Individual/ Consulting firm for assessment and training package on climate change adaptation / Nature Based Solutions (NbS)

BRC IFRC Nepal is looking for consultancy services for assessment and training packages on climate change adaptation / Nature Based Solutions (NbS).

Interested applicant should submit their expression of interest along with the documents mentioned in ToR to Ms. Aliza Baidya at  aliza.baidya@ifrc.org

latest by 02 May 2023

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Individual/ Consulting firm for assessment and training package on climate change adaptation / Nature Based Solutions (NbS)

Summary

1. Background of Nature Based Solution Project

Nepal is one of most at-risk country in South Asia and frequently experiences geologic and hydro-climatic hazards. Floods, droughts, earthquakes and landslides are main natural hazards that have resulted in the loss of lives, and damage to properties in both urban and rural settings. Climate change has exacerbated hydro-climatic disasters. The 2015 earthquakes and the 2017 floods are the most recent example of catastrophic risk experienced. Nepal’s 2015 Constitution set the course for a massive shift of power from the federal to the provincial and municipal levels of government. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) is among 22 exclusive powers that are now the responsibility of devolved authorities to exercise.

Nepal is susceptible to climate change as globally Nepal ranks 4th in terms of vulnerability to climate change. Building resilience to extreme weather events and climate change adapation through nature based solutions (NbS) is a significant and a long-term solution to key climatic induced disasters. Nature based solutions (NbS) are actions to protect, sustainably manage or restore an ecosystem that addresses societal challenges, such as disaster risk, climate change, food security or human health. They might include protecting or restoring forests, the conservation or restoration of wetlands, or the creation of urban green spaces. Nature based solutions (NbS) can address all the three components of the risk equation – preventing or mitigating hazards themselves, limiting people’s exposure to hazards and limiting people’s vulnerability. The many co-benefits of NbS (e.g. economic, social, environmental) clearly distinguish themselves from grey infrastructure such as dikes and dams. NbS can create immediate jobs while at the same time supporting a transition to a greener, job-rich and climate resilient economy. Local geological, ecological & local adaptive measures play a pivotal role in managing the key hazards using natural resources in a sustainable way. This all will be of much support to prepare risk informed community action plan, considering past and current risks, and keep a not on the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, viz. rising temperature, number of hot days, cold spells, and longer term impacts of climate change.

International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) has developed Nature Navigator handbook which together with Road to Resilience framework guides in integrating natural resource management, and eventually Nature-based Solutions (NbS), in greener operations when supporting disaster response and recovery in disaster-affected communities. In Nepal the British Red Cross (BRC) together with Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) intends to roll out Nature Navigator in complementary with climate smart programming and operations (CSPO) tool in existing livelihood project.

2. Objective

British Red Cross is commissioning this consultancy service with the objective to:

• Undertake ecosystem assessment and describe the broader ecological landscape (ecoregion level) of wards 17 and 19 in which the target communities are located and determine current and future vulnerabilities and threats (both anthropogenic and natural, incl. hazards and climate change) to ecosystems and ecosystem services on which the two target communities depend on. 
• Assess existing knowledge, attitude, and practices of target communities on 
  1. Climate change adaptation 
  2. Environment &nature-based solution 
• Identify feasible nature-based solutions that can address existing risks of wards 17 and 19.
• Identify key constraints, challenges and way forward to implement climate change adaptation/nature-based initiatives.
• Integrate NbS in tools, and methodologies on community risk assessments and more generally to participate in documentation and dissemination of lessons learned.

3. Methodology

At start of contract the consultant will consult with Programme team (BRC and NRCS) to develop a common understanding on the kind and quality of deliverables, expected methodology and process to be undertaken to deliver the outputs and agree on timelines for delivery of the expected services outlined above. An immediate output of these consultations will be submission of an inception report which should include literature review(not more than 10 pages) within 3 days on signing of contract outlining how the consultant will deliver the outputs. A work plan with clear timelines for completing the entire documentation process will be agreed with BRC.

For day to day work the consultancy team will closely work with Regional DRR advisor,BRC Sr. Technical Coordinator, Sr. PMEAL, Sr. Research, and Sr. DRR Programme officer. While strategic guidance will be provided by BRC Country Manager. NRCS Programme Manager and DPC in the district will provide support and coordinate for inception, during process of documentation and delivery of assessment report prior to finalization and approval.

Key tasks

Task 1. Based on secondary data, produce initial ecological assessment for ward 17 and 19.

The ecological assessments will focus on a relevant scale larger than the community (ie: watershed, ecoregion…). Aspect relevant for all ecosystems surrounding the communities do not need to be repeated. The ecological assessments should address the following questions:

1. What is the local environment?
   
2. How did it form over history?
3. In which state is it?
4. What are the drivers of change challenging it?
5. How is it going to be in the future?

• Desk Review of key national and local documentation, including climate change assessments, environmental assessments; climate and environment plans and policies at national and local level; historical and current climate and environmental data and local surveys, where available 
• The ecological assessment should provide a cross-sectoral picture, including historical analysis, of the ecosystems surrounding each partner community with:
  • a description of the current ecosystems (soil/agriculture, forests, water, fauna/flora etc.) 
  • Description of spatial extent, health, condition, composition, and threats to local ecosystems and natural resources
  • Initial identification of key ecosystem services and benefits communities may depend on (cultural, provisioning, supporting, regulating services)
  • a description of the potential drivers, reassures and threats to ecosystems and ecosystem services (e.g. deforestation, urbanization, pollution, climate change, natural hazards etc.)
  • brief summary of policy and planning context

Task 2: To accompany climate smart programming and operations (CSPO) process 

• To accompany project team during the CSPO process in order to cross-check and complete secondary data previously collected. A key aspect is now to understand the interactions between the environment and the socio-economic dimensions of resilience at community level through transect walk in wards 17 and 19
  • Identify the ecosystems services relevant for the community (provisioning, regulating, cultural, support)
  • Collect additional basic primary data on spatial extent, health, condition, composition, and threats to local ecosystems and natural resources.
• Joint analysis workshop with project team that will be held through a two-day workshop after the completion of the data gathering of both the CSPO and the ecosystem-based assessment processes.
• To provide recommendations for nature-based solutions that would provide benefits for each of the partner communities as part of the community planning, building on the CSPO and the ecosystem assessment.

Task 3: To produce a set of ecological assessment, one for each target communities

• Based on the data collected during the CSPO process, onsite visit of wards 17 and 19, revise, if necessary, the cross sectoral picture of the communities depicted in the first set of ecological assessments
• Update, as needed:
  • Adescription of the current ecosystems (soil/agriculture, forests, water, fauna/flora etc.) 
  • Description of spatial extent, health, condition, composition, and threats to local ecosystems and natural resources
  • Initial identification of key ecosystem services and benefits communities may depend on (cultural, provisioning, supporting, regulating services)
  • A description of the potential drivers, reassures and threats to ecosystems and ecosystem services (e.g. deforestation, urbanisation, pollution, climate change, natural hazards etc.)
  • Brief summary of policy and planning context 
• Assess current state of the key ecosystem services relevant for the community (provisioning, regulating, cultural, support), including the 
• Analyse the consequence of future opportunities and threats (including climate change and anthropologic pressure) on these key services.
• Recommendation and description of a suite of nature-based solutions

Task 4: Documentation

• Process documentation of NbS practices identified and implemented by communities including challenges met and addressed during the course of implementation.

4. Deliverables/expected outputs

• One [1] Inception report that clearly states the tools and methodologies to be used, work plan and timeline of each of the activities.
• Two ecosystem- assessment reports, one for each ward. Each report should reflect: the current and future vulnerabilities, threats and opportunities to ecosystems and ecosystem services on which communities depend.
• Participation to workshop for the joint analysis of data from the ecosystem-based assessment and CSPO conducted.
• Participation to planning workshop on nature-based solutions.
• One [1] written report on the recommendations for nature-based solutions for wards 17 & 19
• One [1] written report on the recommendations on integration of ecosystem assessment and methodology of designing NbS practices in existing Red Cross tools like CSPO and Nature Navigator Handbook

5. Timeline

The consultancy work is expected to start from 11th May 2023. Awardee is expected to submit final report within 15th December 2023 after completing all deliverables stated in the contract.

Tentative timeline

6. Payment schedule

The payment will be done as per follows:

a) 30% upon submission of inception report with work plan

b) 60% upon submission of assessment report and finalization of design climate change adaptation / nature-based solutions (NbS) pilot activities in Dhangadhi, Kailali.

c) 10% upon submission of final report as mentioned in section 4 Deliverables/expected outputs that is agreed and approved by BRC.

7. Consultancy firm/consultant’s profile

Essential criteria

• A team of experts with specialization on the fields of environmental science, forestry, environmental conservation, disaster risk reduction, climate change, ecological restoration and management, community development, and environmental planning and impact assessment
• A combination of more than ten [10] years of progressive experience on the fields stated above.
• Strong research skills supported by published works in the last five years.
• Preferred: a team of academic experts from a highly reputable university specializing on the fields stated above
• Excellent written/verbal communication and written skills in English and Nepali.

Desired criteria

• Strong understanding of gender equality and social inclusion, disaster vulnerability assessment in Nepal (or demonstrably similar contexts).

8. Expression of Interest

Organisations or individual consultant both are encouraged to apply. The interested firm or individual consultant should submit an expression of interest including both a Financial Offer and a Technical Offer. These include the following:

1. Financial Offer - This consists of a detailed financial proposal for the delivery of services outlined above, with costs broken down significantly for each component and sub-component.
2. Technical Offer - A method statement / proposal outlining the proposed approach to ensure quality is maintained throughout the duration of the contract and how they propose to meet the Terms of Reference. 

To include:

a) Curriculum Vitae 

• CV(s) of the consultant(s) or firm proposed for the task, with a focus on similar assignments. If multiple people are involved, an outline of roles/ responsibilities also needs to be included in brief.

b) Evidence of previous work  

• Examples of similar feasibility reports, assessment, surveys etc. 
• References from the organization(s) for whom those pieces of work were contracted.

c) Timeframe: Tentative start and end date for completion of all deliverables.

d) Approach paper, including work plan, budget and availability (maximum 5 pages).

• Female led consultant team/consultant is highly encouraged to apply.

9. Date of application submission 

Individual/consultant firm can apply within 15 days of notice published in online portal.

10.a. Award Procedure

This section outlines and describes the procedure that Red Cross will follow in selecting a consultant to enter this Contract.

The purpose of the Award Procedure is to enable the Red Cross to assess the relative advantages of each submission meeting the Award Criteria. The assessment of bids in accordance with the Award Procedure will be based on the following criteria: 

• Financial offer 30% 
• Technical offer 40% 
• Technical interview / presentation 30%

The financial offer will be assessed on the basis of the total quote submitted for the requirements detailed, rather than the component parts individually. 

Following the submission of quotes, the bidder with the lowest total shall receive 100% of the weighting attributed to the Financial Offer (i.e. 30%) award criteria. All subsequent bids will be weighted by calculating a percentage of the lowest price.

The Technical Offer will represent 40% of the overall tender score attainable by Bidders. 

Bidders must note that there must be no changes to the key personnel proposed as part of any tender submission, without the approval and authorisation of the Red Cross. In such circumstances, replacement personnel proposed must be at least equally qualified and skilled as the personnel they are replacing.  Red Cross may veto the proposed replacement personnel with a full explanation as to why the proposed individual is not considered to be suitable.  

The Technical Offer shall assess the Bidders response in relation to the criteria as detailed below:

Following the assessment of the technical offer, the score attained by each Bidder will then be added to their Financial Offer score to give a total tender score out of 70%. 

The highest scoring Bidders will then be invited for a technical interview/presentation which will make up the remaining 30% of the score.

10b. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Rights

“Intellectual Property Rights” refers to any patent, copyright, design right, community design right, registered design, rights in know-how, or any similar right in any part of the world and shall include any applications for the registration of any patents or registered designs or similar rights capable of registration in any part of the world.

Intellectual Property Rights

(a) All Intellectual Property Rights whatsoever in any work produced by the Contractor and/or the Individuals for British Red Cross shall belong to British Red Cross absolutely and the Contractor hereby waives and shall procure that the Individuals (or any individuals it uses in any capacity to provide or assist in providing the Services) waives any moral rights or any other rights whatsoever which it may have in such work and will, at the expense of British Red Cross, take or join in taking such steps to vest such rights in British Red Cross or enforce the same on behalf of British Red Cross as British Red Cross shall require.

(b) The Contractor shall indemnify the British Red Cross (as appropriate) against any costs claims demands expenses or liabilities arising from a claim brought against British Red Cross by a third party alleging infringement of its intellectual property rights arising from use of British Red Cross of the Services provided by the Contractor.

The Red Cross emblem is a protective symbol, the use of which is restricted by international and national law. It may not be reproduced without prior authorisation. For more information, about the emblem, please go to www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/The-international-Movement/The-emblem.

11. Confidentiality

All information collected by the consultant/ partner on behalf of NRCS and BRC will remain the property of NRCS and BRC and require explicit permission by both parties for any use not stated here.

12. Application Procedures

Interested candidates should submit their application material latest by 2nd May, 2023 to the following e-mail: aliza.baidya@ifrc.org

Please put Application for “Nature Based Solutions - Consultant for Climate change adaptation assessment” in the subject heading. Application materials are non-returnable and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process. 

Application materials should include:

a) Curriculum Vitae  

• CV(s) of the consultant(s) proposed for the task, with a focus on similar assignments. If multiple people are involved, an outline of roles/ responsibilities also needs to be included. 

b) Evidence of previous work  

• Examples of similar style assessment reports, grey literature / academic papers, and survey reports. 
• Three professional references from the organization(s) for whom those pieces of work were contracted.

c) Timeframe 

• Submission of EOI by Consultancy firm / consultant before 2nd May, 2023 
• Announcement of consultancy award by 10th May 2023 
• Signing of contract by11thMay2023
• Submission of inception report by 14th May 2023 
• Sharing of draft report by 15th June,2023
• Submission of final report by 15th December, July 2023

d) Approach paper, including work plan, budget, and availability (maximum 5 pages).

13. Documents: (made available to consultancy firm prior to start of the consultancy)

• Project concept note/proposal
• Logical Framework of Actions 
• Information from data base system of the existing programmes (if required) 
• Other information (if required) as per mutual agreement.