Trainers for Ecosystem Services Monitoring of the Forest in Quang Tri

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Trainers for ecosystem services monitoring of the forest in Quang Tri

Country:     Vietnam
Organisation: SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation
Program:     REDD +
Projects:    Forest Certification for Ecosystem Services (ForCES)
Abstract:     Water, soil, carbon monitoring training for Quang Tri team
Duration:    15 days/trainer (2 trainers).

1 Background:

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification has typically focused on the certification of timber products sourced from sustainably managed forests as determined by a set of principles and criteria. Under the Forest Certification for Ecosystem Services (ForCES) project, the idea of expanding FSC to include additional ecosystem services (such as carbon, water, biodiversity and soil protection) will be tested across 4 countries; Vietnam, Chile, Indonesia and Nepal. Essential to this is the development of suitable measurable compliance indicators which will be incorporated in FSC national standards in the pilot countries and into international standards. SNV Vietnam will implement activities under the ForCES project in Quang Tri Province, and Huong Son, Ha Tinh Province.

In Quang Tri, the management objectives management objectives of the forest have been developed for the provision of environmental services. The main objectives are 1) to protect soil and prevent erosion to prevent sand flying into agricultural fields, 2) to maintain water resources and supply water for agricultural production, and 3) to improve livelihoods of people and develop resources for economic benefit. In addition to above the community has expressed interest to evaluate biodiversity in natural and planted forest.
Referring to that this TOR is developed and using by the project for recruiting consultants/trainers to provide training on monitoring methodologies of selected ES for the field teams in Quang Tri. The training will help the teams in Quang Tri to start the monitoring process in the new model of FSC certification for ecosystem services in project sites in Quang Tri.

2. Tasks of the consultants/trainers:

• Develop the training materials and programme on monitoring suggested ecosystem services eg. Water resources, soil and carbon.
• Cooperate with ForCES staff to conduct one training course for field teams of Quang Tri as well as local forest owners and stakeholders as an initial contribution to ES monitoring activities in Quang Tri.
• Guide the field teams on how to use ArcGIS in designing sample plots and analyze datas.
• Developing detailed action plan for impact monitoring data: a) collection; and b) management and field-based ES and monitoring guidelines for the teams.
• Supervising of local team in designing for data collection to forest owners and villagers and guide them to input data in the monitoring database.
• Accompanying monitoring teams to at least 25 % of monitoring plots to ensure proper application of protocols, generating reliable data, and to obtain firsthand experience of manual and material use in the field

3. Deliverables:

• Initial training plan for the assignment that will need to be approved by the SNV/ForCES
• Detailed programme for a 4 days training course for field teams in Quang Tri
• Set of training materials (handouts, presentation, field guidelines) and other materials for ES monitoring in Quang Tri.
• Training report documenting lessons learnt, recommendations and action plan for ES monitoring activities in the ForCES model in Quang Tri

4. Qualifications

The consultant should have:

• Proven knowledge and skills in forestry inventory and carbon measurement.
• A solid understanding of natural resource management as demonstrated by at least 5 years work experience and relevant qualifications in this area.
• A sound understanding of the concept of forest certification
• Proven experience in working in PFES and REDD+ in the context of Vietnam.   
• Capable to work with local partners and communities.
• Good ToT skills, facilitation skills and participatory skills

5.Timeframe and Location

The consultant will conduct the training in Quang Tri in June 2014. We will acknowledge all applications, but we will only contact short-listed candidates.

A consultant for this assignment will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out by SNV. Interested consultants should submit their application letter and latest CV by email to [email protected] no later than 20th May 2014.