Closing date: 12 Oct 2018
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is requesting Expressions of Interest from consultancy teams (or groups of individual consultants) to lead the project development and documentation process for the WWF GEF project “Manas Integrated River Basin Management Project (M-IRBM).”
Background
The 4-year GEF-funded full-sized project “Manas Integrated River Basin Management Project (M-IRBM)” (GEF PMIS 10033) was approved by the GEF Council in June 2018. The project’s objective is to enhance resilience to climate change and sustainability of ecosystems services in the glacier-fed India-Bhutan transboundary Manas River Basin, through improved transboundary cooperation to facilitate integrated ecosystem-based river basin management.
The project is being led by India and Bhutan, with WWF as the GEF Project Agency. The project has four components: (1) Strengthening institutional frameworks for improved India-Bhutan cooperation and future strategic Integrated Management of the Manas River Basin; (2) Improved basin scale information and knowledge sharing for better decision making in ecosystem-based management and risk reduction; (3) Field demonstrations to test innovative resilience solutions on the ground and possible mechanisms for up-scaling in glacial basins; (4) Knowledge management and effective project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Objective
A team including at least a lead consultant and national consultants to lead the development and associated project documents for the WWF GEF project “Manas Integrated River Basin Management (M-IRBM)”, working closely with government partners, the WWF India and Bhutan offices, WWF GEF Agency, any additional consultants (e.g. safeguards) and other key stakeholders. The Consultancy team will be responsible for developing a comprehensive project design in support of government priorities and in accordance with WWF and GEF standards. The team should consist of a lead consultant with international and regional experience developing GEF projects, preferably in International Waters Focal Area, and national consultant(s) in India and Bhutan with technical backgrounds in freshwater and experience in national to local level stakeholder consultation for project development. Experience in mainstreaming gender responsiveness into project design (including consultation approach, activities, budget) is desired within the consultancy team, either within the aforementioned roles or as an additional team member.
The Consultancy team will ensure timely delivery of the full WWF GEF Project Document package, including: the WWF GEF Project Document (ProDoc), GEF Request for CEO Endorsement document, Letters of Co-financing, and other requested materials as mutually agreed amongst WWF and government, and in the project development workplan.
Main Responsibilities
- Coordinate with WWF India and Bhutan offices, relevant government departments, and WWF GEF Agency for overall planning and development of the project design and associated documentation needed for GEF CEO Endorsement;
- With WWF and government partners, review the PIF and ensure full agreement by all parties to the Table B and key PIF elements, and ensure an agreed Theory of Change;
- Lead development and drafting of the WWF-GEF Project Document and accompanying documentation (Request for CEO Endorsement document, GEF core indicators, Letters of Co-financing, and other requested materials) in accordance with the approved work plan. Responsible for final delivery of the full Project Document package;
- Support as appropriate in the interaction with relevant government departments and other stakeholders, working closely with the WWF Offices and WWF GEF Agency, local NGO partners, community-based organizations, private sector organizations, and others. Document these interactions. He/she may delegate specific tasks as appropriate;
- Ensure proper local community and other key stakeholder consultations in-person to inform project design and comply with WWF and GEF policies and deliver a Stakeholder Engagement Plan in line with WWF and GEF guidance. Document these interactions including means of communication, location, dates, and participation list;
- Ensure compliance with WWF, GEF, and government policies and best practices for quality project development, including social and environmental safeguards, financial management, public involvement, gender, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and incorporating lessons learned from past projects. Document these interactions including means of communication, location, dates, and participation list;
- Coordinate with the safeguard consultant(s) (recruited separately) to ensure full policy compliance, including full participation in the completion of the screening tool, facilitating third-party consultations and site visits, as necessary;
- Undertake a gender analysis and include gender considerations throughout the project design and in a specific Gender Action Plan;
- As requested, prepare documentation for and participate in team meetings (e.g. by skype) as well as regular check-ins on progress towards deliverables to WWF GEF Agency;
- Assist WWF GEF Agency with Financial & Administrative and Capacity Assessments to inform implementation arrangements and project implementation risk mitigation measures, if necessary;
- Lead organization of project design workshops with the WWF India and Bhutan offices, WWF GEF Agency, relevant government departments, including a kick-off meeting and other workshops to inform project design as needed and defined in the work plan;
- Design the project activities, site identification and selection (or selection criteria), document the baseline and incremental cost reasoning, develop the Results Framework (including core indicators, objective and outcome level indicators and targets), and support budget development in coordination with WWF and government, based on the PIF;
- Incorporate feedback from government, WWF, and external peer reviewers into project design and documentation;
- Prepare the response matrix to the GEF Secretariat, Council and STAP comments until CEO Endorsement;
- Draft and revise other documentation as needed to demonstrate full due diligence throughout project development.
Duration
Anticipated start date would be mid to late October 2018. All final project documents will be due to the WWF GEF Agency by no later than December 1st, 2019.
Duty station
Home based with travel to India and Bhutan.
Qualifications and Experience
Required experience and expertise of the consultancy team:
- Master’s Degree on Natural Sciences, Public Policy, Social or other related fields;
- At least seven years’ combined experience and track record in developing, implementing/executing and/or evaluating complex international projects, especially for GEF;
- At least one consultant with international experience in design of GEF projects;
- Excellent consultation, facilitation, negotiation, analytical, research and presentation skills;
- Demonstrated expertise in gender responsive project design;
- Excellent verbal communication and writing skills in English , as well as local language;
- Willing to travel to field sites, conduct 3-4 in country missions, willing to coordinate with various partners in project development.
Preferred qualifications:
- Familiarity with IW GEF projects or Transboundary Integrated River Basin Management projects;
- Experience working in India and Bhutan;
- Familiarity with WWF Network;
- Experience with Open Standards/Project and Program Management Standards (PPMS) in the GEF context;
- Ample experience working with government agencies and regional governance bodies, specifically in the region and, preferably, with multiple government bodies.
Detailed Deliverables, Logistics, and Collaboration and Supervision will be determined upon selection of the final candidate.
How to apply:
Submission Requirements
Interested consultants (as team or individually) are invited to submit expressions of interest to Heike Lingertat (Heike.Lingertat@wwfus.org) by October 12, 2018. Documentation should include:
CVs of all consultants;
Technical proposal;
Financial proposal;
Brief explanation of professional qualification.