Chintumukulu Conservancy Tourism Feasibility Study WeForest Zambia Ltd

WeForest is a fast-growing international non-profit association with headquarters in Belgium and legal entities in France, USA, Ethiopia and Zambia. Our aim is to demonstrate, through the restoration of entire regions, that well planned tree planting and reforestation can be the solutions to today’s biggest challenge: climate change. The organization is promoting Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) best practices, creating a movement, engaging the greatest brands and their millions of customers to act positively.

WeForest Chintumukulu Conservancy program

The WeForest Chintumukulu Conservancy program in Zambia supports a local society (the Mpumba Natural Resources Conservation Society; MRNCS or ‘society’) in Mpumba Chiefdom, Lavushimanda (Muchinga Province) to establish and functionalize a community conservancy of approximately 10,000 hectares.

The conservancy consists predominantly of intact miombo forest, interspersed by dambos (wetland depressions) and riverine forests. It is located between Mutinondo Wilderness (a privately owned and managed conservation area and eco-lodge) in the West, and the Muchinga Escarpment in the East, an area which is designated as a National Forest. The northern part of the conservancy is relatively flat and drained by the Mutinondo river, which tumbles along a scenic waterfall into the Luangwa valley just east of the conservancy (in the National Forest). The southern part of the conservancy is more hilly with several small streams and rivers draining the area. Both the southern part and the area close to the escarpment have several spots with fantastic views on the Luangwa valley. Although wildlife is skittish, the conservancy still boasts good numbers of herbivores and some of the larger predators. The neighbouring Mutinondo wilderness is considered an Important Bird Area and the conservancy harbours a very similar avifauna.

The conservancy lies approximately 30km away from the Great North Road and can be reached via Mutinondo Wilderness using their entrance road (dirt), or by using a slower and less well-maintained public dirt track. The main track through the conservancy runs up to the escarpment. Several additional tracks were recently made to increase accessibility to distant sites (law-enforcement), the Mutinondo river and viewpoints. Besides two shelters and a long drop at the basecamp (to facilitate operations in the conservancy), there is currently no infrastructure. The MNRCS also has a plot along the Great North Road about 70km SW of Mpika where staff members are housed (several chalets and an ablution block) and from which all operations are coordinated. The society has access to one Toyota Hilux for their operations.

WeForest signed an MoU with the society for direct technical & financial support until end 2025, followed by monitoring, evaluation and advice until 2030. One of our major aims is to roll out sufficient income generating activities that help grow a financially independent society. To advance that, WeForest is looking for a consultant to do a tourism feasibility assessment for Chintumukulu Conservancy.

Role

The role of the consultant would be to do a tourism feasibility assessment for the Chintumukulu Conservancy. The assessment should list a suite of (at least 3) different (non-mutually exclusive) tourism programs.  Each of these programs should contain at least the following sections.

• Appeal factor (e.g. exclusive, unique, practical) to local/internal tourism
• Cost/benefit analysis
• Infrastructure/equipment needs; once-off investments and recurring costs
• HR needs and possible training
• SWOT analysis

The feasibility study should be tailored to the local context, and should hence take into account the following:

• Possible cooperation with Mutinondo Wilderness and other stakeholders in the area (e.g. revamped community camp along the Mutinondo river in the valley supported by FZS)
• Local community management and ownership
• Local opportunities (e.g. multi-day hiking) and challenges (remote, community capacity)

A summary should present the most recommended tourism program based on

• Maintenance/management costs and return rate
• Sustainability for local (community) ownership and management
• Rigidity within the tourism landscape

Terms & Conditions

Start date: As soon as possible

Remuneration & duration: The remuneration (as part of budget breakdown) and timeframe will be determined upon mutual agreement and follow a agreed workplan that includes intermediate deliverables and milestones

We do not provide extra per diems for field trips, but travel costs for site visits will be reimbursed as per agreed contractual conductions

Available budget all-inclusive USD2,500.

Location: 100% in-country. Can work from home with field visits to Chintumukulu Conservancy and surroundings

Reporting line: The consultant will work under the supervision of, and report to the project manager on site

Expected Deliverables

Tourism feasibility plan as per agreed conditions and within provisioned timeframe.

Candidate Profile

1) Core competencies

• Innovation and hands-on oriented: Ability to use both existing concepts and out-of-the box ideas to develop them into a tailored package, that is hands-on and realistic.
• Tourism development Theoretical and practical knowledge of the needs and procedures to develop and roll-out a tourism program.

2) Technical/functional competencies

• Community development: Theoretical and practical understanding of community development, including the strengths and weaknesses of community run projects
• Systems thinking and strategy development: Ability to gather, structure and analyse complex information and relationships to develop realistic proposals.
• Advocacy and representation: Ability to productively share knowledge and activities for various venues and stakeholders.

3) Qualifications and other requirements:

a. Education

• A B.Sc., or equivalent experience, in the tourism and hospitality sector or related field

b. Experience

• A minimum of 5years’ relevant work experience in the tourism sector, preferable with community-based projects
• Experience with different types of tourism activities and facilities (low- to high-end)
• Experience with planning, budgeting and management of different types of lodges or camps
• Experience with bookings and customer satisfaction
• Experience with HR management in the tourism sector
• Demonstrable skills and experience in management, coordination, training and reporting skills
• Experience with GIS mapping

c. Language requirements

• Fluent in English (both speaking and writing)

d. Considered a plus

• Flexible in terms of traveling