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Title : Ecosystem Services Mapping and Decision-Support for the Congo Basin Peatlands.
Project objective : The objective of this project proposal is to secure a qualified, legally registered technical organization based in the Republic of Congo or the Democratic Republic of Congo to serve as the primary implementing partner for a critical component of the Congo Basin Peatlands project. This partnership is essential to translate complex scientific data into actionable information for national decision-makers.
The selected organization will be responsible for updating and extending existing ecosystem services analyses to produce a comprehensive, wall-to-wall map of the key ecosystem services provided by the Congo Basin peatlands. Crucially, this organization will act as the vital bridge between international technical data producers and national government institutions, ensuring the effective transfer, understanding, and long-term application of project outputs.
The proposal must demonstrate the organization's capacity to:
1. Integrate high-resolution spatial data, hydrological models, and biodiversity assessments from partners like the University of Leeds and GRID-Geneva;
2. Produce a decision-ready ecosystem services map and an accompanying information brief;
3. Develop tailored training materials; and
4. Provide sustained technical assistance to government ministries in both countries.
A core function of the role is to support the institutional embedding of these tools into routine planning processes such as land-use management, NDCs, and NBSAPs.
Ultimately, this project proposal seeks to establish a partnership that will empower the governments of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo with the evidence base needed to secure the long-term conservation and sustainable management of the world's largest tropical peatland complex.
Project background : General Project Background
The Congo Basin peatlands, spanning the Republic of Congo (RoC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), constitute the world's largest tropical peatland complex. The Cuvette Centrale peatlands cover approximately 145,000 km² and store an estimated 30 gigatons of carbon, supporting nearly two million people and hosting globally significant biodiversity, including western lowland gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees, and forest elephants. In response to these critical resources, both countries signed the Brazzaville Declaration on Peatlands in 2018, committing to collaborative protection of peatland ecosystem benefits. UNEA4 also adopted a resolution on peatland conservation in 2019.
Overall Project Objective: To secure the Congo Basin peatlands through evidence-based decision-making and good governance, ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable management of this globally significant ecosystem.
Project Duration: The total duration of the contract is estimated to be 12-18 months, with the possibility of extension to cover the full project period until 31 December 2028.
Key Project Outcomes:
- Enhanced knowledge and data on peatland extent, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
- Improved decision-making and governance frameworks for sustainable peatland management in RoC and DRC.
- Strengthened capacity of government institutions to utilize data and tools for policy and planning.
- Increased engagement of private sector investors and development of innovative financing mechanisms for peatland conservation.
This consultancy is a critical component under Output I, Work Package 1.3, focused on updating and extending ecosystem services analyses to produce comprehensive maps that will inform national decision-making and support sustainable management of the Congo Basin peatlands.
Project description : The overall objective of this partnership is to engage a qualified technical organization based in the Republic of Congo or the Democratic Republic of Congo to serve as the primary implementing partner for updating and extending ecosystem services analyses of the Congo Basin peatlands. The organization will act as the critical bridge between international technical data producers (GRID-Geneva, University of Leeds, FAO, UNEP-WCMC, WWF, WCS, and others) and national decision-makers in both countries, ensuring that scientific data and tools are effectively transferred, understood, and utilized by government institutions for evidence-based peatlands management and conservation.
The consultancy has three specific objectives: first, to update and extend existing ecosystem services analyses to produce a comprehensive, wall-to-wall map of key ecosystem services using the updated high-resolution peatland map; second, to act as a bridge between technical data producers and national decision-makers in the RoC and DRC; and third, to prepare government institutions to effectively use the data and apply decision-support tools, providing ongoing technical assistance to ensure long-term sustainability.
Expected Deliverables:
The consultancy will deliver the following key outputs over a 12–18-month period, with all deliverables produced in both English and French:
- Inception Phase (Month 1): An Inception Report in English detailing the proposed methodology, analytical framework, work plan, data sources, coordination plan with technical partners, and stakeholder engagement approach. This report must be submitted to UNEP for approval prior to commencement of analysis.
- Ecosystem Services Mapping (Months 1-5): A Draft Ecosystem Services Map (wall-to-wall) and Draft Information Brief in both English and French. The map will be a comprehensive spatial representation of key ecosystem services provided at present by the peatlands, including regulating services (carbon storage, water regulation, climate regulation), provisioning services (fisheries, non-timber forest products, water supply), supporting services (nutrient cycling, habitat provision), and cultural services. The map will be produced at a resolution suitable for decision-making, compatible with the high-resolution map from Output 4.1, and formatted for GIS platforms and MAP-X integration. The Information Brief (6-8 pages) will summarize methodology, key findings, implications for decision-makers and private sector investors, and opportunities for innovative financing mechanisms.
- Training Materials Development (Months 1-6): Draft Training Materials in both English and French, including presentation materials for stakeholder workshops, a user guide for the map and decision-support tools targeting government officials and other stakeholders, and a step-by-step guide on interpreting and using the map and tools for decision-making. Materials will be tailored to different audiences and incorporate gender-sensitive approaches.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Validation (Month 7): Organization and facilitation of Validation Workshops with key stakeholders including government agencies, private sector representatives, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples to present and validate the ecosystem services map and findings. Feedback received will be incorporated into final deliverables. Workshops will be coordinated with stakeholder platforms established under Output 1.1.
- Final Products (Month 10): Final Ecosystem Services Map and Final Information Brief in both English and French, incorporating stakeholder feedback. The map will be made available on suitable global and national platforms including UNEP Global Peatlands Map, MAP-X, and national platforms in RoC and DRC. Final Training Materials in both English and French will also be submitted, incorporating stakeholder feedback and ready for use in capacity building sessions.
- Sustainability Planning (Month 12): A Sustainability and Transition Plan in both English and French outlining the strategy for ensuring continued uptake and use of project outputs beyond project completion, including institutional engagement, capacity building, tool integration into national decision-making processes, and monitoring mechanisms.
- Monitoring and Reporting (Ongoing): Progress Reports on Government Uptake in both English and French submitted every six months, documenting the use of data and tools by government institutions, including case studies and success stories on how the data and tools have informed specific policy or planning decisions. A Final Consultancy Report in both English and French will be submitted at the end of the contract, summarizing all activities, capacity building efforts, government uptake achievements, and recommendations for future engagement.
Government Uptake and Institutional Embedding:
A core and distinguishing function of this consultancy is to provide sustained technical assistance to government institutions in both RoC and DRC to ensure they can effectively use the data, maps, and decision-support tools developed under the project. The organization will conduct targeted training sessions for government officials on the use of the ecosystem services map and associated GIS database, peatland monitoring system, high-resolution peatland map, and MAP-X and SEPAL platforms. The organization will develop and maintain a helpdesk or technical support mechanism for government users and provide on-the-ground technical support during field missions and stakeholder consultations.
The organization will work with government institutions to embed the use of project data and tools into routine decision-making processes, including land-use planning and management, water resource management, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs). Support will also be provided for integrating peatlands data and tools into national monitoring systems and platforms.
Coordination with Technical Partners:
The organization will collaborate closely with GRID-Geneva (spatial data and SEPAL, MAP-X platform), University of Leeds (CongoPeat project data), FAO (peatland monitoring and capacity building), UNEP-WCMC (ecosystem services mapping and biodiversity data), UNEP-DHI (hydrological models), WWF and WCS (biodiversity and livelihoods data), and other partners as identified. The organization will establish formal coordination mechanisms, receive and integrate technical deliverables, ensure harmonization of data and tools, and act as the conduit between technical partners and government institutions.
Language Requirements:
All deliverables shall be produced in both English and French. The organization must possess native or near-native proficiency in French to produce high-quality deliverables in both languages. Final deliverables shall be reviewed for linguistic accuracy and consistency across both language versions.
Project requirements : Institutional Requirements:
The applying organization must be a legally registered NGO, technical consultancy, or research institution in either the Republic of Congo or the Democratic Republic of Congo with proven experience in ecosystem services assessment, spatial analysis, natural resource mapping, and decision-support for natural resource management. The organization must have a track record of working with government institutions in Africa, preferably in the Congo Basin region, and must have established networks with key government institutions in both countries including Ministries of Environment, Planning, Finance, and Water.
Technical Team Composition:
The organization must propose a technical team with the following core competencies:
- Team Leader: Senior expert with 15+ years of experience in ecosystem services assessment, natural resource management, and policy engagement in Africa, with proven experience working with governments.
- GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist: Advanced degree in geography, GIS, or related field with 10+ years of experience in spatial analysis, remote sensing, and map production.
- Policy and Institutional Specialist: Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, or related field with 10+ years of experience in institutional capacity building, policy engagement, and government advisory services.
- French Language Specialist: At least one team member with native or near-native proficiency in French to ensure all deliverables are produced in both English and French.
Key Technical Experience Requirements:
The organization must demonstrate proven experience in conducting ecosystem services mapping and analysis in tropical landscapes, preferably peatlands or wetlands. It must have proven experience in developing training materials and facilitating stakeholder workshops for government audiences. Demonstrated experience in providing long-term technical assistance to government institutions for data uptake and decision-support is essential. Experience working with UNEP, other UN agencies, or international organizations is an asset. Knowledge of ecosystem services valuation, payment for ecosystem services schemes, and innovative financing mechanisms is a distinct advantage. Familiarity with MAP-X platform, SEPAL, and other relevant data platforms is an advantage.
Technical Skills and Competencies:
The organization must demonstrate excellent analytical, research, and writing skills; strong proficiency in GIS and spatial analysis tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar platforms; ability to synthesise complex spatial and ecological data into clear, actionable products for decision-makers; excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills; strategic thinking and ability to identify practical implementation pathways; and demonstrated understanding of the economic and development pressures facing the Congo Basin region with capacity to identify sustainable alternatives.
Language Requirements:
Excellent proficiency in French is mandatory at native or near-native level, with proven ability to produce high-quality analytical reports in French. Proficiency in English is required with proven ability to produce high-quality analytical reports in English. All deliverables shall be produced in both languages and reviewed for linguistic accuracy and consistency.
Coordination and Technical Collaboration Requirements:
The organization must establish formal coordination mechanisms with technical partners including GRID-Geneva, University of Leeds, FAO, UNEP-WCMC, UNEP-DHI, WWF, and WCS. The organization will receive and integrate their technical deliverables including the high-resolution peatland map, biodiversity and species data, hydrological models, and other relevant spatial data. All data and tools must be harmonised and presented in a format accessible to government users, with the organization acting as the conduit between technical partners and government institutions.
Government Uptake and Sustainability Requirements:
The organization must develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for ensuring government uptake and long-term sustainability, including regular engagement with key government institutions at national, provincial, and local levels; targeted training and technical assistance for government officials; support for integrating project data and tools into national decision-making processes including land-use planning, water resource management, NDCs, NBSAPs, EIAs, and SEAs; development of a sustainability and transition plan; and regular monitoring of uptake and reporting to UNEP.
Travel and Logistics:
The consultancy is home-based but requires regular travel to the Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo for stakeholder consultations, capacity building, data collection, and validation workshops. The organization is responsible for arranging all travel and costs must be included in the financial proposal. Appropriate insurance coverage for personnel during travel is required.
Reporting Lines:
The organization will report directly to the Workstream Lead at UNEP and collaborate closely with the project's technical team, government counterparts, and other stakeholders.
Application Requirements:
Interested organizations must submit: detailed organization profile including legal registration; CVs of the proposed technical team; cover letter addressing experience criteria; technical proposal (max 10 pages) outlining methodology and work plan; financial proposal in US Dollars; contact information for three professional references; and examples of previous work in ecosystem services mapping and government capacity building in both English and French, if available. Applications should be submitted via the UNEP Partners Portal by 15 August 2026.
Detailed proposal document : https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/49768
Responsible officer : Fabrice Inkonkoy
implementation start date : 1 October, 2026
Implementation end date : 31 December, 2028
Submission deadline : 15 August, 2026
Notification date : 15 September, 2026
