Biodiversity assessment of Phou Hi Phi National Protected Area

📢 Job Opportunity with WCS! WCS is looking for a "Biodiversity assessment of Phou Hi Phi National Protected Area "  to join our team. 📍 Location: Xay and La districts Oudomxay province  🗓️ Duration: November 2026 to January 2027 (3 months) • Type: Consultancy, fixed term • Reports to (Supervisors): Senior Technical Advisor • Country Program/Sector: WCS Lao Program, Greater Mekong Region, GCP  • Expected travel: As required within the country to field offices, and internationally if/when needed • Background: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US nonprofit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US-based, nonprofit global conservation organization that saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature. The WCS Lao PDR program was established in 1993 and has successfully implemented projects with the Lao Government especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Local government agencies with more than 30 projects supported by more than 30 donors. WCS core supports are to improve the management of biodiversity by enhancing technical capacity for government officials and local partners, improving the management of wild places by involving communities in protected areas management including wetlands, and improving responses to wildlife trafficking and wildlife health. • Context The Phou Hi Phi Forest was designated as a Provincial Protected Area in 1996. At that time, the area demarcation did not yet have modern tools for area calculation, and the area was estimated to be approximately 22,800 hectares (Nam Kat river in Xay district zone). In 2007, a technical team from the Department of Forestry conducted a survey of the protected area using modern tools to help calculate the area, which was revised from 22,800 hectares to 19,700 hectares. In early 2009, the province proposed an additional 30,000 hectares, which was a restoration area of Xay District. Two other sites were also included: the Nam Heung watershed protection forest area in La District with an area of 6,250 hectares, and the forest restoration area of La District with an area of 31,400 hectares. In total, the combined area became 87,350 hectares. After that, Oudomxay Province submitted a proposal to upgrade it to a National Protected Area (NPA) (decree designated No. 396/PM, dated 11 Sep 2012). The Wildlife Conservation Society, Lao PDR (WCS) recently signed a cooperation agreement with GIZ to update the Management Plan for Nam Kan, Nam Ha, Phou Hi Phi, Nam Poui, Nam Xam and Nam Et Phou Louey National Park and include Guidelines on categorization. To support the Phou Hi Phi NPA management planning process in 2026-2035 the following analyses will be made and compiled for Phou Hi Phi NPA;(1) biodiversity information, including terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna; (2) analyses of threats to this biodiversity; (3) the bio-physical environment; (4) topography and landscape conditions; (4) climate/weather conditions; (5) hydrology and geology; and (6) proposals for updated village landuse plans and boundary delineation.  All these activities are recommended under the NPA decree and Forestry Law. To achieve data collection and technical report, WCS Laos would like to hire an expert consultant to conduct an assessment on the biodiversity of the area. • Objectives: The main question to be addressed - What are the current conservation priorities for Phou Hi Phi NPA in terms of species, habitats The overall objectives of this consultancy are: 1. Complete a 16-day field mission including 10 days in the forest to assess biodiversity status in Phou Hi Phi NPA, 2. Complete a formal assessment of the current biodiversity conservation status and targets of Phou Hi Phi that will be embedded into management. This will be based on the survey area, which will be representative of overall habitats. 3. Assess threats and their perceived impact on wildlife and habitat conditions. • Scope and Duties A. Forest Transect and Camp Survey: • Cover a route transecting the NPA with camps and tangent explorations to explore areas of potentially important habitat along the way • Collect observational data on wildlife directly observed and on wildlife spoors. • Collect observational data on habitats walked through • Collect data on threats observed. • Train WCS and government staff involved in the survey in methods used B. Reporting: • Provide all data to WCS • Collect the data collected into a draft overview for WCS to finalize. • Review and edit the report after WCS input • The report should be included