Hima Management Plans Development for 4 Hima regions in Lebanon (Hammana, Ras El Maten, Kherbet Qanafar/Ain Zebdeh, and Qleileh/Mansouri)

1. Tasks to be Performed by the Contractor

The contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Conduct a literature review on Hima regions in general, focusing on existing management plans, best practices, and relevant research.
2. Conduct a thorough situation analysis for each Hima region, including:

• SWOT analysis: Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Detailed site descriptions with ecological and socio-economic assessments.
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement, including government agencies, local communities, and other stakeholders.

1. Based on the situation analysis, undertake a problem analysis to identify key challenges and priorities for each Hima.
2. Define clear and measurable objectives for the management plans, aligned with conservation goals and community needs.
3. Design a participatory planning process involving workshops and consultations with SPNL and local communities for each Hima region.
4. Conduct workshops to gather data, identify needs, and build consensus on the management plan content.
5. Undertake clustering of similar challenges and opportunities for efficient planning and targeted interventions.
6. Determine strategic aims for each cluster, setting specific and measurable objectives.
7. Develop action plans with concrete actions, timelines, and responsible parties to achieve the set objectives. These plans should cover aspects like:
   -Biodiversity conservation.

-Habitat restoration and management.

-Sustainable resource use.

-Community engagement and capacity building.

-Infrastructure development and maintenance.

-Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

1. Prepare draft management plans for each Hima region, incorporating local knowledge, traditional practices, and feedback from all stakeholders.
2. Organize consultations and discussions with SPNL and community members to revise and finalize the draft management plans.
3. Produce final management plans for each Hima region in English, including maps, diagrams, and illustrations.
4. Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan for each management plan, outlining indicators, data collection methods, and reporting procedures.
5. Present the finalized management plans and monitoring plans to SPNL and local communities.
6. Provide recommendations for capacity building initiatives to empower communities for long-term management of their Himas.

1. Expected Deliverables

The contractor will provide the following deliverables:

1. Situation analysis reports for each Hima region.
2. Problem analysis reports for each Hima region.
3. Draft and final management plans for each Hima region.
4. Monitoring and evaluation plans for each Hima region.
5. Capacity building recommendations report.
6. Presentation materials for management plans and monitoring plans.
7. All data collected during the project.
8. Final project report summarizing the entire process and outcomes.

1. Materials to be Provided by SPNL

SPNL will provide the following materials to the contractor:

• Existing data and reports on the four Hima regions, including biodiversity assessments, land use maps, and historical records.
• The updated Hima methodology.
• Climatic data for each Hima region.
• Logistical support for workshops and field visits.
• Translation services for Arabic-English communication.

1. Hima Methodology and Alignment

The contractor must employ the Hima management plan methodology, ensuring full alignment with its principles and practices. This includes:

• Emphasis on participatory planning and community engagement.
• Integration of local knowledge and traditional practices into the plans.
• Prioritization of sustainable resource management and biodiversity conservation.
• Adoption of a holistic approach addressing ecological, social, and economic considerations as well as climate change.
• Commitment to community empowerment for long-term management.

1. Qualifications

The selected contractor must meet the following qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, or social sciences.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and implementing management plans for protected areas.
• Demonstrated expertise in the Hima approach and community-based conservation.
• Proven experience in participatory planning methodology and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Arabic.
• Experience in working with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.

1. Expected Timeframe

The project is expected to be completed within a timeframe of 10-12 months, starting in February 2024. The specific timeline will be included in the contractor's proposal and finalized in collaboration with SPNL.

1. Acceptance Criteria for Each Deliverable

The following acceptance criteria will be applied to each deliverable:

• Literature review report: Meets research standards, provides comprehensive overview of existing knowledge on Hima regions, and includes relevant sources.
• Situation analysis reports: Clearly describe the ecological, social, and economic context of each Hima region, present a well-developed SWOT analysis, and provide detailed maps and stakeholder information.
• Problem analysis reports: Identify key challenges and priorities accurately, based on stakeholder input and data analysis.
• Draft and final management plans: Adhere to the Hima methodology, address identified problems and objectives, include well-defined action plans with measurable goals and indicators, and incorporate feedback from consultations.
• Monitoring and evaluation plans: Outline clear indicators, data collection methods, and reporting procedures for effective plan implementation and evaluation.
• Capacity building recommendations report: Provide practical and cost-effective recommendations for training programs and initiatives to empower local communities.
• Presentation materials: Clearly communicate the management plans and monitoring plans to diverse audiences.
• Data collected during the project: Organized and well-documented, accessible to SPNL for future use.
• Final project report: Summarize the entire project process, including methodology, findings, outcomes, and recommendations, in a clear and concise manner.