Job Vacancy at Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) – Legal Expert

Terms of Reference

Consultancy for the examination of institutional laws and policies for the conservation and management of Yawri Bay ecosystem in Sierra Leone’s Coastal Corridor.

Project Title: Conserving Yawri Bayeco-system in Sierra Leone’s Coastal Corridor

Consultancy:
Examining the institutional laws and policies for the conservation and management of Yawri Bay ecosystem in Sierra Leone

Location: Yawri-Bay in Sierra Leone’s Coastal Corridor

Type of contract: Individual contract

Start Date: May 2021

End date: July 2021

Introduction
The Conservation Society of Sierra Leone seeks to engage an expert to examine the National Protected Area Authorization and Conservation Trust Act and the Environmental Protection Act to achieve improved coordination and integration on implementation of environment-related policies, legislation to promote conservation, protection and sustainable management of the Yawri Bay’s natural resources.

Background.

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.

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.
To address the realized environmental policy and legislative coordination shortfalls, the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone through CEPF is facilitating the examination of NPAA, CTF and EPA Acts and to advise/ recommend on the adequacy and or areas for improvement to ensure effective protection of Yawri Bay if designated a Ramsar Site.

The objective of the assignment
The main objective of this consultancy is to achieve improved coordination and integration on the implementation of environment-related policies, legislation to promote conservation, protection and sustainable management of the Yawri Bay’s natural resources.

Responsibility of CSSL
The organization will be responsible for the following:
Payment of consultancy fees
Project staff and management to work closely with the consultant to ensure ownership of the process and document
Making appointments, organizing discussions and consultation meetings with key stakeholders, as needed/appropriate

Responsibility of the consultant
Examine the National Protected Area Authorization and Conservation Trust Act and the Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Acts and
Advise / recommend to project management and subsequently the government of Sierra Leone on the adequacy and or areas for improvement to ensure effective protection of Yawri Bay if designated a Ramsar Site.
/effectivelness of the acts
Produce a report with recommendations on the adequacy of current laws and the need for improved laws or regulations (if any) and /or effective enforcement of the policies and regulations to ensure adequate protection of a site such as Yawri Bay if designated a Ramsar Site
Publish/share reports with relevant authorities and work with NPAA to organize briefings on the report to relevant authorities eg. the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Environment.
Together with CSSL and local community elders, hold two community consultations in each of 5 villages with 50 participants per meeting (20 from host communities and 30 from surrounding communities).

Workshops/meeting
One-day Inception Workshop/meeting.
Consultation workshops
One-day Workshop for validation of the assessment report.
Deliverables
Inception report

Consultations report
Validation reports
Final report
Approach/Methodology
The assignment shall involve a desktop study on regional and international best practices, meetings and workshops with stakeholders, any other undertaking as may be agreed that might be deemed necessary for the production of a comprehensive report. The work shall be undertaken in close liaison with and involvement of the following throughout all stages:
National Protected Area Authority (NPAA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Sierra Leone.
Conservation Trust Fund (CTF).
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 environmental laws and policies or related discipline.

Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in environment-related programs
Sound previous experience in similar projects in the required domains
Demonstrable analytical skills and report-writing skills.
Excellent, proven management and communication skills and fluency in English and Krio language.

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

Implementation Timeline and deliverables
This work is expected to be done within three (3) months and to be completed not later than 30th July 2021 including recruitment, inception, validation and final reporting including soft copies and hard copies sent to the Project Manager and Program Manager and the Executive

Administration
CSSL will provide administrative support to the consultant throughout the implementation of this service. However, he/she should be proactive in making appointments, organizing discussions and consultation meetings with key stakeholders, as needed/appropriate.

 

Applications should be sent to:
The Admin/HR Officer, Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL),
86A Main Road, Congo Town, Freetown/16 Ishiaka Street, IDA Kenema.

Email: [email protected]
The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 28th May 2021

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