In November 2023, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, (FZS), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas, (ANAC), to provide financial and technical support to the Marromeu National Reserve. As part of the development of a strategic plan that will guide this partnership, a series of baseline assessments are required. A key priority among these is a comprehensive socio-economic assessment of the communities living within the Reserve. This assessment will inform the design of an evidence-based inclusive, and effective community engagement strategy, and will be complemented by additional data necessary to support long-term conservation and development goals.
Study Area
The Marromeu National Reserve (Reserva Naçional de Marromeu, RNM) is in Sofala Province, Mozambique, covering approximately 1,500 km2 of the Zambezi River Delta. The Reserve was established on 23 July 1960, and forms part of the larger Marromeu Complex (±11,000 km2), which was designated as Mozambique's first Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003. The area is characterized by diverse ecosystems including floodplains, grasslands, swamps, mangroves, and the Cheringoma escarpment. The initial objective of establishing the RNM was to protect the African buffalo population (Syncerus caffer), which occurs in the Reserve in large numbers, with the most recent survey in 2023 estimating the size of the population at 29,887 individuals.
Rationale for Study
The assessment aims to generate a comprehensive understanding of the local communities residing within the Reserve, inclusive of livelihoods, market dynamics, and governance structures to inform sustainable management and development strategies for the Reserve and its surrounding areas.
Objective of the Consultancy
A central aim of this consultancy is to develop a nuanced understanding of the communities residing within the Marromeu National Reserve. This begins with a thorough survey of demographic characteristics, governance structures, and the complex social dynamics that shape everyday life in the Reserve. By gathering detailed information on population size, age distribution, gender, household composition, education, and migration patterns, the assessment will provide a clear picture of who these communities are. Equally important is mapping out both formal and informal governance systems, such as traditional leadership and community-based organizations. Understanding how authority is exercised, how decisions are made, and the roles of various actors will provide insight on the mechanisms that underpin community management and collective action. The assessment will also delve into the social fabric of these communities, examining relationships, power dynamics, and the cultural norms that influence participation in development initiatives and resource management.
In addition to the social landscape, the consultancy will examine the economic realities faced by these communities. It will investigate current livelihood strategies, identifying the main sources of income and subsistence - whether agriculture, fishing, livestock, small-scale trade, or wage labor. The resilience and diversity of these strategies will be analyzed, particularly in the face of environmental or socioeconomic changes. The study will also provide a detailed analysis of market dynamics, looking at how goods and services move within and beyond the Reserve, the key products and value chains, and the main actors involved in local economies. Barriers to market access - such as inadequate infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, or lack of market information - will be identified, alongside opportunities for enhancing market linkages and economic diversification. This economic analysis aims to uncover not only the challenges but also the potential for more sustainable and inclusive livelihood options.
A further objective is to understand how communities perceive and engage with land use planning and zoning regulations, including the concept of Community and Total Protection Zones, as outlined in the Reserve's most recent General Management Plan, as well as cross- referencing with the Marromeu District Development Plan. The consultancy will assess the level of awareness and understanding among community members, exploring their involvement in the development of these regulations and any challenges or misconceptions that may exist. This is essential to ensure that future land use planning is participatory, well- informed, and responsive to local realities.
Finally, all findings will be synthesized into actionable recommendations for community-based interventions and sustainable development initiatives. These recommendations will be tailored to the unique context of the Marromeu National Reserve, aiming to support capacity building, improved governance, enhanced market access, participatory land use planning, and targeted support for vulnerable groups, whilst referencing the Reserve's conservation mandate and key conservation targets.
The overarching goal is to foster inclusive, community-driven engagement that aligns with conservation objectives while improving the livelihoods and well-being of local communities.
Scope of Work
The consultancy is expected to deliver a comprehensive socioeconomic assessment in the Marromeu National Reserve, with a particular focus on understanding the structure and dynamics of local communities, their livelihoods, and the market environment.
The selected individual or firm will be responsible for conducting a rigorous, mixed-methods study that combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This includes stakeholder mapping to identify power structures and dynamics, implementing household surveys, conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and performing market and value chain analyses. The process will culminate in a comprehensive report with practical recommendations for future programming.
Research Questions
The consultancy should respond to the following core research questions, ensuring that the assessment provides detailed, evidence-based answers:
Communities
* What are the demographic characteristics and origins of communities in the study area?
* What are the current governance structures and community organizations (e.g., CBOs, traditional leadership)?
* What are the power dynamics and decision-making processes within communities?
* What is the current level of understanding of land use plans, zoning regulations, and boundaries of respective zones among community members?
Livelihoods
* What livelihood opportunities currently exist in the area?
* What is the potential for developing more sustainable and conservation compatible livelihood strategies?
* What are the current market dynamics affecting local communities?
* What are the key products, value chains, and barriers to market access?
The consultancy is expected to begin by mapping stakeholders and analyzing both formal and informal power structures within the Reserve's communities. This process will help clarify who holds influence, how decisions are made, and the roles played by various actors in governance and resource management. A household survey will be designed and implemented to capture demographic profiles, livelihood strategies, and community perceptions, ensuring robust and representative data collection.
Key Informant Interviews will be conducted with community leaders, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders to gain deeper insights into governance, land management, and local economic conditions. Focus Group Discussions will further enrich the data by capturing diverse perspectives across gender, age, and livelihood groups, ensuring that the voices of all segments of the community are heard.
Market and value chain analyses will identify the main economic activities, products, and barriers to market access, providing a clear understanding of both the challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. Throughout the process, the consultant will be responsible for ensuring data quality, engaging with local communities, and adapting tools and timelines as needed to respond to field realities.
Ultimately, the consultancy will synthesize all findings into a comprehensive report, offering practical, context-specific recommendations for community-based interventions and sustainable development initiatives tailored to the Marromeu National Reserve.
Required Technical Sections
Consultants are encouraged to propose their own approaches and tools, but each section below must be clearly addressed in the proposal. Given the sensitivity of collecting data of this nature, close alignment with local government and governance structures will be required, the process of which will be faciliated by RMN management.
Sampling Strategy
The proposal must clearly articulate how the consultant will ensure representative and reliable data collection across the Reserve. This section should:
* Describe the approach for selecting survey participants, ensuring coverage of all relevant geographic and administrative areas.
* Explain how the sample size will be determined to achieve statistical validity and minimize bias.
* Outline how proportional representation will be maintained, particularly in relation to population size and diversity within clusters or zones.
* Address how inclusivity will be ensured so that all key groups are adequately represented.
Key Informant Interviews
The proposal should demonstrate how the consultant or firm will identify and engage individuals with specialized knowledge and influence. This section must:
* Detail the criteria for selecting key informants, ensuring a balance of perspectives from different sectors and social groups.
* Identify the range of stakeholder groups to be consulted, such as community leaders, government officials, market actors, traditional authorities, and NGO representatives.
* Explain how diversity will be ensured, with attention to gender, age, and social group representation.
* Describe the process for documenting and analyzing insights from these interviews.
Focus Group Discussions
The proposal should outline a plan for organizing and conducting focus group discussions that capture a wide range of community perspectives. This section must:
* Specify how participants will be selected to ensure representation by gender, age, livelihood types, and other relevant subcategories.
* Indicate the types of groups to be included, such as women, youth, farmers, fishers, traders, and other relevant subcategories.
* Describe the intended group composition and the rationale for separate discussions among different demographic segments.
* Highlight how the findings from these discussions will be integrated into the overall assessment.
Each section should be addressed as a distinct part of the proposal, with the consultant or firm providing sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the requirements and their capacity to deliver on each expectation. FZS and ANAC welcomes the consultant or firm to propose specific methodologies, incorporating these or other methods of data collection and analysis.
Team composition, Qualifications and Logistical Requirements
The proposal should demonstrate the consultant or firm's capacity to assemble a skilled, experienced team and to ensure all necessary resources and support systems are in place for effective fieldwork and data analysis. Applicants are invited to propose and clearly define their own team structure, identify the necessary roles, and explain how they will organize and allocate responsibilities to ensure all tasks are effectively fulfilled.
The proposal must demonstrate how the team will collectively deliver on the following key responsibilities:
Leadership and Project Management
* Oversee the overall design, coordination, and implementation of the assessment.
* Ensure effective communication with the Marromeu National Reserve management team, FZS and stakeholders throughout all phases.
* Manage timelines, deliverables, and quality assurance processes.
* Provide strategic direction and troubleshoot challenges as they arise.
Field Coordination and Supervision
* Organize and supervise field operations, including logistics, scheduling, and team deployment.
* Ensure adherence to ethical standards and data quality protocols during data collection.
* Prioritise the use of trained local enumerators, building on capacity created under MozBio SAPA (Social Assessment for Protected and Conserved Areas) surveys and increasing local community engagement.
* Facilitate community entry, engagement, and mobilization activities.
Community Engagement and Data Collection
* Lead and conduct household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
* Ensure culturally sensitive and inclusive engagement with all relevant community members and groups.
* Maintain accurate and secure records of data collected in the field.
Analysis and Reporting
* Develop and implement data quality assurance for data cleaning, and processing of quantitative and qualitative data.
* Analyze data using appropriate statistical and analytical methods, ensuring robust and reliable findings.
* Prepare visualizations, summaries, and interpretations to inform reporting.
* Ensure all deliverables meet the required standards of quality, clarity, and relevance.
Each proposal must:
* Clearly define the team structure and the roles identified, explaining how responsibilities for all required tasks will be allocated.
* Provide a rationale for the proposed organization of the team, demonstrating how it will ensure effective delivery of all assessment components.
* Include CVs for all proposed team members, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
* Demonstrate an understanding of the logistical challenges associated with fieldwork in the Marromeu National Reserve and present practical solutions.
FZS and ANAC welcomes applicants to propose specific approaches to team composition and logistics, incorporating these or other relevant arrangements as appropriate for the context.
Expected Deliverables
Inception Report
The inception report will present a detailed methodology that reflects the specific social, economic, and environmental context of the Reserve and its surrounding communities. The report will include a comprehensive work plan, outlining each phase of the assessment, as well as a timeline that accounts for seasonal and logistical realities in the Zambezi Delta. Anticipated challenges, such as language barriers, remote access, and community engagement, will be identified alongside tailored mitigation strategies to ensure a smooth and participatory process.
Data Collections Instruments
All data collection tools will be designed and validated to capture the complexity of livelihoods, governance, and market dynamics within Marromeu. Questionnaires and interview guides will be tailored to address the specific research questions relevant to the Reserve's communities, including their understanding of land use plans and the boundaries of the Reserve's zoning plan. Training materials for enumerators and facilitators will incorporate local languages and cultural sensitivities, ensuring ethical and accurate data collection. Data quality assurance protocols will be established to maintain the integrity of information, particularly given the diversity and mobility of the population.
Final Comprehensive Socioeconomic Assessment Report
The final report will deliver an in-depth analysis of the socioeconomic landscape of the Marromeu National Reserve. It will synthesize data on community demographics, governance structures, livelihood strategies, and market environments, providing a nuanced understanding of local realities. The report will include stakeholder maps and market analyses specific to the Reserve, highlighting key actors, value chains, and barriers to market access. Actionable recommendations will be tailored to the opportunities and challenges identified, supporting sustainable livelihoods and effective community engagement, whilst considering key conservation targets within the mandate of the Reserve's status as a RAMSAR site and Key Biodiversity Area. The report will be enriched with visual presentations - such as maps, charts, and infographics - and an executive summary to communicate key findings to a broad audience.
Data Products and Supporting Materials
To ensure the assessment's findings are accessible and actionable, the consultant will deliver clean, well-organized datasets formatted for future use by FZS, ANAC and partners. Stakeholder mapping visualizations and concise community profiles or fact sheets will be produced, offering practical tools for ongoing planning and decision-making. Supporting materials will be prepared to facilitate the dissemination of results through workshops or presentations, fostering knowledge sharing and stakeholder validation across the Marromeu landscape.
Presentation of the Findings
The consultancy will conclude with the presentation of key findings to project stakeholders. This may take the form of workshops or formal presentations, facilitating knowledge sharing and validation of results. Supporting materials such as slide decks or summary briefs will be prepared to aid in the effective dissemination and uptake of the assessment's insights.