RFP: Senior Policy & Engagement Consultant – Outfitter Quota System Review

Request for Proposal (RFP):

Professional Consulting Services to Support the Yukon Outfitter Quota System Review

Issued by: Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board

Issue Date: January 20^th, 2026

Application Deadline: January 30^th, 2026

Anticipated Contract Start: February 2^nd, 2026

Anticipated Project Duration: Multi-year, phased (up to 24-36 months)

About the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board

The Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board (“the Board”) is established under Chapter 16 of the Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA) as the primary instrument of fish and wildlife management in the Yukon.

As an independent advisory body acting in the public interest, the Board is empowered to make recommendations to the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations governments, and the Government of Canada on all matters related to the conservation, management, and stewardship of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. These recommendations may address policy, regulation, legislation, programs, and management plans.

In fulfilling its mandated responsibilities, the Board integrates various knowledge sources, including local and Traditional Knowledge and scientific information. It does so by working closely with First Nations governments, Renewable Resources Councils, various stakeholders and interest groups, and engaging the public.

1. Purpose of the RFP

The Board is seeking a qualified, professional consultant (or consulting team) to support a public review of the Yukon Outfitter Quota System.

The successful applicant will provide technical expertise, research, reporting and analytical capacity, professional facilitation support, and strategic support throughout a multi-phase, multi-year engagement and review process.

This work will support the Board in developing and recommending a modernized, transparent, legally sound, and publicly accepted framework for establishing outfitter quotas in the Yukon.

2. Project Background

The original Guidelines to Establish Outfitter Quotas were developed in the 1990s. The system initially provided predictability and administrative efficiency. However, it was developed prior to the full implementation of Yukon’s modern treaty framework. While progressive for the time, unforeseen issues have emerged as the Yukon’s governance, legislation, and co-management frameworks have evolved.

In recent years, the existing quota system has been challenged due to its inefficiency, limited public visibility, and inability to adequately reflect the roles and responsibilities of Yukon First Nations governments under the constitutionally entrenched First Nations Final Agreements.

Legal interpretations of the Wildlife Act have resulted in the elimination of multi-year quota allocations, increasing the administrative burden, reducing business certainty for outfitters, and intensifying the number and complexity of annual quota meetings and appeals. These pressures have contributed to frustration among governments, co-management partners, and the industry alike.

In response, the Board has been invited to independently lead a comprehensive, territory-wide public review of the Outfitter Quota System. This process is intended to examine the existing framework, engage all affected parties, and develop evidence-based recommendations for a modernized quota system that is legally sound, conservation-focused, transparent, and broadly accepted. The review will consider conservation priorities, treaty obligations, social values, and administrative feasibility, with the goal of establishing a fair, long-lasting, and modern approach to sharing wildlife-harvest opportunities in the Yukon.

3. Project Objectives

The consultant will support the Board in achieving the following objectives:

• Examine and document the strengths and deficiencies of the original and interim outfitter quota system(s)
• Support meaningful engagement with all affected co-management partners, stakeholders, and the Yukon public
• Identify values, interests, concerns, and areas of conflict related to wildlife harvest sharing and quota allocation
• Conduct problem analysis and situational/options analysis for alternative quota allocation models
• Support conflict resolution and consensus-building across diverse interests
• Integrate conservation science, human dimensions research, legal context, and co-management principles
• Developing clear, defensible, and publicly acceptable implementation options
• Comprehensive reporting that will assist with the Board’s deliberations and recommendations to the government(s) and other co-management partners
  

4. Scope of Work

The successful applicant will work closely with Board members and staff, as well as our partners and stakeholders. The scope of work is anticipated to occur over four phases. However, the consultant may suggest modifications to this framework if needed.

Phase 1 – Stakeholder Discussions and Background Research:

• Conduct background and topical research on outfitter quota systems, wildlife allocation frameworks, and relevant case studies (Yukon, Canada, and internationally)
  
• Prepare briefing materials and engagement packages for stakeholders
  
• Lead targeted engagement with:
  
  • Yukon First Nations governments
    
  • Renewable Resources Councils
    
  • Yukon outfitters
    
  • Local conservation NGOs and interest groups
    
  • Appropriate Government of Yukon departments/ branches
    
• Identify key issues, risks, values, and areas of disagreement
  
• Synthesize findings into a discussion paper and preliminary analysis

Phase 2 – Public Engagement:

• Support the design of public engagement materials and approaches
  
• Lead the facilitation of public meetings and analysis of themes and findings
  
• Apply human dimensions research methodologies to understand public values, perceptions, and compromises
  
• Support the development of a comprehensive “What We Heard” summary report

Phase 3 – Preliminary Analysis and Validation:

• Analyze findings from stakeholder and public engagement
  
• Develop options analysis and feasible implementation scenarios
  
• Test findings with key partners to ensure completeness and accuracy
  
• Identify unintended consequences, risks, and other feasibility considerations

Phase 4 – Final Analysis and Reporting:

• Assist in drafting final reports and implementation options
  
• Ensure all implementation options are legally sound, conservation-focused, transparent, and administratively feasible
  
• Support Board presentations and briefings as required
  
• Prepare summaries and options analyses that will support the Board’s development of final recommendations for a modernized quota system
  

5. Deliverables

Deliverables may include, but are not limited to:

• Background research and literature reviews
• Stakeholder engagement summaries
• Discussion papers and analytical frameworks
• Problem analysis and options analysis documents
• Human dimensions research summaries
• “What We Heard” contributions
• Draft and final reports with recommendations
• Presentation materials and briefing notes

Deliverables will be finalized in collaboration with the Board and may be phased based on funding and scheduling.

6. Qualifications and Experience

Proponents must clearly demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:

Essential Qualifications (Mandatory):

• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience:
• Managing or supporting complex, multi-phase, multi-year projects related to natural resource management
• Leading or facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement processes involving diverse interests and viewpoints, including contentious or high-conflict subject matter
• Conducting human dimensions research, social science, or related methodologies applied to conservation, wildlife management, environmental policy, or resource allocation issues
• Applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to accurately represent diverse groups, values, perspectives, and interests
• A proven track record of conflict resolution and consensus-building
• Demonstrated experience conducting problem analysis and situational/options analysis, identifying implementation considerations, and policy implications
• Demonstrated ability, willingness and capacity to work closely and frequently with all co-management partners, stakeholders and user groups (including Indigenous government, industry, NGOs and the general public)

Desirable Experience (Strong Asset):

• Working on wildlife management issues in the Yukon or internationally
• Understanding treaty-based, Indigenous, or co-management governance frameworks, including familiarity with modern Land Claim Agreements
• Collaborating with Yukon First Nations governments, Renewable Resources Councils, or similar Indigenous or community-based governance bodies
• Understanding of the Yukon Wildlife Act, Umbrella Final Agreement, and/or comparable legislative and policy frameworks in other jurisdictions
• Familiarity with northern, rural, or remote engagement logistics and constraints
• Developing research reports, “What We Heard” or engagement summary documents, and public discussion papers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, balanced reports and analyses

7. Proposal Submission Requirements

Proposals must include the following components:

Proponent Information:

• Full name and contact information

Relevant Work Experience:

• CV(s) outlining relevant work experience
• Description of comparable projects completed
• Summary of experience working in northern, Indigenous, or treaty-based governance contexts

Approach and Methodology:

• Proposed approach to a multi-year, multi-stakeholder engagement and territory-wide review process
• Description of analytical frameworks and research methodologies that are expected to be used
• Approach to conflict resolution and consensus building
• Roles and responsibilities within the consulting team (if applicable)

Work Plan and Timeline:

• High-level work plan aligned with the phased review approach
• Identification of key milestones and deliverables

Budget Proposal:

• Detailed budget by phase
• Anticipated travel and incidental costs included

References:

At least two professional references relevant to this scope of work

8. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and demonstrated expertise
• Understanding of the Yukon context and co-management framework
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed approach
• Strength of analytical and research methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and build consensus
• Cost-effectiveness and clarity of budget
• Completeness and professionalism of submission

The Board reserves the right to interview shortlisted proponents.

9. Submission Details

Submission Deadline:
January 30^th, 2026

Submission Method:
Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file. Email to:
[email protected]

Subject Line:
[Applicant’s Full Name] – RFP Outfitter Quota System Review Consultant

** Late submissions will not be accepted.

10. Additional Information

The Board reserves the right to:

• Amend or cancel this RFP
• Accept or reject any proposal
• Negotiate scope, timelines, contracts, and operating budgets with the successful applicant