PCNP Consultancy TOR

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Consultancy Services for the Development of a Business Plan for Payne’s Creek National Park (PCNP)

Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), Belize

1. Background

The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) is a community-based non-governmental organization founded in 1997 with support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and local community members, in response to illegal fishing, wildlife exploitation, and environmental degradation in southern Belize. Over the past two decades, TIDE has become one of Belize’s leading conservation organizations, recognized for its integrated approach to biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, community stewardship, and sustainable development. TIDE’s mission is to strengthen natural resource management and community stewardship within the Toledo landscape and seascape. Its vision is that Toledo’s healthy ecosystems support biodiversity and resilient communities, contributing to national sustainable development goals.

TIDE’s strategic pillars include Natural Resource Management, Community Stewardship, Policy Implementation, Sharing Successful Models, and Institutional Capacity. TIDE collaborates with government agencies, local communities, development partners, and the private sector to promote sustainable environmental management and resilient livelihoods in southern Belize. TIDE co-manages four protected areas: Port Honduras Marine Reserve (PHMR), Payne’s Creek National Park (PCNP), Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve (SCMR), and TIDE Private Protected Lands (TPPL). These areas safeguard critical ecosystems that provide ecological services and support biodiversity, fisheries, climate resilience, and local livelihoods.

Payne’s Creek National Park (PCNP), located in the Toledo District, is one of Belize’s most ecologically significant protected areas. Since 2004 TIDE has co-managed PCNP in partnership with the FD, and alongside NBIO since 20020. The park covers approximately 36,421 acres of diverse habitats, including pine savannah, broadleaf forest, mangroves, wetlands, and brackish lagoons. These ecosystems support species of national and global conservation importance, such as the Yellow-headed Parrot, Baird’s Tapir, West Indian Manatee, Hawksbill Turtle, Goliath Grouper, Mahogany, and Fiddlewood. Beyond its ecological value, PCNP features internationally recognized fly-fishing grounds and offers significant potential for nature-based tourism, conservation enterprise development, research, education, and ecosystem service initiatives.

TIDE’s conservation model emphasizes community participation and stewardship. The organization collaborates with over 28 surrounding communities through environmental education, outreach, community development, research, monitoring, and sustainable livelihood programs. TIDE has also developed initiatives such as TIDE Tours, which supports financial sustainability and creates local economic opportunities through educational and nature-based tourism.

As part of its Strategic Plan 2022–2026 and Sustainable Financing Strategy 2023–2027, TIDE is pursuing innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen long-term protected area management and reduce reliance on traditional donor funding. To support these goals and align with the Belize National Biodiversity Office’s conservation framework, TIDE seeks a qualified consultant or consulting firm to develop a comprehensive Business Plan for Payne’s Creek National Park. This plan will provide a practical roadmap to improve financial sustainability, identify revenue-generating opportunities, strengthen sustainable tourism and conservation enterprise development, and support long-term biodiversity conservation and community stewardship.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, actionable Business Plan for Payne’s Creek National Park. The plan should strengthen financial sustainability, identify sustainable financing and revenue opportunities, enhance tourism and conservation enterprise development and support effective biodiversity conservation and protected area management.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The objectives of the consultancy are to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive situational assessment of Payne’s Creek National Park;
2. Assess current operational, tourism, management and financial systems;
3. Identify and evaluate viable business and sustainable financing opportunities;
4. Develop strategic business, operational and marketing recommendations;
5. Prepare realistic financial projections and investment requirements;
6. Develop an actionable and implementable Business Plan aligned with National Biodiversity priorities and TIDE’s strategic conservation objectives.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant shall undertake, but not be limited to, the following activities:

4.1 Inception Phase

• Review relevant documentation including management plans, biodiversity strategies, tourism data, financial reports, and policy frameworks relevant to Payne’s Creek National Park;
• Conduct inception meetings with TIDE management and key stakeholders;
• Prepare and submit an Inception Report outlining methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, and implementation timeline.

4.2 Situational Assessment

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of:

• Existing management and operational systems;
• Tourism products, visitor experiences, and infrastructure;
• Current and potential revenue streams;
• Existing financial systems and expenditures;
• Stakeholder and community involvement;
• Biodiversity conservation priorities and ecosystem service values;
• Existing opportunities and constraints related to sustainable tourism and conservation enterprise development.

4.3 Market and Opportunity Analysis

The consultant shall:

• Conduct local, regional, and international market assessments;
• Analyze tourism trends and visitor opportunities;
• Assess market potential for nature-based tourism and non-tourism conservation enterprise initiatives;
• Identify sustainable financing opportunities and diversification mechanisms.

Potential opportunities may include but are not limited to:

• Specialist tourism products (e.g. Nature-based tourism, Birdwatching tourism, Fly-fishing tourism, Scientific and educational tourism)
• Visitor fees and conservation fees;
• Guided experiences and interpretive services;
• Research partnerships;
• Merchandise and branding opportunities;
• Carbon financing and ecosystem service initiatives;
• Corporate sponsorships and conservation partnerships.

4.4 Business Plan Development

The consultant shall prepare a comprehensive Business Plan that is aligned to the NBIO Business Planning guidelines, including, but not limited to:

Strategic Components

• Executive Summary;
• Situation Analysis;
• SWOT Analysis;
• Vision, Mission, and Strategic Goals;
• Business and Revenue Models;
• Marketing and Branding Strategy;
• Visitor Experience Enhancement Strategy;
• Conservation Financing Strategy;
• Operations and Management Plan;
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation Measures;
• Stakeholder Engagement Framework;
• Sustainability Strategy.

Financial Components

• Revenue projections;
• Operational cost analysis;
• Financial sustainability assessment;
• Investment requirements;
• Funding strategy;
• Three (3) to Five (5) year financial projections.

Implementation Components

• Implementation roadmap;
• Prioritized action plan;
• Timeline and milestones;
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
• Performance indicators.

4.5 Stakeholder Validation

The consultant shall:

• Facilitate stakeholder consultation and validation sessions;
• Present draft findings and recommendations to TIDE and stakeholders;
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final Business Plan.

5. Deliverables

The consultant shall provide the following deliverables:

All deliverables shall be submitted in both editable and PDF formats.

6. Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy is expected to commence in June 2026 and be completed within a period of ten (10) weeks from the date of contract signing.

7. Consultant Qualifications

The consultant or consulting firm should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Tourism Management, Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, Economics, Conservation Finance, or a related field;
• A Master’s degree will be considered an asset;
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in:
  • Business planning;
  • Protected area financing;
  • Sustainable tourism development;
  • Conservation enterprise development;
  • Strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience working with protected areas, conservation organizations, NGOs, and community-based initiatives;
• Proven experience in market analysis, strategic planning, and financial management
• Experience working in Belize or the Caribbean region will be considered an asset;
• Strong analytical, facilitation, financial planning, and report writing skills.

8. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant shall report directly to the Financial Sustainability Director of TIDE or a designated Project Coordinator.

The consultant will work closely with TIDE staff, protected area managers, relevant government agencies, stakeholders, and partners throughout the consultancy period.

9. Payment Schedule

Payments shall be made upon satisfactory completion and approval of deliverables as follows:

10. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants or consulting firms shall submit:

Technical Proposal

Including:

• Understanding of the assignment;
• Proposed methodology and approach;
• Work plan and timeline;
• Relevant experience and qualifications;
• Team composition and experience (if applicable).

Financial Proposal

Including:

• Detailed consultancy fees;
• Breakdown of costs and expenses.

Supporting Documents

• CV(s) of consultant(s);
• At least two examples of similar completed assignments;
• List three professional references that we can contact.

11. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

12. Confidentiality and Ownership

All reports, documents, data, and materials produced under this consultancy shall become the property of TIDE Belize.

The consultant shall maintain confidentiality of all information received during the assignment and shall not disclose such information without prior written approval from TIDE, this will be formalized with the signing of a data sharing agreement.

Business13. Procurement Timeline

14. Submission Information

Interested consultants or consulting firms should submit electronic proposals to:

Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE)

Email: [email protected]

Subject Line:
Consultancy – Business Plan Development for Payne’s Creek National Park

Submission Deadline:

Friday, June 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM Belize Time