Consultant to Conduct a Socio- economic Baseline Survey in Cam My Commune, Cam Xuyen District, Ha Tinh province

Country: Vietnam
Organisation: SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation
Program: REDD+
Project: Advancing Understanding Forest Carbon Stock Enhancement as part of REDD+- ENRICH
Duration: Indicative maximum 30 days within September and October 2012

1.Background

With the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Natural Conservation and Safety Nuclear (BMU), the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV),and  Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) will start implementation of a 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, 2012 – 2014. This project aims to advance 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 help to introduce pilot activities and also assist by developing the appropriate guidance material and through building capacity in representative forest ecosystem in Ha Tinh and Ca Mau provinces.

Cam My Commune, Cam Xuyen District, Ha Tinh province has been selected to be a ENRICH project site. The commune consists of 12 villages and 1.344 households with 6.518 persons. Local people living in these areas heavily live upon agriculture and forest resources. Due to lack of land for cultivation, almost households depend primarily on natural resources based activities (on farm and off farm) for their subsistence and livelihoods. Therefore there is a big risk of forest exploitation to meet their daily demands.

Improved forest management including restoration of natural degraded forest will only be achieved if tangible economic incentives are provided in conjunction with meaningful environmental and social safeguards, including upholding the rights of local communities. We recognise that unless the local communities benefit then REDD+ is unlikely to work. By exploring the links the project will aim to help the many poor forest dwelling communities in Project pilot areas.

2.Objective

- The overall objective of the baseline study is to establish baseline data on the Socio- economic conditions within the buffer zone of Ke Go Nature Reserve to provide benchmark information on key variables and indicators that will be measured periodically.
- The specific objective of the baseline study is to:
- Prepare a baseline survey report using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods for the collection of geographical and socio-economic data related to forestry, agriculture, agro- forestry, land use, natural resource management and access and use, community livelihoods, poverty, food and income security.

3.Scope of work

The baseline study will be carried out in the Cam My commune, covered by the ENRICH project. The study should be both quantitative and qualitative in nature and the data obtained should allow easy analysis of trends and changes within the buffer-zone of Ke Go Nature Reserve as a result of ENRICH project interventions.

The consultant will during preparation of survey tools/questionnaires coordinate closely with the Provincial project partner – Technical working group at Department of Agricultural and Rural Development of Ha Tinh province to ensure all possible indicators are captured and that the tools can to ensure all possible indicators are captured and that the tools can easily be used by the respective communities.

4.Tasks of consultant services

ENRICH project is looking for qualified consulting services to review, assess the current situation of socio-economic conditions and provide advices on the appropriate establishment of the alternative livelihood models for Project pilot site in Ha Tinh Province. The assignment will be carried out by a national consultant or consultant team with experience in socio-economic assessment and developing livelihood models. The selected consultants will works under supervise of the Manager of ENRICH project.

The consultants’ tasks should include:

- Involve key project actors and stakeholders in Baseline survey.
- Aim at gathering general information about the demographic and socio-economic composition of the pilot project areas at Cam My Commune.
- Involve Rapid Assessments of Geographical, environmental, Historical and socio-economic inventory in two adjacent villages to protected area of Ke Go Nature Reserve (Village 1 and Village 4, Cam My Commune)
- Review and collection of relevant information and sources (Literature review).
- Identify Natural Resource Management and agricultural practices in the pilot areas in Cam My Commune.
- Provide State of environment report with regard to degradation of natural resource as well as natural resource management practices.
- The baseline survey should include a control survey among villages living outside the adjacent Villages (The control target villages outside the adjacent Villages will function as a comparison group).
- Analyze the data and produce a report in which the methodology and data processing is clearly described for exact replication during consequent surveys.  
- Proposing the practical and suitable livelihood models under REDD+ mechanism to be implemented in Cam Xuyen District. The study on the alternative livelihood models under ENRICH context will need to consider: i) The effectiveness of proposed livelihood models in connection with Forest restoration and ecological functions of a forest; ii)  What type of benefits will be created and provided from the models; and iii)The size of the benefit provided

5.Expected output and Deliverables

- A comprehensive report on the current socio-economics conditions and livelihood systems link to natural resources usage and management.
- A report on at least two alternative options of livelihood models suggested.
- The final report should deliver in both English and Vietnamese language

To complete the output the consultant will be required to:

- Provide all relevant raw materials of the assignment such as Semi-Structure household survey questionnaires; Household survey data; Minutes of group discussion, etc. (hard and softcopy)
- Provide minutes and attendance list for all consultation team during the preparation plan

5. Qualifications

The consultant should demonstrate expertise in:

- Thorough understanding of socio-economic, Forest Management and development issues in the REDD+ context in Vietnam.
- University degree (Master is preferable) in agroforestry, economy or related sectors who has at least 10 years practical experiences in the community and conservation regards.
- Good experience in working with community in terms of research, participatory approach and planning;
- Excellent facilitation and communication skills;
- Fluent in English and Vietnamese (speaking + writing);
- Previous work experience in the mountainous region of Vietnam is an advantage.
- Consultant chosen must ensure the timeline given;

6. Timeframe and Location

The consultancy should be completed before October 20, 2012

The consultant will be recruited for maximum period of 30 days over a period of 2 months (with possible extension if necessary) from the date of signing the contract.

It is expected that the consultant(s) make field trips for consultation activities around the project sites in Cam My Commune, Cam Xuyen district, Ha T?nh province.  Other duties can be carried out in a location suitable for the consultant(s).

Interested consultants or consulting firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform these services to the highest professional standard.  A consultant for this assignment will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out by SNV. Interested consultants should submit their application, including latest CV, budget of activities and proposal of activities by email to Nguyen The Chien at [email protected]. Deadline of submission is 17:00 August 24, 2012