TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
Consultancy Title: Consultancy to Conduct Participatory Wetland Assessment and Mapping of the Rweru–Gaharwa Wetland and Landscape Ecosystem
1. Background
The project "Restoration of the Rweru-Gaharwa Wetland and Landscape Ecosystem and Improvement of Climate-Resilient Livelihoods" is being implemented in Rweru Sector, Bugesera District, Eastern Province, Rwanda by INADES-Formation Rwanda with support from the Small Grants Programme (SGP) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project aims to restore at least 200 hectares of degraded wetlands and surrounding landscapes while improving the livelihoods and climate resilience of 1,700 community members across four target cells over a two-year implementation period.
The intervention seeks to restore 50 hectares of degraded wetlands around Lakes Rweru and Gaharwa and enhance the productivity and resilience of 150 hectares of surrounding agricultural landscapes through ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, soil and water conservation, and community-based natural resource management approaches.
As a foundation for effective restoration planning and implementation, a participatory wetland assessment and mapping exercise is required to establish project baselines, identify degradation hotspots, define restoration priorities, and support long-term monitoring of ecological changes and ecosystem recovery.
The assessment shall combine scientific assessment methods, geospatial analysis, and local community knowledge to ensure that restoration priorities are based on sound ecological evidence while reflecting local resource use patterns, community needs, and sustainable landscape management practices.
2. Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a comprehensive participatory assessment and mapping of the Rweru–Gaharwa wetland ecosystem and adjacent landscapes to generate reliable ecological, hydrological, socio-economic, and spatial information that will guide restoration planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
3. Objectives of the Consultancy
General Objective
The consultant shall conduct a participatory assessment and mapping of degraded wetland ecosystems and surrounding landscapes to inform ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management interventions.
Specific Objectives
The consultant shall:
- Assess the ecological condition of wetlands and surrounding landscapes.
- Map degraded wetlands and adjacent agricultural landscapes requiring restoration.
- Characterize wetland vegetation, biodiversity, soils, hydrology, and land use.
- Identify degradation drivers and restoration opportunities.
- Assess current community use of wetland resources.
- Produce GIS-based maps for planning restoration interventions.
- Establish baseline ecological indicators for future monitoring.
- Facilitate stakeholder participation throughout the assessment process.
4. Scope of Work
The consultant shall undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks.
| Task | Description of Activities |
| Task 1: Inception and Assessment Planning | The consultant shall establish a clear understanding of the assignment requirements and develop the framework for implementation. Activities shall include review of project documents, terms of reference, existing reports, studies, maps, policies, and relevant spatial datasets, development of a detailed assessment methodology and analytical framework, preparation of data collection tools and field assessment instruments, preparation of a detailed work plan, timelines, milestones, and deliverables, identification of key stakeholders and preparation of stakeholder engagement arrangements and the submission of an inception report for approval by INADES-Formation Rwanda. |
| Task 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Participatory Engagement | The consultant shall conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders to gather information, validate findings, and identify restoration priorities. Consultations shall involve District authorities, Sector authorities, Cell and village leaders, Rwanda Water Resources Board (where applicable), Rwanda Forestry Authority, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, Community members and wetland resource users, Producer organizations and farmer groups, Women’s and youth groups, Other relevant landscape stakeholders. The consultant shall facilitate participatory meetings to document local knowledge, identify degradation drivers, validate findings, and prioritize restoration areas. |
| Task 3: Participatory Wetland and Ecosystem Assessment | The consultant shall conduct field assessments covering ecological, hydrological, soil, and water quality conditions of the wetland ecosystem. Ecological Assessment: Wetland vegetation composition and condition, Native and invasive species, Wildlife habitats, Biodiversity status, Habitat connectivity and ecosystem integrity. Hydrological Assessment: Water flow patterns, seasonal flooding, water retention capacity, drainage patterns, water sources, wetland connectivity. Soil Assessment: Soil erosion, sedimentation, soil fertility, soil texture, soil moisture conditions. Water Quality Assessment: Measure selected parameters including the pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature, nutrient concentrations (where feasible). |
| Task 4: Participatory GIS Mapping and Spatial Analysis | Using GIS, GPS technologies, remote sensing data, and field verification, the consultant shall develop spatial datasets and maps showing the wetland boundaries, degraded areas, restoration priority zones, watercourses and drainage channels, buffer zones, agricultural land, existing conservation structures, forest patches and vegetation cover, settlement areas, infrastructure, land use and land cover classes. Maps shall be produced in editable digital GIS formats and high-resolution printable formats. |
| Task 5: Socio-economic Assessment | The consultant shall assess community dependence on wetland resources, livelihood systems, and opportunities for sustainable restoration. The assessment shall cover wetland resource use patterns, livelihood activities, farming systems, community perceptions on restoration, climate risks and vulnerabilities, existing conservation practices, institutional arrangements, gender roles in wetland management, indigenous knowledge and local practices related to restoration. |
| Task 6: Restoration Opportunity Assessment | The consultant shall identify and prioritize restoration opportunities based on ecological conditions, community priorities, and landscape restoration potential. The assessment shall identify restoration hotspots, areas suitable for agroforestry, areas suitable for assisted natural regeneration, buffer restoration zones, erosion hotspots, water harvesting opportunities, conservation agriculture sites. The consultant shall recommend and prioritize appropriate restoration interventions. |
| Task 7: Baseline Development | The consultant shall establish baseline information and indicators to support monitoring, evaluation, and measurement of restoration impacts. baseline indicators shall include wetland condition, biodiversity status, water quality, land degradation levels, vegetation cover, community participation, climate resilience indicators. |
| Task 8: Stakeholder Validation Workshop | The consultant shall organize and facilitate a validation workshop to present findings and incorporate stakeholder feedback. Activities shall include presentation of assessment findings, presentation and review of GIS maps, collection of comments and recommendations, revision of outputs based on feedback, validation of restoration priorities and proposed interventions. |
| Task 9: Assessment of Existing and Planned Landscape Interventions | The consultant shall identify and assess ongoing, completed, and planned interventions within the Rweru–Gaharwa landscape related to wetland restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, water management, and livelihoods. The assessment shall include identification and mapping of stakeholders and institutions operating in the landscape, inventory of ongoing, completed, and planned interventions, geographic mapping of intervention sites to identify overlaps and gaps, analysis of project objectives, beneficiaries, implementation approaches, and coverage, assessment of complementarities, duplication risks, and collaboration opportunities, documentation of lessons learned and best practices, recommendations for coordination mechanisms, partnerships, and integrated landscape management strategies. |
5. Methodology
The consultant shall apply a participatory, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based approach combining scientific assessment methods, geospatial analysis, and community knowledge to generate reliable ecological, hydrological, socio-economic, and spatial information for guiding wetland restoration planning and landscape management.
The methodology shall include, but not be limited to, the following approaches:
- Literature and document review: Review of relevant project documents, existing studies, environmental reports, maps, policies, land use plans, and other available secondary data related to the Rweru–Gaharwa wetland and surrounding landscape ecosystem.
- Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Consultations with relevant government institutions, local authorities, technical experts, development partners, community leaders, and other key stakeholders to gather technical information and institutional perspectives.
- Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Engagement with community members, farmers, producer organizations, women and youth groups, and other resource users to document local knowledge, resource use patterns, challenges, and restoration priorities.
- Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): Application of participatory tools to understand community perceptions, historical changes in the landscape, natural resource management practices, climate risks, and locally appropriate restoration solutions.
- GPS data collection and field surveys: Collection of accurate geospatial coordinates and field observations to support mapping of wetlands, degradation areas, restoration sites, land use features, infrastructure, and other relevant landscape characteristics.
- GIS mapping and spatial analysis: Development of GIS-based maps and spatial datasets to analyze wetland boundaries, land use and land cover, degradation hotspots, restoration priority areas, intervention sites, and landscape characteristics.
- Remote sensing analysis: Use of satellite imagery and other relevant geospatial data to assess historical and current land cover changes, vegetation conditions, wetland dynamics, and ecosystem degradation patterns.
- Transect walks and ecological field assessments: Conduct systematic field observations and sampling to assess vegetation, biodiversity, habitat conditions, ecosystem connectivity, and restoration potential.
- Ecological sampling: Undertake appropriate biological and environmental sampling to characterize wetland conditions, vegetation composition, biodiversity status, soil characteristics, and ecosystem health indicators.
- Water quality assessment: Conduct field measurements and analysis of selected water quality parameters to support understanding of wetland health and hydrological conditions.
- Ground truthing and validation: Verify remote sensing and GIS findings through field observations and stakeholder inputs to ensure accuracy and reliability of spatial information.
- Community and stakeholder validation meetings: Present preliminary findings, maps, and recommendations to stakeholders for feedback, validation, and refinement of restoration priorities.
The consultant shall ensure that all methods applied are gender-responsive, socially inclusive, and aligned with relevant national environmental policies, wetland management frameworks, and best practices for ecosystem restoration.
6. Expected deliverables
The consultant shall produce the following deliverables in accordance with the agreed work plan. All reports shall incorporate comments from INADES-Formation Rwanda and relevant stakeholders and be submitted in both editable (MS Word, Excel, GIS formats where applicable) and PDF formats. All spatial outputs shall include GIS datasets, and supporting documentation.
| Deliverable | Description / Minimum Contents | Submission Format |
| 1. Inception Report | Consultancy methodology and technical approach; Assessment framework, sampling methods, GIS and remote sensing procedures; Detailed work plan and implementation schedule; Data collection tools and survey instruments; Stakeholder engagement and validation plan; Initial stakeholder mapping; Risk assessment and mitigation measures; Communication and reporting arrangements. | MS Word (editable) and PDF. |
| 2. Draft Assessment Report | Executive summary; Assessment methodology; Ecological, hydrological, soil and water quality assessments; Socio-economic assessment; Assessment of degradation drivers; Restoration opportunity analysis; Review of existing interventions and stakeholder mapping; Baseline ecological and socio-economic indicators; Preliminary GIS maps; Preliminary conclusions and recommendations; Supporting datasets, photographs and annexes. | MS Word (editable), PDF, GIS outputs and supporting datasets. |
| 3. GIS Database | Comprehensive GIS database including Shapefiles and geodatabase; GPS coordinates and field survey data; Satellite imagery products; Land use/land cover datasets; Wetland boundaries and restoration priority areas; Hydrological features; Administrative boundaries; Additional relevant spatial layers. | Editable GIS formats (Shapefiles, Geodatabase, GeoPackage where applicable), and documentation. |
| 4. Wetland Restoration Maps | High-quality thematic maps showing Wetland boundaries; Restoration priority zones; Buffer zones; Rivers and drainage systems; Land use and land cover; Degradation hotspots; Agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration sites; Climate-smart agriculture areas; Soil and water conservation structures; Vegetation and biodiversity areas; Settlements and infrastructure. | Editable GIS files, high-resolution printable maps (PDF), and coordinate reference system information. |
| 5. Landscape Interventions Assessment Report | Inventory of existing and planned interventions; Stakeholder mapping matrix; Spatial distribution of interventions; Analysis of overlaps, duplication, gaps and complementarities; Recommendations for improved coordination and integration. | MS Word (editable) and PDF. |
| 6. Stakeholder and Intervention GIS Maps | GIS maps illustrating Existing restoration initiatives; Protected areas and conservation sites; Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land management interventions; Watershed management activities; Community natural resource management initiatives; Agroforestry and restoration sites; Water infrastructure; Land use and land cover; Stakeholder distribution; Intervention overlaps and gaps; Priority restoration areas; Opportunities for coordinated implementation. | Editable GIS formats, printable maps (PDF), and supporting spatial datasets. |
| 7. Presentation of Findings and Final Assessment Report | Presentation: PowerPoint presentation of key findings during the validation workshop.Final Report: Revised report incorporating stakeholder comments and including a dedicated chapter on assessment of existing interventions, stakeholder mapping, intervention overlaps, gaps, coordination opportunities, lessons learned, and recommendations for integrated landscape management and restoration. | PowerPoint (editable and PDF); Final Report in MS Word (editable) and PDF, with all annexes and final GIS outputs. |
7. Duration of the assignment
The consultancy is expected to be completed within 30 calendar days from the date of contract signature.
8. Reporting arrangements
The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator and work closely with the project's technical team, district authorities, and relevant government institutions. All reports shall be submitted in English in both editable (MS Word, Excel) and PDF formats. Spatial data shall be provided in commonly used GIS formats (e.g., shapefiles and geodatabases).
9. Required qualifications and experience
The assignment may be undertaken by an individual consultant or a consulting firm with demonstrated expertise in wetland assessment, landscape restoration, and GIS-based environmental analysis.
Team composition: The consultant shall propose a multidisciplinary team comprising, at a minimum, the following key experts:
| No | Position | Minimum qualification | Minimum experience | Key responsibilities |
| 1 | Team Leader / Wetland and Ecosystem Restoration Specialist | Master of Arts in Project Management, Natural Resource Management, Development studies, or a related field (or Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience | Minimum of 10 years with a Master's degree or 12 years with a Bachelor's degree. | Lead the assignment; oversee the technical quality of all outputs; design the assessment methodology; coordinate field activities; lead stakeholder engagement and validation workshops; supervise report preparation; provide recommendations for wetland restoration and integrated landscape management. |
| 2 | GIS, Remote Sensing and Land Survey Specialist | Master's degree in GIS, Geography, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Remote Sensing, or a related field (or Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience) | Minimum 3 years with a Master's degree or 4 years with a Bachelor's degree | Lead spatial data collection and analysis; undertake GIS and remote sensing analysis; develop the GIS database; produce thematic maps; manage GPS data; delineate wetland boundaries; identify degradation hotspots and restoration priority areas. |
| 3 | Hydrology and Environmental Assessment Specialist | Master's degree in Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, or a related field (or Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience) | Minimum 3 years with a Master's degree or 4 years with a Bachelor's degree | Conduct hydrological, ecological, soil, and water quality assessments; analyse wetland functions, biodiversity, and ecosystem health; assess degradation drivers; identify restoration opportunities and contribute to technical recommendations. |
| 4 | Socio-economic and Natural Resource Management Specialist | Master's degree in Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Management, Sociology, Development Studies, Environmental Management, or a related field (or Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience) | Minimum 3 years with a Master's degree or 5 years with a Bachelor's degree | Lead socio-economic assessments; conduct stakeholder mapping and institutional analysis; facilitate community consultations; assess livelihoods, gender, and resource use; analyse existing interventions, coordination gaps, and opportunities for integrated landscape management. |
The consultant shall demonstrate proven experience in conducting wetland and landscape assessments, ecological and socio-economic studies, and restoration planning. Strong technical competence in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing, spatial analysis, and digital mapping is required. Experience in participatory natural resource management, stakeholder consultation, and facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes is essential.
The consultant should have sound knowledge of Rwanda's environmental policies, wetland management frameworks, land-use planning regulations, and ecosystem restoration initiatives. Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality technical reports, GIS databases, maps, and other analytical products for development partners, government institutions, or conservation organizations will be considered a strong advantage.
10. Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Score |
| Relevant education and qualifications | 25 |
| Experience in wetland assessment and restoration | 20 |
| Experience in GIS, remote sensing, and mapping | 10 |
| Proposed methodology and work plan | 25 |
| Experience in participatory approaches and stakeholder engagement | 10 |
| Financial proposal | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
11. Ethical Considerations
The consultant shall:
- Obtain informed consent from all participants.
- Ensure confidentiality of data collected.
- Respect local customs and community protocols.
- Apply gender-sensitive and socially inclusive approaches throughout the assignment.
- Comply with Rwanda's environmental regulations and data management requirements.
12. Child Protection and Safeguarding Compliance Requirements
INADES-Formation Rwanda is committed to safeguarding children and preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment (PSEA). All applicants are expected to comply with the organization's Child Protection and PSEA policies and principles throughout the assignment. The successful consultant may be required to sign a declaration of compliance before the commencement of the consultancy.
13. Application Procedure
Interested consulting firms or qualified individual consultants are invited to submit separate technical and financial proposals, sealed together in a single envelope, addressed to the Country Director of INADES-Formation Rwanda. The technical proposal should include the consultant's understanding of the assignment, methodology, work plan, relevant experience, and qualifications.
Applicants should submit one hard copy and one soft copy (on a USB flash drive) of the required documents to the INADES- Formation Rwanda Secretariat no later than Monday, 3 August 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The bid opening session will take place on the same day at 2:30 p.m. in the INADES- Formation Rwanda meeting room.
Done at Kigali, on 24/07/2026
Désiré BIMENYIMANA
Country Director of INADES- Formation Rwanda