Biodiversity Conservation and Offsets in the Upper Tina Catchment

Bid Reference: SB-MMERE-531623-CS-QCBS
Procurement method: Quality And Cost-Based Selection
World Bank project No. : P161319

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Consulting Services (Firm)

Assignment: Biodiversity Conservation and Offsets in the Upper Tina Catchment: SB-MMERE-531623-CS-QCBS

1. The Government of Solomon Islands (SIG) is implementing the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP), a flagship 15 MW hydropower scheme located approximately 20 km southeast of Honiara in Central Guadalcanal. The Project is financed by a consortium of development partners, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and is implemented through a public–private partnership between SIG and Tina Hydropower Limited (THL) under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with Solomon Power.


2. As part of its biodiversity commitments under the TRHDP Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA 2017), Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP 2024), and international safeguard obligations (including World Bank Environmental and Social Performance Standards and ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement), the Government has committed to implementing long-term terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity offset programs. These include the establishment of formally designated Protected Areas under the Protected Areas Act 2010 in the Upper Tina Catchment.


3. The Government of Solomon Islands (SIG) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRDHP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. SIG, through the Project Office under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) the Implementing Agency, and in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), is leading efforts to ensure the long-term protection of the Upper Tina Catchment and now seeks to engage a qualified biodiversity conservation consulting firm to develop a program of works towards achieving biodiversity offsets for the TRHDP and the permanent protection of the upper Tina River catchment.


4. The Consultant Firm will be tasked with achieving the goals of the biodiversity offset programs and compliance with the safeguard’s obligations, advancing the Protected Area declaration process in the Upper Tina Catchment in partnership with landowning communities. The assignment will focus on setting up and implementing biodiversity offsets, including their initial management and monitoring, supporting community-based conservation following the Protected Area Toolkit legal compliance with the Protected Area Act, capacity building, and the establishment of governance frameworks to ensure long-term protection and stewardship of the Upper Tina Catchment beyond the Project Office’s operational period, which concludes in early 2029.


5. The overall objective of the assignment is to plan, operationalize, and monitor a robust, legally compliant, and financially sustainable biodiversity conservation and offset program in the Upper Tina Catchment. This program should achieve the quantified biodiversity offset targets required under the TOMS and AOMS[1] to deliver no net loss of natural habitat and net gain of critical habitat for TRHDP and establish community led, legally recognized Protected Areas on customary land under the Protected Areas Act 2010 in partnership with landowning tribes; integrate conservation finance mechanisms, sustainable livelihood options and benefit sharing arrangements that are feasible and context appropriate and provide a catchment scale plan of Management and Monitoring & Evaluation framework that can be sustained beyond Project Office operational life (post-2029).


6. The duration of the assignment is estimated at twenty-three (23) months, with an expected start date of  in Q2-Q3 2026. The Assignment will be undertaken in I) Honiara / Project Office (MMERE), ii) Upper Tina Catchment – field surveys, participatory mapping and community engagement; and III) Home office – analysis, modelling, reporting and tool development.


7. The consultant firm is expected to demonstrate, with supporting documentation, the following qualifications and experience which will be used as shortlisting criteria.

Minimum Experience

• At least seven (7) years of experience with the design and implementation of Protected Areas and/or biodiversity conservation programs.

Technical and Thematic Experience in;

• Participatory land/marine mapping;


• Tribal governance strengthening;


• Natural resource management on customary or indigenous land;


•  Assignments involving biodiversity offsets, No Net Loss/Net Gain design and monitoring, or comparable high integrity conservation initiatives.

Safeguards and Standards

• Extensive international experience applying IFC Performance Standards, World Bank ESF/ESS, and/or ADB SPS.

1. Eligible interested Firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultant Firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. Please Note that MMERE are not requesting CVs of Key Experts, but you may provide an organisational chart and CVs of Senior Management person to be involved with this assignment. CVs of Key Experts will not be considered in the Evaluation of the REOI. Shortlisting


2. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the [insert selection method] method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.


3. The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, seventh edition, September 2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based selection method set out in the World Bank Consultant Guidelines, Pacific Focus September 2023.


4. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached below and provides details of the scope of the services required along with specific deliverables expected. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [insert office hours if applicable, i.e., 0900 to 1700 hours]. The TOR can also be found at https://tina-hydro.com/current-jobs/procurement/


5. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) no later than 17:00 hours (Solomon Islands time) on 23rd February 2026. 

Address for Enquiries and Submission of EOIs

Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE)

Project Office – Tina River Hydropower Development Project, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Attention: Pradip Verma, Project Manager, E-mail: pradip.verma@tina-hydro.com

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Assignment: Biodiversity Conservation and Offsets in the Upper Tina Catchment: SB-MMERE-531623-CS-QCBS

Glossary

ADB – Asian Development Bank

AOMS – Aquatic Offset Management Strategy

BMP – Biodiversity Management Plan

ECD – Environment and Conservation Division

ESIA – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization

GRM – Grievance Redress Mechanism

IFC – International Finance Corporation

M&E – Monitoring and Evaluation

MECDM – Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology

MMERE – Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification

MOFR – Ministry of Forestry and Research

NG/NNL – Net Gain/No Net Loss

NGO – Non-Governmental Organization

PAMC – Protected Area Management Committee

PAMP – Project Area Management Plan

SIG – Solomon Islands Government

SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

TCLC – Tina Core Land Company Pty Ltd

THL – Tina Hydropower Limited

TOMS – Terrestrial Offset Management Strategy

TRHDP – Tina River Hydropower Development Project

Table of Contents

1......... Introduction. 5

2......... Background of Upper Tina Catchment (Upper Tina Catchment) 5

2.1....... Tina River Hydropower Development Project 5

2.2....... Background of Upper Tina Catchment (Upper Tina Catchment) Conservation Targets. 6

2.3....... Rationale for Consultancy Firm.. 6

2.4....... Roles, Responsibilities and Key Stakeholders. 7

3......... Scope of Work. 8

3.1....... Overview.. 8

3.2....... Part One Preparatory Analysis, Plan of Management and Stakeholder Engagement 9

3.2.1.... Inception, Planning & Mobilization. 9

3.2.2.... Stakeholder Engagement 9

3.2.3.... Financial Mechanisms Analysis. 9

3.2.4.... Sustainable Livelihoods Concepts. 10

3.2.5.... Support to MOFR, MECDM and MMERE. 11

3.2.6.... Analysis of Biodiversity Offsets Progress and Assignment Hold Point 11

3.2.7.... Plan of Management and M&E Framework. 12

3.2.8.... M&E Framework Implementation. 13

3.3....... Part Two - Upper Tina Catchment Montane Forest Offset Actions. 14

3.3.1.... Upper Tina Catchment Montane Forest Offset Actions. 14

3.4....... Part Three - Protected Areas Declaration with Landowning Tribes. 14

3.4.1.... Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Setup. 14

3.4.2.... Customary Boundary Consultation and Mapping. 15

3.4.3.... Biodiversity, Resource Use and Cultural Assessments. 15

3.4.4.... Projected Area Management Planning. 16

3.4.5.... Legal Declaration & Submission. 16

3.4.6.... Capacity Building & Ranger Support 16

3.4.7.... Transition to Long-Term Governance. 17

4......... List of Outputs and Schedule. 17

5......... Schedule of outputs. 18

6......... Indicative Phases of Work. 23

7......... Consultant Firm Experience and Qualifications (included in REOI) 24

7.1....... Key Experts. 24

7.1.1.... Key Personnel Qualifications and Expertise: 25

7.2....... Non-Key Experts. 26

Resources and Further Information. 26

Appendix-Maps. 27

1. Introduction

The Government of Solomon Islands is implementing the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP), a flagship renewable energy initiative located in Central Guadalcanal. The project is financed by a consortium of development partners, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and is executed through a public-private partnership between the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and Tina Hydropower Limited (THL). The development includes the construction and operation of a 15MW hydropower facility on the Tina River, located approximately 20km southeast of Honiara, along with associated transmission infrastructure linking the site to the national grid.

The Project Office, housed within the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), is responsible for the overall implementation and coordination of the project. Environmental and social management oversight is carried out in collaboration with relevant government agencies and supported by an Owner’s Engineer (Stantec). Tina Hydropower Limited holds a 35-year Power Purchase Agreement with Solomon Power, the State-Owned utility.

As part of its biodiversity commitments under the TRHDP Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA 2017), Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP 2024), and international safeguard obligations (including World Bank Environmental and Social Performance Standards and ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement), the Government has committed to implementing long-term terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity offset programs. These include the establishment of formally designated Protected Areas under the Protected Areas Act 2010 in the Upper Tina Catchment.

This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the scope of services for a qualified biodiversity conservation consulting firm, organisation, consortium or joint venture to support the Project Office in achieving the goals of the biodiversity offset programs and compliance with the safeguards obligations, advancing the Protected Area declaration process in the Upper Tina Catchment in partnership with land owning communities. The assignment will focus on setting up and implementing biodiversity offset monitoring and management, supporting community-based conservation following the Protected Area Toolkit5 legal compliance with the Protected Area Act,, capacity building, and the establishment of governance frameworks to ensure long-term protection and stewardship of the Upper Tina Catchment beyond the Project Office’s operational period, which concludes in 2029.

1. Background of Upper Tina Catchment (Upper Tina Catchment)

2.1         Tina River Hydropower Development Project

The TRHDP is the first large utility-scale renewable energy project to be developed in the Solomon Islands.  The Project is located on the central island of Guadalcanal.  Physical works include:

• A 15-megawatt (MW) hydropower facility, including the dam, reservoir, tunnel and powerhouse;


• 21.5 km of access roads;


• 44 km of 66 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, consisting of two parallel lines, 22 km long, from the project site to the Lungga Diesel Power Station and the Honiara grid;

Construction is underway and the scheme is expected to generate electricity by early 2028.

Solomon Islands Government (SIG), through the Project Office, acquired the land for the main Project site in August 2014 from five (5) customary landowning tribes. The Project Office assisted each of the tribes to establish a co-operative society under the Co-operative Societies Act to manage project related payments to the tribes. The Project Office continues to play an active role in the corporate administration of the tribal co-operatives, including financing of an independent accounting firm to act as an Administrator of the co-operative accounts, supporting the executive committee and in ensuring they are complying to the requirements of the Coop By-Laws.

The land acquisition also involved a partnership arrangement under which the perpetual estate in the Project land was returned to a joint venture company owned equally by SIG and the five (5) tribal co-operative societies known as the Tina Core Land Company Pty Ltd (TCLC). The TCLC has leased the Project land to THL through a Land lease Agreement signed on 5 December 2019.

The leased land is called the ‘Core Land’ in the Biodiversity Management Plan and forms a key part of the terrestrial biodiversity management and offsets. This Core Land area is however not part of this assignment.

2.2         Background of Upper Tina Catchment (Upper Tina Catchment) Conservation Targets

The Upper Tina Catchment, located upstream of the TRHDP dam site, spans approximately 125 km²—roughly 83% of the Tina/Ngalimbiu catchment. The Upper Tina Catchment is characterized by rugged montane terrain, high biodiversity, and undisturbed rainforest ecosystems ranging in elevation from 800 to 2,300 meters above sea level.

The catchment includes the headwaters of the Tina River and its main tributaries: Mbeambea, Vohara, and Njarimbisu Rivers. It lies within the Guadalcanal Watershed Key Biodiversity Area, recognized for its ecological significance and vertebrate endemism.

In recognition of the potential ecological impacts of the hydropower project, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA, 2017), Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP, 2024), and associated offset strategies—Aquatic Offset Management Strategy (AOMS) and Terrestrial Offset Management Strategy (TOMS)—have identified the Upper Tina Catchment as a priority for conservation intervention. Approximately 12,175 hectares, including land both above and below 400 meters elevation, was proposed for project biodiversity offsets and conservation protection to safeguard forest cover, riverine health and ecosystem services.  Notable conservation-significant species within the Upper Tina Catchment include three flora species, two bird species, one bat species, and four aquatic macroinvertebrates. These aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa trigger the Critical Habitat designation for the upper Tina River, as defined under the World Bank Performance Standard 6 and associated Guidance Note 6. Critical Habitat areas that retain ecological integrity continue to support these trigger species. However, formal legal protection on Guadalcanal remains limited, with less than 5% of land currently protected, while logging remains the principal direct driver of forest loss and degradation. 

2.3         Rationale for Consultancy Firm

The SIG, through the Project Office under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) and in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), is leading efforts to ensure the long-term protection of the Upper Tina Catchment. 

The SIG, through the Project Office in collaboration with MECDM, seeks to engage a firm to develop a program of works towards achieving biodiversity offsets for the TRHDP and the permanent protection of the upper Tina River catchment. The mechanisms will likely be a mix of legally protected areas on tribal lands under the Protected Areas Act, sites allocated for carbon credits or biodiversity credits (or other market mechanisms) and/or protected areas in accordance with traditional kastom processes.  Protection must allow for conservation and offset goals whilst also permitting sustainable management and sources of income for landowning tribes.  Any conservation areas would respect the customary landowners and traditional uses of the upper catchment and would be driven by the tribes themselves. 

The Project Office recognises that various market and non-market conservation / protection mechanisms may be required across the landscape to achieve the various objectives of the project and landowning tribes.  Multiple tribes are known to hold customary rights in the Upper Tina Catchment, at least 12 tribes have shown an interest in participating in a process of developing a Protected Area on their land. However, the number may change as more tribes are made aware of the project or due to barriers such as legacy land claims. Therefore, the implementation approach under this assignment for offsets and conservation must account for stakeholder complexity, cultural protocols, and potential land or boundary disputes.  The facilitation of each tribe through the Protected Area process will take time, based on each tribe’s needs and aspirations, and so it is difficult to forecast the level of effort. 

This ToR outlines the firm’s responsibilities, deliverables, and coordination requirements to ensure timely, participatory, and legally compliant conservation outcomes, aligned with SIG policy and the project’s safeguards commitments with financial partners.

The firm will report to the Project Office and will work collaboratively with the Environmental and Social Manager and Officers to achieve the outcomes of their Terms of Reference and meet the needs of the assignment.  The Project Office is well-staffed with an Environmental and Social Manager, Environmental and Social Officers whose role includes landowner engagement, a GIS Officer and a Biodiversity Officer. This team is a mix of local and international expertise and very experienced in local culture and tradition, land tenure, community engagement, biodiversity and mapping. A work plan will be prepared by the consultant during the inception phase to coordinate the inputs and outputs of the assignment and how the consultant firm and Project Officer will work together.

2.4         Roles, Responsibilities and Key Stakeholders

All actions associated with protection of the upper catchment are the responsibility of the Solomon Islands Government and the Project Office.  MECDM has been identified as the lead agency and MMERE and the Project Office will support with stakeholder engagement.

Land ownership in the upper catchment is customary.  The land-owning groups that have had initial discussions regarding the biodiversity management plan are Bahu Garo, Uluna Sutahuri (also owners of Core Land and part of the TCLC), Chavuchave, Charana, Sarahi and Salasivo (non-core landowners).  Other landowners and / or communities with interests in the area may participate in future discussions and processes, as identified by the Project Office.

The Protected Areas will be developed through participatory engagement with landowners and the wider community, with facilitation and technical input from the firm and Project Office.  

A full list of stakeholders is included in the Biodiversity Management Plan Appendix P-2-5, but key organizations include:

• Tina Hydropower Limited


• Hyundai Engineering Company Limited;


• Environment and Conservation Division of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (ECD);


• MMERE;


• Ministry of Forestry;


• World Bank, ADB and other project financiers; and


• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (recent, relevant work on protected areas in the Upper Tina Catchment).

Consultations with potential landowners and those with an interest in the upper catchment have been undertaken since 2023. Feedback received during consultations concludes:

• The upper Tina River catchment is culturally and nationally significant;


• There are multiple tribes that have connections to the area; and


• There is a strong willingness from those tribes who have been consulted to protect the area from logging and mining interests, and to improve social and cultural connections with the land and ancestry.

It is important to note that ongoing conservation efforts are being led by FAO as part of their Sustainable Forest Management Program. A consultancy retained by the program, Ecological Solution Foundation (ESF), has progressed consultations with customary owners and has commenced participatory boundary surveys on behalf of interested landowning groups in the upper catchment.  The consultant will need to take this work into account and integrate it into the broader Upper Tina Catchment Plan of Management.

During this assignment the firm will be expected to support the Project Office to identify additional stakeholders that are relevant to development of Protected Areas, such as environmental NGOs, government departments and local and global non-governmental organizations.

1. Scope of Work

3.1       Overview

Part One– Preparatory Analysis, Plan of Management and Stakeholder Engagement

Support to Project Office to manage Upper Tina Catchment protection and achieve project offset and conservation objectives.

Inception, planning and mobilization.

1. Support the Project Office to implement the BMP Consultation and Communication Strategy.


2. Prepare an options analysis of viable financial mechanisms analysis for funding legally Protected Areas, biodiversity offsets and other conservation and management actions for the Upper Tina Catchment in perpetuity. 


3. Prepare concepts for sustainable livelihoods[2] for further development through the PAMP process and / or other conservation activities.


4. Analyze the progress with current and proposed biodiversity offset activities and targets for offsets and actions within the Upper Tina Catchment and iTina.


5. Prepare an integrated TOMS/AOMS Plan of Management for the upper Tina catchment (and the iTina Catchment as necessary) that sets the vision, goals and spatial distribution of offset and conservation actions, including a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Framework. 


6. Implement the M&E Framework, including biodiversity surveys and remote land cover mapping and analysis.


7. Support Ministry of Forestry and Research (MOFR), MECDM and MMERE to improve compliance monitoring and enforcement processes and outcomes for their legal roles and responsibilities.

Part Two Upper Tina Catchment Montane Forest Offset Actions

1. Upper Tina Catchment Montane Forest Offset Actions – to be confirmed as an output of item 5 in Part One.

Part Three–Protected Area Declarations with Landowning Tribes

Support Project Office with the facilitation and engagement with landowning tribes and facilitate at least four landowning tribes to develop their Protected Area Management Plans (PAMP) and achieve Protected Area Declarations through the Protected Areas Act 2010 process.

1. Community engagement and institutional set up - Support the broader engagement activities and facilitate least four landowning tribes to start the Protected Area process (led by Project Office).


2. Conduct biodiversity and cultural heritage surveys in the designated areas, integrating scientific methods and indigenous knowledge of ecological and cultural values as a baseline, as per the requirements of the Act and Toolkit and good international industry practice.


3. Facilitate PAMP development, develop specific financial mechanisms and alternative livelihoods in partnership with the landowners, prepare documentation and facilitate legal processes to achieve Protected Area Declaration.


4. Capacity building - Support landowners to develop and implement their own compliance and enforcement procedures and build capacity of their rangers.


5. Transition to long term governance - provide ‘handover’ support from Project Office to MMERE for the sustainability of Protected Areas administration following Project close.

3.2       Part One Preparatory Analysis, Plan of Management and Stakeholder Engagement

3.2.1     Inception, Planning & Mobilization

• Review background information and align the work program with the project ESIA, BMP, offset management strategies, Engagement and Consultation Strategy, Protected Area Act 2010 and other relevant acts and regulations, Relevant government policies and strategies and the Project Office’s Upper Tina Catchment Protected Area Roadmap, stakeholder mapping, consultation that has occurred to date and tribal profiles.


• Key team members will visit the site and meet the Project Office team, MMERE, MECDM, THL and other key stakeholders for project familiarisation and kick off activities.


• An Inception Report and Work Plan.


• Develop a clear understanding of the roles and capacity of Project Office Officers and protocols for how the consultant team will work with the Project Office team.


• Develop processes to tracking and reporting progress for this assignment.


• Develop processes to manage changes to level of effort and outputs for Parts Two and Three, since Part Two relies on outputs from Part One and Part Three, and relies heavily on the engagement of landowning tribes for success.

3.2.2     Stakeholder Engagement

As part of the development and implementation of the BMP and associated offset strategies, the Project Office has prepared a BMP Consultation and Engagement Strategy (Annex P-2-5). The purpose of this document is to scope and commence the consultation needed to facilitate the development and implementation of the BMP, AOMS and TOMS, acknowledging that this will be an ongoing process during construction and operation of the Project.  The Project Office Stakeholder Engagement Officers and Gender Focal Point has been engaging with land owning tribes and other stakeholders.  The firm will work collaboratively with the Project Office, bringing additional capacity and expertise as follows:

• Implement participatory planning processes, including expectations for how the firm will support implementation by the Project Office.  Integrate local traditions, kastom and cultural requirements of talking, discussions, problem solving, identifying values, conflict management and planning for the future and following these protocols throughout the assignment.


• Strategic support for implementing specific actions in the strategy such as women-only consultation sessions and consultation activities with NGOs and civil society (In collaboration with the Project Office Gender Focal Point).


• Planning and implementing awareness raising, media campaigns and other broad scale communications, including relevant communication materials.


• Planning and implementing workshops, focus group discussions and other methods of engagement, including communication materials.


• Providing ad hoc, on the job mentoring to the Project Office team on any of the above.

3.2.3     Financial Mechanisms Analysis

The consultant shall prepare an analysis of potential financial and non-financial mechanisms and benefit sharing that could be used in the Upper Tina Catchment for achieving offsets and conservation of high value biodiversity. 

The consultant shall consider the broad range of emerging and established market and non-market mechanisms that may be viable options for funding biodiversity offsets and habitat protection in the Upper Tina Catchment (and / or iTina) such as: carbon credits, biodiversity credits, grants, philanthropy, non-extractive alternative livelihood opportunities, payment for ecosystem services and others as appropriate.  As part of the analysis the consultant shall consider the relevant country context: the environmental, land, economic and financial policies, laws, regulations and strategies, institutional strengths and weaknesses and the relevant cultural practices and norms relating to land tenure, gender roles and natural resource management.  The analysis must include the implementation arrangements (pathway to implementation, capacity requirements etc.) and costs, and how these costs will be covered by income or other funding sources. The analysis will be informed by the consultant’s experience, key informant interviews and literature review of relevant case studies and research and discussions with investment funds and institutions, voluntary markets, credit issuers, NGOs and other potential sources of finance and support. Current relevant initiatives undertaken by the Government of Solomon Islands, , experience from community-led conservation initiatives in Choiseul and Makira, the Nakau Program (Plan Vivo carbon credits) and by the private sector shall also be considered.  

The consultant shall prepare a report with potentially viable financial mechanisms or funding models described.  A simplified comparative analysis will be presented, using a range of criteria that will be developed by the consultant, such as: inputs (financial and non-financial) and capacity required from land owners and other stakeholders, legal and policy implications, requirement for government inputs, measurement/verification/reporting requirements, income source(s), financial mechanism(s), additionality conditions (particularly relevant for funding biodiversity offsets), risks and a ranking of complexity, effectiveness, sustainability and/or other relevant measures.  Aspects such as institutional strengthening, policy alignment, national or regional datasets, structure of the biodiversity protection mechanism(s) and benefit sharing arrangements should be considered in terms of barriers and enablers.  It is expected that this analysis will build on published research, key informant interviews and consultant’s experience.

Recommendations on the mechanism(s) that may be best suited or feasible for conservation and offset objectives shall be provided. This will serve as the basis for each land owning tribe to consider for their PAMP and for the project to consider long term funding of any additional biodiversity offsets identified in Part Two.  The report shall also note any policy or institutional barriers that may need attention to facilitate the success of market and non-market financial mechanisms in Solomon Islands.

A draft report and a jargon-free summary will be prepared and presented in a series of workshops with landowners and stakeholders.  The final report will incorporate feedback.

The consultant shall prepare the technical methodology for the development of suitable funding models, including:

• Developing implementation budgets and the timing of funds required for the Tina River Hydropower biodiversity offsets, Protected Areas and any other identified conservation activities.


• Understanding the number and type of potential project partners and beneficiaries.


• Delivery of a report summarizing the recommended mechanism(s), ranked by order of feasibility and acceptability by relevant stakeholders and the implementation


• Engagement with government, development partners, investment funds and institutions, voluntary markets, NGOs and other potential sources of finance and support.


• In coordination & collaboration with the Project Office, engaging with the land owners, community and other project partners and beneficiaries to assess their interests and aspirations and the suitability of options based on biodiversity objectives.


• Identifying key enabling conditions that are required.


• Developing the financial mechanism, funding model and / or non-financial incentives for the biodiversity offsets plan and protected area, including pathway(s), potential financial partners, resources, inputs, implementation roles and responsibilities and budget for each of the offset areas and protected areas.  

This work should be fully integrated with the broader BMP, TOMS, AOMS and with the other actions under Part One and Protected Area processes in Part Two and the concurrent activities associated with the iTina aquatic offset and protected area processes.  There should be alignment with the aspirations of landowners and communities, alignment with quantified biodiversity offset and conservation protection outcomes and alignment of programs and key milestones. 

The outputs of this task will be inputs into the participatory planning processes in Part Two.

3.2.4     Sustainable Livelihoods Concepts

Landowning tribes considering conservation protection through Protected Areas or other means are likely to be foregoing future income from mining, forestry and other extractive enterprises.  In land above 400masl the implementation and compliance of legal frameworks prohibiting forestry will be strengthened by MoFR under an MOU signed 01 June 2023.  The lure of legal and illegal forestry and mining can be reduced by developing alternative livelihoods (along with sustainable financial mechanisms as per the above task).  Landowning tribes are interested in non-extractive, alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism and harvesting of non-timber forest products. 

The consultant will explore potential options for alternative livelihoods and develop a series of concepts.  These shall be based on the consultant’s prior knowledge, key informant interviews, project documentation review, research, case studies from Solomon Islands and internationally, and the aspirations of the land owners gathered through consultations. The consultant will Identify potential support partners (fair trade organizations, tourism networks, NGOs, markets, government departments);

The analysis shall include a risk assessment and likelihood of success based on contextual elements such as natural resources, traditions and value systems, market access and demand, skills and experience, capital required, income potential, benefits and risks to biodiversity etc.  Risks and benefits for achieving conservation and livelihood outcomes should be explored.  Potentially viable concepts shall be presented in non-technical summaries along with a simplified road map for each one.  This information will be targeted at landowners and to the stakeholders who can support them.  The information will be used as a key input into the Part Three participatory design of PAMP.

3.2.5     Support to MOFR, MECDM and MMERE

The consultant will support the PO to work collaboratively with MOFR and MMERE on a program of work to support their roles and responsibilities under SIG mining and forestry legislation.  The consultant is expected to conduct the following:

• Capacity building plan.  Based on previous analysis on the capacity needs of these agencies and the roles and responsibilities assigned under the MOU, the consultants will prepare an action plan for each Ministry, detailing practical and implementable tasks and expected outcomes, with roles and responsibilities assigned.  The plan will include the role that the Project Office and the consultant will provide in capacity building such as training, mentoring and facilitation.


• Training.  The consultant is responsible for implementing staff training on compliance monitoring and enforcement of mining and forestry-related legislation, with a focus on record keeping, remote and ground-based surveillance tools and methodologies, conflict management, proactive compliance messaging and engagement with land owners and effective enforcement.


• Mentoring. The consultant shall include a mentoring program in the capacity building plan which provides staff and management with access to on-the-job, ad hoc and / or formalized mentoring as part of the assignment.


• Financial and non-financial support mechanisms.  The consultant is responsible for identifying potential sources of funding for key elements of capacity building or capacity gap-filling for each Ministry.  This could be in the form of grants, in-kind support and sponsorship.

3.2.6     Analysis of Biodiversity Offsets Progress and Assignment Hold Point

The BMP, TOMS and AOMS assume that land in the Upper Tina Catchment would be required for biodiversity offsets from land clearance and inundation by the Project.  The options for aquatic habitat offsets are still being investigated by the Project Office and ADB, including a concurrent ‘like for like’ study in the iTina catchment and a concept to ‘trade up’ offsets by protecting montane forest in the Upper Tina Catchment.  The Project Office requires the support of the firm to confirm and implement actions to achieve compliance with the AOMS and TOMS and, as a result, compliance with Performance Standard 6.

Based on information gathered in the tasks above and further interviews, landowner and stakeholder engagement, site visits, documentation review, secondary biodiversity data analysis[3], the consultant must assess and conclude on the following:

• quantitative biodiversity offset targets for the AOMS and TOMS (compliant with World Bank Performance Standard 6) to achieve no net loss of natural habitat and net gain of critical habitat


• quantitative biodiversity offset targets for the hectares of montane forest protected required for a ‘trading up’ of offsets to achieve net gain of critical river habitat.


• quantitative and qualitative analysis of the progress to date


• analysis of all proposed and planned activities and likelihood of successfully achieving the TOMS and AOMS biodiversity offset targets by the end of the project (February 2029) and end of the PPA (2059).Specifically, this activity will consider the progress of the restoration of forest at the Core Area by HEC and the progress of the iTina catchment protection led by ADB.  The consultant will consider and present implementation opportunities and risks and how they may affect likelihood of success.


• if necessary, provide details on the additional actions proposed to meet the quantitative biodiversity offset targets for the hectares of montane forest protected required for a ‘trading up’ of offsets to achieve net gain of critical river habitat.  This may include alternative non-extractive livelihoods, non-regulatory protection measures and / or other voluntary conservation actions. An implementation process and timeline will be included.

At the conclusion of this task the consultant shall prepare an Offsets Analysis Report with the following:

• Summarise the inputs, outputs and conclusions based on the analysis in this Task.


• Key opportunities and risks to achieving compliance should be documented along with any assumptions, limitations and gaps.


• Summarise progress and outputs of Tasks 0, 0, and 0 as they relate to the analysis.


• Provide a detailed scope of work for Part Two.


• Provide a summary of key changes to the scope of work, for Part Three.


• Prepare a detailed work plan, updated schedule and allocation of budget for the rest of the assignment based on the above. 

The end of this task is a hold point for the consultant’s contract.  Based on feedback and approval of the Offsets Analysis Report by the Project Office, at its discretion, will 1) suspend Parts Two and Three; or 2) confirm the updated scope of work for Part Two and / or Part Three and provide authorisation to proceed.

3.2.7     Plan of Management and M&E Framework

The BMP Consultation and Communication Strategy recommended a community-led Plan of Management. This does not duplicate the BMP, TOMS or AOMS, but plans and tracks the actions and outcomes across the catchment (and iTina as necessary).  The consultant will determine the final content and structure of the Plan of Management based on the outcome from Task 0 and in partnership with stakeholders, The content expected to include the following:

1. Vision, objectives and goals that take into account the aspirations of land owners and the Project;


2. Actions for the Upper Tina Catchment (and iTina as necessary), such as those considered in the AOMS and BMP, in the MOU with MOFR, MECDM and MMERE and by landowners and other stakeholders:
   
   
   
   1. Protected Areas, developed and managed by landowning units under the Protected Areas Act 2010.
   
   
   2. iTina River offset actions (as developed under a separate assignment)
   
   
   3. Strengthening of the implementation of mining and forestry laws and policies, including compliance monitoring and enforcement.
   
   
   4. Alternative livelihoods.
   
   
   5. Other forms of offsets and conservation as identified through this assignment.
   
   
   
   


3. Roles and responsibilities, timeframes,


4. Maps illustrating the spatial layout of actions.


5. M&E Framework with key indicators including forest cover and quality.


6. Implementation training for the Project Office and tools such as checklists, databases, spreadsheets, reporting templates etc.


7. Process for updating the Plan at regular intervals based on an adaptive management approach.

The consultant shall develop and implement a simple, cost-efficient M&E Framework that provides a regular assessment of progress towards the offset and conservation goals.  It must be complimentary, and not duplicate, other monitoring and data collection in the catchment.  It must take into account indigenous knowledge as well as scientific methods to provide a holistic account of catchment health and values, and progress against targets.

The specific tasks are:

1. Present quantitative and qualitative goals for biodiversity offsets presented and agreed in Part One.


2. Develop quantitative and qualitative goals for the broader conservation of forest and river habitat in the Upper Tina Catchment based on the aspirations of the landowners.


3. Identify relevant measures, targets and indicators relevant for indigenous knowledge and ecological science.


4. Develop a monitoring program to collect relevant data for the M&E Framework.  The program should determine what data is collected, from where, by which party (Project Office, PAMC, etc.), by which method, and frequency and timing.  Methods may include remote imagery, ground surveys, eDNA, camera traps, citizen science, indigenous knowledge and social surveys.  As a minimum this will include land cover surveys using remote imagery for the catchment.  The monitoring program should align with the individual monitoring plans for each PAMP where relevant/possible. 


5. Data management and data sharing protocols. All data shall be made available to landowners for PAMP preparation and implementation (and any other purposes) and shall be made available to SIG Ministries and stakeholders.


6. Implementation Budget.


7. A reporting framework, including how data should be presented and an evaluation framework that compares monitoring results with the goals and targets and informs adaptive management.


8. An adaptive management process whereby plans, actions, budgets etc. are updated to respond to the M&E outputs.

Once this Plan of Management is approved by the Project Office, the consultant shall be responsible for M&E implementation (see task below).

3.2.8     M&E Framework Implementation

Biodiversity Field Work

The consultant is required to implement the field work component of the M&E Framework monitoring program.  For the purposes of budgeting the consultant shall assume at least two rounds of field work is required to collect qualitative and quantitative data on forest and river habitats and key species, approximately six months apart (to capture at least one dry season and one wet season).  The first round will be considered a baseline.  The field work will involve working with Project Office staff and people from the landowning tribes contributing indigenous knowledge and provide support for site access and other logistics.  Monitoring sites will be selected based on safe access, repeatability. habitat representativeness and ground truthing of land cover mapping and analysis (see below).  Biodiversity surveys are expected to be targeted to enable mapping of habitat types, quality of habitat and provide information to enable analysis of change over time compared to the baseline and progress towards the quantitative and qualitative targets and compliance with World Bank Performance Standard 6.

Other details, such as key wildlife species to monitor, technology, methods etc., will be developed by the consultant.

Land cover mapping and analysis

The consultant shall complete at least two rounds of land cover mapping and data analysis and presentation.  The consultant shall organize remote imaging of the land cover for the entire upper catchment land area (upstream of the Tina River Dam) at a resolution and quality that allows analysis and mapping of habitat type and, when replicated over time, can track land cover change.  The consultant shall provide a methodology for collecting, analyzing and presenting the data, including any ground truthing required to calibrate the data, the timing/frequency, data specifications and reporting template.  The methodology should be cost efficient and replicable for the duration of the PPA period. 

Reporting

The consultant shall prepare at least two M&E reports during the assignment to reflect the monitoring actions above and any other data gathering and analysis required in the first 6 and 12 months of M&E Framework Implementation.  The report shall provide recommendations (if any) for the updates to the Plan of Management, M&E Framework and offset strategies and actions as a result of data analysis.

Terms of Reference

Following the completion of this Task the consultant shall prepare a Terms of Reference for the Project Office to engage a third party for ongoing data collection, analysis and reporting for the M&E Framework.

3.3       Part Two - Upper Tina Catchment Montane Forest Offset Actions

3.3.1     Upper Tina Catchment Montane Forest Offset Actions

As an output in Task 0, the consultant will be required to prepare a detailed scope of work and budget to implement the ‘trading up’ offset actions to protect montane forest.  Actions must be additional to those in Part One and Part Three of this assignment and any concurrent assignment in the iTina or Core Land for the purposes of achieving compliance with the AOMS and TOMS.

For the purposes of the consultant’s proposal, a nominal value of $US80,000 will be assigned to this Task.  It is possible that after approving the Offsets Analysis Report, the Project Office will conclude that this Task is not necessary.

3.4       Part Three - Protected Areas Declaration with Landowning Tribes

The Firm is responsible for supporting the Project Office to engage with land owners and prepare suitable supporting information for applications to MECCDMM for declaration of Protected Areas in accordance with the Protected Areas Act 2010 and the twelve step process in the Toolkit. Many of the 12 landowning tribes in the Upper Tina Catchment have already shown an interest in Protected Areas for their land; all are at various stages of readiness and willingness.  Other landowning tribes in the iTina are currently working with a consulting firm to develop Protected Areas.  While broad awareness raising and engagement will continue with all interested landowning tribes, for the purposes of this assignment the firm shall assume that they will facilitate at least four[4] landowning tribes through the full Protected Area Declaration process and the handover process by the end of the assignment.

The following is the proposed scope of work based on the twelve steps in the Protected Area Toolkit[5] (Appendix B).  The scope of work will be reconfirmed at the end of Task 0.

The work plan prepared under Task 0 in Part One (and updated quarterly) will include the roles and responsibilities of the Project Office staff for each of the tasks. 

3.4.1     Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Setup

• Support the Project Office to conduct workshops with at least 12 landowning tribes in the Upper Tina Catchment to build further awareness and validate interest and readiness to develop a Protected Area on their land.  This will build on engagement work carried out by the Project Office to date.  Workshops will be at a location(s) and time(s) suitable for the tribal members and include opportunities for everyone to participate in their own way: leadership, women, youth, men, disadvantaged, absentees and others.


• Support the Project Office as required to facilitate follow up engagement sessions to develop knowledge sharing, deliberation and decision making processes in step with cultural traditions and norms[6].  This will include various leaders and sub-groups, vulnerable people, all genders etc. to ensure there is broad understanding of the opportunities, risks, benefits and costs to individuals and communities as a result of Protected Area Declarations.  This is to be done at the pace and in the locations and using participatory methods appropriate to the individuals and groups and will gap-fill the capacity and capability of the Project Office team.  This will require several field-based sessions.  Participatory methods will be used to ensure the design of the management plans are led by the community and meet their aspirations.  The consultant shall be able to provide facilitation skills for discussion groups, interactive mapping or design sessions, demonstrations or other activities. 


• Develop protocols for ongoing facilitation and engagement throughout the process, between the firm, Project Office, the PAMC, tribal members and other stakeholders. 


• Collate and analyze inputs and feedback and sharing this information with the Project Office. 


• Support formal endorsement of PAMCs through local governance or customary processes.


• Support Project Office consultations with other stakeholders including non-landowning communities who rely on forests for livelihoods or ecosystem services, neighbouring land owners, NGOs, and government departments.  This is to identify any social harm to those that may be excluded from resources or livelihoods as a result of the Protected Area Declaration and to put in place suitable mitigations.

3.4.2     Customary Boundary Consultation and Mapping

For at least four land owning tribes:

• Facilitate participatory boundary demarcation in the field with relevant tribal members.  This role will involve both technical GPS/GIS skills and engagement skills to avoid and manage disputes to the extent possible.  The Project Office understands that boundary marking may not be possible because of long-standing issues that may not be resolved under this assignment.


• Review mapping to date by the Project Office and provide any guidance or support to finalise the maps to industry standards.


• Support the Project Office to generate GIS-based databases and maps of at least four proposed Protected Area boundaries.  Ensure mapping and data storage and management is to industry standard.


• Support the Project Office to present the final draft maps to all affected landowners for feedback and confirmation of boundaries, prior to finalisation.


• Provide ad hoc, on the job capacity building, to Project Office GIS Officer through the assignment.

3.4.3     Biodiversity, Resource Use and Cultural Assessments

For at least four Protected Area Management Plan processes:

• The consultant shall design and undertake scientific surveys to document the habitat types, biodiversity values and spatial distribution as a baseline for the management plan.  The consultant will integrate indigenous knowledge in the design, collection, understanding and reporting of information and collaborate with tribal members and other stakeholders to gather and curate this knowledge.  The consultant shall undertake a combination of rapid field surveys and employ relevant technology such as camera traps and remote sensing.


• Resource mapping and information on resource uses shall be recorded by the consultant from participatory planning processes with men and women of the tribe to understand the commercial, traditional and cultural uses of forest species, land and waterways. 


• Through the same processes the consultant shall facilitate cultural heritage assessments and documentation (including mapping), which to be led by relevant members of land owning tribes. 


• Data collection, analysis and presentation should align with the broader TOMS/AOMS M&E Framework as well as the needs of the tribe. 


• The analysis shall include current and potential threats to biodiversity values such as population pressure, lure of extractive industries, climate change, invasive species and unsustainable harvesting or hunting.

3.4.4     Projected Area Management Planning

For at least four Protected Area Management Plans:

• Co-develop Protected Area Management Plans (PAMPs) for each tribal Protected Area .  The consultant shall facilitate the design based on the biodiversity values and goals, livelihood goals, cultural values, financial mechanisms and other aspects identified by the tribes and consistent with the BMP, AOMS and the Protected Areas Act.  The process will be led by the tribes and facilitated by the consultant and Project Office using participatory methods.  The consultant will provide technical input as defined in this task. 


• Ensure the final PAMPs reflect the participatory process.


• Support the Project Office to prepare spatial plans to define zones for land use and natural resource use.


• Integrate gender targets and actions from the Project Gender Action Plan, with the support of the Project Office Gender Focal Point.


• Prepare budgets to implement the PAMP including sources of capital and income.


• Based on the financial mechanisms analysis, work in partnership with the tribe to identify viable market-based and/or non-market financial mechanisms to support PAMP implementation and prepare a detailed road map for implementation / operationalisation. 


• Where alternative livelihoods or new income-generating activities are identified through participatory planning, provide all technical support required to develop implementation road maps including training, access to capital, capacity building, infrastructure, access to market requirements etc.


• Identify any resource users of other community members who are not part of the landowning tribe whose livelihoods or tangible or intangible cultural heritage could be affected by the Protected Area and prepare mitigation measures and other safeguards to do no harm.


• Assess environmental and social risks and, where necessary, propose mitigation measures within the PAMP.


• Prepare draft ranger frameworks and local monitoring roles and other forms of incentives and enforcement mechanisms.


• Prepare an M&E program that measures progress and success.  The M&E program should integrate into a wider TOMS/AOMS M&E Framework (aligned data, methods, indicators etc.) where possible and relevant.

3.4.5     Legal Declaration & Submission

For at least four Protected Area Applications:

• On behalf of the tribe compile all documentation for Protected Area applications under the Protected Areas Act.


• Facilitate the issuance of public notices, 30-day consultation process, and support community outreach during this statutory period.


• Support the tribe to liaise with MECDM and the Environment Director for official declaration stages and site inspections.

3.4.6     Capacity Building & Ranger Support

For at least four Protected Areas:

• Provide support for the first six months following PAMP declaration (or up to the end of the assignment, whichever is less).  During this time period:
  
  
  
  • Provide gap-filling training and other capacity support for community rangers[7] and prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for their tasks under the PAMP.
  
  
  • Support operational logistics for PAMCs (meetings, communications, field operations), including preparation of templates, guidelines and protocols as required / requested by each tribe. 
  
  
  • Build capacity for conflict-sensitive engagement.
  
  
  
  

3.4.7     Transition to Long-Term Governance

For at least four Protected Areas:

• Develop transition strategy to support handover of Protected Area implementation responsibilities to MECDM and community institutions post-Project Office.


• Prepare Handover Packages per tribe, including PAMPs, GIS maps, training manuals, and SOPs.


• Coordinate with MECDM Seconded Officer to ensure alignment with government biodiversity objectives.

4       List of Outputs and Schedule

The initial contract period will be 23 months (until February 2028.  There is a hold point at Month 9, at the end of Part One Task 6 (3.2.6 section of this ToR). Following this hold point the Project Office will provide instruction to the client to proceed based on the updated work plan or not to proceed with Part Two and / or some aspects of Part Three.

The consultant will work collegially and in an integrated manner with the Project Office.  In its role, the consultant will provide timely expertise and advice to the Project Office relating to any aspect of the assignment as required.  In relation to the tasks above, the consultant is expected to:

• Provide mentoring and capacity building to Project Office staff on the job (for example GIS, data management, facilitation and engagement, etc.).


• Integrate Project Office staff into the work plans based on their skills and availability.


• Provide technical advice, non-technical summaries, presentations, workshops as required by the Project Office to keep stakeholders informed and engaged in the process.


• Attend virtual and in person meetings with government departments, financial partners and other key stakeholders as required by the Project Office.


• Provide ad hoc advice as required by the Project Office to support work plans, project reporting and decision making. 


• Be aware of the other BMP, TOMS and AOMS activities and how this assignment integrates into the broader program, finding alignment and efficiencies wherever possible.

• Final Completion Report at the end of the assignment documenting inputs, outputs and lessons learnt (Month 23).

It is anticipated that the team members will conduct regular visits to Honiara including the Project Office and the at the Upper Tina Catchment area per 23-month period, aligned with key milestones and tasks such as stakeholder consultations, boundary demarcation, biodiversity surveys, and Protected Area application reviews. The consultant shall articulate their program of in-country and home office work for key personnel in their proposal and in their work plan during the assignment. 

5       Schedule of outputs

6       Indicative Phases of Work

Key:

The Firm shall submit to the Project Office, the expected outputs listed in the table on the dates as agreed in the Work Plan.  Key deliverables will be reviewed by the Project Office and financial partners and feedback will be incorporated into the final versions. 

The firm shall submit invoices as agreed in the contract, accompanied by utilization reports.  firm shall submit a final report consisting of a narrative report and financial report (“Final Report”) within 30 days following the completion of the Services.  The Final Report must be sufficiently detailed to allow certification of deliverables and of expenditures.  The financial report shall be signed and certified as to its correctness by a duly designated representative of the PAD Firm (e.g. executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accountant or similar).

The Firm shall keep accurate financial records and maintain supporting documentation showing the utilization of inputs and funds under this Agreement and any other documentation related to the Services for a period of five years following termination or  expiry of the Agreement, during which period Project Office, or a person designated by Project Office, or the relevant auditing authority (e.g. national audit office) shall have the right, at any time, to conduct reviews and/or audits relating to any aspect of this Agreement.  The Firm shall provide its full and timely cooperation with any such review or audit.  Full and timely cooperation shall include, but not be limited to, making available employees or agents and granting to Project Office or other designated person or relevant authority, access at reasonable times and conditions to the Firm’s premises or other sites where documentation related to this Agreement is kept or activities related to this Agreement are carried out.

7.       Consultant Firm Experience and Qualifications (included in REOI)

The firm must be a legally registered entity or consortium with a proven track record in implementing protected area programs, biodiversity conservation initiatives, or natural resource management projects in community and customary land contexts.  It is expected that the entity / consortium will bring local (Solomon Islands) expertise in community conservation management, biodiversity, policy, law and community engagement and bring international expertise in financial mechanisms, biodiversity offset planning and management, conservation M&E and participatory methods for community-led conservation and livelihood development.  Local expertise will be essential for much of the field work and community engagement support to the PO and landowning tribes.

The firm should demonstrate at least seven (7) years of relevant experience, including the successful execution of assignments involving participatory land mapping, tribal governance strengthening, and the development of Protected Area management plans. Familiarity with both national legal frameworks and international safeguard standards—such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, World Bank Environmental and Social Performance Standards, and ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement or similar—is required.

The consulting firm / consortium must have experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder consultation processes, particularly with indigenous and customary landowners, government agencies, and conservation NGOs for natural resource management, sustainable forestry and / or conservation purposes. Experience working in Melanesian countries and Solomon Islands, is necessary for the local positions and strongly preferred for the international positions.  However, comparable expertise and experience in similar ecological and cultural environments will also be considered. The firm should demonstrate capacity to manage field-based logistics, culturally sensitive engagement, and potential risks related to land tenure and boundary disputes.

7.1       Key Experts

Key Experts and expected inputs (firm to provide these details). The maximum person months is (55) in any combination of Key Experts as shown in SECTION 7, Terms of Reference Part 7.1.1 and it is up to the consulting firm to consider appropriate deployment scenarios to ensure timely submission of the contract deliverables. The Consultant to determine best number of months and split between Home Office and in-country Work.

All key team members must be fluent in English, with demonstrated ability to clearly communicate technical content to diverse audiences, including customary landowners and tribal representatives.

7.1.1     Key Personnel Qualifications and Expertise:

• A Team Leader/Protected Area Specialist, holding a master’s degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation, natural resource management, or a related discipline, with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant technical and leadership experience in conservation management and / or the establishment of protected areas. This person may have another role on the team.

Level of effort: six (6) working-months (home office and project-based)

• A Deputy Team Leader, holding a graduate degree in master’s degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation, natural resource management, or a related discipline, with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant technical and leadership experience in conservation management and / or the establishment of protected areas. This person must be based in Honiara or Project area and be available to support Project Office as required. This person may have another role on the team.

Level of effort: six (6) working-months in country.

• A Conservation Finance Specialist, with a degree in financial management, resource economics or similar.  It is desirable to have a post graduate qualification in biodiversity finance, carbon financing, sustainable finance or similar.  The specialist shall have at least ten (10) years experience in the planning and execution of financial instruments associated with biodiversity conservation. The consultant must be able to demonstrate familiarity with financial instruments (e.g. carbon credits, biodiversity credits, payments for ecosystem services, trust funds) and associated markets and pathways to access private and public sector finance.

Level of effort: three (3) working months (home office with 1-2 in-country visits)

• A Community Engagement Specialist, with a degree in social sciences, anthropology, or development studies, and at least seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in tribal stakeholder engagement, grievance redress, and culturally appropriate facilitation within Melanesian communities for the purposes of community-led development, natural resource management and / or biodiversity conservation. The person should have experience in community-based governance structures and benefit sharing models.

Level of effort: six (6) working-months (home office and project-based)

• A GIS and Mapping Specialist, with professional qualifications in geospatial sciences and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in participatory mapping, GPS-based land demarcation, remote sensing, and GIS data management and mapping;

Level of effort: four (4) working-months (home office and project-based)

• A Biodiversity or Ecology Specialist, with postgraduate qualifications and at least ten (10) years of experience in field biodiversity assessments and integrating ecological data into natural resource management, biodiversity offsets and / or conservation management.  Experience with World Bank or IFC PS6 or World Bank ESS6 is necessary.  The person must be able to manage a team of specialists and field technicians to collect and analyze data.  Experience integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge is desirable;

Level of effort: six (6) working-months (home office and project-based)

• A Legal Advisor, with a background in environmental and/or customary land law and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the Solomon Islands legal system.  Experience of Protected Areas Act 2010 is desirable;

Level of effort: three (3) working-months (home office and project-based)

• A Training and Capacity Building Coordinator, with at least ten (10) years’ experience developing and delivering localized training modules on conservation management, protected area governance and compliance management.  This coordinator must also have demonstrable experience in capacity building needs assessments and plans with Ministries.  Experience in Solomon Islands or Melanesian countries is desirable.

Level of effort: three (3) working-months (home office and project-based)

All key team members must be fluent in English, with demonstrated ability to clearly communicate technical content to diverse audiences, including customary landowners and tribal representatives. Working knowledge of Solomon Islands Pidjin or experience working through Pidjin-speaking facilitators will be considered an asset.  Key team members’ CVs will be evaluated in the proposal.

7.2       Non-Key Experts

Other non-key personnel are at the discretion of the firm and may include local personnel to assist with engagement and biodiversity field work, expertise in cultural heritage, financial instruments, grant fund applications, carbon credits, monitoring reporting and verification programs, M&E programs, remote sensing, forest-based livelihoods, tourism etc.  Additional desirable expertise include previous experience supporting biodiversity offset implementation and Protected Area application processes in the Solomon Islands and demonstrated understanding of donor-funded project requirements related to biodiversity offsets, ecosystem services, or long-term conservation financing. Experience with community-based natural resource governance and mechanisms for co-management between state and customary institutions is essential. CVs of Non-key experts will not be considered in the evaluation process .

Resources and Further Information

Project website: https://tina-hydro.com/

Project Environmental and Social Management Plans, including the Biodiversity Management Plan (which contains the Terrestrial and Aquatic Offset Management Strategies): https://tina-hydro.com/project-esmps/

Appendix-Maps

Habitat Typology Maps for Project Area and Tina River Catchment.

Terrestrial Habitat Categorisation Maps for Project Area and Tina River Catchment (World Bank / IFC definitions of Modified, Natural and Critical Habitat)

Aquatic Habitat Categorisation Maps for Project Area and Tina River Catchment (World Bank / IFC definitions of Modified, Natural and Critical Habitat)

Map of Upper Tina River Catchment

1. A Solomon Islands Protected Natural Areas Toolkit Steps

Summary of the steps to prepare an application:

[2] Alternative income from non-extractive enterprises for land owning units to deter the lure of mining and legal or illegal forestry and / or to fund conservation activities.

[3] Detailed quantitative biodiversity field work is not anticipated at this time but observational visits will be necessary by biodiversity specialists.  The consultant will review biodiversity data collected by the Project, FAO and other studies.

[4] The Project Office have a goal to achieve more than four, but the consultant is expected to provide support to at least four under this assignment.

[5] https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/protected-areas-toolkit.pdf

[6] For the purposes of this assignment the consultant shall assume consultations will continue with up to six tribes (those identified as most willing/ready). 

[7] Formalized ranger training and certification is provided by the Solomon Islands Ranger Association, but depending on the capacity of the association and the needs of the specific PAMP, the consultant will provide on-the-ground support to the rangers to supplement or gap-fill any required upskilling or knowledge transfer.