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 Africa seeks the services of a suitable Consultant to perform a number of critical analyses as input into a One Health concept paper.
Context
As has in the past with the Ebola crisis and other epidemics, the current COVID-19 crisis underlines the strong interdependence between human health and well-being, and ecological and environmental health. The rapid spread of the virus and the resulting human and economic tragedy highlights the urgent need for us to reimagine our relationship with nature and explore new nature positive approaches to development.
In response to the recent pandemic, One Health has emerged as a potential framework for identifying, assessing, and strengthening the links between human and environmental health. Specifically, the One Health approach highlights the links between people, livestock, and the environment as mitigated through illegal and unregulated trade in wildlife, zoonosis and livestock-wildlife interactions, and the destruction of forests and other habitats from agriculture, urban expansion and infrastructure development. The loss and degradation of nature, coupled with climate change, enhances the likelihood of emerging pandemics, challenges food security and nutrition, undermines resilience and human well-being.
Increasingly, One Health is promoted as an integrated approach to tackling the twin challenges of environmental and human health - defined by the One Health Initiative Task Force[1] as "the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment". Because of its relevance to Africa, WWF is requesting proposals for this consultancy to analyze the One Health space in Africa and develop a concept paper on One Health and Conservation, which outlines the following:
● relevance and potential of One Health as a framework and approach for supporting conservation and sustainable development for people and nature in Africa;
● how and where is One Health being applied in Africa?
● who are the key institutions and stakeholders in One Health?
● what are the challenges and opportunities for One Health and conservation?
● what role should WWF play?
Scope of work
Within the context of the above, WWF is seeking to engage a suitable Consultant to perform a number of critical analyses and develop a One Health concept paper:
An inventory of existing one health concepts and perspectives as proposed by various organizations. This analysis will incorporate at least:
A description of the various concepts and perspectives as currently existing and emerging.
A specific analysis of the critical people-health-nature dependencies that are considered as crucial aspects in such concepts and perspectives as they bear on the Africa conservation context.
A broad level categorization of these concepts and perspectives.
Identification of institutions/organizations active in the One Health space, in particular within Africa, including a description of their focus and scope of work in this regard.
An assessment of the potential for WWF to play a meaningful role in the One Health space, including potential partnerships to be considered in this regard.
Consolidation of the above analyses in a concept paper and t short summary report with relevant links and annexes as appropriate.
Modalities
This assignment will be desk-based, using documented data and information as much as possible. In this regard, WWF will make available an initial database of materials, including internal reference materials on One Health and COVID-related matters. The Consultant will be required to source and analyze additional information as appropriate.
It is intended that this assignment will be undertaken in close collaboration between WWF and the Consultant. For this purpose, WWF will put in place a small task force to guide this assignment, provide concrete inputs as well as facilitate review and validation of results. Regular, bi-weekly calls between the Consultant team and the WWF Task Force should be foreseen.
Workplan and deliverables
Initial inventory of existing one health concepts and perspectives and identification of institutions/organizations active in the One Health space: 15 February 2021
Concept paper on the potential for WWF to play a meaningful role in the One Health space: 28 February 2021
Summary report: 15 March 2021
[1] One Health: A New Professional Imperative. American Veterinary Medical Association. 15 July 2008. p. 9. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
How to apply:
Brief proposals must be submitted by 28th January 2021 to the following contact to be considered and should outline:
- An understanding of the terms of reference.
- A proposed methodology/approach.
- A capacity statement with short CVs of individuals to be involved in this assignment.
- A high level work plan.
Naomi Makokha
Administrative Coordinator - Operations, Africa
WWF International
P O Box 62440 - 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
nmakokha@wwfint.org