CIEEM is seeking to appoint an independent contractor (or contractors) to develop a structure and learning materials for, and deliver, training on the production and use of Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs) to support effective implementation of habitat creation and enhancement.
About CIEEM and our training
The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Our Vision is of a healthy natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations. CIEEM works with members and partners to set standards, share knowledge, and provide sound advice on natural environment management practices.
Coordinated by our central team, our trainers deliver more than 180 training courses each year to more than 2000 attendees. We support a variety of delivery models to provide choice and improve the accessibility of training for both tutors and learners. Delivery models include online, in-person, or hybrid courses, usually taught as half, one, or two days training, where a full day of training includes six hours of tuition. We also host popular self-paced training courses on our Moodle based Learning Management System.
Our training and trainers are very well respected with an average participant feedback score of 4.6 / 5. Our aim is to support ecologists and environmental managers at all stages of their career and we provide training at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.
Background to tender opportunity
HMMPs are detailed plans that outline how land is to be managed to create and enhance habitats. HMMPs covering a period of at least 30 years are a legal requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England, generating increased demand for training in this area, but key features of a good HMMP are applicable to ecological restoration outside of mandatory BNG.
We wish to expand our current training offer to provide guidance on the key considerations for producing and implementing achievable HMMPs, to support the professional development of practitioners, raise standards in this area of ecological practice, and achieve better outcomes for nature and people.
The geographical focus of the planned training is predominantly England, where BNG has been mandatory for most developments since February 2024. Well designed and feasible HMMPs finalised after planning approval are critical for delivering the habitat creation and enhancement measures agreed in BNG Plans, and although the use of a single format is not mandatory, Natural England provide a HMMP Template (HMMPT) and associated guidance (https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5813530037846016). Whilst aspects of HMMP production specific to BNG apply only to England, core principles of monitoring and planned adaptive management to enhance biodiversity and provide climate resilience, are universal. We therefore welcome proposals for training that meets the needs of practitioners in England but also applies to practice outside of BNG and / or training that can be updated and adapted over time to meet training needs elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.
The training course and associated materials and resources must focus on taking a good practice approach to the topic and should reference applicable guidelines.
Suggested Learning Outcomes for the training include that participants should be able to improve their understanding in the following areas, within the context of rapid climate and environmental change:
- Explain key principles of habitat management and their importance in habitat creation and enhancement.
- Understand features of a good, deliverable HMMP.
- Propose feasible implementation strategies suitable for a range of stakeholders, including land managers, developers, and conservation organisations.
- Set clear, measurable objectives for habitat management.
- Outline practical techniques for managing different UK habitat types.
- Define robust monitoring protocols to measure progress against objectives.
- Use monitoring data to adaptively manage and refine HMMPs.
- Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and planning conditions during implementation.
(please feel free to suggest alternative learning outcomes based on your uderstanding of needs)
Tenderers are invited to propose a delivery model (e.g. online, in-person, hybrid, self-paced) and level(s) (e.g. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) that they feel will make the best contribution to meeting immediate skills gaps within the profession. In doing so tenderers should consider the accessibility of training to participants and the best way of ensuring that they achieve stated learning outcomes at the proposed level within the duration of the course(s) – we encourage innovation and creativity in this respect.
Please identify within your tender:
- a clear timeline for the production of materials
- five suggested course dates within the next 18 months, at least three must be in 2025
- proposed numbers of participants accommodated in each cohort
- any constraints or limitations on delivery
Training materials and resources will have CIEEM branding only and will need to be approved by CIEEM before delivery. Copyright of the course materials and resources will be assigned to CIEEM.
Training delivery fees will be at CIEEM’s standard day rates, which vary slightly by delivery mode, but for online training are paid at
(a) £63 per person for the first ten people who have booked and paid
(b) £31.50 per person for any subsequent paid up bookings providing this does not exceed the maximum number of participants agreed between CIEEM and the Training Provider.
A minimum fee of £630 per course shall be paid, providing that seven participants have booked and paid to attend the training. All fees are inclusive of VAT. Please note that training courses will not run if minimum delegate numbers are not reached. No costs for training delivery will be payable in the event of a course being cancelled for this reason.
CIEEM will be responsible for obtaining feedback from delegates on course content and delivery. This feedback will be shared with trainer(s) to identify and agree any changes to subsequent courses.
Outputs
The following outputs are required for this contract:
- An inception meeting with CIEEM to discuss the training proposal.
- Preparation and provision of relevant course resources (e.g. presentations, video content), finalised and shared with CIEEM at least 2 weeks in advance of the first course.
- A discussion session with CIEEM to agree any changes post-delivery.
- Delivery of a minimum of five courses over an 18-month period, of which three cohorts must attend training in 2025.
Contractors are expected to make recommendations as to any prerequisite learning that is required for delegates to be able to achieve stated learning outcomes.
Location
For the purposes of estimating costs, tenderers are asked to identify those areas of the UK and Ireland that they are willing to travel to in order to deliver the training course. It is not essential that trainers can cover the whole of the UK and Ireland, although it is desirable. Additional trainers may be recruited to cover those geographical areas that the contractor is unable to cover. Such additional trainers will be provided with the course materials produced as a result of this contract.
Experience
The successful consultant(s) will be expected to be experienced in the design and delivery of effective training, with experience of producing and implementing HMMPs. Trainers should either have a training qualification, have undertaken or be prepared to undertake CIEEM’s ‘Train the Trainer for Ecologists’ training or have a good track record of delivering training, preferably to an ecological audience.
Format of tender
Tenders should be submitted using the HMMP Training Tender Pro-forma provided on or before 12 noon on 10th February 2025. Tenders should be submitted to training@cieem.net. Tenderers must be available to be interviewed remotely, if required, on the 14th February.
Costs
The maximum sum available for the development of training is £3,500 (inclusive of VAT) depending on the level of ambition, creativity, and legacy demonstrated in the tender.
Tenderers are required to include within their tender the full costs of developing training as specified above, including VAT. Delivery of training courses will be paid at CIEEM’s standard rates as set out above and need not be costed. Travel and overnight accommodation costs (if applicable) will be paid in addition to the training delivery fee and need not be costed.
Insurance
Trainer(s) are required to have full Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance up to a value of £500,000. Insurance is not needed to develop training materials but is required for delivery.
Decision-making process
All tenders received will be reviewed by CIEEM. A decision to shortlist and to offer a contract to undertake the work will be made on the basis of a combination of:
- Contribution of new training to developing sector skills and capacity
- Experience and ability of trainer(s) relevant to the brief
- Value for money and affordability
- Availability of trainer(s) to develop and deliver training in 2025
Contact details
Any questions or queries in relation to this brief or the tender process should be directed to Craig Willcock-Orme, Professional Development Manager, at training@cieem.net.