Fire and Poaching Consultant - Franklinia

Type: 
Paid
Closing date: 
07 Oct 2022
Section: 
Mahe

Terms of Reference

For the recruitment of a Fire and Poaching Response Consultant for Vallée de Mai and Fond Ferdinand

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. Strengthened management of coco de mer and other globally threatened floral species in an event of a fire through in-situ conservation action
  4. Prevention and contingency protocol developed to counter poaching in Vallée de Mai
  5. Reduced threat from fires in the form of operationalised fire prevention
  6. Updated fire contingency plan along with trained and equipped staff and community body in place to respond.
  7. Reduced poaching incidents across the coco de mer population
  8. Updated fire prevention and poaching response protocols conservation policy to be shared with stakeholders.
  9. 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).
  10. Increased understanding of coco de mer conservation and protection efforts.
  11. Improved use of resources for coco de mer conservation.

Specific Role

Fire Contingency & Response:

  1. Thorough assessment of the current fire contingency plan for Vallee de Mai and Fond Ferdinand.
  2. Finalise draft all components of the current fire contingency plans to cover approximately 220 hectares of the national park (Vallee de Mai, Fond Ferdinand and Fond Peper) including updated command plan (line of command).
  3. Write up fire prevention plan for both sites.
  4. Ensure fully functional radio communication systems.
  5. Participate in fire drills/capacity training based on newly updated fire contingency plan through direct contact and scheduling with SFRSA fire response training officials and inclusion of SPGA.
  6. Effective management (and allocation) of all firefighting equipment including memo write up for management maintenance of such for both sites.

Counter-Poaching Response:

  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. Ensure fully functional radio communication systems.
  6. Follow up on the completion of surveillance system implementation in Vallee de Mai.
  7. 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., SFRSA.
  4. Updated fire contingency plan and drafted fire prevention plans.
  5. Qualitative report of fire capacity training upon completion.
  6. Compiled document of current poaching response command plan.
  7. Drafted poaching response protocol including command plan.
  8. Maintenance memos and inventories (3) of firefighting equipment, communication equipment and surveillance system.
  9. 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 of candidate

  1. Master’s degree (BSc) in the environmental field (required).
  2. Significant certified knowledge and experience in hazard (specifically fire) response planning, and occupational health and safety guidelines.
  3. Excellent (environmental) law knowledge (essential), with significant experience specific to Seychelles environmental offense policies and procedures.
  4. An understanding of environmental conservation and management in Seychelles (essential) as well as knowledge on the importance of coco de mer conservation (desirable).
  5. Good report and official documentation writing skills (essential).
  6. Strong communication skills via email/skype/webinars (essential) and presentations (desirable).
  7. Local knowledge of Seychelles, specifically Praslin Island (essential) and ability to speak creole (desirable).
  8. Excellent coordination and organisation skills and able to work to a deadline.

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 (po1@sif.sc) on or before 7th October 2022 along with the following:

  1. A technical proposal: 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 above
  3. Work references