Consultancy for the Development of an Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Regime Management Toolkit for The Gambia 120 views

1. Background
The Gambia is a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol. The Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM) is leading the national ABS Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as Implementing Agency.

The above-mentioned project supports the development of national ABS instruments. This consultancy will translate relevant policy, legislative, administrative and regulatory measures, both in force and under development, into a practical ABS Regime Management Toolkit for competent authorities, researchers, communities, traditional knowledge holders and other users.

2. Purpose and basis of the assignment
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop one consolidated Toolkit containing operational procedures, guidance and editable tools for administering access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization in the Republic of the Gambia

When developing the ABS Management Toolkit, the consultant shall confirm with the Project
Management Unit (PMU) and relevant authorities the status and version of each source instrument. Measures in force -whether legislative, policy, administrative or regulatory- shall be clearly distinguished from draft instruments, including those developed under the GEF-funded UNEP Project. Any guidance based on draft instruments shall be labelled provisional and specify the approval or legal steps required before it can be used. The Toolkit shall neither amend nor supersede national instruments, nor create unsupported obligations or institutional powers.

3. Scope of work
The ABS Management toolkit will be delivered through three complementary workstreams briefly
presented below.

3.1 Inception, review and consultation
The consultant will agree with the Project Management Unit (PMU) the work plan, Toolkit structure, consultation arrangements and review schedule. The assignment includes the review of relevant national instruments and applicable CBD and Nagoya Protocol provisions and will draw from selected comparable operational tools. The assignment will also identify gaps or inconsistencies requiring clarification by the responsible authorities.

In addition, the assignment will require consultations with as appropriate and feasible, government
institutions, communities and traditional knowledge holders, researchers, civil society and relevant
private-sector actors. These consultations will cover the assessment of user needs, institutional interfaces and capacity gaps. Importantly the consultation process will ensure meaningful participation of women and groups facing barriers to engagement. Ultimately, all findings will be recorded concisely and used in the development of a comprehensive Toolkit with relevant annexes, as the main output of this assignment.

3.2 Toolkit development
The consultant will prepare the integrated modules and annexes specified in section 4. In addition, existing official forms where available will be adapted to the context of the Gambia linking each procedure to its source instrument and distinguishing mandatory requirements from recommended practice. The Representative workflows and forms will be tested with intended users (to the extent pragmatically possible) and document be adjusted accordingly.

3.3 Validation, orientation and finalization
Present and technically facilitate validation of the draft Toolkit, document feedback and prepare a
comment-response matrix. Revise the Toolkit following Project review, deliver a practical orientation for designated users and incorporate the resulting usability corrections. The number of participants, duration of the orientation session(s) will be agreed at inception.

4. Required Toolkit content
The Toolkit shall be a single coherent manual with integrated modules and cross-referenced annexes. Each module should identify responsible actors, procedural steps and the forms needed. The content of the Toolkit shall be consistent with the status and provisions of the national instruments reviewed. It is envisaged that the toolkit will incorporate the following modules/sections:
• Framework and institutional responsibilities: a concise register of source instruments, their status
and versions; mandates and coordination arrangements; and process flowcharts.
• Access applications and decisions: standard operating procedures for receipt, screening, assessment and determination of applications; an application form, screening checklist, access permit/authorization template.
• Consent and benefit sharing: guidance on Prior Informed Consent (PIC), Mutually Agreed Terms
(MAT), benefit-sharing arrangements, associated traditional knowledge and community protocols
where applicable; consent records, consultation forms and model agreement provisions.
• Monitoring and compliance: checklists and reporting templates for permit conditions and benefit-
sharing commitments, institutional follow-up, and non-compliance, grievances and dispute resolution if provided for by the national framework.
• User guidance and orientation: concise instructions, frequently asked questions, worked examples, facilitator materials and user handouts. Include guidance for updating the Toolkit when national instruments change.
As a cross-cutting element, the Toolkit will incorporate practical, gender-responsive and socially inclusive measures into relevant procedures, including accessible consultations, participation records and appropriate sex-disaggregated indicators. Where relevant, it will also address the confidentiality of sensitive traditional knowledge and ethical considerations in research and bioprospecting.
5. Deliverables and timetable
The assignment shall be completed within 40 working days of contract signing. The milestones below consolidate the outputs into three submissions. It is expected that supporting reports shall be concise; operational guidance, tools and training materials shall form part of the Toolkit.

To monitor progress, there will be Intermediate checkpoints across the delivery of the main outputs
outlined above: validation of the constitutive modules and annexes by day 25, Toolkit revised by day 35 and orientation as agreed with the PMU. The PMU may refine sequencing at inception within the 40-working-day period.

All outputs shall be submitted in English, in editable Word/Excel/PowerPoint formats as applicable and PDF. The final Toolkit shall be clearly written, internally consistent, ready for publication and accompanied by a complete set of editable tools and acknowledged sources.
6. Management and acceptance
The consultant shall work under the supervision of the PMU and in collaboration with DPWM and relevant institutions and he shall remain responsible for technical quality and timely delivery of the ABS management Toolkit. The PMU shall provide available documents, facilitate stakeholder access and provide consolidated review comments in a timely manner. It is expected that the Project shall arrange and finance validation logistics and coordinate orientation logistics while the consultant shall provide technical facilitation and materials. Deliverables shall only be considered as complete upon formal acceptance by the Project Management Unit.
7. Qualifications and experience
The assignment may be undertaken by an individual consultant or firm. The lead expert shall have:
• An advanced university degree in environmental law, biodiversity, natural resource management,
environmental policy, governance or a directly relevant field. A PhD in any of these fields with more
than 15 years proven experience post PhD is highly desired.
• More than 15 years proven experience in ABS or Nagoya Protocol implementation and the
development of operational toolkits, SOPs, manuals or comparable instruments. This should include research, advising government and regional bodies in Africa and in particular in West and Central Africa.
• Knowledge of CBD and Nagoya Protocol requirements, and experience in stakeholder facilitation,
community participation, gender equality and social inclusion.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills in English. Experience in The Gambia or West Africa is an
advantage. For firms, the team shall collectively meet these requirements, with a clearly identified Team Leader and responsibilities.
8. Proposal evaluation
Subject to applicable Project procurement procedures, the indicative assessment weights are: technical understanding and approach, 30%; relevant experience, 25%; qualifications and team composition, 20%; work plan and delivery schedule, 10%; and financial proposal/value for money, 15%. 9. Confidentiality, ownership and integrity.
The consultant shall disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest, act independently and impartially, and protect non-public information. Assignment outputs shall become the property of the Nagoya Protocol/ABS Project, subject to the consultancy contract. Disclosure of confidential information or use of outputs outside this assignment requires prior written authorization.
10. Application and submission
Applicants must submit a technical proposal and work plan, an itemized financial proposal, updated expert CV(s), evidence of comparable assignments and contact details for at least two relevant professional references where available. Firms shall also provide a company profile, team composition and responsibilities.
Applications should be submitted on or before 30th October 2026 to:
The Executive Director
National Environment Agency
Jimpex Road Kanifing
Or
Via email to:
The Project Coordinator
Nagoya Protocol/Access and Benefit-Sharing Project
Department of Parks and Wildlife Management
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources
The Gambia.

Email: kabubacarr1@gmail.com
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