Consultancy to prepare a Funding Proposal draft for the Project Climate-Smart Landscapes Network to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts in Cambodia. for the Green Climate Fund Location : Phnom Penh, Cambodia preferred, but work can be done remotely Application Deadline : July 20 th, 2016 Languages Required : English Expected Duration of Assignment : Final product to be submitted by 30th, 2016 1. Background The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a financial operating entity of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is established to contribute to the collective efforts of the international community to combat climate change. The GCF plans to fund programmatic approaches that provide an opportunity for a transformational shift in countries climate resilience and green economies, prioritizing a balanced approach between adaptation and mitigation. The concept note requested for this consultancy will be developed for the project that promotes using natural ecosystems to help communities better mitigate and adapt to Climate Change in Cambodia. Cambodia has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. Cambodia's forest cover has plummeted from over 70% in 1970 to 57% in 2010 and the country s deforestation rates continue to accelerate (FAO, 2010). According to the World Bank, climate changes observed in Cambodia between 1960 and 2003 has been significant, though the mean rainfall trends are unclear and not statistically significant. Global Climate Models cannot clearly predict changes in precipitation, but expect rainfall to be greater during the monsoon season. Cambodia is currently one of the most disaster-prone countries in the region and there are indications that this will only increase with climate change. Given that nearly 80% of the population lives in rural areas with poor infrastructure, the country s vulnerability to climate change is considered to be very high. Economic Land Concessions have cleared 2.5 million hectares of forest in a mere five year period, leading to hundreds of millions of tons of CO 2 e emissions and further exacerbating the vulnerability of local populations by removing the natural buffer that forests provide against floods, droughts and climatic changes. 1
Given the importance of the area, the Cambodian government has an interest in working with communities to help conserve the Cardamom mountains and the Eastern plains landscape forest ecosystems as demonstration sites for a national sustainable landscapes policy and funding mechanism. The are the focal areas of the project. The project objectives are: To prevent the emission of some 500 million tonnes of CO 2 e; To increase incomes with agriculture communities by at least 25%; and, To create investment opportunities for climate-smart economic land concessions and renewable energy projects The project will directly benefit about 100,000 people anticipated to be involved in project activities, and indirectly benefit some 5 million people that depend on the critical ecosystems covered by the 2 target landscapes. Cambodia is ranked number one in overall vulnerability according to Standard & Poor s (S&P) climate change ranking. Despite this high vulnerability, investment in joint mitigation and adaptation strategies has been minimal in Cambodia. This project aims to fully realize the mitigation and adaptation potential of natural ecosystems, which offer immediate, low cost and tested climate solutions at scale. 2. Partners The concept note will be prepared by a partnership between CI the Government of Cambodia Ministry of Environment and the following organizations: WWF WCS Mekong Strategic Partners The project will include: on the ground activities in large landscapes, establishment and operation of a loan facility, the establishment of sustainable long term financing to support landscape work in perpetuity through an endowment/sinking fund 2. Scope of work, Deliverables, duties and responsibilities The consultant(s) will be responsible for design and development of a concept note which CI and partners will use to share with the GCF, stakeholders, and potential loan investors before completing the full proposal. The project team in Cambodia has already drafted Theory of Change, the loan design, and the organizational chart for the project, and have begun to frame the transformative change, paradigm shift and conceive of the ways that the program addresses major barriers to achieve lasting impacts. The consultant needs to use this information and organize and harmonize paradigm shift objectives-impacts- 2
outcomes of components into a concise summary, providing expertise in climate change mitigation and adaptation, proposal writing and packaging into what will ultimately be used to develop the final GCF proposal document pending favorable GCF Secretariat review in October 2016. The consultant(s) will be responsible for the preparation of a consistent concept note based on existing and expanding analytical work, and an initial review of national strategies and studies to make sure the work is in alignment with Green Climate Fund (GCF) requirements. They will also produce a desktop study gathering project information needed and to identify the gaps and propose areas of further work needed to complete the final Proposal to the GCF. In close collaboration with Partners, the consultant will have the following overall duties and responsibilities: Finalize with CI-Cambodia and partners the existing theory of change, logical framework with indicators and paradigm shift potential of the program by defining the degree to which the proposed activities can catalyze impact beyond a one-off program investment, including long term financial sustainability (note this work is largely completed); Develop a draft GCF concept note that utilizes existing documents and data and is consistent with GCF requirements. The concept note draft includes text covering all sections that are listed in the GCF concept note Template available on the GCF website (http://www.gcfund.org/operations/resource-guide.html) - working with the Partners to identify any gaps that may need to be filled during the development of the full proposal (template also available on the GCF website) assuming favorable review by government and the GCF secretariat. Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy to be implemented during the full project development. Desktop study gathering data for the CC justification, baseline study and feasibility study. This should be written as a brief report that summarizes the information and data used to write the concept as well as propose scopes of work for completing any gaps in information that will needed to write the full proposal for the GCF. It should also come with a dropbox storing all information and data gathered by the consultant(s) to prepare the concept note. The product of this consultancy is a concept note which uses the GCF template and that responds to the requirements of the Green Climate Fund. To facilitate a timely yet inclusive process, the consultant(s) will plan to spend significant time in Cambodia to meet with the team and have meetings with government so that all of the information needed to write the concept and complete the desktop study and stakeholder engagement strategy can be completed. Writing after the Cambodia visit can take place remotely. Deliverable Duties and responsibilities Due Consultant(s) CI and Partners Date Meetings with Partners in Cambodia and reviewing existing project materials Lead Make themselves available August 30th 3
A final version of the logical framework supporting a theory of change including: objectives, components, activities, performance indicators, and milestones. Identified paradigm shift potential of the program by defining the degree to which the proposed activities can catalyze impact beyond a one-off program investment, including long term financial sustainability. First draft of the GCF Concept note A stakeholder engagement strategy. This includes consultation with key partners for the project and identifying a plan to engage in the future the stakeholder groups that are linked to the various interventions which will need to be consulted with during the full proposal development. A desktop study gathering data for the CC justification, baseline study and feasibility study. This includes baseline data to quantify carbon emissions, vulnerability and projected referenced climate change impacts; studies relevant to the private sector/loan model proposed including status of Cambodian banking sector and foreign investment opportunities; studies relevant to the renewable energy and ELC project design and markets/project pipeline potential; and background documents on the 2 focal landscapes that provide justifications explaining success of the interventions proposed for each landscape in preparation for the interventions feasibility work. A final version of the Concept Note Including comments incorporated based on the team review Facilitate Partners in the process of finalizing the theory of change, logical framework and paradigm shift potential. Compile and edit results of this process. Lead and execute this component. Lead and execute this component. Lead, develop and compile a 10 page summary report and store information gathered in a dropbox folder. Lead and execute this component. Lead the development of this component. Provide consultants access to all climate change data, studies and reports related at National and local level climate change vulnerability and emissions as well as studies on energy and ELCs. 10th 20 th 20th 25 th 30th 3. Period of performance 4
It is expected that the work will begin August 20 th, 2016, beginning with a series of meetings in Cambodia with partners. Remaining work done by the consultant(s) can be done remotely. The period of performance follows the finalization of the selection process with duties performed until the deadline of 30 th, 2016. 4. Budget The allowable budget for this consultancy is US $30,000. This excludes travel and accommodation costs to Cambodia to allow for meetings (as needed, assumes non-local consultant(s)), consultant labor costs and consultants other direct costs (telephone, photo copying, etc). 5. Services provided by CI Cambodia The CI-GCF Agency and CI-Cambodia and partners will provide the consultant with all relevant background documents. The CI-GCF Agency will be available for ongoing conversations, to clarify expectations with regard to the process and outputs. The CI-Cambodia program is providing technical and financial support to the project development and stakeholder consultation. On behalf of and in consultations with the Partners, the CI-Cambodia Team will lead engagements with the National Designated Authority (NDA) to receive NDA approval of the proposal prior to submission to the GCF. The CI-Cambodia program has significant experience in designing REDD and climate adaptation projects, implementing activities to reduce deforestation and ensure monitoring, reporting and verification. 6. Contract type CI on behalf of the Partners will issue a fixed-price contract for this work. Per the consultant s proposal and subsequent negotiations, the contract will include a set of fixed payments based on submission of deliverables, per Section 2, above. CI on behalf of the Partners will accept proposals from individuals, consulting firms or organizations. If a team of people is proposed, CI intends to execute a consulting contract with a single individual, firm, or organization, which will serve as the lead entity and be responsible for contractual and financial arrangements with all others. 7. Minimum qualification of consultants (requirements) Education: Master s degree or above in natural resource management, environmental science, forestry, or 5
other relevant disciplines Experience: A minimum of 7 years professional experience in climate change project/program design for bilateral or multilateral donors; Experience and keep knowledge of investments/loans and sustainable financing practices Knowledge of the banking sector; Experience in forestry practices of Asia, preferably Cambodia, particularly in relation to their role for climate change adaptation and mitigation; Previous work experience in Cambodia and clear understanding of the GCF modality of financial support would be an asset, Knowledge of UNFCCC negotiations, NAMA s, NAP s, national REDD strategies and NAPA s and related documents; Capacity to assess the forest sector program design against the fiduciary, environmental and social safeguards standards and requirements of the Green Climate Fund (GCF); Good background in forest policy, strategy and program development with strong gender components; Fluent in English both verbal and written; 8. Key Personnel The completion of this work is dependent on personnel. As such, applicants must name every individual expected to work on the contract. CI will not accept any proposal that lists an expert as to be determined. CI considers all personnel named in the proposal as key, and must provide express, written authorization for replacement of named personnel. 9. Location of work The consultant shall work from his / her base of operations with at least a travel period to Cambodia for work with the proposal team, but may also engage local consultant(s) as desired. 10. Monitoring and evaluation of Consultant performance Ci Cambodia will supervise consultant performance, and be responsible for review and acceptance of all written deliverables. 11. Instructions for submissions of proposals Point of contact: The point of contact for the solicitation is Tracy Farrell at tfarrell@conservation.org Language: Proposals must be submitted in English. Validity: Proposals must be valid from submission date through October 2016. Currency: Proposals should be budgeted in United States dollars. Payments will be made in United States dollars. 6
Cover and signature: Applicant should submit their proposal with a cover letter signed by an authorized representative of the applicant. Expert table: Proposal should include a list with name, position title, and level of effort (in person-day) of all individuals proposed to work on the project. Resumes: Resume of each named personnel will have to be submitted by email to CI (see point of contact) Submission: Full proposals (technical and financial offers) should be submitted by email to the point of contact, at tfarrell@conservation.org 12. Instructions for Preparation of Budget (Cost Proposal) Maximum: the maximum allowable budget is US$30,000. CI will not consider any proposal for greater than this amount. Format: budgets must be prepared and submitted in Microsoft Excel and explicitly show all units (e.g., labor days), unit costs (e.g., loaded daily rates), and total costs. Excel files should be unlocked and show all calculations. Included costs: budgets should include lines for: - Labor, by deliverables and by individual expert, in person-days, multiplied by either a base daily pay (in US dollars) or a loaded daily pay (e.g., inclusive of fringe benefits, other indirect costs, or fee). Proposed daily rates must be in accord with the qualifications represented in the resumes of the named individuals. - Other direct costs, including costs for items like telephone, internet, photocopying, small office supplies, etc. (if required). - Professional services or subcontracts, if the applicant will engage experts who are not direct employees of the organization, then, these lines should list individual expert, in person-days, multiplied by either a base daily pay (in US dollars) or a loaded daily pay (e.g., inclusive of fringe benefits, other indirect costs, or fee). Proposed daily rates must be in accord with the qualifications represented in the resumes of the named individuals. A travel budget will also have to be included in the proposal but will be indicative in term of maximum amount. Travels costs will be reimbursed by CI based on actual expenses (with the appropriate documentation). 13. Evaluation criteria The CI-GCF project agency with Partners will evaluate the proposals based on the following criteria: 7
- Demonstrated experience in the design and development of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects that apply nature based solutions, and experience with finance and banking sector - Budget proposal (daily rate) - Availability (number of days proposed) 8