Background.

The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), together with state and non-state partners across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has recently developed a Transboundary Strategic Plan (TSP) for the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL). A monitoring and evaluation plan (MEAL) has been developed together with this plan. The plan provides for systematic processes for data and information generation for evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that interventions are effective and efficient.  The plan will ensure that stakeholders are accountable by demonstrating the impact and effectiveness of implementing the TSP.

A key element for this will be how data and information are collected, stored, analysed, and shared between and among stakeholders.

GVTC, partner state organisations (e.g. ICCN, RDB and UWA) and non-state organisations (Such as WWF, WCS, IGCP, IUCN, Gorilla Doctors, etc.) have put in place mechanisms to collect their data and information to achieve their objectives. Often, these mechanisms are guided by their objectives and goals for monitoring and decision-making. Tools such as Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), Earth Ranger, Social Assessments for Protected Areas (SAPA), Management Effectiveness and Tracking Tool (METT), Spatial Analysis tools such as GIS and Remote Sensing are being used by different organisations to collect different types of data/ information. GVTC has also attempted to put in place a “centre of excellence for information” that constitutes a system for data repository, data visualisation and information sharing platform with contents such as patrol data, species (Gorillas, Hippos and Elephants), deforestation and revenue sharing.

However, this system is to truly be applied as a one-stop centre for data and information sharing, tracking, and monitoring progress toward achieving results during the implementation of the new TSP. In that case, it needs to assess existing gaps and capacity development requirements.

The overall objective of this assignment will be to assess existing data collection, storage, analysis and sharing mechanisms among partners in the GVL and determine capacity development gaps that must be addressed to ensure effective and efficient data/ information collection and sharing mechanisms. This will be an important foundational step to assess opportunities for data/ information generation to track progress towards the achievement of targets in the new Transboundary Strategic Plan (TSP).

In this regard, GVTC, with support from WWF, is seeking the services of a Consultant to undertake this assessment.

The specific Terms of Reference for this consultancy are outlined below.

 Scope of work

1. Review literature and existing documents, such as the GVL Transboundary Strategic Plan, The GVL Monitoring Evaluation Adaptation and Learning (MEAL) plan, and plans of partner organisations, to determine data collection and information exchange needs.
2. Consult stakeholders to determine existing data collection and information sharing mechanisms, disaggregating this by type and purpose.
3. Analyse the completeness of existing mechanisms and determine gaps in data collection and information-sharing tools.
4. Determine constraints on the utilisation of existing platforms to ensure that new tools/ platforms adapt to the needs of target audiences.
5. Liaise with IT personnel and other competent web developers within GVTC, WWF and other partner organisations to determine and make recommendations on improvements required for a one-stop web-based platform for information sharing, building on already existing platforms.
6. Make presentations of the inception reports, progress reports and final reports to the GVL technical working group.

An overview of deliverables from the above tasks is presented below:

Schedule

The assignment will be undertaken in 21 days, with a maximum period of 40 days. The consultant will make presentations to the technical working group on the dates and times to be agreed upon with GVTC.

Minimum Qualification and Experience

The ideal Consultant/ team will have the following qualifications and experience.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Monitoring and Evaluation, Communications, IT, Journalism, Environment or other related areas is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in communications, journalism, environment or other project-related areas with a combination of additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Experience in data acquisition and information-sharing platforms that involve multi-partner coordination, collaboration and communications
• Advanced knowledge of ICT and use of web-based portals
• Knowledge of biodiversity informatics, including application of modern digital tools for data collection and information processing such as SMART, ArcGIS Online, etc.

 Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Experience and expertise in developing online platforms (30%)
2. Understanding of the Greater Virunga Landscape context and conservation &tourism issues (10%)
3. Understanding of GVL stakeholder mapping focusing on platform-targeted users and their current and future needs vis a vis this platform (15%)
4. Methodology and proposed approach (15%)
5. Qualification of proposed personnel (15%)
6. Cost-effectiveness and value for money (15%)

Modalities for application

Interested applicants are invited to submit a short technical proposal (no more than 10 pages) reflecting their Understanding of these Terms of References, proposed approach, qualifications of the consultant/ team and relevant experience, detailed CVs, and a daily consultancy rate.

 Proposal Submission

The proposal will be submitted to es@greatervirunga.org, pruhumuliza@greatervirunga.org, rkabeya@greatervirunga.org.

 The closing date will be 23^rd June 2024.

Dr. Andrew G. Seguya,

GVTC Executive Secretary