Job Description

Posted on March 29, 2022

Background
The Lukanga swamp is situated in the heart of Zambia, about 100 km north of capital Lusaka. The core of the wetland is 3300 km2 in size in the dry season, growing to 6000-8000 km2 in the wet season. The wetland is a significant contributor to the Kafue river basin: about 1/3 of water downstream of Lukanga comes from the swamp. The area also acts as natural retention basin for the Kafue river, storing excess water that overflows from Kafue during wet years, and slowly releasing it in later years.As such, the Lukanga swamp plays an important role in water regulation for downstream water users, such as urban drinking water, agriculture and energy provision through the hydropower dam. The wetland also traps sediment that would otherwise affect the capacity of the hydropower dam, and filters water, thereby improving water quality. The Lukanga swamp is a designated RAMSAR wetland and the area is very attractive for wildlife, fish and birds, hosting various globally threatened species. The wetland contributes  to national fish supply and fishing is a key livelihood in the area. Other key livelihoods in the area include basketry (using reed material from the swamp), wood collection for charcoal production, collection of high-value natural products (e.g. honey, nuts), hunting wildlife and agriculture (livestock and cultivation). The swamp also plays a key role in cultural ceremonies for resident ethnic groups.Downstream of the Lukanga Swamps, economic activities such as the hydropower dam (ZESCO, LWSC)) and agricultural areas (e.g. Zambia Sugar) depends on steady water flow of sufficient quantity.
The Problem Statement
The Lukanga Swamps are threatened by increasing population and economic development, which is driving land use change in the form of human settlement, conversion to agriculture and overexploitation of natural resources, such as fish and game. Increasing abundance of invasive species further threatens the ecological integrity of the swamps. To reverse the negative impact of unsustainable resource and land use, identification and viability assessment of bankable green projects and/or Nature Based Solutions is needed, as well as a plan to introduce and scale these models in the area.Key to this is the availability  of the financial instruments that would used to find bankable green projects and/or nature based solutions.
Objectives of the study:

To have a clear overview of the key measures and proxies needed in the Lukanga Swamps to reverse the negative impact of unsustainable resource and land use
To identify bankable Projects (BP)[1] and/or Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that can accelerate sustainable resource management by the water users

Scope of Work and Expected Outputs

An appropriate methodology will have to be determined by the consultant in consultations with WWF and key stakeholders
Identify at least 10 actionable sustainable business project ideas and/or nature based solutions using a landscape approach via workshops/stakeholder engagements.
Aligning and building on Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation  and Improvement Projects (ZMERIP) measures with regards to  the community-based resource management and The Conservation Plan for the Lukanga Swamps and other activities being implemented in the region
Identification of where set measures (BP or NBS) should be taken, key actions needed,
 Mapping of the stakeholders involved, including roles and responsibilities and a power map. Stakeholders can be all actors that would have a role in the bankable nature solution, including private businesses, incubation platforms, business hubs, financial institutions, NGOs, CSOs, government agencies…
Identify and characterize the interested parties on whom action areas critically depend; building out reasoning for identified measures (NbS or BP)
Outline of the risks and mitigation actions regarding engaging in identified measures(NbS or BP).
Identify the  financial instruments for Nature Based Solutions available

Deliverables

Inception Report in English with a clear description of methodology and tool to carry out the assessment.
To hold bilateral meetings with WWF and stakeholders to validate cost- benefit to business and the risk thereof of failure to protect the Lukanga Swamps
To hold workshops in the landscape with key stakeholders to design and propose NbS and bankable ideas
Project report detailing key nature based solutions and bankable projects including

Brief context of the landscape
Overview of the challenges and threats that NbS or bankable projects could address
identifying and characterizing the interested parties on whom action areas critically depend (e.g. climate risks)
Identification of specific measures and opportunities in terms of sectors, themes, trends related to bankable and nature-based solutions
Identify and characterize the interested parties on whom action areas critically depend; building out reasoning for identified projects/solutions
Identify and quantify the business risk,operational risk and financial risk related to key projects/solutions and mitigation measures needed to the key industrials upstream

Develop a map detailing where interventions will take place, financing needed, whether bankable or NbS (or both), and the availability of financing opportunities..
Develop a 5 page slide deck to outline findings

Eligibility/Qualifications
The Lead consultant(s) must have the following qualifications:

Master Degree in Business Administration and/or finance/ACCA/CIMA at minimum.
Good understanding of climate change, environmental considerations, entrepreneurship, bankable projects
Cultural awareness and sensitivity to gender issues;
Excellent facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and partners, external actors and allies.

Application
Please send a 1-page application letter, outlining your expertise and relevant experience about this consultancy and a 2 – 3 pages CV of the Lead Consultant should also be attached.
A concise –maximum of 5-10 pages technical proposal, highlighting the proposed approach, methodologies, brief work schedule, team composition and timings of the process.
A brief financial proposal, clearly specifying the time, professional fees and proposed implementation costs & evidence of similar related assignment performed for the past 5 years.
Interested applicants should submit both a technical and Financial proposal with copies of the latest CV and academic qualifications. These should be submitted to the following email; [email protected] with copies to 17:00 hours on 6th April, 2022
[1] To be bankable, a project should: 1. Create monetary value (generated by new or increased commercial revenues or a reduction in costs to produce goods and operate a business), 2. Have positive, measurable conservation and development outcomes in line with WWF Zambia.

To apply for this job email your details to wwfcareers@wwfzam.org