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BID ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONDUCTING ASSESSMENT ON POPULATION OF UNGULATES IN THE ONON-BALJ NATIONAL PARK AND ITS BUFFER ZONE

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and WWF-Mongolia are partnering to implement the "Land of the Blue Sky – Onon-Balj National Park" project in Onon-Balj National Park (OBNP) and its buffer zone, supporting one of the world’s last remaining nomadic peoples reliant on the biodiversity and societal benefits of these lands for their livelihoods. The project is committed to sustainably conserving biodiversity and ecosystems in the national outstanding landscape of OBNP for future generations.

Project name: The land of the blue sky – Onon Balj National Park
Introduction: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and WWF-Mongolia are partnering to implement the "Land of the Blue Sky – Onon-Balj National Park" project in Onon-Balj National Park (OBNP) and its buffer zone, supporting one of the world’s last remaining nomadic peoples reliant on the biodiversity and societal benefits of these lands for their livelihoods. The project is committed to sustainably conserving biodiversity and ecosystems in the national outstanding landscape of OBNP for future generations.
Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is 1) to assess forest and steppe ungulates populations namely red deer (Cervus elaphus), siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), moose (Alces alces), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 2) to improve the long-term ungulate monitoring research design.
The project will support in conducting ungulate population assessment and developing recommendation to research design for ungulate ground survey.
-Forest ungulate population assessment was conducted in 2009 nationwide including OBNP. After this nationwide assessment, OBNP administration conducted ungulate assessment in its area in 2011 and 2012. The Mongolian gazelle assessment was conducted nationwide in 2020 and 2024. However, there is a need to conduct forest and steppe ungulate population assessment in the OBNP, its buffer zone and adjacent area (Gutai NP).
-The OBNP team has been collecting biodiversity data by using BIOSAN and SMART applications since 2014. To effectively monitor and assess the biodiversity within OBNP, it is critical to develop monitoring design for rangers’ use. This design will include improved methods, including field techniques accounting for factors such as terrain, climate change, and human activities and statistical analyses. This support will enable the OBNP to conduct monitoring regularly and compare results over the years to better understand the changes on biodiversity and to assess and plan the conservation action measures.
We expect the following benefits with the development and use of the improved research design and plans:
-Long-term monitoring design and plan is in place: OBNP team will be trained and receive the long-term biodiversity survey design which enables the team to implement regularly.
-Improved data quality: By using rigorous ungulate survey methods, the collected data will be more accurate and reliable.
-Enhanced understanding: The data will contribute to a better understanding of biodiversity trends and the factors influencing them.
-Informed decision-making: The information collected from this assignment will support evidence-based decision making for OBNP management.
Study area: OBNP and its buffer zone and adjacent area (Gutai NP). /See Appendix 1/
Collaborator organizations with the selected contractor: Contractor will plan the field research work with the participation of OBNP administration and WWF-Mongolia, including 19 specialists, rangers, and volunteer rangers.   
Timeline: October 29, 2024, to February 20, 2025 
Duties and reporting (Timelines)
-Develop an assessment design for a population census, drawing on previous OBNP research, BIOSAN, and SMART data. The design of ground research (fieldwork transects, sample size, and areas to be studied) will be refined in collaboration with WWF Mongolia and OBNP Administration (PAA). (October 29 - November 15, 2024)
-Provide methodological guidance to participants, including OBNP and adjacent area specialists, rangers, and volunteer rangers (November 15-20, 2024)
-Ensure that fieldwork is completed within the planned time frame with all relevant stakeholders’ participation (November 20 - December 15, 2024).
-Conduct analysis, write the assessment report and organize consultation meetings on the findings and reporting with the PAA and WWF Mongolia team (Dec 20, 2024 - January 15, 2025).
-Update the current monitoring methodology and research design based on previous monitoring works, SMART and BIOSAN data, with the consideration of climate change and human impact (Dec 20, 2024 - January 15, 2025)
-Submit final ungulate assessment report in English and Mongolian and recommendations on the long- term monitoring design based on the results (January 15 - February 15, 2025).
Qualifications: To have a professional team/organization consists of biologists, ecologists, and zoologists with previous experiences and skills to implement the tasks listed in this TOR.
-Should have the human resources or capacity to form 2-3 teams (3 researchers in one team).
-Previous experience in leading and organizing similar research with diverse stakeholders
-The experts in the team should have at least 5 years of work experience in the relevant field
-Ability to work with tools, equipment, maps, and software necessary to perform research work.
-Good writing and speaking English skills 
The following documents are requested:
-Letter of Interest
-A copy of the state registration certificate of the organization (if the work was performed by a professional team, attach a list of the works performed together) and list of similar work performed in the last 5 years
-Organization/team member’s CV of project team members and contact details (email and telephone number)
-Proposed research work plan with stages and associated timeframe
-Proposed price quotation on consultation service only. Costs associated with field research is not included
Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file by e-mail to info@wwf.mn and indicating “Application for LLF project ungulate assessment”.
The deadline for application is on 22nd of October 2024 by 17:00PM. For additional information, please refer to info@wwf.mn.
NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
© WWF-Mongolia
Appendix-1

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