Consultancy Service to Review and Facilitate the Development of General Management Plans, for Mnazi Bay–Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park

Consultancy Service to Review and Facilitate the Development of General Management Plans (GMPs), for Mnazi Bay–Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP).

IUCN Tanzania Country Office, Tanzania

RfP Reference: IUCN/TZ2026 GMPS03

Welcome to this Procurement by IUCN. You are hereby invited to submit a Proposal. Please read the information and instructions carefully because non-compliance with the instructions may result in disqualification of your Proposal from this Procurement.

REQUIREMENTS

A detailed description of the services to be provided can be found in Attachment 1.

CONTACT DETAILS

During the course of this procurement, i.e. from the publication of this RfP to the award of a contract, you may not discuss this procurement with any IUCN employee or representative other than the following contact. You must address all correspondence and questions to the contact, including your proposal.

IUCN Contact: tenders.tz@iucn.org

PROCUREMENT TIMETABLE

This timetable is indicative and may be changed by IUCN at any time. If IUCN decides that changes to any of the deadlines are necessary, we will contact you.

DATE ACTIVITY

March 16, 2026 Publication of the Request for Proposals

March 19, 2026 Deadline for submission of questions

March 20, 2026 Planned publication of responses to questions

March 25, 2026 Deadline for submission of proposals to IUCN (“Submission Deadline”)

April 1-2, 2026 Planned date for contract award

April 3, 2025 Expected contract start date

1. Please email the IUCN contact to confirm whether or not you are intending to submit a proposal by the deadline stated above.
2. COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
   Your Proposal must consist of the following three documents:
   • Signed Declaration of Undertaking (see Attachment 2)
   • Technical Proposal (see Section 4.3 below)
   • Financial Proposal (see Section 4.4 below)

Proposals must be prepared in English or in Kiswahili.

Your Proposal must be submitted by email to the IUCN Contact (see Section 2). The subject heading of the email shall be [IUCN-2026-03- BAHARI YETU PROJECT -01– Review and Facilitate the Development of General Management Plans (GMPs), for Mnazi Bay–Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP]. The bidder’s name is the name of the company/organisation on whose behalf you are submitting the proposal, or your own surname if you are bidding as a self-employed consultant. Your proposal must be submitted in PDF format. You may submit multiple emails suitably annotated, e.g. Email 1 of 3, if attached files are too large to suit a single email transmission. You may not submit your Proposal by uploading it to a file-sharing tool.

IMPORTANT: Submitted documents must be password-protected so that they cannot be opened and read before the submission deadline. Please use the same password for all submitted documents. After the deadline has passed and within 12 hours, please send the password to the IUCN Contact. This will ensure a secure bid submission and opening process. Please DO NOT email the password before the deadline for Proposal submission.

1. Technical Proposal
   The technical proposal must address each of the criteria stated in the table below explicitly and separately.

Criteria

1.Team composition and qualifications (Multidisciplinary team): 10%

2.Competences: 20%

3.Methodology: 30%

4.Work plan 20%

Understanding of the local context: 20%

TOTAL 100%

Proposals in any other format will significantly increase the time it takes to evaluate, and such Proposals may therefore be rejected at IUCN’s discretion.

Where CVs are requested, these must be of the individuals who will carry out the work specified. The individuals you put forward may only be substituted with IUCN’s approval.

1. Financial Proposal

   1. The financial proposal must be a fixed and firm price for the provision of the services stated in the RfP in their entirety.

      1. Prices include all costs
      2. Applicable Goods and Services Taxes
      3. Currency of proposed rates and prices
      4. Breakdown of rates and prices

      Submitted rates and prices are deemed to include all costs, insurances, taxes (except VAT, see below), fees, expenses, liabilities, obligations, risk and other things necessary for the performance of the Terms of Reference or Specification of Requirements. IUCN will not accept charges beyond those clearly stated in the Financial Proposal. This includes applicable withholding taxes and similar. It is your responsibility to determine whether such taxes apply to your organisation and to include them in your financial offer.

      Proposal rates and prices shall be exclusive of Value Added Tax but you need to confirm if you are registered In VAT.

      All rates and prices submitted by proposers shall be in Tanzania Shillings only.

For information only, the price needs to be broken down in the following Table. Kindly, add all related price information like daily rates, transport, logistics fees that will be used while conducting this study. The price quotes should be in Tanzania Shillings.

1. Additional information not requested by IUCN should not be included in your Proposal and will not be taken into account in the evaluation.

   1. Your proposal must remain valid and capable of acceptance by IUCN for a period of 90 calendar days following the submission deadline.
   2. Withdrawals and Changes

   You may freely withdraw or change your proposal at any time prior to the submission deadline by written notice to the IUCN Contact. However, to reduce the risk of fraud, no changes or withdrawals will be accepted after the submission deadline.

2. EVALUATION of PROPOSALS

   1. Completeness
   2. Technical Evaluation
      1. Scoring Method

   IUCN will firstly check your proposal for completeness. Incomplete proposals will not be considered further.

Your proposal will be scored for each of the criteria from 0 to the maximum for each criteria.

1. Minimum Quality Thresholds

Proposals that receive a score of ‘0’ for any of the criteria will automatically be disqualified.

1. Technical Score

Your score for each technical evaluation criterion will be multiplied with the respective relative weight (see Section 5.4) and these weighted scores added together to give your proposal’s overall technical score.

1. Financial Evaluation and Financial Scores

   The financial evaluation will be based upon the full total price you submit. Your financial proposal will receive a score calculated by dividing the lowest financial proposal that has passed the minimum quality thresholds (see Section 5.2.2) by the total price of your financial proposal.

   Thus, for example, if your financial proposal is for a total of CHF 100 and the lowest financial proposal is CHF 80, you will receive a financial score of 80/100 = 80%

   1. Overall Score

   Your proposal’s Overall score will be calculated as the weighted sum of your technical score and your financial score.

   The relative weights will be:

   Technical: 70%

   Financial: 30%

   Thus, for example, if your technical score is 83% and your financial score is 77%, you will receive a total score of 83 * 70% + 77 * 30% = 58.1% + 23.1% = 81.2%.

Subject to the requirements in Sections 4 and 7, IUCN will award the contract to the bidder whose proposal achieves the highest total score.

1. Explanation of procurement procedure
   1. IUCN is using the Invitation Procedure for this procurement. This means that only invited bidders may submit a proposal. IUCN typically invites from four to six bidders to submit a proposal.
   2. You are welcome to ask questions or seek clarification regarding this procurement. Please email the IUCN Contact (see Section 2), taking note of the deadline for submission of questions in Section 3.1.
   3. All proposals must be received by the submission deadline indicated in Section 3.1. Late proposals will not be considered. All proposals received by the submission deadline will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in this RfP. No other criteria will be used to evaluate proposals. The contract will be awarded to the bidder whose proposal received the highest Total Score. IUCN does, however, reserve the right to cancel the procurement and not award a contract at all.
   4. IUCN will contact the bidder with the highest-scoring proposal to finalise the contract. We will contact unsuccessful bidders after the contract has been awarded and provide detailed feedback. The timetable in Section 3.1 gives an estimate of when we expect to have completed the contract award, but this date may change depending on how long the evaluation of proposals takes.
2. Conditions for participation in this procurement
   1. To participate in this procurement, you are required to submit a proposal, which fully complies with the instructions in this RfP and the Attachments.
      1. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted a complete and fully compliant proposal.
      2. Any incomplete or incorrectly completed proposal submission may be deemed non-compliant, and as a result you may be unable to proceed further in the procurement process.
      3. IUCN will query any obvious clerical errors in your proposal and may, at IUCN’s sole discretion, allow you to correct these, but only if doing so could not be perceived as giving you an unfair advantage.
   2. In order to participate in this procurement, you must meet the following conditions:

• Free of conflicts of interest
• Registered on the relevant professional or trade register of the country in which you are established (or resident, if self-employed)
• In full compliance with your obligations relating to payment of social security contributions and of all applicable taxes
• Not been convicted of failing to comply with environmental regulatory requirements or other legal requirements relating to sustainability and environmental protection
• Not bankrupt or being wound up
• Never been guilty of an offence concerning your professional conduct
• Not involved in fraud, corruption, a criminal organisation, money laundering, terrorism, or any other illegal activity.
  1. You must complete and sign the Declaration of Undertaking (see Attachment 2)
  2. If you are participating in this procurement as a member of a joint venture, or are using sub-contractors, submit a separate Declaration of Undertaking for each member of the joint venture and sub-contractor, and be clear in your proposal which parts of the goods/services are provided by each partner or sub-contractor.
  3. Each bidder shall submit only one proposal, either individually or as a partner in a joint venture. In case of joint venture, one company shall not be allowed to participate in two different joint ventures in the same procurement, nor shall a company be allowed to submit a proposal both on its behalf and as part of a joint venture for the same procurement. A bidder who submits or participates in more than one proposal (other than as a subcontractor or in cases of alternatives that have been permitted or requested) shall cause all the proposals with the bidder’s participation to be disqualified.
  4. By taking part in this procurement, you accept the conditions set out in this RfP, including the following:
• It is unacceptable to give or offer any gift or consideration to an employee or other representative of IUCN as a reward or inducement in relation to the awarding of a contract. Such action will give IUCN the right to exclude you from this and any future procurements, and to terminate any contract that may have been signed with you.
• Any attempt to obtain information from an employee or other representative of IUCN concerning another bidder will result in disqualification.
• Any price fixing or collusion with other bidders in relation to this procurement shall give IUCN the right to exclude you and any other involved bidder(s) from this and any future procurements and may constitute a criminal offence.

1. Confidentiality and data protection
   1. IUCN follows the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The information you submit to IUCN as part of this procurement will be treated as confidential and shared only as required to evaluate your proposal in line with the procedure explained in this RfP, and for the maintenance of a clear audit trail. For audit purposes, IUCN is required to retain your proposal in its entirety for 10 years after the end of the resulting contract and make this available to internal and external auditors and donors as and when requested.
   2. In the Declaration of Undertaking (Attachment 2) you need to give IUCN express permission to use the information you submit in this way, including personal data that forms part of your proposal. Where you include personal data of your employees (e.g. CVs) in your proposal, you need to have written permission from those individuals to share this information with IUCN, and for IUCN to use this information as indicated in 8.1. Without these permissions, IUCN will not be able to consider your proposal.
2. Complaints procedure

If you have a complaint or concern regarding the propriety of how a competitive process is or has been executed, then please contact procurement@iucn.org. Such complaints or concerns will be treated as confidential and are not considered in breach of the above restrictions on communication (Section 2.1).

1. Contract

The contract will be based on IUCN’s template in Attachment 3, the terms of which are not negotiable. They may, however, be amended by IUCN to reflect particular requirements from the donor funding this particular procurement.

1. About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Headquartered in Switzerland, IUCN Secretariat comprises around 1,000 staff with offices in more than 50 countries.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

www.iucn.org

https://twitter.com/IUCN/

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Project tittle Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu Project

Position tittle Provision of Consultancy Service to Review and Facilitate the Development of General Management Plans (GMPs), for Mnazi Bay–Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP).

Post level National Consultant

Office IUCN – Tanzania Country Office

Location Mtwara

Languages Required English/swahili

Estimated start date April 2026

Assignment duration 60 days including Desk Review, Stakeholder Consultation, Updating/ facilitating the development of GMP.

1. Project Description

The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty-four countries in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The ESARO Programme focuses on biodiversity conservation through a diverse portfolio of projects and programmatic initiatives ranging from activities at the level of individual protected areas to shaping regional policy on biodiversity conservation. Program and project implementation are done in collaboration with IUCN members, commissions and other strategic partners.

IUCN has received funding from the European Union Delegation to Tanzania and the East Africa Community to implement a 4-year project titled “Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu”. Bahari Yetu project aims to contribute to the improved environmental protection and biodiversity conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystems in Tanzania. This project is part of a broader effort, backed by the EU with 11.4 million euros, aimed at supporting the United Republic of Tanzania through a programme called the Blue Economy for job creation and adapting to climate change. The programme has three pillars: conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems, sustainable use of natural resources in the coastal areas and improved governance of coastal and marine resources. The initiative contributes to a climate-resilient blue economy in the Tanzanian coastal regions and ecosystems.

1.1 Project Goal

The project goal is to contribute to the improved environmental protection and biodiversity conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystems in Tanzania.

1. Specific Objectives
2. To strengthen institutional frameworks and governance mechanisms for coastal and marine biodiversity conservation.
3. To promote institutional strengthening, adaptive management, and community engagement for the protection of coastal and marine resources.
4. To strengthen effective research, monitoring, and surveillance systems for coastal and marine biodiversity conservation.
5. Expected Outcomes

The project is designed to achieve the following expected outcomes.

1. Biodiversity conservation of the marine resources improved.
2. Community-led management of coastal forests strengthened.
3. Plastic leakage into the environment, waterways and the ocean reduced.
4. Institutional capacity for research and monitoring of coastal resources improved.

2.0 About the Assignment

Among the core pillars of the Bahari Yetu project is the protection of marine biodiversity, which employs a multi-dimensional approach to enhancing ecosystem conservation. To achieve this objective, among other initiatives, the project has structured specific interventions to strengthen the capacities of Marine Protected and Conserved Areas (MPAs/MCAs). Specifically, the project has planned to support the development of comprehensive General Management Plans (GMPs) for the Mnazi-Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP). Developing this foundational document is essential because it transforms a set of boundaries on a map into a functional, protected ecosystem for marine conservation, which faces high pressure from both humans and climate change. For this note, IUCN seeks to engage a qualified consultant (individual or firm) to facilitate the review and/or development of GMPs for the above-mentioned MPA.

2.1 Objective of the consultancy

The purpose of this assignment is to facilitate the review and develop the General Management Plans (GMPs) for Mnazi Bay–Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP) – Mtwara, Mainland Tanzania

1. Scope of work

This consultancy is expected to contribute results under project component 1 of improved protection of marine resources and biodiversity in the Mtwara seascape (MBREMP).

The scope of work falls under three major areas, as follows:

Task 1: Desk Review and Baseline Assessment

1. Review existing GMPs and related policy documents.
2. Conduct a gap analysis assessing implementation achievements and constraints.
3. Review socio-economic data (livelihoods, gender, youth, conflict dynamics).
4. Review biological and ecological status (reefs, mangroves, seagrass, fisheries).
5. Identify key ecological threats and climate change vulnerabilities.
6. Assess the status of endangered or priority species and the need for Species Action Plans.

Task 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Participatory Planning

Design and implement an inclusive consultation process involving:

1. Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU) – Mainland
2. Government counterparts
3. Beach Management Units (BMUs)
4. NGOs and private sector stakeholders

The process shall include:

1. Focus group discussions
2. Technical working sessions
3. Participatory mapping workshops
4. Conflict resolution dialogues
5. Documentation of agreements and stakeholder inputs

Task 3: Zoning Review and Spatial Planning

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing zoning schemes.
2. Identify critical habitats and ecological connectivity areas.
3. Integrate climate resilience considerations into spatial planning.
4. Facilitate participatory zoning negotiations.
5. Develop updated zoning frameworks, including:
   1. Core (No-Take) Zones
   2. Specified Use Zones
   3. General Use/Buffer Zones
   4. Special Management Zones (where applicable)
6. Produce high-resolution GIS maps with GPS coordinates.
7. Recommend practical demarcation strategies.
8. Key Assignment Deliverables

The consultant (individual or firm) shall deliver:

1. The consultant should deliver the Inception Report within a week of contract signing.
   • Methodology
   • Workplan
   • Stakeholder engagement strategy
2. Baseline and Gap Analysis Report
3. Stakeholder Consultation Report
4. Draft Updated GMPs
5. Draft Zoning Maps (GIS format both soft and printable)
6. Validation Workshop Reports
7. Final Approved GMP
8. Simplified Swahili version of the GMP for community use.

All deliverables shall be submitted in editable formats (Word, Excel, GIS shapefiles, PowerPoint) and print-ready PDF versions.

1. Qualification and experience of the consultant (s)

The consultant/lead (individual or firm) shall have the following qualifications and experience:

1. Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Marine Ecology, Coastal Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Economics, or related field.
2. Minimum 10 years of experience in MPA planning and management.
3. Demonstrated and proven experience in GMP development in Tanzania.
4. Experience in participatory planning and stakeholder engagement.
5. Strong knowledge of Tanzanian marine conservation legislation.
6. Proven experience in financial sustainability planning for protected areas.
7. GIS and spatial planning expertise.
8. Excellent report writing skills in English (Kiswahili is an added advantage).
9. Deliverables and Schedule of Payments

This assignment is expected to be conducted for a maximum of 60 (sixty) days. The payments will be subject to a withholding tax deduction of 5% as per Tanzanian tax regulations. The timeline and payment schedule are as described in the table below.

Deliverables Payment structure

Submission and presentation of the inception report 40%

Within 1 week after signing contract

Submission of the draft activity reports as stipulated above in section 4 (bullet 2-4). 30%

Within 4 weeks after approval of the inception report

Submission of the validation workshop report and the final approved GMP and Swahili version for community use.

Within 3 weeks after presentation of the draft report 30%

Management arrangement for the consultancy

The consultant will report to: The Chief of Party, Bahari Yetu Project – IUCN

Technical oversight will be provided by: The Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU)

The consultant will work in close coordination with the site manager and relevant government authorities.

1. How to apply

Interested consultants (individual or firm) shall submit:

1. Technical Proposal (methodology and workplan)
2. Financial Proposal (detailed budget including consultancy fee and the reimbursable)
3. Curriculum Vitae(s) for key personnel
4. At least three relevant references
5. Sample of similar work conducted

How to apply

Step 1: Acquire Tender Documents
Obtain the relevant tender documents.

Step 2: Review Requirements
Thoroughly read the tender specifications, terms, and conditions.

Step 3: Prepare Proposal
Prepare your proposal as guided, ensuring all the required information is included.

Step 4: Submission
Submit your completed proposal by March 25th, 2026, via the email address

tenders.tz@iucn.org