A priority for the current phase of the Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) program is to improve monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement (MERI) and data management systems. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) are progressing a project to address these objectives as part of the joint delivery of the IPA program. The proposed IPA MERI project draws on a significant body of contemporary and earlier work by the Indigenous land and water management sector in relation to MERI improvements across both the IPA and Indigenous Rangers Programs, the outcomes from the recent National Evaluation of the IPA Program, and feedback from the Indigenous Advisory Committee and Indigenous co-authors of the 2021 State of the Environment Report. DCCEEW is seeking to engage a suitably qualified and experienced team of consultants with expertise in:

• supporting First Nations-led cultural and natural resource management programs

• developing First Nations-led MERI and data management systems

• information management (IM)

• database design and development

• undertaking evaluations

• generating outcomes reports and visual data products

• negotiating of data sharing agreements

• working with Indigenous land and sea management organisations and First Nations people

• best-practice approaches for ensuring protection of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and maintaining Indigenous data sovereignty

• delivering training, capacity-building and technical support for First Nations and other staff working in remote First Nations communities.

The desired outcome from the procurement is the establishment and rollout of a fit-for-purpose MERI and data management system that aligns with and demonstrates the outcomes and benefits delivered through the IPA program. This will lead to:

• Ongoing improvements in how the IPA Program is delivered

• Visual data products and data to contribute towards national and international reporting obligations (e.g. 30 by 30, Nature Positive and State of Environment Reporting, Closing the Gap, etc.)

• Improved two-way communication and promotion of the impacts and benefits of the IPA program to inform policy development, investment and strengthen partnerships.

A staged approach is proposed for this consultancy.

Estimated start date: Thursday, 12 December 2024

Initial contract duration: 42 months

Extension term: 6 months

Number of extensions: 1

Working arrangements: Remote