Blue carbon assessment for mangrove ecosystems — SWIOFish3 Project (Seychelles)

Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Request for Expression of Interest Consultancy Firms |

Country: |

Seychelles |

Name of Project Implementation: |

Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3) |

Project No. |

P155642 |

Name of Consulting Assignment: |

Blue Carbon Assessment for Mangrove Systems in Seychelles Mangroves have long benefited the coastal communities in Seychelles and in recent years have been afforded increasing levels of protection. Notably, the Seychelles Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiative has developed an integrated marine plan to optimize the sustainable use and effective management of Seychelles’ marine environment while improving the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of its people. The MSP Initiative has recently achieved its final milestone, meaning that 30% of Seychelles’ marine environment has been zoned for conservation or sustainable-use, which encompasses the vast majority of the nation’s mangrove habitat. To assess the contribution of mangroves to carbon sequestration, the MEECC is collaborating with the Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3. In Seychelles, SWIOFish3 is supporting the expansion of sustainable-use marine protected areas and improved management of priority fisheries. With financing from SWIOFish3, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) is now recruiting a consultancy firm to undertake a field-based Blue Carbon Assessment for Mangrove Systems in the inner granitic islands and Aldabra/Cosmoledo Atolls of Seychelles. The overarching objectives of the consultancy are to derive and analyse local-scale field data on above- ground biomass and soil organic carbon for representative mangrove habitats in the inner and outer island systems of Seychelles in support of a blue carbon assessment and Seychelles’ nationally-determined contributions for the UNFCCC. For this assignment, MEECC is seeking a consultancy firm with the following profile: •Company profile demonstrating proven experience in undertaking blue carbon assessment using internationally-recognised tools and methodologies; •At least 3 years of proven experience in mangrove ecosystem research; •The Company will comprise key experts holding the following qualifications and experience: - Key expert 1 (Team Leader): Master’s degree in ecology, biogeochemistry, climate science or related discipline with at least 5 years of proven experience in undertaking blue carbon assessments - Key expert 2: Master’s degree in statistics, mathematics or related discipline with at least 10 years of proven experience in designing statistical surveys and applying quantitative methods of data analysis for ecological systems research - Key expert 3: Master’s degree in geographical information systems (GIS) with at least 5 years of proven experience in applying GIS for survey design and analysis Firms that engage local expertise in their team to support data collation, local field-based activities and stakeholder engagement will secure an advantage. The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change is now inviting a consultancy firm to indicate their interest in providing the services. Expressions of Interest (EOI) shall consist of a cover letter, curriculum vitae of key experts and a company profile demonstrating the firm’s engagement in similar assignments. The deadline for submission of EOI is 20th August 2020 at 15:30 Hrs. and should be clearly marked using the Subject Line ‘‘Blue carbon assessment of mangrove systems in Seychelles”. Interested applicants may obtain Full Terms of Reference from Mrs. Meggy Tirant (meggy.tirant@gov.sc). The procurement process will be conducted according to the World Bank guidelines for selection and employment of consultant, Ed 2011 revised July 2014 and the services contracted through the Department of Blue Economy (SWIOFish3 Coordination on behalf of Government). EOIs should be delivered by email to: Mrs. Marie-May Muzungaile Director General Biodiversity Conservation and Management Division Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Botanical Garden P.O. Box 445, Victoria Email: m.mjeremiemuzungaile@env.gov.sc cc: meggy.tirant@gov.sc