EVALUATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNANCE INSTRUMENTS ON DESERTIFICATION, BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON FORESTRY, AND THEIR COORDINATION IN FOREST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS IN AFRICA

1.1  INTRODUCTION

 The African Forest Forum (AFF) is a pan-African non-governmental organisation with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. It is an association of individuals who share the quest for and commitment to the sustainable management, use and conservation of the forest and tree resources of Africa for the socio- economic wellbeing of its people and for the stability and improvement of its environment. The purpose of AFF is to provide a platform and create an enabling environment for independent and objective analysis, advocacy and advice on relevant policy and technical issues pertaining to achieving sustainable management, use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources as part of efforts to reduce poverty, promote gender equality and economic and social development.

AFF has secured funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to implement a project entitled “Transforming the African Forest Forum to enhance its capacity to improve livelihoods and environmental stability through better management of African forest and tree resources. The project seeks to generate and share knowledge that enhances sustainable management of forests and trees outside forests, in the context of climate change for improved human wellbeing and environmental protection in Africa. One of the key project objectives is to “improve management of forest biodiversity to secure the supply of ecosystem goods and services and safeguard human wellbeing in selected biodiversity hotspots.”

1.2 BACKGROUND

Managing, conserving, and protecting forest biodiversity is becoming increasingly difficult for several reasons. First, climate change is in an unpredictable manner, adversely affecting all forms of forest biodiversity; decimating it when droughts and floods become very intense and at times extensive. Secondly, increasing human population, specifically in the rapidly growing urban centres in Africa, is placing varied and enormous pressures on these resources in terms of forest goods and services, at a time when these resources are not increasing appreciably. Coupled with increasing poverty, that in many cases increases dependence on forests, overexploitation and even degradation of these resources occur. Thirdly, the resources to cater for conservation, protection, and managing these resources are in many countries, very inadequate and at times declining. As a result, institutional and operational measures in place have been insufficient leading to sub-optimal outcomes for biodiversity conservation and the supply of ecosystem goods and services for human well-being. This is largely attributed to insufficient integration of forestry considerations into broader environmental policies such as the Rio Conventions, as well as in their mainstreaming into national processes. Consequently, stakeholders’ capacity to manage biodiversity hotspots is thus constrained. Therefore, a combination of these issues and others, has contributed to increased deforestation and degradation of forest biodiversity.

Although African countries have ratified the three Rio conventions namely; the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and developed national response strategies for their implementation, their integration into forestry and other national instruments governing forest biodiversity management in general, and particularly in hotspot areas, is constrained by poor policy, institutional and human capacity to mainstream /domesticate /localise and coordinate international policies in forest management programmes, plans, and activities. Given the current serious problem of global warming, and that forest biodiversity can contribute to ameliorating this situation, it is therefore, inevitable that focus is increased on how forest biodiversity could be better managed.

Various studies highlight the gaps in coordination between forestry related sector plans and national institutions responsible for operationalising the Rio conventions. It is within this context that this consultancy study aims to evaluate the extent to which sector-based forestry plans are incorporated into national instruments governing desertification, biodiversity, and climate change. National instruments and policies play a pivotal role in governing and addressing environmental issues, particularly in biodiversity hotspots where the need for integrated and coordinated approaches is paramount. Given the crucial role that forests play in maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and preventing desertification, the need for their integration cannot be overemphasised. In addition, there needs to be coherence and synergy in implementation of the policies. Therefore, understanding the alignment and integration of forestry policies within these broader environmental frameworks will help inform formulation of cohesive and effective strategies. Effective management of forest biodiversity hotspots also requires capacity building of stakeholders involved and an assessment of their capacity will be valuable in informing capacity development programmes for improved management of biodiversity to sustain the supply of ecosystem goods and services and safeguard human well-being in forest biodiversity hotspots.

1.3   RATIONALE

For its plan of work for 2024, AFF plans to conduct studies to evaluate the extent to which national instruments governing issues related to desertification, biodiversity and climate address forestry and related sector plans in different forest types (rainforests, woodlands, dry forests, desert and oasis, and mangroves, etc) and explore opportunities to improve their coordination in forest biodiversity hotspots. For this, AFF is recruiting national experts to undertake country studies and on the following forest biodiversity hotspot in Africa, 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. 

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

Undertake studies on: a) extent to which national instruments governing issues related to desertification, biodiversity and climate change address forestry and related sector plans to inform the design of measures to improve their coordination in forest biodiversity hotspots; and b) stakeholders capacity needs for biodiversity hotspots management to inform development of training modules/guidelines for mainstreaming forestry into the national instruments.

1.5 SPECIFIC TASKS

1. Evaluate the extent to which sector-based plans related to forestry are addressed in national instruments governing issues related to desertification, biodiversity and climate change in the country [National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions/National Adaptation Plans (NDC/NAPs), Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Targets, among others].
2. Analyse national organizational/governance structures, sectoral interfaces and discordances in the implementation of the policies and policy instruments at the different levels of government (national, sub-national, local).
3. Identify key areas of overlap and synergy in addressing forestry in the national instruments governing desertification, biodiversity and climate change (NBSAP, NAP-CD, NDC/NAP, LDN targets).
4. Identify measures and approaches to minimize the overlaps, enhance synergies, explore and utilise the opportunities as reflected in NBSAPs, NAPs, NDC/NAPs, LDN Targets in strategies, plans, programmes and activities, to improve their management.
5. Identify and document national policies, strategies and practices for biodiversity hotspots’ protection and conservation in different forest types to explore synergies in them and minimize overlaps in order to enhance coherence of hotspots’ management plans and activities.
6. Assess the effectiveness of the approaches for managing biodiversity hotspots in order to sustain the supply of ecosystem services.
7. Identify knowledge and skills gaps among African forestry stakeholders, working on issues related to biodiversity, on mainstreaming and coordinating policies and initiatives related to biodiversity conservation, land degradation and climate change into strategies, plans, programmes and initiatives related to biodiversity hotspots management
8. Based on findings of Tasks 1 to 7 above prepare a national report and policy brief; and based on findings of task 7 above prepare a training module or guideline on mainstreaming forestry into appropriate national governance instruments.

2.0 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
3. One training module or guidelines for mainstreaming forestry into national instruments on CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC for targeted audience.

3.0 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Have at least a master’s degree in natural resources management, forestry, environmental management, public policy, climate change 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 natural resources management, policy and governance in Africa;
• Proven experience in regional and global environmental policy making processes and negotiations;
• Have good writing skills and have at least written technical reports and published peer reviewed journal papers in related themes; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English or French

4.0 DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The tasks in these ToRs are for one and a half person‐months of workload, commencing on 11 November 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.

5.0 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 max) 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 of the report with corresponding number of pages; and
• An updated CV.

Please apply, with the subject line: “CONSULTANCY SERVICES NO 02-1.1.1 AFF – EVALUATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNANCE INSTRUMENTS ON DESERTIFICATION, BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON FORESTRY, AND THEIR COORDINATION IN FOREST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS IN AFRICA” and indicating for which country and biodiversity hotspot 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 28 October 2024. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

To download the Terms of Reference, CLICK HERE.