Position: Programme Development Adviser, Nairobi
Fauna & Flora International
Fauna & Flora International (FFI) saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, whilst improving the livelihoods of local people. Our guiding principles are to work through local partnerships, act as a catalyst for change, make conservation relevant and base decisions on sound science. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body; our conservation work, and impact, spans the globe.
The Consultancy
The Mukutan Conservancy (MC) spans 90,000 acres of indigenous forest and grassland on the Western Laikipia plateau, overlooking the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. As the unique gateway to both the Great Rift Valley and Laikipia’s well-stocked wildlife rangelands, Mukutan aims to bring connectivity across the wider landscape, working hand in hand with communities. This Conservancy is home to at least 200 varieties of indigenous plants, including some of Kenya’s last remaining stands of indigenous cedar forests, as well as 478 bird species, significant reptile and amphibian populations, at least 200 elephants, over 40 lions, and endemic species such as the recently named Tomoptera gallmannae, Aslaugua gallmannii and Aloe francombei.
There is currently a need to develop a Land Management Plan for Mukutan and the surrounding area in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. This will guide good conservation principles to maintain current biodiversity on the Conservancy and provide recommendations for integrating grazing and tourism as income generating activities in terms of good land management for these activities.
Terms and Conditions
Date contract commences:
October 2020
Contract duration: Four months maximum
Consultancy title:
Programme Development Adviser**
Reporting to:
Programme Manager-Terrestrial, Kenya
Key Relationships:
Technical Specialist, Biomonitoring, Africa
Enterprise and Impact Finance Specialist, Conservation Finance and Enterprise
Senior Technical Specialist, Africa, Livelihoods and Governance
Project Coordinator - LCWWP, Kenya
Country Manager, Kenya
Finance and Administration Manager, Kenya
Consultancy Fees:
USD 22,000 (Withholding tax inclusive)
Purpose:
The terms of reference requires developing a land management plan for the property, which will include:
Management and enhancement of the property’s biodiversity values and physical infrastructure, such as fire, water, erosion control, weed control, fencing and roads.
A wildlife reintroduction programme in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service, including a wildlife corridor with Mugie Conservancy and a potential predator proof enclosure, if justified.
Zonation of land use allocation to the current and planned conservation enterprises including avocados, community and commercial cattle, tourism enterprises and future low-impact housing schemes.
A detailed grazing plan for the property including the existing community cattle scheme and the maintenance of a commercial cattle herd by the conservancy for biodiversity outcomes including a reduction in fuel load for fires and reduced woody vegetation.
Specific deliverables:
This is a call for consultants or organisations to apply for developing a 10 year Land Management Plan for Mukutan Conservancy to span from 2021 – 2030 in accordance with the attached Annex 1 Land Management Plan Outline.
The overarching goal of the Land Management Plan is to describe the current land use on Mukutan and develop a set of recommendations in consultation with key stakeholders for good land management practices.
The specific activities to be undertaken are as follows:
• Conduct an extensive desktop review of available literature related to Mukutan Conservancy and surrounding areas consulting with FFI staff and partners, and other industry experts with a knowledge of the area. This will include development plans for an avocado orchard and the community cattle scheme.
• Using GIS software, develop maps of the current land use, habitat features and sites of cultural significance using information available and with consultations of the landowners and neighbouring community.
• Conduct a scoping trip to Mukutan Conservancy in Kenya lasting at least 14 days. In light of COVID-19 this will be dependent on the restrictions in Kenya. Responsibility for Consultants’ safety
• Plan and convene a Land Management Plan workshop in Mukutan Conservancy lasting three days with key stakeholders and neighbouring communities in consultation with FFI Kenya and Mukutan Staff. This should include decisions regarding zonation of land use for agriculture, conservation, tourism, cattle and other natural resource harvest.
• Produce a workshop report on completion of the workshop and use key findings as part of the Land Management Plan
• Throughout the consultancy, remain in close communication with FFI Kenya staff and Mukutan Conservancy.
• Develop a final Land Management Plan using the outline provided in this document as a guide including zonation maps for the various land uses outlined.
• Communicate final plan back to key stakeholders including neighbouring communities in consultation with FFI Kenya and Mukutan.
The management plan should consider what activities are necessary to undertake the identified land management activities and may identify required resources, but should not consider aspects of organisation management.
Annex 1: Land Management Plan Outline
Cover page
1.
Section 1 - Introduction
1.1 Mukutan Background
Describe the size, biodiversity and socio-economic context of Mukutan
1.2 Historical land use
Describe the historical context of land-use on Mukutan and surrounding areas.
1.3 Land ownership and restrictions
Reference Mukutans Strategy.
1.4 Current land use
Summarise the current land use of Mukutan presented through a series of maps and explanatory text showing infrastructure & social amenities- road network, infrastructural, water connectivity, human settlements, fencing, tourist facilities etc.
2
Section 2 – Biodiversity and Habitat
2.1 Describe the biodiversity of Mukutan
Using existing literature and resources, describe the biodiversity of Mukutan. Include a section specifically for the botanicals and recommendations related to sustainable harvesting in the section further down.
2.2 Describe the ecosystem and habitat features on Mukutan
Include relative land cover, habitat, hydrology and topography maps for Mukutan and surrounding areas.
2.3 Describe the wildlife of Mukutan and connectivity with Mugie
Outline importance for connectivity with Mugie; which species will benefit and how to go about making the corridor reality. Describe connectivity with other critical conservation areas including the Northern Rangelands Trust member conservancies in Baringo County, and connectivity to Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria.
2.4 Threats to Mukutan ecosystem and habitat
If relevant, include threats from invasive species, climate change, habitat change due to underutilization/overutilization e.t.c
3
Section 3 – Community engagement and neighbours
Useful to know if there are resources within Mukutan that local communities depend on i.e medicinal plants, firewood, water, road network. If so, they may be need to describe on how best to utilize/access these resources.
4
Section 4 - Goals and Objectives of Land Management Plan
4.1 Overall goal
4.2 Main Objectives of the plan
4.3 Proposed land use and management of Mukutan
Include a land-use map using information gathered during the consultation process.
5
Section 5 – Wildlife Reintroduction Plan
Include the number of flagship species to be reintroduced and estimate carrying capacity.
6
Section 6 – Grazing Plan
Geographic focus – where are the cattle going to go. Carrying capacity of cattle. How to move – mobile bomas etc.
7
Section 7 – Tourism Development Plan
This will identify areas of access and interest for tourism, the location of physical infrastructure including any concessions to third party operators, and any physical additions or modifications to the property such as additional roads or waterholes to maximise the visitor experience in line with the values and objectives of the property.
8
Section 8 – Management Recommendations
A table describing the list of actions to achieve the land management plan including recommendations for avocado farming and botanical harvesting.
9
9 Section 9 – Required Resources
A table listing the required human resources and capital equipment including property, vehicles, materials required to implement the land management plan
10
Section 10 – Evaluation of the plan
How do you recommend we evaluate and monitor the success of the land management plan and implementation thereof, bearing in mind that this might adapt and change over time. Include indicators.
