Consultant: “Improve management of Critical Habitats around the Yellow Sea” (UNDP/GEF YSLME Project)

Background and Objectives:

To illustrate the efficacy of the management actions, the YSLME Project will conduct demonstration activities of some of the key management actions.  The demonstration activities are expected to test whether management actions work before they are adopted on a widespread basis.  Specifically, the demonstration activities will examine and show the applicability, effectiveness, efficiency, and appropriateness of the proposed management actions.

The YSLME Project invites all interested organisations and institutions to submit a proposal for the demonstration activity to “Improve management of critical habitats around the Yellow Sea.”

Explanation of Demonstration Activity:

***The demonstration activity to “Improve management of critical habitats around the Yellow Sea” should address the problems of integration and enforcement of existing legislation or management plans in conserving the selected demonstration sites. This activity should assess the effectiveness of existing and proposed management plans, identify environmental targets and formulate an integrated management plan to reach the targets. ***

There are 3 demonstration activities at each site, successful proponents are expected to work in co-operation with each other so that activities support the overall objective of improving management in the demonstration sites.

The activity should include meet the following requirements:

Scope Area:

• The activity should take place in the country demonstration sites (Ganghwa Island Southern Tidal Mudflat in R. Korea and in Shandong province, China, the Rongcheng seagrass beds and Moon Lake).
• Identification of targets and management actions
  The contractor should:
  ·    Work with local government and other stakeholders from the first instance to ensure proper co-ordination. The YSLME project will endeavour to aid in the identification of a suitable partner
  ·    Identify the major problems affecting the selected habitat and the causes.
  ·    Identify the environmental, management and public awareness targets that are required to restore ecosystem health.
  ·    Review the current management plans (in R. Korea this would include the Ganghwa coastal management plan, National   
       Marine Park, and the MLTM: Wetland Protected Area, in China this may include the Sea Use law and Zonation Plans).
  ·    Assess the impact/effectiveness of the current management plans though stakeholder surveys. Predict which problems
       will remain or what new problems will occur if no management is put in place.
  ·    Identify the gaps between the current management plans and those required to meet the targets (including those
       identified under the Convention of Biological Diversity and Ramsar Convention).
  ·    Integrate the current management plans and the new the new management actions required to meet the targets.
  ·    Assess stakeholders’ acceptance of the new plans and what needs to be done to improve acceptance. Identify public
       awareness activities that will contribute to improved management of these critical habitats.
• Implementation of management actions
  ·    Identify the implementation mechanisms
  ·    Implement the management actions
  ·    Possible government endorsement of the integrated management plan
• Measuring effectiveness
  ·    Evaluation of the management improvement, describing what difference has been made.
• Geographic Scope: The Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem is defined in the Project Document as the body of water delineated at the south, by a line connecting the north bank of the mouth of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) to the south side of Jeju; at the east, by a line connecting Jeju Island to Jindo Island along the coast of the Republic of Korea; and to the north, a line connecting Dalian to Penglai (on the Shandong Peninsula).  This latter line separates the Bohai Sea from the Yellow Sea and as a result is not included in this study.
  

Eligibility and Guidelines for Application

• The proposed activity must be conducted in either of the demonstration sites.
• Two proponents are sought one for each demonstration site
• Proponents can be any type of entities, including government organisations, research/academic institutions, NGOs, and private companies
• All proposals, reports, and correspondence should be done in English
• The deadline for proposal submission is 14th December 2008.  Late submissions will not be considered.
• The maximum implementation period of the project is 12 months.  The project must be completed by 14th December 2009 at the latest.
  

Qualifications:

The proponent should meet the following qualifications:

• At least 5 years proven track record in the area of coastal and marine conservation in the Yellow Sea region.
• Ability to access necessary data and information through databases, information centres, and other relevant institutions in the region.
• Ability to liaise with NGOs, local government, and other institutions.
• Well established abilities in conservation management.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work both as a team and individually.
• Working knowledge of English.

Closing Date: