Reference No. MEIDECC28/2018-19
The Contracting Entity acting on behalf of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication has received funding from the Government, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the following consulting services.
- Background
Tonga’s vision for biological diversity and natural resources is to protect, conserve and restore local ecosystems to be enjoyed by present and future generals. In 2013, Tonga had made a commitment to designate 30% of its EEZ as marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2020. Tonga has established 19 marine managed areas, five (5) MPAs-government managed; one (1) Marine Reserve and four others pending to be gazetted-government managed; thirteen (13) SMAs-locally managed; one (1) multipurpose conservation areas; and seven 97) established terrestrial parks and reserves, with four others to be gazetted.
The latest Statistics on protected Areas in Tonga state that 14.5% Terrestrial and 2.5% of marine areas in Tonga have some form of protection under national law. It is Tonga’s vision that all islands are designated as Special Management Areas (SMAs), which are locally marine managed areas; as well as establishing marine reserves, in remote areas, for the conversation of biodiversity of biodiversity and special, unique areas.
- Scope of services
The consultant will be expected to facilitate or provide support to the following activities as per project document with regards to developing and implementing of Special Management Areas and of Marine Protected areas.
- To conduct consultations with key stakeholders from the five (5) selected MPAs, and its neighbouring communities.
- Draft site-specific management plans for the five (5) selected MPAs.
- To establish at least two adaptive managements (alternative livelihoods)
- To assist in the draft of proposed MPAs to gazetted.
- To conduct one training/conference per year of 50-100 people from selected communities.
- To draft national system framework for MPAs.
- Develop monitoring programme to assess effectiveness of management plans and producing.
Specific to the outcome of this work, the consultant will also deliver on the following with the contract period:
- A standard monitoring plan developed and implemented to collect data on key indicators that will reflect improved management areas during the project time frame and beyond. The monitoring plan should also incorporate plans for yearly surveys for the key sites.
- A standard methodology to collect data on key indicators and allow effective comparison across key sites is adopted and used for yearly monitoring surveys and is incorporate into the monitoring plan.
- Key sites identified for monitoring and recommended for different management types (seasonal closure, periodic or permanent etc.) at either national or local level.
- Community “coastal watch” are developed and successfully implemented for key hot spot sites. Similarly these communities will have developed capacities to implement coastal watch effectively through conducted trainings that promotes grass root level participatory approach.
- A quarterly report is submitted to the Project Management Unit and the Department of Environment of monitoring results to inform progress.
The Contracting Entity now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required minimum qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. Detailed information on the types of services, requirements for this consulting service will be outlined in the Terms of Reference.
The short-listing criteria are:
Minimum educational qualifications and experiences for the monitoring team:
- University degree in the area of marine science, environment science, or equivalent.
- At least 5 years’ experience in marine monitoring, water quality assessment, data assessment etc.
Functional Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by demonstrating positive values and ethical standards through his/her actions.
- Promotes the vision and goals of the Marine Protected areas program.
- Displays gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly with favouritism.
- Ability to assess community capacity, and formulate proposals to foster positive change.
- Analytical judgement, results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment.
- Shares information, knowledge and experience through effective and frequent communication
- Experience and technical understanding on development context and issues in the Tonga with focus on resource management.
- Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in order to keep deadlines.
- Ability to engage various partners and stakeholders and builds strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders.
- Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty.
- Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
- Demonstrates strong commitment and patience to deal with competing deadlines, demands and interests.
- Ability to build consensus and garner support under complex situations.
- Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
- Exudes a friendly atmosphere where colleagues/counterparts can easily ask questions and seek assistance.
- Ability to travel to remote communities.
Consultants will be responsible for planning and implementation of the activities in close collaboration with national stakeholders and local communities to achieve the expected deliverables. He/ She also be responsible for reporting deliverables to PMU.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Lump Sum Method set out in the Public Procurement Regulations 2015.Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 10th May 2019 at 12.00pm (noon) Tongan time.
Seiloima Fisi’ikava Fakaotka
Tel: 7400743
Email: sfisiikava@finance.gov.to
Central Procurement Unit of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning
St George Palace Building, Ground floor
Taufa’ahau Road
Nuku’alofa/Tonga.