning the subject “Short-term Consultancy in Yawri Bay. In your application, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined above. Application deadline: March 1, 2024 Start date: March 10, 2024.