Consultancy to develop a coco de mer poaching response protocol

Type: 
Paid
Closing date: 
22 Dec 2022
Section: 
Praslin

Background

The coco de mer Lodoicea maldivica is categorised as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is endemic to two Seychelles islands (Praslin and Curieuse). The total population consists of ca. 8200 individuals, across three subpopulations, covering a total area of <20 km2. As of 2020, more than 80% of the coco de mer adult population is managed by SIF. The population size is estimated to have declined by 30% over three generations and the population is still decreasing. A worst-case scenario of a further 30% decline over the next century is projected if threats are not mitigated. Existing and emerging threats to the species are forest fires, illegal harvesting, invasive alien species, and severe climate change impacts.

The coco de mer, as a keystone species and ecological driver of the palm forest ecosystem, is fundamental to the outstanding universal values of the Vallée de Mai. As such, our long-term vision is to halt and, if possible, reverse the decline of the coco de mer, while implementing scientific excellence for conservation assessments and management, and boosting the resilience of the species.

The project titled: “Increasing the resilience of Seychelles’ flagship tree species coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica)” is a project funded by the Foundation Franklinia with the main objectives including reducing the threat of fire and the incidence of poaching. Some of the activities under this objective are to 1) Update and finalise and implement forest fire prevention and response plan for all coco de mer populations under SIF management; and 2) Develop and implement a poaching response operation procedure.

Expected outcomes

  1. Revision of developed fire prevention and contingency plans and implementation of such by sufficiently-built capacity.
  2. Improved organizational capacity in threatened trees conservation and protection.
  3. Prevention and contingency protocol developed to counter poaching in Vallée de Mai.
  4. Reduced poaching incidents across the coco de mer population.
  5. Updated poaching response protocols conservation policy to be shared with stakeholders.
  6. Enhanced and maintained liaison between the project sites and respective emergency response services/departments i.e., Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA), Police Department, Emergency Medical Response, Department of Environment (DoE) and Biodiversity Conservation Division (Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment) and Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA).
  7. Increased understanding of coco de mer conservation and protection efforts.
  8. Improved use of resources for coco de mer conservation.

Specific Role

  1. Thorough assessment of the current poaching response steps and command plan for Vallee de Mai through a compiled procedural report.
  2. Compilation of response communication equipment inventory and memo write up of surveillance system maintenance/upkeep.
  3. Write up of poaching response and prevention protocols for Vallee de Mai with reference to the MEECC Protocol for Response Enforcement for Poaching Incidents.
  4. Ensure concrete command plan (line of command) through liaison with the Police Department and DoE.
  5. Follow up on the completion of surveillance system implementation in Vallee de Mai.
  6. Participate in poaching response drills/capacity training based on newly drafted poaching contingency protocol.

Project Deliverables

  1. Monthly updates with SIF and regular meetings (if needed).
  2. Initial conception report with project plan and timeline.
  3. Meetings with relevant stakeholders and parties involved e.g., Police Department.
  4. Compiled document of current poaching response command plan.
  5. Drafted poaching response protocol including command plan.
  6. Maintenance memos and inventories (3) of firefighting equipment, communication equipment and surveillance system.
  7. Final project report, including statistical details of firefighting capacity training, existing poaching response, and recommendations for coco de mer protection against threats of fire and poaching in the coco de mer conservation policy amendment.

Required qualifications and skills

  1. Bachelor's degree (BSc) in environmental law
  2. Significant knowledge and experience in response planning
  3. Legal background with experience in Seychelles environmental offense policies and procedures
  4. An understanding of coco de mer conservation and management in Seychelles
  5. Excellent report writing skills.
  6. Strong communication and presentation skills
  7. Local knowledge of Seychelles, specifically Praslin Island
  8. Excellent coordination and organisation skills and delivering on deadlines

Contractual arrangements

The service will be overseen by SIF’s Project Officer who will provide ongoing feedback throughout the project. The Head Office Project Officer will ensure that the above outputs are met in the agreed timeframe. SIF shall provide necessary support to the service provider in order to execute the assignment through the duration of the project.

Application procedure

Applicants are required to submit the following documents to Cheyenne Chang-Yunn (info@sif.sc) along with the following:

  1. Letter of interest, stating why you consider your service suitable for the assignment and a brief methodology on the approach and implementation of the assignment
  2. Personal CVs of technical personnel proposed for this project highlight qualifications and experience based on the skill requirements abov