Introduction
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is an international non-governmental organization which has been implementing conservation of biodiversity interventions for more than 60 years with an exclusive focus on Africa's wildlife and wildlands. All the AWF's conservation programs and strategies are designed to protect Africa's wildlife and wildlands and to ensure a rights-based approach to conservation for a sustainable future of the people living in Africa. Since its inception in 1961, the organization has protected endangered species and lands, promoted conservation businesses that benefit local African communities, and trained thousands of African nationals in conservation.
AWF in partnership with Land Development & Governance Institute (LDGI) and Indigenous Livelihood Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) is implementing, Biodiversity conservation in Kenya Southern Landscape, a four-year project funded by SIDA. The primary objective of the project is to strengthen biodiversity conservation and climate resilience by offering economically viable and sustainable livelihood options for communities. It also focuses on addressing land governance issues, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem restoration. The project is geographically concentrated in Taita Taveta, Kajiado, and Narok counties, collaborating with both county and national governments, as well as with community ranches and organized community groups.
Background
Through a funded UKPACT project, AWF commissioned a study whose goal was to undertake participatory value chain and market analysis toward sustainable forest management in Taita Taveta and Makueni counties. The viable value chains in the long run will be leveraged to promote alternative livelihood options for communities living around the forest. The objectives of the study included:
Determination of the interface between forest value chains and landscapes restoration.
Identification of specific opportunities for women and youth to be involved in these forest value chains.
Documentation and analysis of the potential forest products’ value chains
Identification of potential markets for the forest products value chain through a swot analysis
Identification of the linkages available for the community forest associations and organizations to tap on the potential markets for the forest products value chains.
The Report is out, and each County has prioritized the value chains for further development. The Report synthesized viability of the value chains through distribution of costs, benefits and profits among actors on six key Forest products value chains - Timber, Firewood, Honey, Community Tourism, Butterfly Farming and Wood carving. Next steps include crowding the value chains with private sector investment to start them up and thrive the forest sector again, by making the proposed value chains’ investment ready for the profits.
Objectives of the consultancy
The project seeks to unlock private sector investment into the identified forest products value chains to accelerate conservation of forests, associated biodiversity and create opportunities for economic growth/employment for the local population. To realize this, AWF on behalf of The County government of Taita Taveta needs an innovative and forward-looking public private investor engagement framework/strategy to catalyze investment into the immense opportunities available in the landscapes. This will be made possible with a public private partnership engagement strategy/framework that looks at the opportunities available, packaging them in a manner that fits the present market and providing potential options for linking with viable investors.
The select forest products value chains include:
Taita Taveta County |
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Specific Tasks
To develop and validate a public private partnership engagement and marketing strategy and provide clear guidelines on its operationalization.
To map out, identify and validate key stakeholders to be included in the development of the public private partnership engagement and marketing strategy.
To carry out an intensive and inclusive consultative process with the identified key stakeholders to gather information, recommendations, and obtain feedback on the development and operationalization of a public private partnership engagement strategy.
Develop a partnership desk and value proposition for what the proponent (County government Taita Taveta) can offer.
Suggest proposals on how the client can undertake account management database of all new public private partnership established, mobilised or in discussion under the forest products value chains.
Summary of good practices of linkages between Private Sector and community forest associations in the geography.
Engagement of key stakeholders’ post validation to develop product investment prospectus pamphlets.
Deliverables.
The specific outputs for the consultancy will be within the agreed timeframe and budget. Specifically, the consultant will provide:
Inception report: Highlighting methodology to be adopted in the selection, validation of key stakeholders and for carrying out a consultative process with stakeholders.
Final tools/instruments of the process
Electronic files with all raw data
Report – highlighting existing information, gaps, feedback, and recommendations from stakeholders.
Final Public Private Partnership engagement and marketing strategy validated by key stakeholders.
A net future value analysis for the identified forest products value chain (Cost benefit analysis)
Brochure of Product investment prospectus
Required experience, skills, and competencies
Education:
Master’s or equivalent degree in environmental economics, Marketing, Natural resources management, or related field
Minimum 10 years’ experience working with Private Sector development programs
Extensive experience working in conservation business/enterprises, investment or sustainable development.
Significant exposure to fundraising for philanthropic, foundation, impact or not-for-profit organizations
Experience in building and brokering partnerships across parties.
Experience organizing private sector-focused events
Professional connections and extensive private sector network in various industries; strong relationship-building skills.
Language
Excellent English and Swahili (written and spoken)
Excellent presentation and communication skills
Time frame of the consultancy:
The duration of the assignment will be for 30 days
Essential Required Documents
The consultant must attach the following documents to the application to be submitted:
Technical and financial proposals
CVs demonstrating their qualification, competence, and experience in undertaking similar assignments
Two recent references
Copy of PIN Certificate
Proof of similar assignments completed
Bank Statement for the last 1 year
Copy of Tax Compliance certificate
Work plan
Vendor evaluation criteria
The proposals will be evaluated against the aspects included in the Terms of Reference and applying AWF’s vendor selection criteria checklist.
Submission process
Interested candidates should send their application to procurement@awf.org with a copy to MWanyika@awf.org by 5.00pm EAT on August 8, 2025.
Early submissions are welcome and appreciated. AWF may request meetings or calls to discuss bids and reserves the right to reject all bids. AWF also reserves the right to consider bids for modification at any time before an award is made.