Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) 

Wildlife Conservation Society is a non-governmental organization established in 1895 with a mission to conserve wildlife and wild places worldwide. WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy land and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from diversity and integrity of life on earth. WCS has a presence in more than 60 nations and has supported the establishment of 150 protected areas. 

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), WCS’s involvement in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) dates back to 1959 with the first survey of the Grauer’s gorilla. 

About the Program 

In April 2022, WCS entered into a 10-year Public Private Partnership agreement with Congolese Institute for Conservation of Nature (ICCN) which delegated the management of KBNP to WCS. In the management of KBNP, WCS’s seeks to protect biodiversity, human rights, promote the cultural heritage of indigenous people and local communities. A clear understanding of the cultural importance of KBNP to indigenous people, traditional ecological knowledge of IPLC’s, and linkages of different ethnic groups (primarily Bantu and Batwa) living within the vicinity of KBNP could support social cohesion and strengthened relationships between the park, indigenous peoples, and local communities.  

About the Consultancy. 

The overarching goal of this consultancy is to carry out in-depth analysis of cultural heritage and associations of different ethnic groups to KBNP, the role of traditional ecological knowledge and culture heritage to achieve sustainable peace and reconciliation of different ethnic groups and effective management of the park. The blended participatory and expert research seeks to empower IPLC organizations or individuals to play an active role in the study process. 

Specific objectives are. 

1. Collect and analyse traditional ecological knowledge, cultural use resources and practices of Bantu and Batwa communities around the park. 
2. Document the cultural importance of the park for communities and how people interact with the park and its resources. 
3. Build capacity of identified IP organizations and/or individuals to actively participate in documentation of IPLC stories and songs including training on use of digital devices for data collection, recording of songs, stories 
4. Collect, Collate, and analyze community stories, songs, tales, artefacts etc. linked to the park and the surrounding forest and design information, communication, and education (IEC) materials (e.g pictorials, audio-visuals, murals, paintings) to be shared with different segments of the local population.  

Deliverables 

1. Documentation of community stories, songs, tales, artefacts, and natural resources of cultural importance to Batwa and Bantu communities. 
2. Training of selected IP and non-IP individuals on storytelling, use of digital devices for data collection and participatory research methods. 
3. Production by Batwa communities of participatory maps documenting their perception and understanding of important cultural and natural resources around the park. 
4. In collaboration with WCS’s communications, community conservation teams, Batwa and other communities’ produce IEC materials for dissemination to the local population, based on the above 
5. Technical report summarizing findings and providing recommendations on further practical actions WCS, and partners can take to promote cultural heritage for peace, reconciliation and effective management of the park, including identifying traditional institutions to engage. 

Qualification  

1. At least master’s degree in Anthropology, Cultural studies, Peace, and Conflict, social studies with 3 years relevant experience in this field or degree in same field with 5 years professional experience. 
2. In-depth knowledge and at least 2 years’ experience in participatory action research with Indigenous people and local communities preferably in eastern DRC 
3. Experience in documentation of Indigenous ecological knowledge, cultural research and community led peace building initiatives. 
4. Fluency in written and spoken French and Swahili and local languages an advantage (e.g. Mashi) 

Application and Evaluation Process. 

Qualified and interested consultancy could apply by submitting a max 4-page application, explaining. 

1. Their understanding of the result sought in the ToR. 
2. Proposed methodology to carry-out this assignment, including a clear work plan. 
3. Estimated detailed budget for the work. 
4. Curriculum vitae of key individuals to be involved in the study. 

Evaluation Process. 

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of representatives of WCS DRC and Central Africa. The technical evaluation of the bids will be based on their compliance with the terms of reference and the following criteria: understanding and interpretation of the ToR, methodology, and the consultants’ qualifications. Each compliant proposal will be assigned a technical score. Proposals that do not address critical aspects of the ToR, or do not achieve a minimum technical score, will be rejected at this stage. Tenders that are technically valid will be subject to a financial analysis to determine the best offer. 

All applications should be addressed to drcprocurement@wcs.org with subject clearly marked application for Cultural Studies of Kahuzi-Biega on or before 15th April 2024, 1600hrs. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis on receipt.