ToR for Assessing biophysical features of the western shore of Lake Ziway for delineation of buffer zone and planning management options

Background

 Wetlands International, Farm Africa, the International Water Management Institute and Nile Basin East Africa Office are implementing projects that aim to promote the protection and sustainable management of wetlands and watersheds through ecologically sustainable water management practices. One main activity identified relates to the delineation and characterization of buffer zone and planning of management options for Lake Ziway. This ToR is designed to hire a suitable and experienced expert who will lead the assessment of the socioeconomic and biophysical features of the western shores of Lake Ziway.

Objective

This delineation and characterization of buffer zone and planning of management options for lake Ziway focus on characterizing the biophysical features and resources in the buffer zones of Lake Ziway. Particularly, the focus of this work is to identify locations or sites in the lake buffer zones that can be delineated for environmental, ecological, and economic functions, and assess vegetation composition, soil types, topography, and seasonal and year to year variation of the lake extent.

Activities

• Characterizing the vegetation composition and biodiversity of the buffer zone. This include identification of tree species, estimation of vegetation cover, identification of the economic use of trees.
• Assess the seasonal and year to year variation of the lake extent through key informant interviews.
• Assess and characterize the existing farm and watershed level land management practices.
• Gather ground truthing points for detailed differentiation of irrigated and rainfed agriculture and input the LULC mapping.
• Location of houses, small businesses (if any), big trees, and pathways. This refers to taking ground truth points using GPS.
• Identifying and characterizing major soil types in the buffer zone using field methods. This includes characterizing the major soils in terms of drainage, texture, fertility, etc.
• Characterizing slope, both facing direction and steepness.
• Discuss with communities and experts to verify the proposed criteria to develop a design and management plan for buffer zone management
• Support the development of the design and management plan of the buffer zone. For example, by providing information on common farm and watershed level land management practices. 
• Support the GIS team during establishing, quantifying, and localizing the pressures and impacts of human activities. For example, the consultant will support by identifying or taking ground truth points indicating coverage of irrigated and rainfed agricultural activities and degradation of vegetation) and potential for agricultural intensification (e.g. irrigation).
• Organize and analyse data.

Deliverables 

Deliverables

Description Proposed due date

Deliverable 1Develop data collection tools. This refers to data collection tool for vegetation and soil surveys and other biophysical features

Mid-June 2022Deliverable 2Organized data in excel sheet31 August 2022Deliverable 3Technical report on the biophysical features of the buffer zone 30 September 2022Deliverable 4Support the design and development of management plan. This refers to providing inputs in consultative meetings aimed at developing future management plan. 30 September 2022

Job Requirements

• PhD or Master’s Degree in a field relevant to the assignment (such as Environmental Science/Studies, IWRM, Wetlands, NRM, Ecology, etc.).
• Demonstrated work experience in relevant areas/field
• Research experience in related areas/themes, preferably with a history of publications in reputable journals
• Thorough understanding of the Central Rift Valley and its environs
• Ability to deliver within limited times.
• Knowledge of the local language is advantageous.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates who meet the criterial should apply by sending the followings in 1 (one) pdf document:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae, (mandatory)
• A motivation letter including one-page summary of experience (mandatory)
• A detailed work plan with budget
• Names and contact details of three professional referees (Mandatory).

If you believe that your experience and credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by emailing your application to ddeegafe@wetlands-eafrica.org with copy to aadem@wetlands-eafrica.org .

Interested applicants can collect the Concept Note from Wetlands International Office located in 22 mazoria, Chichinya area, Atsede Tesfa Building, 2^nd Floor, Room 2-A, in front of Chaka Coffee.

Application deadline: May 10, 2022.