Consulting Services for Writing up the Technical Reports on Forest Carbon Stock Enhancement Through Project Intervention

Consulting services for writing up the technical reports on forest carbon stock enhancement through project intervention in three pilot forest ecosystem sites (Evergreen, Mangroves and Peatswamp Melaleuca forests), ENRICH project.

Country:    Vietnam
Organisation:    SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation
Program:    REDD+
Project:    Advancing Understanding of Forest Carbon Stock Enhancement as part of REDD+, ENRICH
Duration:    Indicative 25 person-days (including field trip to Ca Mau) over the period August to September, 2014

1.Background

With the support of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), and the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) are implementing the Forestry/REDD+ project entitled “Advancing Understanding of Natural Forest Carbon Stock Enhancement as part of REDD+”, ENRICH in short, over a period of 3 years, from 2012 – 2014. This project aims to advance the understanding of forest carbon stock enhancement as part of any future REDD+ Agreement through exploring the technical and economic feasibility of different forest carbon stock enhancement strategies in pilot sites in Vietnam. The project will introduce pilot activities and also assist through developing appropriate guidance material and through building capacity amongst communities and government staff, in forest ecosystems in Ha Tinh and Ca Mau provinces.
The ENRICH project has been implementing the demonstration activities on forest carbon stock enhancement though different appropriate silvicultural approaches suitable with site conditions such as forest enrichment and forest maintaining for evergreen lowland forest in Ke Go Nature Reserve (NR), Ha Tinh province;  improving hydrology management for peatswamp Melaleuca forest in U Minh Ha National Park (NP), and accelerated natural regeneration through improving natural tidal areas) and replanting mangroves species inside a Shrimp farm in Ngoc Hien district, Ca Mau province.

The project has just completed field assessment after two years implementation of demonstration activities in each project pilot site. The results of field assessment show that the technical approach was in the right direction and the impact of project intervention in terms of forest carbon enhancement is positive although it is only during a short period in comparison with the long cycle of forest development.

With the expectation to deliver a comprehensive report on the impact of project intervention and documenting of all project outputs on forest carbon stock enhancement in different forest ecosystems, ENRICH is looking for a suitable expert to write up the technical report on forest carbon stock enhancement and biodiversity through project intervention in three pilot forest ecosystem sites (Evergreen, Mangroves and Peatswamp Melaleuca forests). The selected consultant will work in collaboration with project technical experts and under supervision of Project Manager of ENRICH.

2.Objective and consultant tasks

The general objective:

• To provide a comprehensive report on the impact of project intervention, documentation of all project outputs on forest carbon stock enhancement and biodiversity in different forest ecosystem and appropriate approach for mangrove restoration in Shrimp farming areas.

Specific tasks:

• Review existing technical reports of ENRICH in 3 pilot sites (Evergreen forest, Mangroves forest and Peatswamp forest)
• Analyse the results of project interventions through demonstration activities in each pilot site from the forest assessment report by the technical expert
• Develop an initial report on the impact of project intervention, documentation of all project outputs on forest carbon stock enhancement in different forest ecosystems, and further appropriate recommendations.
• Based on the field assessment from pilot model on restoration mangroves inside of Shrimp farm, provide a summary report about best practice model for replanting mangroves inside Shrimp farms.

The outline of report content is not limited to, but should include at least four parts for each forest ecosystem type. They are: i) Background of the forest status; ii) Appropriate technical methods applied; iii) Impact of demonstration activities in forest carbon stock enhancement and biodiversity; and iv) Specific monitoring and reporting system to be used for each sites.

3.Tentative timeframe

• Estimated consultancy time allocation is 25 work-days include a trip to Ca Mau from within August and September 2014.
• A preliminary report should be delivered on 15th September, 2014. The final report is expected on 30th September, 2014

4.Deliverables

• A final report report on the impact of project intervention and documentation of all project outputs on forest carbon stock enhancement and biodiversity in different forest ecosystems
• A comprehensive report on best practice model mangrove restoration inside Shrimp farming.

Qualifications

The successful consultants should have/be;

• Proven knowledge and experience in forestry and natural resources management of Viet Nam.
• Demonstrated knowledge on REDD+ carbon accounting and sustainable forest management activities.
• Thorough understanding of Sustainable Forest Management and development issues in the REDD+ context in Vietnam.
• Demonstrated knowledge on REDD+ and Biodiversity
• Successful Consultant must commit to the timeline given;
• Fluent in English (writing and speaking)

5.Request for proposal

Interested consultant is requested to submit:

i) an expression of interest, stating their relevant experience and capacity to undertake this task;
ii) a methodology to carry out the task including a table of contents for the synthesis report.
iii) a detailed workplan including budget.
iv) The Curriculum vitae (CV) of the consultant (s) who will carry out the work.

The consultant for this assignment will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out by SNV.

Interested candidates should submit their application documents to Mr. Nguyen The Chien, e-mail address: [email protected]. Deadline of submission is 17:00, Friday 8th August 2014.