Terms of Reference for Consultancy - Development of the General Management Plan for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (2025/26 – 2034/35)

1. Background

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), established in 1996 by an Act of Parliament, is mandated by Sect. 6(1)(a) of the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 to ensure sustainable wildlife conservation management. General Management Plans (GMPs) guide the management of conservation areas and are implemented through Annual Operations Plans (AOP). The current GMP for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) expires in 2025, necessitating the development of a new plan for 2025/26 – 2034/35.

2. About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

BINP, located in southwestern Uganda, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its biodiversity and its significant population of mountain gorillas. Key features include:

• Location: Latitude 0°53'–1°8'S, Longitude 29°35'–29°50'E.
• Size: 321 km², with altitudes ranging from 1,190 to 2,607 meters above sea level.
• Vegetation: Medium-altitude moist evergreen forests and high-altitude forests.
• Biodiversity: Contains 324 tree and shrub species, many endemic and rare, and half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

3. Process of GMP Development

The GMP development involves the following steps:

1. Initiation meeting.
2. Planning team orientation.
3. Field reconnaissance.
4. Stakeholder consultations.
5. Proposal generation.
6. Drafting of the GMP.
7. Stakeholder presentation of the draft GMP.
8. Costing of GMP proposals.
9. Monitoring and evaluation framework.
10. Draft presentation to Senior Management (SMM), Technical Management (TMM), and Board of Trustees (BoT).
11. Designing, printing, and dissemination.

4. The Assignment

4.1 Purpose

To facilitate the development, data collection, analysis, drafting, and editing of the GMP for BINP in collaboration with the UWA planning team, ensuring high-quality outputs with external expert input.

4.2 Scope

The consultant will:

• Collect and analyze data, including performance assessment of the previous GMP.
• Assist with field and desk activities and workshops.
• Edit and finalize the GMP document before submission for approval.

4.3 Methodology

• Fieldwork, desk research, and accompanying planning teams in workshops and consultations.

4.4 Desired Skills, Experience, and Competence

• Education: Advanced qualifications in Forestry, Wildlife Management, or Botany/Zoology.
• Experience: Proven expertise in tourism development, community development, environmental management, and policy analysis.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and technological skills (including GIS).

4.5 Deliverables

1. Inception Report: Within five days of contract signing.
2. Detailed Report: Data collected from field reconnaissance and stakeholder consultations.
3. Draft GMP: Prepared after analysis and ownership by the planning team.
4. Final GMP: Hard and soft copies of the approved document.

4.6 Duration and Payment Schedule

Timeline: March – June 2025.
Payment Schedule:

• 20%: Submission of the final inception report.
• 40%: Submission of the detailed report after fieldwork.
• 20%: Submission of the draft GMP.
• 20%: Submission of the final approved GMP.

5. Submission Procedure

Submit the following to procurement@wwfuganda.org:

• Technical and financial proposals clearly marked “Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal.”
  • Understanding and interpretation of the TORs.
  • Methodology to undertake the assignment.
  • Evidence of relevant experience with two samples of similar work.
  • Consultant’s CV with key certificates.
  • Financial proposal indicating daily rates in UGX.

6. Reporting

The consultant will report to the Executive Director of UWA via the Planning Unit and provide copies to the WWF-Uganda Country Director through the Greater Virunga Landscape Coordinator.