Additional information
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Scope of the Assessment: The study will utilize a wide range of appropriate tools, approaches, and methodologies to measure existing status of biodiversity and habitat condition and also identifies current conservation practices, linkages with livelihoods and the improvement required. The results of the assessment will be utilized to define, if necessary, further mitigation or offset measures to be implemented by Southern Region Water Board. The assessment is expected to cover the following aspects: • Review of the project documents and studies, analysis that were conducted (ESIA, UNESCO, SRWB monitoring). • Study relevant and available published and unpublished reports and documents for reference. • Key Informant interviews with targeted stakeholders and their representatives using questionnaire and gather data and information on Biodiversity, Habitat and conservation approach. • Focus group discussion with concerned stakeholders and gather qualitative data/information. • Transect walk in project areas to identify species and assess status of habitat. Critical habitat determination The assessment will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and review of secondary information. SRWB and LMNP will provide information on the existing conservation practices, indigenous knowledge, national park policies and program supporting conservation of biodiversity, habitat management and promoting forest/nature-based livelihoods. The assessment should respect EIB standard 3 related to biodiversity and in particular the criteria used to determine whether a site is a critical habitat. Impact of siltation on the fish breeding grounds. Monkey Bay Capture Fisheries Centre and Lake Malawi National Park are conducting semestral evaluation of fish abundance and diversity in the two bays around Nkhudzi hill (one that was subject to a large siltation issue due to heavy rains and on that host the water intake for the water supply system of Mangochi). The consultant will review these reports and interview the teams in charge of the works in order to provide some quality control on the methodology (sampling) and the robustness of the assessment. The consultant can propose a further assessment if deemed necessary. Mitigation measures The mitigation measures are disclosed in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the project (see list of available information). Field Visit A total of 15 days is allocated for the entire assessment and during this period, the consultant will require to complete document review, field visit, analysis assessment report preparation and submission to the project team. Project team will provide necessary support during field visit and other assessments. The consultant shall conduct some inspection of the forest around the water tank to identify any signs of deforestation, drone pictures can be an efficient mean of verification. Considering that the project site around the water tank has been disturbed by the works, the consultant shall compare the existing site with another site on the Nkhudzi hill which has not been disturbed in order to identify and evaluate any negative impacts. Impact of siltation on the fish breeding grounds. Monkey Bay Capture Fisheries Centre and Lake Malawi National Park are conducting semestral evaluation of fish abundance and diversity in the two bays around Nkhudzi hill (one that was subject to a large siltation issue due to heavy rains and on that host the water intake for the water supply system of Mangochi). The consultant will review these reports and interview the teams in charge of the works in order to provide some quality control on the methodology (sampling) and the robustness of the assessment. The consultant can propose a further assessment if deemed necessary. Data/Information Collection To gather quality data from field on the subject, a systematic approach for data collection is essential. The necessary approval for the assessment should be taken by consent from LMNP with support from the project (if required). There is already a large amount of data available on the area that can be made available to bidder on request: • Environmental and Social Impact assessment of the Mangochi works. • Report on the joint World Heritage Center/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to Lake Malawi National Park (MALAWI) (N 289). • Monitoring reports from SRWB on fish abundance and construction phase. Report Preparation and Submission The consultant team will prepare a draft report and share it with EIB, SRWB and LMNP team within 15 days of completion of field activities. Additionally, the consultant should present the major findings of the study to the project team to get feedback for finalizing the assessment report. EIB, SRWB and LMNP team will provide feedback on a draft report which must be finalized by incorporating suggestions. The consultant will also require providing raw data (both qualitative and quantitative data from the field) to LMNP. The final report of the biodiversity assessment should be submitted to EIB, SRWB and LMNP within 60 days of signing the contract. The Consultant will take overall responsibility for this assessment and coordinate/liaise between SRWB and LMNP. The Consultant if necessary, can hire a researcher to gather information from the field. Supervision of the field works and quality of the data/information collected in the field is the primary responsibility of the Consultant. Similarly, Consultant will work closely with LMNP Conservation Officer and SRWB management. The consultancy/ consultant team will be primarily responsible to: • Develop/design assessment based on methodology including questionnaire and checklist and other tools for group interaction with stakeholders at local level. • Share assessment design including process, methods and questionnaires/checklist with SRWB and LMNP, collect feedback and finalize assessment design. • Carryout field work. • Ensure quality of information collected from field, cross check with the validity of information collected and verify/revise where needed. • Update SRWB and LMNP in case of any emerging issues related to assignment arising during assessment. • Analyse data and generate results. • Prepare draft report and share with EIB, SRWB and LMNP team and collect their feedback. • Present major findings of the study to EIB, SRWB and LMNP team and collect feedbacks. • Prepare final report incorporating feedback and suggestions and submission of the final report- both hard copy and electronic version in word format within the contract period. SRWB and LMNP will be responsible for the overall management and coordination for the study. Specifically, • Provide project-related information and documents. • Arrange required meetings, and consultations with project- related representatives. • Assign field support • Give inputs to draft and final reports. This is a lumpsum contract, the deliverables and anticipated work timeline for the study is as follows: PHASE 1: Inception and work plan 15 days after contract signature // deliverable: Inception report Payment (% of lump sum amount): 20% -- PHASE 2: Field activities 30 days after contract signature // deliverable: Raw data report Payment (% of lump sum amount): 30% -- PHASE 3: Draft report and recommendations 45 days after contract signature // deliverable: Draft final report Payment (% of lump sum amount): 30% -- PHASE 4: Final reports and recommendation 60 days after contract signature // deliverable: Final report Payment (% of lump sum amount): 20%