Introduction
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. The AFN hosts two Assemblies a year where mandates and directives for the organization are established through resolutions directed and supported by the First Nations in Assembly (elected Chiefs or proxies from member First Nations).
In addition to the direction provided by Chiefs of each member First Nation, the AFN is guided by an Executive Committee consisting of an elected National Chief and Regional Chiefs from each province and territory. Representatives from five national councils (Knowledge Keepers, Youth, Veterans, 2SLGBTQQIA+ and Women) support and guide the decisions of the Executive Committee.
Species protection, conservation, management, and recovery are fundamentally rights-based issues and, as such, require the recognition and leadership of First Nations in all related decision-making and governance processes. The Government of Canada has introduced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation (Pan-Canadian Approach) and the AFN is working to support the full partnership of First Nations in the implementation of this approach.
Objective
The AFN Environment Sector wishes to implement a robust Species at Risk engagement strategy, led by the appointment of a National Coordinator. The National Coordinator would be tasked to work with the Environment Sector to lead and coordinate a project approach that supports the full partnerships of First Nations in the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation, in accordance with the mandate provided by Chiefs-in-Assembly through Resolution 95/2019.
The Species at Risk (SAR) National Coordinator would be required to lead this work and coordinate with AFN staff, relevant committees and experts and regional representatives to implement project activities in accordance with an existing work plan prior to the end of fiscal year 2024-2025.
Background
The AFN is working with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) through the Indigenous Partnerships Initiative (IPI) to support and coordinate (where appropriate) First Nations capacity building and participation as it relates to the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and associated efforts linked to the Pan-Canadian Approach at both National and Regional level.
The SARA recognizes the essential role of Indigenous Peoples in the protection, conservation, management and recovery of species at risk; therefore, the Pan-Canadian Approach must recognize and uphold the critical leadership and contributions of First Nations at all levels and ensure such an approach reflects the unique priorities and interests of First Nations with respect to species at risk.
The SAR National Coordinator will support project activities in three general areas:
- Support the AFN in the development and delivery of information and engagement events to be hosted with First Nations throughout the year.
- Enhance Regional dialogue with First Nations technicians and representatives.
- Develop draft recommendations for First Nations engagement with the Pan-Canadian Approach and its implementation.
This work will ultimately contribute to the identification and enhanced understanding of First Nations priorities as they relate to species at risk protection, conservation, management, and recovery in addition to supporting opportunities for ongoing regional and national dialogues, relationship building and engagement (where appropriate and as defined by the regions, Nations, and Rights and Title Holders themselves).
Proposal Submission Instructions
All proposals shall be received by the AFN no later than 5:00pm EST on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024.
All proposals are to be submitted by email in Portable Document Format (PDF) and clearly identify the name of the proponent and the note “RFP – SAR Coordinator” in the subject line.
Proposal Submission Requirements
To be considered a proposal must demonstrate the fulfillment of the following mandate requirements:
- Identification of an individual who will lead the work of the National Coordinator, supported by:
- A cover letter and CV
- A proposed draft work plan for this project (1-2 pages)
- Demonstration of requisite expertise, including:
- General familiarity with the AFN.
- Extensive experience working in the field of conservation and stewardship, ideally in a First Nations context.
- Experience working with federal, provincial, and territorial governments and organizations.
- Demonstrated qualifications and experience with respect to the production of a report based on original research and writing.
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Excellent coordination, planning and organization skills.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently, while remaining in close communication with AFN staff.
- Willingness to travel throughout Canada (as needed/appropriate under pandemic circumstances).
- Ability to communicate consistently via virtual forums and conduct/host virtual dialogues in place of in-person meetings.
- Candidates must be of First Nations Ancestry.
- Cost Breakdown: The proponent/bidder shall provide a detailed cost breakdown for the proposed services, showing the total cost for the performance of all services, expenses, materials, deliverables, and software/hardware costs (if applicable), to be used. Total cost shall be in Canadian dollars and inclusive of The AFN Environment Sector will provide travel and other administrative support over and above the value of the proposal.
Rights of the AFN
The AFN reserves the right to:
- reject any or all proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals;
- enter into negotiation with one or more bidders on any or all aspects of their respective proposals;
- accept any proposal in whole, or in part;
- cancel and/or re-issue the modified version of a given RFP requirement at any time;
- award one or more contracts;
- verify all information provided with respect to a given RFP requirement, including the right to request a confirmation of the bidder’s legal status and signed documentation; and
- ward contracts without competition for follow-up work, if any, to the selected bidder for a given project requirement.
Timetable
| Description of Deliverables | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Draft Project Work Plan | August 31, 2024 |
| 2. Develop session-specific dialogue and engagement sessions to be hosted at the 3rd National Climate Gathering (Oct 7-10, 2024) | September 30, 2024 |
| 3. Develop session-specific dialogue and engagement sessions to be hosted at the National Conservation Gathering (tentatively February 24-27, 2025) | January 31, 2025 |
| 4. Develop Communications /Information Materials (on-going) | |
| 5. Develop/maintain National Network of First Nations SAR Leaders (on-going) | |
| 6. Draft Summary Report | March 31, 2025 |
Miscellaneous Provisions
Price
Total value of this proposal is not to exceed $75,000 inclusive of taxes should they apply.
Confidentiality
Responses to this RFP will be considered as confidential information by the AFN and will be used solely for the purposes of selecting the successful bidder.
Clarification/Questions
All on-time proposals will be acknowledged.
Requests for clarification and/or questions regarding this RFP should be directed to:
Curtis Scurr
Director, Environment Sector
Assembly of First Nations
50 O’Connor Street, Suite 200 Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2
Telephone: (613) 241-6789 extension 407
Electronic Mail: [email protected]
Responses/Submission
Responses to this RFP must be received by the close of business (5:00pm EST) on August 6, 2024.
Consideration will only be given to those submissions that meet this deadline.
Submissions may be sent by email to:
Curtis Scurr
Director, Environment Sector
Assembly of First Nations
55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5
Electronic Mail: [email protected]