IUCN Consultancy - biodiversity enterprise trainer

Introduction The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) seeks a consultant or consulting agency to train community members on biodiversity enterprise development in Garba Tula, Kenya. The consultant will be responsible for providing training on development of bio enterprise, including strategy development, business planning and how to integrate into the value‐chain identified during market chain analysis. This training will prepare the community groups and individuals to gainfully participate in biodiversity related business opportunities.

Background and rationale of the training The lives and livelihoods of Garba Tula’s pastoralists and small hold farmers are inextricably intertwined with the health and well‐being of the area’s abundant natural resources. Harnessing benefits from those rich resources while sustaining the area’s extraordinary biodiversity is among Garba Tula’s biggest challenges. In partnership with the Resource Advocacy Program (RAP), IUCN is implementing a project titled; “Strengthening Natural Resource Governance in the Pastoral Areas of Eastern Africa”, an initiative that aims to support better environmental governance, including fair and equitable access to natural resources, a better distribution of benefits, and more participatory and transparent decision‐making processes. In line with one of the key result areas, this project is to support local governance for greater community benefits and livelihood security, with an activity to help community and community groups to develop environmentally sound and sustainable conservation‐based enterprises.

The Training Assignment The training will build upon findings of an economic and market chain study for natural resource products in Garba Tula and will be conducted in multiple interrelated modules. This includes 1) review of existing natural resource (NR) products, enterprises and market supply chains, 2) business strategy development 3) business planning, and 4) options for financial support and link to micro finance institution etc.

Objectives of the assignment In light of above, under the overall supervision of IUCN drylands team, the trainer will: 1. Develop, customize and adjust the training contents and schedule as agreed. 2. Deliver training on the agreed upon modules. 3. Based on experience and previous case studies, provide guidance to potential entrepreneurs as they formulate their business development and management plans. 4. Draft a report on the training process, with recommendations of areas for further improvement of the process.

Expected Outputs - 5 training modules. - Other training materials and required handouts. - Deliver training and mentorship on above subjects. - A succinct report on training results and recommendations on areas of improvement. The report will include the training material and handouts. The report will be handed in a soft copy.

Time frame The assignment (preparation, production of relevant materials, delivery of the training, and the final report) is expected to take a maximum of fifteen working days and should be completed within 20 days from the signing of the contract. This period includes preparation for the training, the actual training, and mentorship/guidance activities. IUCN and a local partner Resource Advocacy Programme (RAP) will be available to assist in the field whenever needed.

The consultant The consultant will be a bio‐enterprise expert with at least a master’s degree in the relevant field with over 10 years progressive working experience with proven skills in conducting capacity building in conservation enterprise, business planning and development. This includes a proven track record in designing and delivering trainings.

How to apply:

Interested persons should submit the following documents: (i) CV (ii) a brief write‐up on his/her interpretation of the TORs, (iii) a work plan for the activity, and (iv) financial proposal, to Akshay Vishwanath at akshay.vishwanath(at)iucn.org on or before 12th July, 2013.