Consultancy Opportunity to Conduct Fish Catch Evaluation for Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT)

1. Introduction

Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT) was established in 2000. FACT works to strengthen the NGO coalition, and the Coalition of Cambodia Fishers (CCF) for advocacy on fisheries resources, support the capacity development of fishing community leaders and focal person and strengthening grassroots organizations (CBOs) to empower them to work and advocate on practical issues that are affecting their livelihoods. FACT implements its program activities in three regions of Cambodia such as Tonle Sap, Coastal and Mekong areas. In collaboration with different NGOs, CBOs, and CFi partners, FACT focuses its work around the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Coastal provinces on fisheries conservation and issues that affect the rights and livelihood of local fishing communities.

With funding from European Union (EU), FACT has been implementing an Action called Strengthening Capacity of Fisher’ Network and NGO Coalition towards Fisheries Resources Sustainability and Ownership in the Mekong and Tonle Sap Regions (SFIN-NGO), is a three-year (1^st January 2016 to 31^st December 2018). And it is extended one year in 2019. This Action is being implemented by a consortium of three organizations namely FACT (lead), NAS (co-applicant), and CCF (affiliation). It is being implemented in 2 provinces in Mekong (Stung Treng and Kampong Cham) and 3 provinces in Tonle Sap (Pursat, Battambang and Kampong Chhnang).

The overall objective of SFIN-NGO is:  To contribute to the improvement of policies and law enforcement, better access to and control of fishery resources, and improved livelihoods. The specific objective of the Action is to strengthen the grassroots Cambodian fisher and communities in Cambodia’s Mekong and Tonle Sap and empower them to protect and conserve fisheries resources in a sustainable manner.

To achieve the above specific objectives, the results of Action had been formed as follows:

R1.          Networking between NGO partners working on fisheries resources management in Cambodia’s Mekong and Tonle Sap is established and well strengthened.

R2.          Networking between grassroots fishers and communities in Cambodia’s Mekong and Tonle Sap is established, strengthened and empowered to advocate for better fisheries resources management via policy dialogues and advocacy campaigns.

R3.          Fisheries resources in the target areas where the Action is implemented will be increased.

R4.          A result of baseline fish catch study and monitoring and evaluation on the fish catch will be produced and disseminated widely among donors, NGO partners and grassroots communities.

R5.          Experience, lesson learnt from the Action implementation will be replicated via learning and replication workshop(s).

2. Objectives

Fish catch evaluation will be conducted in the two key conservation area, namely Boeung Phsoat conservation areas where located in Die Roneath village, Metoek commune, Bakan district of Pursat province and another conservation area is Boeung Bak Rotes at Prek Koy commune, Kang Meas district of Kampong Cham province. The objectives of this consultancy are to:

• To determine the impacts of fish conservation areas (FCAs), including fish catch per household in the two locations;
• To analyze the socio-economic of the local fishers, including income generation from fishing activity;
• To study the improvement of biodiversity in-and-around fish conservation areas; and
• To produce and make documentation in respects of good practices and lesson learnt from the EU-funded four-year project implementation.

3. Expected Outputs

The expected outputs of the consultancy are:

• A concise evaluation report in English with a maximum of 30 pages which clearly outlines the evaluation process, methods, analysis, findings, and recommendation and applications.
• Oral or visual presentation of the draft and final report to FACT representative for comments and suggestions.
• Submission of the final report, database/statistics, and other relevant documents in soft copy to FACT.

4. Key Activities

In order to achieve the expected outputs, the activities of the consultancy are to:

• Produce a realistic evaluation work plan in close consultation with FACT.
• Desk review of relevant documents.
• Design appreciated evaluation methods (Outline: rationale, objectives, sample approach, data collection tool and approach, and data analysis).
• Prepare and conduct fieldwork data collection with all selected key respondents by applying agreed methodologies including data entry and analysis.
• Meet with the project team to present findings from fieldwork prior to writing the first draft report.
• Produce a precise evaluation report.
• Make oral/visual presentation of draft and final reports to FACT.
• Address comments and suggestions and submit the report by the agreed timeline.
• Submit the final evaluation report and submit to FACT.

5. Consultancy Qualifications

The consultant shall have the following:

• A Master’s Degree in natural resources management and development, fisheries science, environmental science, development studies, project management, monitoring and evaluation, or related disciplines;
• Minimum of 5 years of working experiences in conducting impacts assessment with regard to fisheries resources, particularly fish catch;
• Advanced knowledge of project management, monitoring and evaluation, report writing, research methodologies as well as research design, questionnaire design, data collection/analysis processes;
• Strong understanding of community fisheries situation and fisheries resources sector in Cambodia; and
• Fluency in English and Khmer and excellent report writing skills.

6. Timing and Duration

The total Consultant input is expected 18 working days maximum, starting from October 21^st 2019 to November 20^th 2019. A detailed schedule/activity plan for the consultancy will be prepared by the consultant in close consulting with FACT representative shortly after signed contract. All relevant documents must be submitted by Oct 21^st 2019, specific date to be agreed upon an agreement signed.

7. Requirements

Interested candidates must submit the following documents for consideration:

1. Evaluation proposal including rationale, objectives, sample approach, data collection tools and approach;
2. A detailed schedule/activity plan, a budget breakdown for the consultancy including fees and travel, accommodation, and other related costs;
3. Organizational profile of consultancy agency (if any);
4. Curriculum vitae of the core consultant(s)/team detailing core competencies and relevant work experience, highlighting that with a similar focus to the current task;
5. A list of at least two referees; and
6. Sample of impacts evaluation report, particularly fish catch survey (If any).
7. Organization Supports

The total task is 18 working days maximum. To help support the works of the Consultant, FACT will supply relevant documents and database if necessary.

9. Budget and Payment

The maximum budget for this two-site evaluation is USD8,900.00, including travels (local and international) of the consultant team, food, accommodation, communication, expenses of workshops, participants’ travel cover cost, writing and reading materials, and other associated costs to the evaluation. FACT will not pay any cost other than the evaluation fees that have been agreed by both parties.

The evaluation fee is subject to tax deduction. FACT will withhold tax on this evaluation fee according to taxation law and remit to General Department of Taxation.

10. Terms of Payment

The payment of the consultant’s fee will be made in three instalments:

• 30% of the evaluation fee will be paid to the consultant(s)/team upon the signature of the evaluation contract.
• 50% of the evaluator’s fee will be paid after the submission of the draft evaluation report.
• The remaining 20% will be paid to the consultant(s) after the final evaluation report has been received and approved by FACT.

Deadline for submission: by October 14^th 2019

Interested candidates are invited to submit an evaluation proposal and other required documents mentioned above to info@fact.org.kh.

Please visit FACT’s website for any further information: www.fact.org.kh