The National Biodiversity Office (NBIO) in collaboration with the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), with funding support from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and Mass Audubon is seeking the services of a qualified consulting firm or consultant to develop the Management Plan for Payne’s Creek National Park (PCNP) located in the Toledo District.
The main objective of the consultancy is as follows:
To develop a five-year management plan for PCNP for the period 2023 – 2027 that is in line with the Co-management Agreement, TIDE’s Strategic Plan, Research and Monitoring Plan, and national goals and objectives
The consultant(s) is/are expected to conduct the following activities with respect to the formulation of the plan;
1.Conduct an assessment of the implementation of the previous management plan through a session with the relevant NBIO Personnel, Forestry Department and TIDE staff. The consultant firm is required to review the current management plan, associated planning reports and other available baseline information to identify gaps, lessons learned and best practices from the current management plan and system being utilized.
2.Complete relevant literature review (internal and external documents related to the management of PCNP) for inclusion into the new plan. The literature review should determine the most frequently used indicators (species abundance, level of stakeholder participation, existence of a decision-making and management body etc.) and those in alignment with national commitments.
3.Conduct at least two consultation meetings with NBIO Personnel and TIDE staff and Board of Directors to develop management goals, objectives and main activities for the plan.
4.Formulate and confirm goals, objectives and activities for the management plan through research and consultation with relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to communities that buffer the park (namely Monkey River, Punta Negra, Punta Gorda, Bladen, Bella Vista, Trio, San Isidro, Medina Bank), the Toledo Tour Guide Association, Belize Tourism Board, and adjacent concessionaires. This can be done through personal visits or online platforms as appropriate.
5.Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan based on the objectives and activities laid out in the plan ensuring that targets are established for those relevant indicators as determined in the literature review.
6.Conduct one final consultation with BFD Personnel and TIDE management team to present the final draft for feedback.
The plan should adhere to the National guidelines for the development of Management plans for Protected Areas developed by Wildtracks. It should include but should not be limited to the following outline;
• Executive summary
• Regional context
• Evaluation of Protected Area (PA)
• Description of the protected area – Site Inventory including: The PA’s general situation, socio-economic context and factors influencing changes to habitats and species.
• Sustainability strategy
• Ecosystems including: species, habitats and functions
• Fauna
• Climate Change Considerations
• Communities and Stakeholders – Stakeholder engagement
• Conservation Objectives – Long-term objectives including: o Definition of a Conservation (LT) objective o Conservation Status
o Requirement Level
o Strategy for Action
• Management programs, objectives and main activities
o Natural Resource Management (including a revised enforcement strategy) o Research and Monitoring Programs
o Environmental Education and Outreach
o Sustainable Development in buffer communities
o Visitor management
o Infrastructure Program
o Administrative Program
•Management policies
•Monitoring and Evaluation
•Timeline
•Finances
•Annexes (Results of consultations)
Expressions of interest must include the following:
1.Proposal of the activities/methodology to be carried out
2.Workplan and timeline
3.Quotation (to include transportation for consultation meetings, community consultation fees (venue, refreshments for participants, transportation for community members))
4.Qualifications of consultant/s
The shortlisting criteria are:
1. Proven experience and knowledge of terrestrial protected area management plan development
2. Proven knowledge of the protected areas sector, natural resource management/extractive
social issues in Belize.
3. Proven experience with participatory methodologies and proven experience in collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data.
Timeline for the completion of the plan is July 1st 2023 to October 31st 2023.
Interested consultant(s) are asked to submit a bid for consideration no later than 18 June 2023 to info@tidebelize.org or call 722-2274 for more information.
The PCNP Management Plan will be funded by:
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