National Consultant- Fish Catch Assessment Survey

USAID Paani Program

Request for Applications

DAI seeks a National consultant who will be leading the Fish Catch Assessment Survey for the USAID Paani Program. The consultant will create the brief inception report, detailed plans for action inclusive of a simplified version of the methodology designed for Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) developed by the International Consultant team. The consultant will also develop training capacity package for the local champions and conduct training per the manual. With support from Paani, the consultant will clean and filter the catch fish data prior to sharing with the business case developer team.

Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to PANI_recruitment@dai.com by February 28, 2020.

Please mention the position in the subject line of the email.

Detail Scope of Work

Position:  National Consultant- Fish Catch Assessment Survey

Level of Effort:  On/about 1 March2020 – July 31, 2020 (42 days)

Base of Operations:  Kathmandu and Karnali River Basin

Background:

The USAID Paani Program, also known as the पानीपरियोजना, is a 5-year project in Nepal aims to enhance Nepal’s ability to manage water resources for multiple uses and users through climate change adaptation and the conservation of freshwater biodiversity. Paani focuses the programs at the watershed, river basin, and national scales.  Its goal will be reached by meeting the following objectives:  

• Reduce threats to freshwater biodiversity in the Karnali, Mahakali, and Rapti river basins. 
• Increase the ability of targeted human and ecological communities to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change through improved water management. 

These objectives will be accomplished through 11 strategic approaches and supporting activities, as defined in Section C, Statement of Work (SOW) of the Paani Contract and annual work plans, which provide the framework and overall guidance for all Paani team members. As part of SA 1.1.1 sustainable capture fisheries the results of this particular assignment informs other Paani programs – ecotourism, fisheries feasibility studies, river stretch co-management and fisheries guidelines. Paani realized the need of the business case that explores investment opportunities on capture fisheries, which need estimate fish catch. Training of fishers champion deemed necessary who could track fish harvests over time.  Since fish catch assessment is new to Nepal, Paani has been recruiting national expert who could lead the implementation of the survey methodology developed by the international consultant. The national expert will also provide training to the local champions who could be monitoring such catch fish surveys for their own use. 

The consultant will create the brief inception report, detailed plans for action inclusive of a simplified version of the methodology designed for Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) developed by the International Consultant team. The consultant will also develop training capacity package for the local champions and conduct training per the manual. With support from Paani, the consultant will clean and filter the catch fish data prior to sharing with the Business Case developer team. 

CAS will generate data required to develop Business Cases, which will inform investment in fisheries development in Nepal, with specific reference to the River Karnali, drawing on existing country-specific data, international best practices, and stakeholder input. Apart from the development of business case, the information and knowledge generated through fish catch surveys will also inform fisheries sector polices and plans related to research, conservation, capacity building and extension. The business cases developed based on high quality, real data will not only create baseline but also generate data, for use by wide range of entrepreneurs, researchers including CAACG members. 

Purpose:

The overall purpose of this assignment is to implement the survey methodologies, tools and data collection formats for direct measurement in main stem Karnali River, and the other one survey with fishers’ folks and train local stakeholders on CAS and community surveys.

The overall tasks to achieve each purpose include but not limited to:

• The consultant will provide input on the survey instrument designed by the lead international consultant.
• The consultant will develop a Nepali version of the survey instrument including the methodology, tool and data collection sheet for conducting the CAS with local community enumerators, including fishers’ folks (CAACG members) and Paani trained citizen scientists.  
• The consultant will develop a simplified Nepali CAS training package, including guidance note for organizing the training program, 
• The consultant will train local enumerators including local fisher folks (CAACG members) and Paani trained citizen scientists.
• The consultant will conduct the CAS and collect, compile, verify, and submit quality assured data.

Assessment approach: 

• Work closely with International Consultant team and Paani team including CAACG at the pilot sites. 
• Finalize the SOW with clear plans for action inclusive of 
• Catch Assessment Survey
• Community surveys with individuals who actually catch fish for food and or income 
• Training package for local champions, stakeholders those likely to be engaged in monitoring and or patrolling to track poaching, over and destructive fishing practices
• Training schedule for local stakeholders based on the training module and manual developed based on the capacity building package developed by International consultants 
• Required periodic skype calls to resolve issues whenever came out during different phases of field implementation. The consultant along with Paani team will engage in skype conversation with consultants who are providing services remotely
• Data collection, data compilation, data quality assurance and data submission in the prescribed format. The consultant will work closely with Paani team based in Kathmandu and in the field
• Periodic sharing through review and reflection meeting 

Working and reporting relationships:

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Paani Deputy/Chief of Party or his/her designee and in close collaboration with Freshwater Fisheries Specialist and Chief Technical Specialist.  

The Paani team will provides support to generate CAS data and assist team to gather information required to accomplish the above assignments 

Develop and Share Deliverables:

• Inception report inclusive of finalized scope of work, detailed action plan, and agreed activities and deliverable
• Simplified, Nepali version of CAS methodology inclusive of survey manual, tools and data sheet for CAS and template for fish catch survey with fishers   
  • Sampling methods
  • Yield estimate [volume weigh]
  • Catch survey tools 
  • Data collection sheet/template
• Simplified Nepali language training package, with guidance notes, for building capacity of local community enumerators
• Compile CAS data, verify to assure quality and submit to Paani in the format prescribed by the lead International STTA.  

Required Expertise:

• Relevant advanced university degree and qualifications
• More than 10 years of relevant experience [International, national]
• Previous work experience on assignments with Paani Project is preferred
• Highly regarded track record 

“Women and persons with disabilities, marginalized and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply”