1.    Background

Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) is looking for an experienced consultant(s) to conduct a biodiversity assessment on YawriBay Ecosystemn. Yawri Bay is one of nine Key Biodiversity Areas in Sierra Leone recognised in the Guinea Forest Ecosystem Profile and part of the Northern Upper Guinea Ecoregion which is classified as continentally outstanding. It is one of the only four areas in Sierra Leone identified in the Profile (Table 12.2) as a “Priority Site” for CEPF investment. The Bay was designated as an Important Bird Area in 1992 and the Government of Sierra Leone has identified Yawri Bay as one of 15 proposed Protected Areas.

Yawri Bay is one of the most important stop-overs and wintering grounds for birds in West Africa. Forty-six species of Palearctic migrant birds are known to occur in the bay. Four of these species – Avocet, Lesser-crested Tern, Water Dikkop and the near-threatened Damara Tern - were first recorded for Sierra Leone at this site.

It is not clear if any surveys of mammals have been carried out in the Bay before, but there is evidence of the presence of the threatened African Manatee, and three species of game mammals inhabit the coastal forest including the Maxwell Duiker (Near – threatened). Also, three species of turtles occur Green, Loggerhead and the Vulnerable Olive Ridley. Yawri Bay accounts for about 14% of the total mangrove swamp in Sierra Leone.

The mangroves in this area are under threat particularly for timber and charcoal, and for oil and gas exploration. During 1980-2006, Sierra Lost 37% of its mangrove cover (Feka et al 2014). The trend has unfortunately continued.

Yawri Bay supports a major local fishing industry, especially at Tombo and Shenge, which supplies most of the fish consumed in Freetown. There is also a viable local salt industry in the area. These activities provide employment opportunities for local inhabitants but also pose major threats to the Bay.

Despite Yawri Bay being one of only four areas in Sierra Leone identified in the CEPF Profile (Table 12.2) as a “Priority Site” for CEPF investment; it currently has no legal protection. No government land use policy exists for the area. Legislation designed to prevent over-fishing exists but is poorly enforced.

In summary, the Yawri Bay ecosystem in Sierra Leone has been degraded and is susceptible to further decline. The major threats are the destruction of mangroves, unsustainable harvest of fish and crustaceans, loss of coastal shorelines, and disturbance of animals by people. These threats are driven by gaps in our knowledge of the Bay, insufficient legal protection, non-compliance with existing environmental laws, and the fact that at present residents do not benefit from protecting the Bay.

It is based on the above that CSSl wants to conduct an assessment of the biodiversity of the bay to guide the implementation of this project.

1. 2.    Objective

The Objective of this consultancy is to ensure that the consultant assesses  the biodiversity (flora and fauna) of Yawri Bay and submit assessment report to CSSL

 

1. 3.    Responsibility of CSSL

The organization will be responsible for the following:

• Payment of consultancy fees
• Project staff and management to work closely with consultant to ensure ownership of the process and document
• Making appointments, organizing discussions and consultation meetings with key stakeholders, as needed/appropriate

 

1. 4.    Resposibility of the consultant

The consultant is expected to work closely with the Yawri Bay Prtoject Manager to:

• Undertake biodiversity survey together with CSSL staff and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
• Engage all relevant stakeholders in the process of analysing collated data and in conducting an assessment of the site using Ramsar criteria.
• Together with the Project Manager and team, support the Yawri Bay Ramsar Site Working Group to review the assessment for the proposition of the Yawri Bay as a Ramsar site to the Sierra Leone Government (through NPAA).
• Consultant supports CSSL project manager and Site Working Group prepares and submits Ramsar Site nomination material through the Site Working Group to the National Protected Area Authority.

1. 5.    Workshops/meeting

• One-day inception Workshop/meeting.
• One-day workshop for validation of the assessment report.

1. Cost estimates and financing

The expenses of the assessment will be covered under the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Funds grant  administered by CSSL.

 

1. 7. Implementation Time line

This work is expected to be done within three (3) months and to be completed not later that 30^th July 2021  including recruitment, inception, validation and final reporting.

 

1. 8. Implementation arrangements

• Recruitment. The consultant will be recruited by the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone following CSSL/national recruitment policy.
• Reporting.
• The consultant is expected to prepare the reports as listed objective and submit printed and electronic versions to the Project Manager, Program Manager, and the Executive Director of the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone. Throughout the contract, the Consultant shall maintain a constant liaison with the Client to discuss alternatives, options and any other matters of the progress of works. He/she shall submit regular interim progress reports as required by the client. The Consultant will have to submit all reports and documentation in draft form (in soft format - MS Word) in the first instance, and should thereafter incorporate any comments the Client may submit, before their finalization. Draft reports and documentation would have to be submitted at least 2 weeks before the final reports/documentation are due so that the Client will have ample time to circulate the drafts for any feedback from the relevant stakeholders.

1. 9. Requirements and Expected Qualifications:

• The national consultant refers to an individual.
• The national expert is preferably at least Master degree holders in the fields of biodiversity conservation, environmental education, natural resources management, sustainable development, ecosystems conservation, or related discipline.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the area of biodiversity conservation, or environment-related programs
• Previous work experience with similar projects, in particular with education, curriculum development, capacity building programs, is strongly recommended
• Fluency in English and Krio language

 

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