Tenders Are Invited For Consultancy On Pastoralism And Behavior Change

Tenders are invited for Consultancy on Pastoralism and Behavior Change Closing Date: 10 Oct 2025 Type: Consultancy Themes: Climate Change and Environment/Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Design and testing of interventions for behaviour change, for sustainable management of transhumance corridors Organization: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Presentation of the organization The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an American non-profit organization founded in 1895 that works to preserve wildlife and wildlife by identifying critical problems, developing science-based solutions, and carrying out conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term engagements in dozens of landscapes, a presence in more than 60 countries, and experience in establishing more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has accumulated biological and socio-cultural knowledge of the affected areas, and built strong partnerships, to ensure that wild spaces and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. In collaboration with local communities and organizations, this knowledge informs our strategies for managing species, habitats, and ecosystems, which are critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources. The Sudano-Sahelian region (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria and Chad) offers an unprecedented opportunity to play a direct role in preserving some of the worlds last intact wilderness areas, and to contribute significantly to the safety of people and wildlife. The regions savannahs, forests, and wetlands are home to key populations of elephants, northern giraffes, lions, elk, chimpanzees, gorillas, and endangered bongos. Hundreds of species of birds are present in the area, including the shoebill and the crowned crane. Communities also depend on this land for their livelihoods, through animal husbandry, agriculture, fishing and hunting. WCS has a strong presence in the Sudano-Sahelian region, where it has a long history of conservation and a proven track record in the management of protected areas. We are actively working to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop partnerships between conservation and security, strengthen anti-trafficking activities, and implement our policy and science agendas. I. Background Pastoralism is a livelihood and a way of life for millions of people in the Sudano-Sahelian region. However, it is under increasing pressure from climate change, insecurity and the expansion of agriculture, which often pushes pastoralists and their livestock into protected areas, leading to resource degradation and conflict. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), through its new Agro-Pastoral and Transhumance (APT) Strategy, is committed to taking a proactive, human rights-based approach to addressing these challenges. Our vision is to foster peaceful, healthy and resilient pastoral systems, coexisting with thriving biodiversity. This means moving away from traditionally conflictual relationships and adopting collaborative partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs), recognizing their rights, knowledge, and role as stewards of vast landscapes. This consultancy is a key element of PAIRIAC (Programme dAppui à lIntégration régionale et à lInvestissement PAIRIAC Projet (Central Africa))), funded by the European Union. One of the main objectives of PAIRIAC is to improve the governance of natural resources by securing transhumance corridors and improving access to pastoral services in the cross-border region of southern Chad, northern Central African Republic (CAR) and northern Cameroon. Despite efforts to delineate corridors and negotiate agreements, unsustainable grazing practices and encroachment on protected areas persist. To bring about lasting change, we need to go beyond infrastructure policies and repression, and understand and address the underlying drivers of human behaviour. WCS is therefore looking for a short-term consultant to carry out a behavioral diagnosis and co-design an innovative pilot program. This programme will develop and test interventions to encourage the voluntary use of transhumance corridors and protected area boundaries among pastoralists and landowners, while incentivising policymakers to create a more enabling environment. The study methodology developed in the framework of this consultation will serve as a model for replication in the Sudano-Sahelian region. Project: PAIRIAC (Regional Integration and Investment Support Programme in Central Africa)) Localization: Remotely with frequent trips to the countries of implementation of the project (Cameroon, Chad, CAR) Estimated duration: 30 business days over a 3-month period, ideally as early as November 2025 II. Description of the work The consultant will be responsible for leading a comprehensive process of diagnosing behavioural factors and designing, testing and implementing a range of targeted interventions. Its main tasks include: Conduct research to make a behavioral diagnosis: Conduct in-depth qualitative research in selected PAIRIAC project sites to identify the underlying factors (motivations, opportunities, abilities, and barriers) that influence pastoralists grazing decisions. This research should distinguish between different user groups (e.g. traditional transhumant herders, agro-pastoralists, pastoralists employed by absentee owners/neo-pastoralists) and assess the perspectives and motivations of the policymakers and local authorities concerned. Co-design of behaviour change interventions: In collaboration with WCS field teams and community representatives, pilot the co-design of a range of behavioural, practical and culturally appropriate behaviour change interventions. These interventions should be directly based on the results of the research mentioned in the previous point, and may include, but are not limited to: Modification of material or economic incentives (e.g. access to services, integration of the value chain). Changing social norms and expectations within pastoralist communities. Design of targeted communication campaigns. Influencing local policies and regulations to better support sustainable practices. Develop or strengthen alternative livelihood activities that are compatible with conservation objectives. Develop and pre-test pilot materials: Develop communication materials, training modules and other tools needed to test a selection of co-designed interventions. These materials should be pre-tested with target audiences to ensure clarity, relevance, and cultural fit. Implement a small-scale pilot project: In close collaboration with the WCS PAIRIAC team, implement a small-scale pilot project of the most promising interventions in a limited geographical area to assess their feasibility, acceptability and potential for impact. Develop a monitoring and learning framework: Design and implement a simple monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework to monitor the implementation of the pilot, gather feedback from participants, and assess early indicators of change. Produce a final strategy and toolkit: Based on the results of the pilot and the entire process, produce a final, practical report that outlines an evolutionary behavior change strategy and a simple toolkit for WCS staff to replicate this approach at other sites. III. Expected results and deliverables The consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables: Initial Report: to be submitted within two weeks of contract signing, detailing the final methodology, research tools, list of stakeholders to be consulted, and a detailed work plan with timeline. Report on research findings: A comprehensive report detailing the results of the behavioral diagnosis, including a clear analysis of motivations, barriers, and key leverage points for intervention. Intervention design and pilot plan: A document describing the co-designed interventions, the associated pilot materials (in the appendix) and a detailed plan for their implementation and testing. Pilot Project Implementation and Monitoring Report: A concise report summarizing the activities undertaken during the pilot, key observations, follow-up data, and lessons learned. Scalable final strategy and toolkit: A final, easy-to-read report synthesizing all of this consultancy. This document should include a clear, evidence-based strategy to encourage sustainable grazing practices, as well as a practical toolkit (templates, guides, checklists, etc.) for WCS teams to apply the methodology elsewhere. IV. Qualifications At least 7 years of professional experience in the design and implementation of behavior change or social marketing strategies, with a strong focus on formative research. Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, anthropology, behavioral economics, communication, conservation psychology). Proven experience in conducting qualitative field research (e.g., in-depth interviews, focus group discussions) in rural and cross-cultural contexts. Proven experience working with pastoralist communities in the Sudano-Sahelian region or similar grazing environments is highly desirable. Experience in designing and testing interventions targeting both community members and policy makers. Excellent analytical, facilitative and communication skills. Full professional proficiency in French is required; professional proficiency in English is a major asset. V. Budget and payment schedule The total budget for this consultancy is up to 50,000. This amount is a lump sum and should cover all fees, international travel, field research costs (including interviewers if necessary), accommodation, visas, insurance, and all costs related to the development and testing of messages. WCS will ma Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4176825/consultance-sur-le-pastoralisme-et-changement-du-comportement