ThaiNGO

Term of Reference

Consultant to Support Community Forest Management Planning (CFMP) Process
for the Forest Forward Project

 Supervised by:          Rattaphon Pitakthepsombat

Duration:                     1 September 2025 – 31 August 2026

1. Background of consultancy assignment

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Thailand, as part of a global conservation network operating in over 100 countries worldwide, is committed to conserve biodiversity and promote a sustainable and harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. WWF-Thailand is currently implementing the “Forest Forward Project” (formally titled Protecting and Connecting Thailand’s Forest Landscapes), with funding support from the SIG Group. The project aims to enhance the management and conservation of biodiversity across key forest landscapes in Thailand, including the Dawna-Tenasserim Landscape (DTL), Dong-Phayayen World Heritage Site (DPKY), and the Lower Songkhram River Basin (LSRB). One key component of the project is to provide technical support to local communities in developing and implementing Community Forest Management Plans (CFMPs). These efforts aim to strengthen the capacity of community forest management committees and to promote recognition of these community forests as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) under existing national mechanisms. The focus areas for CFMP support include the Mae Ping–Omkoi ecological corridor in Tak Province and the Lower Songkhram River Basin in Nakhon Phanom Province.

WWF-Thailand now seeks a qualified consultant team to support the CFMP process in 11 target community forests across these two focus areas. This support is to ensure a process is comprehensive and inclusive, strengthening the knowledge and skills of CFM committees and producing the plans that are aligned with current laws and policies on community forestry and biodiversity conservation.     

2. Objective of the consultancy

The consultant will provide technical and facilitation supports to the Forest Forward Project to implement Community Forest Management Planning (CFMP) Process for the total of 11 community forests (CFs): 6 CFs in the Mae Ping – Omkoi Corridor in Tak province and 5 CFs in the Lower Songkhram River Basin in Nakhon Phanom province.

3. Scope of work/ Major responsibility

The consultant will conduct all activities in coordination with Forest Forward project team, WWF Thailand on;

3.1 Compile relevant social and community information necessary to support CFM planning for the target CFs. 

3.2 Develop curriculum and conduct training sessions on participatory CF assessment to CFM committees in the target CFs.

3.3 Provide coaching and facilitation support to the target CFs to conduct CF assessments in order to understand their current forest conditions and preparation of CF assessment reports.

3.4 Provide coaching and facilitation support to the target CFs on data analysis and conduct CFM planning workshops 

3.5 Support the drafting of CFM Plan for each target CF.        

4. Activities and deliverables 

5. Required profile: 

• The consultant team should have knowledge and expertise in community-based forest management, sustainable natural resource management, as well as relevant laws and policies, especially Community Forest Act B.E.2562, policies related to Global Biodiversity Framework including 30x30 targets and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
• The consultant team should have extensive experience in facilitating community forest management planning process, community forest assessment by employing participatory methods while also scientifically sound.
• The consultant team should be able to support the drafting of community forest management plans in alignment with the current requirements under the Community Forest Act B.E.2562 or its subordinate laws and regulations, and with clear integration of biodiversity conservation components.  

6. Submission requirement:

• Proposals (with project implementation and financial plan) will need to be submitted by 19 AUG 2025
• Please explicitly list out quotations and provide a detailed breakdown of costs aligned with each objective. (included VAT).
• Please submit all application documents to: Send your application to: Yada Wagner yadaw@wwf.or.th CC: <procurement@wwf.or.th>  Email subject line: “Consultant to Support Community Forest Management Planning  (CFMP)”.