EXTENSION CALL FOR POLICY BRIEFS & PETITIONS EXPERT: FOREST & BIODIVERSITY The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) commissioned research to assess Kenya’s Forest Policy Environment. The study aimed to gather and document information on several aspects of forest utilization, management, and governance to determine the policy gaps and overlaps and their impact on the successful protection of public forest ecosystems and suggest policy recommendations to address the identified gaps. In anticipation of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA) 2016 review, the Kenya Forest Working Group (KFWG) with support from ICE is calling for an expert(s) to pick up policy issues and petitions that will be used to lobby for changes in the upcoming Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016) review. The expert will work with KFWG members to facilitate and develop policy briefs and petitions touching on two policy issues that featured strongly in the report, namely: 1. Specific forests especially protected as Biodiversity and Water Catchment areas 2.Overlapping Policy Mandates on Forest Landscapes The expert(s) will be expected to support this process by consolidating the views of members around the above two issues and presenting them in a policy brief and petition format. These will be used to lobby for changes in the FCMA 2016 review. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE EXPERTS (S) Background on the Research ICE, with support from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, commissioned a survey with the aim of gathering and documenting information on several aspects of forest utilization, management and governance, with the following objectives: To determine the impacts the Shamba System had on biodiversity and water To establish successes and challenges of the Plantation Establishment and Livelihoods Improvement Scheme (PELIS) and suggest policy recommendations to address these challenges. To establish Community Forest Association (CFA) perceptions on the Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) development and implementation process To assess the policy gaps and overlaps and the impact they have on the successful protection of public forest ecosystems and suggest policy recommendations to address the gaps and overlaps. To establish management challenges facing the three types of forests identified by the Constitution of Kenya (public, community, and private forests) and suggest policy recommendations to address the challenges. Key Policy Issues From the research conducted, two key policy issues were distilled as follows: Biodiversity monitoring and recording for indigenous forests. The policy challenge is to preserve indigenous forest biodiversity while delivering water catchment services. How can we minimize plantation stands while increasing indigenous sections in water catchment areas to increase water supply? How can we reduce the plantations around Kenya’s main water towers? Overlapping mandates on forests (Water Act, Forest Management Act, Wildlife Act). The policy issue here is how to get all forest stakeholders (KWS, KFS, water bodies, etc.) to work together to protect trees, wildlife, and water. This way, conservation efforts will be better coordinated and resources will be better utilized, all of which will lead to improved conservation outcomes. Responsibilities The expert will be expected to deliver on the following components: Review the report and distill key policy issues Develop a policy brief and petitions per policy issue that will be used to lobby for changes within the FCMA 2016 Review Present policy brief and petitions to KFWG forum members and stakeholders Deliverables The policy brief and petitions expert is expected to deliver on the following: 2 policy briefs and petitions based on the research findings: The brief should be logically structured, and contain evidence-based findings, conclusions, lessons, and recommendations. The policy briefs and petitions should respond in detail to the key focus areas described above. The policy briefs and petitions should include a set of specific recommendations formulated to lobby for changes in the FCMA 2016 Review Timeline The policy brief and petitions expert will be expected to work for three weeks to deliver the policy briefs and petitions. Application Instruction Please share your Expression of Interest and CV to facilitate this process by emailing KFGW@eawildlife.org with a copy to info@icekenya.org by Friday, July 19th, 2024.
The Institute for Culture & Ecology is sourcing for Medical Insurance cover quotations for year 2024/2025 from qualified medical insurance service providers. Kindly send expression of interest to Institute for Culture and Ecology for more details. The expression of interest with profile of the company should be sent to procure@icekenya.org and copied to martin@icekenya.org by 5.00pm Monday, 3rd June 2024.
The Institute for Culture & Ecology is sourcing for Medical Insurance cover quotations for year 2023/2024 from qualified medical insurance service providers. Kindly send expression of interest to Institute for Culture and Ecology for more details. The expression of interest with profile of the company should be sent to procure@icekenya.org and copied to martin@icekenya.org by 5.00pm Friday, 31st May 2023.
Development of an interactive Map for Institute for Culture and Ecology’s Project Areas Background Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) is a Kenyan non-governmental organization (NGO) that was established in 2006 under the NGO Coordination Act. ICE was established in response to a clear need in Kenya to promote culture\’s inherent and natural role in environmental and resource management. The organization works with communities to rediscover the significance of local knowledge and naturally endowed resources/potentials in improving livelihoods and conserving the environment leading to livelihood improvement for communities. ICE mandate is to promote environmental conservation and natural resource management through buttressing traditional knowledge in community-based environmental and resource management initiatives and facilitating cultural-based learning that would lead to social and ecological wellbeing of the earth community. ICE wishes to hire an external consultant to develop an interactive map that will capture project areas and initiatives the organisation is involved in. The map will be uploaded in the organization’s website hence should be compatible with a website built on WordPress Operating System. 2. Objective of the assignment The purpose of this consultancy is to develop an interactive map of ICE project areas with the different initiatives undertaken, and provide training to technical staff so that they are able to update and maintain the maps on their own. 3. Expected Results and Deliverables The consultant is expected to; Submit a proposal including methodology, support strategy, work plan and budget to ICE. Develop one interactive map that will be incorporated into ICE’s website. Submit final maps (soft and hard copy) and present to ICE. Undertake a training session for ICE’s technical staff on the whole process of interactive map maintenance and updates. 4. Qualifications To qualify for this assignment, the consultant should possess the following qualifications: Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in GIS and remote sensing Good understanding and knowledgeable in QGIS or ArcGIS Three years’ experience in collection, management, manipulation, analysis, modelling and dissemination of spatially referenced information and development of maps. Demonstrate competence in map development Highly effective team player. Good communication skills Fluent in spoken and written English Attention to detail 5. Duration of the assignment and starting period The consultant will be expected to undertake the task within three weeks from the day of signing the contract and remittance of the deposit by ICE. 6. How to apply Qualified and interested candidates should send their application and CV highlighting relevant experience and a technical proposal, including budget to procure@icekenya.org and cc. martin@icekenya.org and info@icekenya.org by 23rd October, 2022.
Details: Terms of Reference Deadline: 5th September 2022 BACKGROUND The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) is a national indigenous Non-governmental Organization (NGO) that was started in 2006 and is registered in Kenya under the NGO Coordination Act. ICE was founded out of a visible need to promote the inherent and natural role of culture in environmental and resource management in Kenya. ICE vision is that of empowered communities harnessing indigenous knowledge for healthy people and ecosystems. Its mission is to promote indigenous knowledge for environmental conservation and to enhance the livelihoods of local communities. ICE received funding to implement a project titled, “Enhancing climate change resilience of communities living adjacent to water catchments and sacred forest ecosystems in Eastern Kenya” which will be undertaken in Ntugi sacred hill (Tharaka Nithi County) and Upper and Lower Imenti forest (Meru County). The project aims at enhancing climate change resilience of communities adjacent to water catchments and sacred forest ecosystems for livelihood improvement and ecosystem vitality. This will be guided by three main objectives namely: To build the capacity of 600 community members living adjacent Ntugi Sacred Hill and Upper and Lower Imenti forest to adapt to changing climatic conditions by July 2025 To restore ecological integrity of the three critical ecosystems (sacred ecosystems and water catchments) by July 2025 To reduce human-elephant conflicts for enhanced biodiversity protection by July 2025 DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT To provide an independent survey of the target community livelihood options; degradation level of target ecosystems; and biodiversity status in Imenti forest. The survey will also involve analyzing the proposed activities to determine their effectiveness against the set goal. This will help review and refocus the proposed activities in order to meet the goal of the project. SCOPE OF WORK In particular, the survey should consider the following: Community livelihood What are the main livelihood options for communities living adjacent to target ecosystems? What is their level of vulnerability to climate change? Significance of natural resources to communities Tree cover What is the hectarage of degraded area in Imenti forest? What is the hectarage of degraded area in Ntugi sacred hill? Biodiversity in Imenti forest Ecosystem What is the elephant population in the ecosystem? Which are the major elephant movement corridors within the ecosystem? What are the major elephant attractions within Imenti forest ecosystem? What are the major threats facing elephants in the ecosystem? Stakeholders Who are the key stakeholders in the target ecosystems? What are the roles of the different stakeholders in management and conservation of the target ecosystems? CFA Train Imenti Forest (MEFECAP) CFA on development of their constitution and by-laws which will be essential in governing and running the CFA activities. METHODOLOGY The consultant will: – Review project proposal Interview ICE project team The consultant will display in the technical proposal how he/she will conduct the survey, data collection and present the findings. The consultant will also submit financial proposal alongside the expression of interest. Both the technical and financial proposals will be reviewed and approved by ICE Management before commencement of the work. The consultant will conduct the survey independent of the implementing organisation’s interference. ASSIGNMENT DURATION The consultancy should be completed in 9 working days as indicated below Activity Number of days A briefing meeting of consultant with ICE Management to discuss the technical and financial proposals, sign contract and collect project documents for review 1 Consultant planning and preparation: Review project documents and develop data collection tools and share them with ICE for comments. 1 Field work for survey and data collection 3 Training of Meru Forest Environmental Conservation and Protection (MEFECAP) Association 1 Developing and submission of the draft report to ICE 2 Incorporating comments and submitting/presenting the final Project Report to ICE 1 Total Days 9 DOCUMENTS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CONSULTANT Project proposal and budget DELIVERABLES The following outputs are expected from the consultant: Inception report of less than 5 pages, including expression of interest, technical and financial proposals A draft report detailing the methodology, findings, and recommendations. This report will be shared with ICE for comments/input. An electronic report, including all the raw data and photos taken in the field 3 hard copies of the final report having incorporated inputs/comments made by ICE REPORT CONTENT The report will include an executive summary that highlights key findings and the recommendations. The report will include current status of project beneficiaries and status of ecosystems before project interventions. The report will be written in jargon-free accessible English and will not exceed 15 pages (including the summary and appendices). Proposed Report format: Executive summary Findings (including photos) Conclusions and recommendations on specific actions to move forward. Annexes OBLIGATIONS OF ICE AS THE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY The contracting authority shall be obliged to; Provide all project documents necessary for the review Provide means of transport during the field visit Provide accommodation and meals during the field visit Pay the agreed charges – 50% at commencement and clear the remaining 50% balance after submission of final report MEDICAL AND PERSONAL ACCIDENT COVER The consultant is expected to have their own medical and personal accident covers since ICE is not under any obligation to provide these under this contract. STATUTORY DEDUCTIONS ICE will deduct withholding tax from consultancy fee paid in accordance with its statutory obligations as provided in the Kenyan law. QUALIFICATIONS AND SUBMISSION OF BIDS Consultants Profile, Qualifications, and skills University degree in Natural Resource Management or other relevant disciplines such as, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Project Management, Community Development, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Economics Should have at least 5 years of professional experience in relevant fields, with experience in conducting project baseline surveys, evaluation or related consultancies Should demonstrate understanding of Participatory Forest Management Plans and its implementation. Should demonstrate understanding of Community Forest Association (CFA) mandate and structure as per the Forest Act. Should have experience on participatory consultation and facilitation approaches especially in engagement of CFAs through their various user groups. Proficiency in English with excellent report writing and communication
Terms of Reference Submission Deadline: 2nd September, 2022 Background The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) is a Kenyan non-governmental organization (NGO) that was established in 2006 under the NGO Coordination Act. ICE was established in response to a clear need in Kenya to promote culture\’s inherent and natural role in environmental and resource management. ICE works with communities to rediscover the significance of local knowledge and naturally endowed resources/potentials in improving livelihoods and conserving the environment. As a result, communities can take control of their own development and break free from the cycle of poverty. Nationally, regionally, and globally, ICE collaborates with like-minded organizations, institutions, and individuals. About the assignment The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) seeks to engage a web designer to re-design the organization’s website www.icekenya.org to a more navigable and modernized site. The new site is aimed at helping ICE to achieve the mandate of promoting environmental conservation and natural resource management; enhancement of indigenous knowledge in community-based environmental and resource management initiatives; and facilitating cultural-based learning leading to social and ecological wellbeing of biodiversity. Goal of the assignment To refurbish ICE website to a user-friendly site that will be instrumental for information and knowledge sharing. The website will be key to ICE’s mission, vision and objectives as outlined in the organization’s strategic plan 2022-2026. Scope of the assignment The vendor is expected to; Dynamize ICE website and social media pages Design website and social media banners Link website to ICE social media pages Upload new content Upload photos and videos Update plugins Update Google Map Increase the existing websites dynamism Update SEO Update website security Align website fonts Obligations of ICE as the contracting authority The contracting authority shall be obliged to; Provide all documents necessary for the review Provide a website outline with menu labels and desired sub-menus Provide Content including text, photos and videos Pay the agreed charges – 30% at commencement and clear the remaining 70% balance after completion of assignment. Deduct and submit withholding tax to KRA as required by the laws of Kenya Obligations of the consultant Develop a website with 10 main navigation bars and their sub-pages using WordPress Content Management System Complete the assignment within a month after signing of contract Maintain confidentiality in all his/her dealings with ICE Return all the materials both hard and soft shared by ICE (in case any) Submit a draft within 10 days for review Train dedicated ICE staff on website management NB: The vendor shall not sub-contract another party to undertake the assignment. Qualifications Vendor’s Profile, Qualifications, and skills To qualify for this assignment, the vendor should possess the following skills Professional training in web design (Degree of diploma in web design) Proficiency in English Possess excellent editing skills for content and photos Excellent communication skills Creative and passionate about design Have an eye for detail Ability to build a website using WordPress Content Management System How to apply Qualified and interested vendors are invited to submit their expression of interest to undertake the above assignment by sending a quotation 2nd September, 2022 to procure@icekenya.org and cc. martin@icekenya.org and info@icekenya.org. Please send your quotation together with an indication of your availability, detailed profile (CV) and portfolio showcasing similar assignments. Also provide in the technical proposal an interpretation of the Terms of Reference and work plan.