Myanmar: Consultancy Assignment for Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis in Tanintharyi Region

Terms of Reference

Consultancy Assignment

Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping in the Tanntharyi Region

Supervised by: Amalia R. Maling

Work location: Tanintharyi Region

Duration: Two months

1.Background of consultancy assignment/project

In recent years there has been a significant interest in Tanintharyi for its largely pristine forest landscape and high conservation value forest. These large tracts of forest contain some of South East Asia’s most intact habitat and therefore of high biodiversity value.

During these years there have been a number of changes including an increase in infrastructure projects, namely the Dawei road and Special Economic Zone, mining operations and the establishment of plantations. All of these will probably result in increasing loss of forest habitat in Tanintharyi. The interest in development of Tanintharyi has led to an increase in the number of INGOs and local NGOs to complement the existing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who are well motivated but often lack resources and capacity. These multi stakeholder interests seem largely uncoordinated and ad hoc and little attempt has been made to understand who is doing what and where. At the government side they have development plans but there is apparent lack of funding, weakness in capacity and inter department cooperation. There is need to harmonize these different plans between government and NGOs and private sector projects.

2.Objective of the consultancy

WWF Myanmar is seeking to engage a consultant/s or consultancy group to carry out an in-depth study of all stakeholders (INGOs, local NGOs, private sector, and government departments, including KNU Forest Department, and local research institutions) in Tanintharyi region to find out who is doing what, how, and where. The focus will be on existing interventions and/or investment but will also look at completed projects that were implemented in the last 3 years to identifying lessons learnt. The study will detail all type project activities, partnerships and precise geographical locations of intervention from each organization.

Specific objectives of the study:

a) Identify key civil society, government and private sector stakeholders that impact on conservation, positively and negatively;

b) clarify the stakeholders’ interests/goals/objectives and categorize them based on their interest;

c) map where the different stakeholders’ activities are located geographically and if possible; and

d) map government departments, including district and township, and plans and how they overlap

e) explore the relationship between the different stakeholders.

The final report will give WWF Myanmar a better understanding of existing interventions in the landscape in order to avoid overlaps or duplication and most importantly to identify a) where it should focus its intervention, b) how to best implement project activities, in accordance with its strategic plan, and c) its role should be in the landscape and strategic partners to increase our leverage. The stakeholder mapping exercise is also expected to provide WWF with information that can help create a platform for long term joint landscape planning.

3.Scope of work/ Major responsibilities

a) Mapping of NGOs with projects related to environment, and conservation, and forest protection, their interests, location, nature or type of projects and status of implementation

The informationto be gathered should include, among others, the following key information (tools and interview forms will be developed in close coordination with WWF):

i. background of initiating agencies;

ii. the goals and objectives of the project/s;

iii. the location (to be presented in map), nature or type of project (e.g. training/capacity building, resource management, biodiversity research and monitoring, livelihood, advocacy) that was/is being implemented inclusive of components;

iv. the source of financial supports;

v. the size of investment and duration for its utilization;

vi. status of implementation; accomplishments; gaps and issues in implementation, and lessons learnt

b) Analysis of the NGOs’ key strategies in conservation/forest protection and livelihoods.

Analysis should focus on the following key elements(research tools should be developed in consultation with WWF):

i. adaptive management

ii. social mobilization

iii. institutionalization and sustainability

c) Review of development plans and initiatives influencing conservation by government, (including KNU), and other research institutions.

d) Analysis of the mandates and power relationship between the different stakeholders (civil society, private, government, including KNU) including government administration responsibility.

e) Assessment of key private sector stakeholders influencing the potential impact or contribution to conservation of the region/landscape.

Private sector analysis should include:

i.Identification of relevant companies and prioritization of at least 10 companies (the final list will be determined in consultation with WWF) to be assessed

ii.Compile, assess, and synthesize key corporate information of each of the 10 companies including:

• Project location (to be presented in map if possible)

• Ownership structure,

• Community relations,

• Safeguard policies,

• Commitment to sustainability

• Sources of financing,

• Level of investment,

• Dependence on and interest in ecosystem services.

iii.Potential negative impact or contribution to conservation of DTL.

f) Recommendations for strategic intervention and role of WWF to complement and support existing initiatives for DTL;

g) Recommendations appropriate mechanisms for effective collaboration among various stakeholders towards a shared conservation and development goals for Tanintharyi Region and DTL.

4.Outputs/ deliverable of performanceand time schedule

The consultant will be expected to produce a comprehensive final report containing the following suggested outline:

a) Survey of initiatives in Tanintharyi Region – summary of all the NGOs working the region/landscape and key activities including major donors.

b) Number of initiatives Tanintharyi - summary of projects/programs being implemented in DTL including major components and scope of these initiatives

c) Geographic spread of the various initiatives – listing and mapping of villages with conservation projects as well as villages with no conservation or forest protection projects.

d) Evaluation of initiatives (related to task b above)

i) Objectives; highlight conservation objectives

ii) Management Approaches

iii) Social Mobilization : Stakeholder Participation, Networking and Advocacy

iv) Sustainability : Institutionalization, Capability Building and Policy Harmonization

a) Description and assessment of sources of support

i) Multilateral donors

ii) Bilateral donors

b) Description and analysis of the major stakeholders

c) Description of government (including KNU) and research institutional plans and initiatives and responsibilities at different government levels

d) Description and mapping of other projects by private sector (e.g. rubber, mining, palm oil) including a compilation of relevant corporate information

e) Conclusions and recommendations

Timeframe

The work will be conducted between January and February 2016. Final report is expected to be completed by 30^th March 2016.

5.Required profile:

Knowledge/Expertise

• Knowledge and understanding of the civil society dynamics in Myanmar, particularly in Tanintharyi region

• Good understanding of conservation and forest protection issues in Myanmar

• Solid understanding of the dynamics, issues and trends of associated industries' (agriculture & forestry. energy, mining & tourism) and public finance, as well as issues of transparency and governance.

• Familiarity with green growth initiatives aimed at strengthening civil society in the natural resource governance sector.

• Familiarity with relevant government policies and structures

Education/Experiences

• A relevant Bachelor's degree and several years' relevant experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Experience in a similar research capacity, and in synthesis and preparation of strategic information for decision-makers

• Experience of working in multi-cultural environment and NGO

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills. - Fluency in written and spoken English and if possible native language.

• Skills in writing reports and reviews, delivering presentations and defending recommendations.

• Facilitation skills and ability to conduct effective focused group discussion among different stakeholders

• Ability to organize a workshop among different sectors of stakeholders (civil society, government, private)

Interested applicants may submit their proposal stating the expected consultancy fee together with CVs of consultants to vacancy.mm@wwfgreatermekong.org or amy.maling@wwf.panda.org or deliver to WWF Myanmar office at 15C Than Taman Street, Dagon Township, Yangon.

For additional information or clarification you can email to amy.maling@wwf.panda.org. For copy of the TOR please email to amy.maling@wwf.panda.org

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.