ZSL is Hiring an Agroforestry Consultant

Download PDF

About ZSL

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals from going extinct. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

About the Project

Elephants, as ecosystem engineers and keystone species, will inevitably cause damage to any vegetation in a landscape. The goal of a sustainable model for human elephant coexistence is to reduce the damage to tolerable and affordable levels for communities. Elephant-friendly, unpalatable crops with minimal dry-season watering infrastructure needs would reduce damage and associated economic costs especially compared to attractive high-calorie cash crops. During the transition period from cash crop to agroforestry, adoption of affordable best-practice Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) mitigation interventions will be encouraged.

Ideally, income generated from the agroforestry models will provide a sustainable financing mechanism for farmers to adopt such mitigation interventions. As well as diversified, higher incomes from agroforestry, smallholder farmers will obtain additional income from carbon credits. Pre-sale of the carbon credits will finance the agroforestry transition whilst these alternative crops are growing to maturity. In addition, HEC insurance schemes which tie low premiums to adoption of non-violent mitigation methods and/or elephant-friendly agroforestry would further incentivise adoption of the model and reduce financial costs related to elephants moving through the landscape during and beyond the livelihood transition period.

Purpose

Design three agroforestry models applicable to the project area, in collaboration with local communities and ZSL partners. Additional ZSL project sites in Africa and Southeast Asia may be included in future engagements.

Key Responsibilities

Key Activities

• Visit the project site and use existing data to map agroclimactic conditions and current agroforestry-compatible crops and native trees at project sites with support from ZSL’s local team.
• Agree three ‘model farm’ sites with team that reflect the diversity of conditions of local farmers.
• Develop resilient agroforestry models for each of these sites, including agroforestry crop/native tree crop mix, based on: agroclimactic conditions, farmer familiarity, unattractiveness to elephants, crop profitability, carbon sequestration and time to first harvest.
• Develop low-literacy farm management plans for these sites, to be translated into Thai, including species/varietals, planting regimen, operational management and monthly calendar including inputs and plant care, and harvest.
• Estimate costs and yield and incomes per hectare for the model farms from initial planting to maturity.
• Provide additional advice on post-harvest storage and processing of coffee and other products.

Deliverables

1. Map of agroclimactic conditions, location of model farm sites and list of existing agroforestry compatible crops at project sites (GIS support available).
2. Agroforestry model planting diagram for a typical hectare at each of the three model farms, incorporating feedback from local farmers. Demonstrate how these models meet the selection criteria above.
3. Low-literacy model farm plans for each of the three sites including planting regimen, maintenance and harvest calendar, list and quantity of farm inputs and other plant care activities, harvest and post-harvest processing.
4. Estimates of establishment, maintenance and harvest costs, yield and income for each model per hectare from initial planting to maturity.

The consultant will also be required to provide ad-hoc attendance at project meetings and technical advice on agroforestry models, post-harvest processing and storage.

Budget and payment schedule

Payment schedule

• 25% on submission and acceptance of deliverable one and associated invoice.
• 25% on submission and acceptance of deliverable two and associated invoice.
• 25% on submission and acceptance of deliverable three and associated invoice.
• 25% on submission and acceptance of deliverable four and associated invoice.

All claims for expenses are dependent on submission of a valid invoice for reimbursement. Alcoholic drinks are not valid for reimbursement.

The consultant will be responsible for the payment of all taxes and charges associated with the works.

Selection Criteria

• A university degree in agriculture, or another field related to this assignment.
• At least 5 years’ experience providing agroforestry-related technical advice covering farm planning, management and financing, aimed at smallholders in the tropics. Expertise in coffee agroforestry preferred.
• Substantial experience engaging with smallholder farmers, preferably including Indigenous communities.
• Strong writing, verbal presentation, and reporting skills including the production of low-literacy materials aimed at community members.
• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken (a good command of the Thai language is an asset).
• Excellent command of MS Office package (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Microsoft Teams; familiarity with landscape/ land-use modelling software or applications would be an asset.
• Ability to travel to and work in the project site in a remote area in western Thailand.

Application Process

Submit a CV and cover letter addressing the selection criteria to sbf.advisory@zsl.org by 24 July 2023.