Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 23 Dec 2019
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking a consultant group or individual who will work for the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) project in Republic of Congo (ROC) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in order to implement a replicable model of micro-entrepreneurship development in rural context.
The consultant will investigate possibilities to diversify income for bushmeat value-chain agents and SWM beneficiaries on the outskirts of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in ROC and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in DRC. The consultant will explain how its methodology can adapt to the context of the SWM project in both countries. The consultancy will be organized in two phases: a first phase of feasibility study, followed by implementation of the model.
In the first phase, they will produce a feasibility study for WCS to document their research and recommendations regarding potential activities that can diversify local sources of income and their capacity needed for their implementation in order to provide success factors for effective training. They will pay particular attention to fishing and bushmeat, as two of the dominant trades in the regions, and research whether there are viable options to find potential alternatives to both activities. During the second phase, they will conduct activities to help targeted beneficiaries develop micro-enterprises in order to reduce extreme poverty and provide alternative source of income to the illegal and unsustainable use of natural resources.
The selected vendor is expected to have overall responsibility to investigate possibilities to diversify income for bushmeat value chain agent and Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) and beneficiaries on the outskirts of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in ROC and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in DRC. The consultant will explain how its methodology can adapt to the context of both SWM and USAID projects in both countries. The assignment will be organized in two phases: a first phase of feasibility study, followed by implementation of the model. The Proposer should provide services that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Design the research questions specific to the contexts of Northern Congo and Northeastern DRC,
- Conduct desk based research,
- Visit the field to conduct primary research with the target communities and WCS teams,
- Compile a feasibility study that documents the research
- Document methodology validated by WCS
- Provide methodology application recommendations
WCS is looking for a consultant group or individual that:
- Is specialized in microenterprise development for people living in extreme poverty;
- Has proven track record of running consultancy/projects on micro-entrepreneurship in Central-Africa, Republic of Congo and/or Democratic Republic of Congo would be an asset;
- Understands and aligns with WCS work and values;
- Has good communication skills in multi-cultural context and ability to communicate ideas and concepts concisely and clearly with various stakeholders.
- French proficiency is required. Issuance of this RFP in no way obligates WCS to award a Contract or Service Agreement and Proposers will not be reimbursed for any costs associated with the preparation of their proposal.
The project cost range is estimated between $150,000-$200,000 USD.
Phase 1: 2020
In the first phase, the consultant will design and implement a feasibility study with rural bushmeat value-chain agents to document potential activities to diversify local sources of income. This research will result in recommendations for the SWM teams to implement successful micro entrepreneurship projects, and the capacity needed for their implementation in the two sites in order to provide effective micro entrepreneurship training. They will pay particular attention to fishing and bushmeat, as two of the dominant trades in the regions, and research whether there are viable options to find potential alternatives to both activities.
Initial feasibility study and scoping visit by the consultant group/individual to ROC and DRC.
Phase 2: 2020-2024 (funding permitting)
During the second phase, they will conduct activities to help targeted beneficiaries develop micro-enterprises in order to reduce extreme poverty and provide alternative source of income to the illegal and unsustainable use of natural resources. Design and implementation of a joint micro-enterprise support project in ROC and DRC with ~ 3000 beneficiaries in each country.
How to apply:
A full copy of the RFP with all annexes can be obtained by submitting a request in writing via email to Ms. Toni Mpoy tmpoy@wcs.org with the email subject line: “Micro-Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development RFP_WCS-DRC-ROC-0001”.
All requests for clarification and questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing no later than December 06, 2019 via email to Ms. Toni Mpoy tmpoy@wcs.org with the email subject line: “Micro-Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development RFP_WCS-DRC-ROC-0001”. Responses, if determined appropriate by WCS, will be issued in writing to all known Proposers.
A copy of the proposal in electronic version (MS Word or PDF format) plus attachments, exhibits or appendices are to be submitted to: DRCprocurement@wcs.org
Proposals must be received no later than5:00 PM GMT December 23, 2019