Daphine Gitonga

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES:

DEVELOPMENT OF CLIMATE RESILIENT VALUE CHAINS OF BIODIVERSITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN AFRICA’S FOREST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

1.1   BACKGROUND

Africa’s forests cover more than 624 million hectares, representing 23% of the continent’s landmass. Considerable forest variations exist ranging from the dry forests of the Sahel and eastern, southern and northern Africa, to the humid tropical forests of western and central Africa, as well as mangrove forests that are characterized by exceptional richness in biodiversity. These rich and diverse forest ecosystems generate flows of goods and services that are essential in providing for the continent’s food, water, energy, health and securing livelihood needs. Hosted in the forested landscapes are 8 of the 34 biodiversity “hotspots” in the world. The hotspots in Africa shelter the greatest diversity of large mammals in the world and approximately one fifth of the world’s bird species and has high levels of amphibian diversity and endemism. At least one sixth of the world’s plant species are endemic to Africa, with many food crops originating on the continent, including species of wheat, barley, and millet, among others.

Over two thirds of Africa’s population relies directly and indirectly on forest biodiversity for goods and services that contribute considerably to both local and national economies. Many rural households and increasing numbers of urban communities collect and trade forest biodiversity products (both timber and non-timber) to meet their livelihood needs. Recent estimates (2022) show that about 677 million of rural population in Africa, use Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for household subsistence and income. Many tree species contribute to food, medicine, and income to rural low-income households. In the face of climate and economic shocks when households experience crop failure and lose other income earning opportunities, they turn to forests to increase their income or improve subsistence by collecting forest goods.

Africa’s extraordinary richness in biodiversity, goods and ecosystem services, and associated wealth of indigenous and local knowledge comprise a strategic asset for sustainable development in the region.  It is widely acknowledged that such forest products have through value chain development contributed to development of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and foods and beverages industries that generate significant revenue for private companies in Africa and beyond. Global demand from distant markets for such products has potential to drive the profitability of the biodiversity goods and services.

To this end Africa has opportunities to fully realize the benefits of having such rich biodiversity through value chain development to contribute to its socio-economic development, and to explore ways of using it in a sustainable way. The development of such biodiversity-based products and services can help diversify income opportunities in rural areas and particularly for the rural poor who are most vulnerable to climate change. Due to shorter, drier growing seasons and more frequent droughts, agricultural and fisheries production are projected to decline and likely to cause additional inequalities, thus disproportionately affecting the poor.

Value chains development of biodiversity goods and services can therefore be a powerful incentive for forest biodiversity conservation contributing to sustainable forest management while fostering rural development in the context of climate change. However, there is a limited understanding of the value chains of biodiversity products and services in Africa’s biodiversity hotspots, particularly regarding their full market potential, socio-economic impacts, and investment opportunities. The policy and legislative frameworks and institutional arrangements in most African countries have been inadequate at facilitating optimal harnessing of the value of especially the NTFPs. This is exacerbated by inadequate technical capacity and skills, limited access to capital, technology and markets by local actors.

It is within this context that this consultancy study aims to identify and develop climate resilient value chains of biodiversity products and services in biodiversity hotspots in Africa. The study will involve mapping and profiling of existing value chains of biodiversity products and services, both timber and non-timber forest products, to provide a comprehensive understanding of their market potential and investment opportunities. Mapping value chains will involve identifying all actors, processes and activities from production to consumption and understanding their interactions and dependencies as well as enabling policies and conditions. Profiling these value chains will help uncover inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement. The study will inform stakeholders about strategic investments that can enhance economic outcomes and conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots. More importantly, the interventions would consider the unique ecological and socioeconomic contexts around the biodiversity hotspots areas.

1.2 RATIONALE

For its plan of work for 2024, AFF plans to conduct studies on opportunities and interventions to facilitate improvement of value chains of biodiversity products and services in forest biodiversity hotspots to support community resilience to climate change. For this, AFF is recruiting five national experts one per country to undertake country studies in five forest biodiversity hotspots in Africa. There will be one study per hotspot namely, Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands; Guinean Forests of West Africa; Eastern Afromontane; Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa; and Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany. Each of the five national experts will cover one biodiversity hotspot. 

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

Undertake studies on opportunities and interventions to facilitate development of value chains of biodiversity products and services in Africa’s forest biodiversity hotspots to support community resilience to climate change.

1.4 SPECIFIC TASKS:

  1. Identify, map and profile existing value chains of biodiversity products and services in the selected forest biodiversity hotspot, including description, resources or species utilised, seasonality and significance to rural livelihoods.
  2. Analyse the supply chain structures for the various products and services including but not limited to: a) production, resource sustainability, processing, and trade at all levels; b) the actors involved, their resources, capabilities; and c) institutional factors.
  3. Assess the value chains’ contribution to employment, income generation, livelihoods and potential for improvement at different levels (local, national and regional and international)
  4. Assess market, marketing systems and business opportunities to guide expansion of business and entrepreneurial capacities (certification, standardisation and intellectual property rights) for different target groups including women, youth and other vulnerable groups
  5. Identify the key challenges and opportunities including enabling institutional and policy frameworks, and technologies that affect value chain development, their efficiencies, market potentials and sustainability.
  6. Based on the above tasks recommend investment strategies and policy interventions to enhance biodiversity products and services’ social, economic and conservation outcomes.

1.5 EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

  1. A detailed report comprising about forty (40) pages, which comprehensively addresses the assigned tasks and key result areas, excluding references, and annexes;
  2. A policy brief, and a fact sheet to be finalised in collaboration with relevant staff at the AFF Secretariat.

1.6 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • Have at least a master’s degree in natural resources management, forestry, natural resource economics, environmental management or any related area; a PhD will be an added advantage;
  • Be a regional expert with broad knowledge and at least five years’ experience post MSc, in forestry and biodiversity management; and forest products development in Africa;
  • Have good writing skills and have at least written a book chapter and published peer reviewed journal papers; and
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English or

1.7 DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The tasks in these ToRs are for one person‐month of workload, commencing on 18 October 2024 and spread over a period of six months. The consultant shall work from their location but be in close consultation with relevant staff at the AFF Secretariat while keeping to agreed delivery schedule.

1.8 HOW TO APPLY

Please email, quoting the title and number of this consultancy on the subject line and attach a proposal containing:

  • Cover letter stating how you meet the above qualifications and experience requirements;
  • A methodological note (of 4 pages maximum) indicating for each key results area, corresponding specific activities and methodology for executing them;
  • A data matrix listing information needs plotted against data sources;
  • A draft work plan (clear deliverables plotted against work weeks for each key result);
  • A tentative table of contents for the report with corresponding number of pages; and
  • An updated CV.

Please apply, with the subject line: “CONSULTANCY SERVICES NO 04-1.1.4 AFF – “DEVELOPMENT OF CLIMATE RESILIENT VALUE CHAINS OF BIODIVERSITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN AFRICA’S FOREST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS” and indicating for which biodiversity hotspot and country you are applying for, to Dr Doris Mutta at d.mutta@cifor-icraf.org and Dr  Djibril Dayamba at d.dayamba@cifor-icraf.org with a copy to exec.sec@afforum.org

Application deadline is 1 November 2024. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

To download the ToRs, CLICK HERE