RECRUITMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY FIRM FOR THE REVIEW/UPDATE OF THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN (NBSAP) AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 7TH NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY REPORT FOR SIERRA LEONE

Procurement Number: EPASL/NRG/UNEP/RFP/2025/0013

Date of First Issue: 23^rd JUNE, 2025

Background

The government of Sierra Leone through the Environment Protection Agency has secured funds through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to support Sierra Leone to update/review NBSAP and develop the 7^th National Report”, which aims to integrate current status of biodiversity, trends, and drivers of biodiversity loss, legal and institutional framework, goals and strategic pillars, alignment with the KM-GBF and other national priorities, biodiversity and human wellbeing, resource mobilization and partnerships, and establishing an effective monitoring and learning framework while documenting lessons learned and identifying challenges and gaps for effective governance and implementation of the previous NBSAPs.

This review process intends to adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach through an inclusive and gender-responsive stakeholder engagement of relevant state and non-state actors in the update of the NBSAP and preparation of the 7^th national report.

Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to review/update the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Sierra Leone, aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), that will reflect national development priorities and actionable strategies for implementation.  The NBSAP will serve as a strategic framework for the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biodiversity resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, in line with the country’s commitment under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Also, the 7^th national report will track the progress and assess the effectiveness of measures taken by Sierra Leone in implementing the Convention’s provisions. This report will serve as a means for the Conference of the Parties to monitor the overall implementation of the CBD and identify areas where further support or guidance may be needed.

Specific Tasks:

• The international consulting firm shall lead in undertaking the following tasks/responsibilities, and in close collaboration with the national technical experts.
• The international consultancy firm is required to work with the national technical experts.
• The International consultant shall recruit its team of national technical experts.

 A. Desktop Research

B.National Biodiversity Data Collection

C.National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

D.Analysis of the Legal, Policy, and Institutional Framework that aligns with the NBSAP and GBF

E.Develop the 7th National Report on the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

Academic qualifications:

Education:

All Consultants should hold a Master’s degree in related fields, including Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Conservation, Social Sciences, Environmental Policy, Biology, Economics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field.

A post-doctorate in the relevant field is an added advantage.

Experiences:    

A minimum of five (5) years of related experience with an extensive understanding of biodiversity conservation, economics, environmental governance, or related works. Experience in the following fields is relevant:

a. Terrestrial, Marine, and Coastal Protection

b. integrated landscape management

c.Environmental governance

d. biodiversity and gender mainstreaming

e.Innovative biodiversity financing mechanisms

f.monitoring and Evaluation Systems

g.Understanding of the Convention on Biological Diversity and other related conventions

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English. All documents are expected to be produced in English.

Evaluation method and criteria

Technical Criteria weight 70%

Financial Criteria weight 30%,

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the total technical points (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal:

Financial proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (including professional fee, and specified other costs if applicable, including travel costs and DSA).

The international consultant/firm is requested to prepare and submit their technical and financial proposal to be submitted to the address not later than 22^nd July 2025 at (1:00 Pm).

Note: The consultant/firm shall be ranked and the first ranked on the list shall be selected for the proposed assignment given that, their fee rates are within the budget.  The selection process will be based on the Least Cost Selection

Service Required: The Environment Protection Agency SL is soliciting the services of an international Consulting expert /firm for the review/update of the national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) and the development of the 7^th national biodiversity report for sierra Leone. The Agency has secured fund from UNEP and is therefore inviting International consultants who can provide a statement of capability and experience indicating that they are qualified to perform the service (description of similar assignment, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.) to submit Technical and financial proposals for the assignment. The Technical Proposals will be publicly opened on [22^nd July, 2025] at [1:05 pm], in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend, at the address below.

This advertisement is open to all individual Consultants /firms internationally

Kindly submit the following documents;

• Technical proposal
• Financial Proposal, that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (inclusive professional fee and specify other costs if applicable. But excluding travel costs and DSA.
• A Cover Letter
• Personal CV indicating educational background/professional qualifications. contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• firm Profile
• Samples of previous work/ experience from similar project.

Duration of work:

The assignment is expected to be undertaken within 5 Months (July – November 2025) from the date of signing the contract.

Duty Station: Home Base with a mission to Sierra Leone.

Interested consultant may obtain further information and collect the terms of reference (TOR) at the address below between [9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays] or send an email to the below email address.

Technical and Financial proposals must be delivered either by hand or mail to the address below on or before [22^nd July, 2025] at [1:00 pm],

Proposals along with relevant documents must be submitted in sealed envelope boldly marked: “Preparation of the national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) for Sierra Leone’’ at the address below.  Late proposal will be rejected and returned unopened. In addition to the original of the proposals, the number of copies required is 2.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Bids must be delivered to the address below or by email to kamara.isatu2000@gmail.com/isatu.kamara@epa.gov.sl and copied to massaquoiabubakar@gmail.com/ab.massaquoi@epa.gov.sl no later than 22^nd JULY,2025.

Executive Chairperson

Environment Protection Agency-SL;

2^nd Floor

38 Freetown Road, Wilberforce Village

Freetown