Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan

Job Description

The Government of Dominica has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Leveraging Eco-Tourism for Biodiversity Protection (LETBP Project) in Dominica and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services (“the Services”), include Technical Consultant - Development of the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment
• Name of Project: Leveraging Eco-Tourism for Biodiversity Protection in Dominica (P170846)
• Assignment Title: Technical Consultant-Development of the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan
• Project Activity: Revision of existing legal arrangements and management of the WNT
• Procurement Plan ID: DM-MOERMKU-444847-CS-INDV
• Duration: 9 months
• Tentative Start Date: October 2024
• Location: EALCRP Project Implementation Office

Objective of Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a management plan for the Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) within Component one (1) of the LETBP project under the activity ‘Revision of existing legal arrangements and management of the Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT)’.

The objective of the assignment is to develop the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan, in a highly participatory manner and following best practices worldwide. The result will be an improved management framework and it will provide sustainable trail guidelines for operational aspects of trail management to include conservation, maintenance, utilization, financing, promotion, safety, etc. The proposed Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan should consult the existing “Sustainable Management and Structure for the Waitukubuli National Trail”. This is a report that was prepared by the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit in 2013 as the management framework for the first phase of the WNT operation and management. The Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan should include:

• establishing new co-arrangements with private landowners along the WNT that will be assessed by the Land Tenure Specialist under Component one (1) of the project.
• a new user-fee schedule that will be developed by the Financial Management Specialist under Component two (2) of the project.

The technical consultant for the development of the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan will work in close collaboration and coordination with the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment, Director of Surveys and Commissioner of Lands, the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), as well as the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

Specific Objectives: 

1. Develop the Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) Management Plan to include standard operating procedures, coordinating mechanisms and human resources (advisory, managerial, and operational).
2. Work in close collaboration with the Land Tenure Specialist who will assess all legal arrangements related to private lands for all 14 segments of the trail.
3. Work in close collaboration with the Financial Management Specialist who will review the existing user-fee schedule.
4. Develop the database of all service providers along the trail.

The content of the Waitukubuli National Trail Management Plan should include at a minimum:

1. Introduction and Background
2. Governance and Administration (human resource-advisory, managerial, operational)
3. Financial Framework
4. Improved Trail Management and coordination mechanisms (including existing and future co-management arrangements with private landowners and service providers along the trail).
5. Sustainable Trail Management Guidelines
6. Visitor Management Plan
7. Promotion and Branding
8. Safety which must include emergency exit routes, telephone capabilities, preparation of tour guides (search and rescue)
9. Appendices: Stakeholder list, List of service providers along the trail,

Responsibility

1. Conduct literature reviews:
   • Sustainable Management and Structure for the Waitukubuli National Trail, Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit 2013
   • Audit And Design of Civil Works for Rehabilitation of The Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT)
   • National Forest Policy 2022
   • Dominica Forest Note, WB 2021
   • National Parks and Protected Areas Act (Chapter 15 of 1975)
   • Forests Act (Chapter 60:01/02)
   • Forestry Wildlife and Protected Areas Act (No. 12 of 1976)
   • Physical Planning Act
   • National Protected Areas System Plan, UNDP 2020
   • The Waitukubuli National Trail Policy and Institutional Context and Issues, Waitukubuli Ecological Foundation, CANARI 2002.
2. Review the existing legislative and institutional framework for the WNT and propose recommendations for a new legally binding management structure.
3. Develop Sustainable Trail Guidelines which will determine conditions and standards on all aspects of planning, design, and construction that will assist in the proper use, maintenance, and management of WNT and trail facilities (Operational Manual).
4. Work in close collaboration with the Land Tenure Specialist to:
   • Assess legal arrangements related to private lands for all segments, and
   • Examine implications of proposed co-management arrangements as a part of the land tenure process.
5. Work in close collaboration with the Financial Management Specialist to:
   • Review the current user fee and to propose a new user fee schedule for the WNT, and
   • Determine whether a separate account is needed for the maintenance and operations of the WNT.
6. Conduct four (4) workshops.
   • Workshop 1-in collaboration with Financial Management Specialist on user fees, visitor management and trail sustainability,
   • Workshop 2-in collaboration with Land Tenure Specialist on legal arrangements and co-management arrangements,
   • Workshop 3-Decision-making (Forestry Division, Tourism, Physical Planning Division, Lands and Surveys Division, Ministry of Finance etc.),
   • Workshop 4-With stakeholders/communities to present findings and draft recommendations
7. Perform field visits for at least three (3) segments of WNT that will be defined in the inception phase of this consultancy as the most suitable for the assignment. Field trips will be organized in collaboration with the Forestry Division and the PIU.
8. Research what businesses (service providers) exist along the trail or nearby (1 kilometre radius) and develop a database that will be available Note: Service providers along the trail should be directed through the media (local radio stations, newspapers, Forestry and Discover Dominica Authority Facebook pages) to add their contacts and geographical location to the database or edit their existing information.
9. Review the WNT web page (https://waitukubulitrail.dm/) and develop guidelines for its full functionality and future management.

Experience and Qualifications

1. University degree (bachelor's or higher) or equivalent professional qualification in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Ecology, Eco-tourism, Protected Areas planning and
2. At least 7 years of professional experience in natural resources
3. At least 5 similar projects or
4. Demonstrated experience working with national governments, communities, and diverse stakeholder groups.
5. Demonstrated experience in conducting beneficiary consultations, and stakeholder engagement/participation.
6. Experience in developing planning and management documents and analysis for long-distance trails is an asset.
7. Fluency in English with the ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Dominican Creole will be an asset.
8. Excellent interpersonal and communication
9. Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple
10. The ability to communicate complex procedures among various
11. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Applications and
12. Strong teamwork skills and the ability to understand team needs and develop ideas to meet the assignment objectives.
13. Attention to detail

Benefits and Others

The Consultant will report on a regular basis to the Project Implementation Unit Office and the director of the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division as per the deliverable timelines below in a format to be decided once contracted.

Terms of Assignment  

The Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment invites eligible Individuals to indicate their interests to providing the services. Interested Individuals should provide information demonstrating that they have the necessary qualifications , relevant experience and skills to perform the services.

The attention of interested Individuals is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment i.e., 3.17 (c) & (d) of the Procurement Regulation.

Further information can be obtained at LETBP- Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at the 1 st Floor First Domestic Building, 19-21 King George V Street, Roseau at Tel: (767) 266-3981/275-1957 during office hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays to
Fridays.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by September 6th , 2024, at 3.15 p.m. Eastern Caribbean time in a written form (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) to the following addresses:

Attn: Project Manager
Leveraging Eco-Tourism for Biodiversity Protection in Dominica Project
First Floor,
First Domestic Building
19-21 King George V Street,
Roseau,
Commonwealth of Dominica

Tel: (767) 266-3981; 3998/275 1957

E-mail: letbpprocurement@gmail.com cc. dealcrp@dominica.gov.dm