Consultation for Most Significant Change Report in The Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP)

Annex 1

THE SERVICES

CONSULTANT:

IUCN REPORTING MANAGER: Jake Brunner

LOCATION: Home-based

TIMEFRAME: 15 August to 15 September 2024

BACKGROUND

The Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP) is implemented by a consortium led by Helvetas Myanmar with the Network Activity Group (NAG) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The project’s target areas are Mon State (five townships) and Bago Region (three townships). The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with an overall objective to conserve and sustainably develop the unique biodiversity of the Gulf of Mottama, benefiting the communities that depend on it and increasing resilience to climate change. The project aims to achieve the following four outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Coastal livelihoods derived from the sustainable use of natural resources are more productive and diversified, and their related value chains are developed, including opportunities for the most vulnerable women and men.
• Outcome 2: The unique biodiversity and ecosystem services of the GoM are sustainably managed, restored and conserved for future generations and community resilience to climate change is strengthened.
• Outcome 3: Good governance of the GoM is institutionalized in a bottom-up, transparent, inclusive, and effective manner with reduced conflicts over natural resource use.
• Outcome 4: The livelihoods of the communities affected by flooding are rehabilitated, and their capacities to respond to disasters and climate change are strengthened.

Under Outcome 2, the project has implemented various community-based conservation activities in collaboration with local communities led by Local Conservation Groups (LCGs) in the GoM. The major interventions include (1) Establishment of fish conservation zones (FCZs) with local fisher groups and Fisher Development Association (FDA), (2) Support to conserve natural mangroves and planted mangroves through the project’s facilitation for the establishment of Community Forests (CFs) for the sake of ecosystem restoration and disaster risk mitigation in coastal villages, (3) Annual shorebirds surveys to inform community-based monitoring and conservation actions for shorebirds, and (4) Community-based marine mammals conservation activities. Therefore, the project plans to capitalize the experiences and lessons learned from different interventions and outcomes related to biodiversity conservation and natural resources management.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to consolidate the Most Significant Change stories collected by Point B Design + Training from 2018 to 2023 and evaluate the impacts of the GoMP on its outcomes.

The specific objectives of the assignment are:

• To analyze and categorize MSC stories in relation to each of the project outcomes.
• To identify key themes and trends from the MSC stories that reflect the project’s impact.
• To map the MSC stories to the specific outcomes of improved livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and good governance.
• To provide actionable recommendations for enhancing project strategies based on the findings.

Following are the key guiding questions for consideration:

• What are the most significant changes reported by the community members in the MSC stories?
• How do these changes relate to the project’s intended outcomes?
• What themes and trends emerge from the MSC stories?
• What are the trends of MSC as reported by the communities with the changing context?
• What are the strengths and areas for improvement in the GoMP as indicated by the MSC stories?

How can the project enhance its strategies to achieve better outcomes based on the MSC

ACTIVITIES

1. Desk Review and Development of Methodology (4 days)
2. The consultant will review the GoMP project log frame and MSC report of GoMP.
3. Upon completion of the review of the reports and other relevant documents, the consultant will develop a methodology framework and share with the project team.

• Interview with GoMP (2 days)
• The consultant will conduct online interview with relevant stakeholders and Point B Design + Training.

• Analysis and Reporting (3 days)
• The consultant will conduct meta-analysis of the MSC reports by incorporating the key findings from interviews with the stakeholders.
• The consultant will submit draft report of max. 20 pages (excluding annexes) by the end of August 2024.

• Debriefing and Finalization (2 days)
• The consultant will present preliminary findings of the study to the GoMP project (including consortium partners) staff at the end of the consultancy.
• The consultant shall submit final report, including analysis, explanations, and recommendations.

DELIVERABLES

1. Explicit methodological framework of how to consolidate the key findings of MSC reports, with the assistance of the Project team.
2. Draft report to be submitted by the end of August 2024.

• Final report that incorporates feedback from IUCN and GoMP.

Annex 2

1. AGREED DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY TIMETABLE

The timetable for the delivery of outputs is as follows:

TECHNICAL ADVISOR QUALIFICATIONS

1. Educational Background

A background in coastal conservation, action research, or a related field. Experience in evaluating the conservation project through participatory research is preferred.

2. Experience

Experience in most significant change studies. Familiarity with the political and cultural context of Gulf of Mottama.

3. Technical Skills

• Proficiency in analyzing MSC stories to extract themes and insights.
• Ability to identify and report patterns within qualitative data.
• Experience in creating and implementing research methodologies.
• Skills in synthesizing findings from multiple reports.
• Expertise in linking qualitative data to specific project outcomes.
• Ability to assess project impacts based on MSC stories.

4. Communication Skills

• Fluency in both writing and speaking in English.
• Proficiency in drafting clear, concise, and well-structured reports.
• Ability to present findings to stakeholders effectively.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION:

Interested individuals are invited to submit their application, including a CV and a 1-page proposal stating their approach to the assignment and the consultancy rate, by 31July 2024 to: seintsann.zaw@iucn.org and copying thuy.nguyenthithanh@iucn.org.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Consultants will be evaluated based on their qualifications, relevant experience, the submitted proposal, and the budget proposed.