BACKGROUND 

The Mindoro Strait – Sustainable and Equitable Tuna for Bankability (MS-SETB) has considered sustainable resource management as a significant contribution to the coastal fishing communities of Occidental Mindoro in terms of sustainable livelihoods, increased household quality of life, formation of community enterprises while addressing key environmental issues in the specified area/community. An area management approach is being considered to impart knowledge, skills and best practices to selected communities especially the leaders, fishers, women groups and relevant stakeholders.

While MS-SETB focused on yellowfin tuna as a high-value commodity in Occidental Mindoro, its management has already been addressed through the Sustainable Tuna Partnership Project 1 and 2 under the Local Tuna Management Plan (LTMP) and at the same time, the formalization of the Tuna Alliance – the network of tuna-producing municipalities of Occidental Mindoro that include Rizal, Calintaan, Sablayan, Sta. Cruz, Mamburao, Paluan, Looc and Lubang. This alliance would ensure that yellowfin tuna will be mainstreamed in the province as a one of the valuable marine resources in Mindoro Strait. 

Tuna fishing is seasonal in nature. Generally, all fishers catch tuna during the peak fishing months of October to April and after that they would go back to their regular fishing activities such as squid, flying fish, sardines, coral fishes and other fish products. This is where the area management approach is being applied wherein all available resources supporting the livelihoods in the community are given importance. There are already existing community enterprises that are currently thriving and operating but lacks the idea of how the community would benefit more on it. These are usually abundant throughout the year. Protecting it from overfishing would ensure sustainable livelihoods for everyone.

The concept of area management approach puts emphasis on mobilizing and incentivizing local households to organize for the formation of community enterprises that support their needs for income and lowered expenses, for a higher quality of life, both for the people and the environment. Area Management has separate and distinct techniques in order to achieve management goals, which in the case of area management is always the improved status of the households in the area over time and the improved carrying capacity of the earth's ecosystems that are part of that area. Increasing the value of sustainable fishery economies at the community level and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods will increase the welfare of coastal populations, securing the livelihoods of the fisherfolk and the sustainable food sources of many people around the world.

OBJECTIVES

Among the outputs of the Mindoro Strait Sustainable and Equitable Tuna for Bankability (MS-SETB) Project is to establish area management protocols with the stakeholders for sustainable resource use management affected in livelihood systems under the alternative livelihood.  This will ensure that the main raw materials used for the specific livelihood system are not depleted thus continuing its business operation. The sustainable resource management would in turn improve income opportunities and resilience of the target beneficiary communities. 

The objectives of this consultancy are to provide action research on are management approach in the identified communities and define specific action plans and innovative ways to preserve and protect the key resource material for the continuity of the business enterprise.

Specifically, it aims to:

• conduct area management planning that identifies best practices on resource use in the local fishing communities as well as best practices from around the country; 
• prepare training modules and conduct training-workshop on how to implement and manage area management plans in the local context;
• compile different area management plans into a handbook for knowledge sharing.

The consultant shall consider the three objectives above in designing the proposal and the composition of his/her team in order to accomplish the deliverables.

SCOPE OF WORK

World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF)

While WWF shall engage the organization, it shall remain the overall in-charge of the project and undertake activities that are within its scope and expertise. Specifically, WWF is responsible in carrying out the following:

1. Review and approve consultancy outputs;
2. Conduct briefing sessions for the consultancy;
3. Assign staff to coordinate the requirements of the consultancy; and
4. Partake in the design and development of training modules and methodologies.

Consultant/ Consultancy Firm

The consultant, in providing the technical expertise required in planning and execution, shall have the following qualities and functions:

1. Submit a work and financial plan for approval of WWF. This document should contain various elements of the assignment including specific activities, objectives, design and methodology of field research, implementing staff, budget, duration, and how specific component activities will be managed;
2. Develop relevant area management training modules for community roll-out to be participated with the concerned fisherfolks, women’s groups, the LGUs and important stakeholders in the community.
3. Roll-out the area management training modules in the identified MS-SETB communities in coordination with WWF.
4. Coordinate and work closely with MS-SETB Community Enterprise Specialist on the status of preparations and other concerns related to the assignment; and
5. Submit to WWF the following deliverables:
   1. Inception report with detailed step-by-step process, methods, tools and timelines for development and validation of the learning pedagogy to be utilized.
   2. Identify various area management best practices on the economic resources identified.
   3. Design training modules and cost-effective methodologies in rolling-out the training modules to the communities.
   4. Develop area management handbook as a compilation of area management plans and best practices.
   5. Terminal report covering all the activities conducted by the Consultant.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in marine biology, environmental conservation, fishery or any related field;
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in area management, marine conservation and ecosystems protection programs in various coastal communities in the Philippines.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting community research, documentation of best practices and training module development.
• Experience in conducting community training activities.
• Strong understanding of sustainable business practices and principles;
• Knowledge of relevant industry trends, regulations, and best practices;
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and within a team;
• Proficiency in using relevant software and tools for business planning and financial analysis;
• Experience in working with international organizations and/or donors is an asset.

DURATION

The implementation of this consultancy shall be six (6) months. 

TERMS OF PAYMENT 

The consultancy firm shall be paid after the required outputs are submitted. Payment will be in three tranches, which are as follows: