Terms of Reference for IUCN Service Provision to Removal of Invasive Species and Planting Native Tree Species- Karushuga Forest Tender at International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

1. Objectives of the assignment

This assignment has the following objective:

Removal and damping of invasive species and planting tree seedlings in Karushuga natural remnant forest.

2. Background

The project “Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change through Enhanced Community-based Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Province of Rwanda (COMBIO)” was initiated to complement the TREPA Project. COMBIO aims to promote biodiversity conservation and strengthen climate resilience in both protected and productive landscapes. It is aligned with Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy.

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous people organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

www.iucn.org

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2. About the Project

The project is implemented through a consortium model, with the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) acting as the lead implementing agency and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) serving as a core technical partner. As part of the project’s implementation, forest management plans for key remnant forests were developed and validated. Subsequently, priority actions for restoration were identified, and three forests including Karushuga Natural remnant forests have been selected as the initial sites for implementation. 

To ensure effective implementation, RFA and IUCN are adopting a community-based approach. This involves identifying and engaging capable cooperatives from local communities surrounding the targeted forests, be willing, able to manage the funds, being involved in in restoration activities and having practical experience in FLR, legally registered and be inclusive (Men, women, youths and people with disability).

3. Description of the Assignment

The incumbent will be assigned to remove invasive species and do enrichment planting of 145,640 seedlings on the total area of 72.82ha. The specific tasks are but not limited to:

1. Removal and damping of invasive species such as lantana camara
2. Holes pegging and digging
3. Seedling transportation to the planting site, hole refilling and seedling planting
4. Installation of live fence (1 m wide fence of Caesalpinia decapetala on boundary between NF and surrounding Private Plots) 1m*1m spacing.
5. Beating up before final reception
6. Comply to the technical recommendations provided by IUCN staff.
7. Work with cooperative members and neighbouring communities in all restoration activities for job creation and ownership purposes.
8. Planting trees as per determined standards, (timeline, spacing and species).
9. Put in place the beating up plan, implementation, maintenance of trees and handover 

4. Key deliverables and deadlines

5. Duration of the Assignment

From contract signing date to 30th December 2026.

6. Payment schedule

7. Skills and competencies required

The service provider is expected to:

1. Be a farmer cooperative operating in areas around Karushuga Natural remnant forest.
2. Be legally registered
3. Be working or have worked in restoration initiatives.
4. Demonstrated capacity to clear sites and plant trees according to the required standards.
5. Have experience in managing contracts of comparable value and related scope within the last five years, of which at least one should have been in areas around this natural remnant forest
6. Have Sufficient organisational, managerial and staffing capacity to operate forest landscape restoration activities.
7. Master tree planting techniques and timeline
8. Be able to or have been working with a financial institution.

Supervision and coordination

The service provider will report to and work under the supervision of IUCN staff.

Notice: 

For RfP and other documents related to this consultancy should be found: 

https://iucn.org/procurement/currently-running-tenders

Applications should be sent electronically (email) to tenders.rwanda@iucn.org.

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