EXPERT – CONSULTANT ON PROTEIN PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE CONGO BASIN 271 views0 applications

WWF (The World Wide Fund for Nature) is an International Non-Governmental Organization that deals with conservation of nature. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

WWF Cameroon Country Programme Office in collaboration with WWF US seeks to hire an experienced and motivated individual as consultant for study on protein production, consumption and its environmental impacts in Cameroon.

The food systems of the peoples of the Congo Basin is inextricably linked to their environment and derived from agriculture (mainly subsistence), hunting and fishing providing an important source of key protein intakes i.e. animal and vegetable proteins. Bush meat for instance for a greater proportion of these population represent an important source of animal protein. Unsustainable hunting for bush meat is becoming a key threat to wildlife and there is increasing concern about the risks it poses to public health through the transmission of zoonotic viruses. This is evident with the recent outbreaks of the Ebola disease across certain African countries. According to earlier studies, in Cameroon bush meat constituted an important diet of many urban and rural Cameroonians and provided an estimated 70 – 80% of animal protein especially in the Southern Region. It is not certain this trend is changing especially with increased population and increased urbanization around some of the sourcing areas (protected areas, forest logging concessions, etc.) like Yokadouma, Djoum, Sangmelina, Abongbang, Lomie, etc.

WWF has carried out studies related to wildlife and bush meat which include one on wildlife trade in Campo and surrounding towns like Kribi in 2012, a survey of bush meat around Lobeke National Park in 2015 and one on bush meat typology and the fight against its illegal commercialization in Yaounde in 2012. However, these different studies did not very much focus on the question of analyzing the relationship between bush meat and protein. WWF in most of the landscapes it operates in Cameroon has worked with local communities to promote animal and vegetable protein alternatives such as piggery, poultry, vegetable gardening options to curb poaching for bush meat especially as in most cases this type of poaching is also associated with wildlife trafficking.

Research Objectives:

This case study will consist of multiple sections:

1. An updated narrative overview of bush meat protein production and consumption trends based on the different WWF studies on bush meat survey. This overview will include the environmental, socio-economic and nutritional impacts and threats of protein production and consumption, and potential threats to production from environmental factors like climate change.
2. A deeper dive analysis of bush meat consumption in Cameroon and at least one other Congo Basin country: what species are being targeted, what cultural, economic or nutritional factors are driving consumption, and what are the environmental impacts of consumption.
3. A deeper dive analysis that looks at one protein-rich livestock or crop commodity, or an analysis that looks at the relationship between cash crop production and domestic protein supply.
4. Identification of any data gaps that would require field research for potential future projects

Methodology:

The assignment to ensure sufficient insight will have to be both participatory using iterative research methods with an in-depth documentary review. This case study will draw primarily on desk research and cover the four overarching areas identified below. The consultant will identify and use regional and country-level data from government, academic, and private sector sources, and reach out to different stakeholders and parties for interviews or individual questions to supplement these data. The consultant will work closely with WWF Cameron, WWF ROA Yaounde Hub and WWF U.S. to plan and develop this case study, including an onboarding meeting or call, biweekly check-in calls, and sharing the case study outline and drafts. The consultant will incorporate feedback from a peer review of WWF and regional subject-matter experts into a second draft of the case study.

Spatial Scope:

Any of the two following landscapes:

· TRIDOM

· TNS

· Campo Ma’an

Expected Deliverables:

· An inception report on protein production and consumption trends in the selected landscapes

· A case study creation based on the deep dive analysis of bush meat consumption and on at least one protein-rich livestock or crop commodity

Duration:

The timeframe for the assignment is 60 days. All deliverables are expected within a 3-month timeframe, effective from the date of signature of contract.

Qualification, skills, knowledge and experience required

The ideal candidate must have:

· At least an Advanced degree in a field relevant to agriculture, nutrition, or environmental science

· Deep-level understanding of food systems and biodiversity conservation in the Congo Basin

· Experience in case study creation, and subject-matter expertise related to food systems in the region.

· Experience with research and case study creation

· Familiarity with region-specific research and data already assembled related to protein production and consumption, health and nutrition, and bush meat consumption

· Good working knowledge in French and English

· Demonstrated high level proficiency in writing clear and concise analysis and in developing reports