Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB)
Terms of Reference
Consultant (Firm) to facilitate policy dialogue and building technical capacity of the Central Asian network of delegates attending the UNFCCC COP26[1]
1. Background
On November 3, 2015, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved an allocation of US$38 million from the International Development Association (IDA) to finance the first phase of the CAMP4ASB regional program. This approved financing includes US$9 million for Tajikistan, US$14 million for Uzbekistan, and US$15 million for regional activities to be implemented by the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC-IFAS) with support from the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) for day-to-day regional coordination and implementation.
The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB) aims to enhance regionally coordinated access to improved climate change knowledge services for key stakeholders (e.g., policy makers, communities, and civil society) in participating Central Asian countries as well as to increased investments and capacity building that, combined, will address climate challenges common to these countries. CAMP4ASB[2] is comprised of three components as follows:
Component 1: Regional Climate Knowledge Services |
Component 2: Regional Climate Investment Facility |
Component 3: Regional and National Coordination |
To strengthen the knowledge and capacity base for climate action and facilitate regional dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement for an effective climate response at scale |
To provide financing and technical assistance to rural communities for climate-smart investments that will generate lessons and experience for scaled-up climate action in priority areas common to all Central Asian countries |
For oversight, coordination, and implementation support at regional and national levels |
Activities: 1.1. Strengthening the Information Platform for Central Asia 1.2. Targeted upgrading of climate-related monitoring systems 1.3. Developing methodologies, approaches, and tools for decision support 1.4. Developing knowledge products 1.5. Building capacity 1.6. Setting up a Climate Investment Assessment Mechanism1.7. Outreach and coalition building |
Subcomponents: 2.1. Investment Financing 2.2. Capacity Building and Community Support |
Subcomponents: 3.1 Regional Coordination 3.2 National Coordination |
UNFCCC Conferences of Parties (COPs) are global forums for multilateral discussion on climate change. They rotate annually among the five United Nations regional groups, serve as the formal meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP), the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) and the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (the CMA).
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will take place in Glasgow[3] (COP26 hereinafter). The climate talks will be the biggest international summit the UK has ever hosted; bringing together over 30,000 delegates including heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated actions to tackle climate change.
Since the 1990s, almost all countries in the world negotiate on international climate policies as Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This has resulted in several milestones, but it has also become clear that countries have different negotiation interests, which complicates reaching agreements. Observations show that the effective participation of the Parties (especially small delegations – like Central Asian ones) is hindered behind the weak capacity, lack of proficient knowledge on global climate policy and negotiations skills.
Given the fact that 2020 is a critical year for the countries around the world and Central Asia in particular, to start fulfilling the promise of the Paris Agreement as well as to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals the implementation and raising ambition to the most extent depends on proactive actions of multiple stakeholders. Platform of the UNFCCC COPs is a good opportunity for the countries of Central Asia to have their voice heard as well as to inform the international community about the efforts the region has been putting forward to contribute to the success of the Agreement.
In light of the abovementioned there is a need to build the capacities of the national delegations on climate related aspects (policy – diplomacy), improve their negotiation skills in preparation for the upcoming COP26 and formulate a conclusive and strong regional voice to be echoed through the statement.
1. Objective and tasks
The proposed assignment aims to build capacity and strengthen collaboration of the Central Asian network of delegates of the UNFCCC CoPs on climate law and policy, climate diplomacy and negotiation skills. The expected output is a jointly elaborated regional statement towards a climate resilient future, which will be included into the CoP26 programme agenda.
These activities will be implemented in close collaboration with UNFCCC National Focal Points and national delegations’ members of Central Asian countries, UNFCCC Secretariat, British Embassies representing UNFCCC CoP26 hosting countries, international agencies (e.g. UNDP, UNEP, IPCC), CAMP4ASB team and other stakeholders.
The target audience will include but not limited to heads and members of official national delegations (Parties), civil society organizations (Observers) and young professionals from the Central Asian countries.
2. Scope of work
The Consultant (Firm) is expected to develop and perform capacity building exercises for members of national UNFCCC delegations of the Central Asian countries[4], assess their effectiveness, as well as to facilitate the process of formulation, consideration and agreement of a joint regional statement for the UNFCCC COP26. The Firm will also provide support in active participation of the delegations at COP26 meetings.
Specific tasks
The Consultant (Firm) is expected to carry on the following tasks:
1. Conduct a series of online trainings for the 5 countries of Central Asia
- Hold the series of consultations with members of national delegations, observers and interested young professionals aimed to identification of capacity gaps in specific areas, related with climate negotiation process, incl. a) Climate Law, (b) Climate Policy, (c) Climate Diplomacy and (d) Negotiation skills;
- Develop a package of on-line training modules and supplementary handouts on topics determined through the consultations. Particular focus should be put on ensuring that the language of instruction and training methodologies are accessible, including self-assessment exercises, interactive games and home-reading literature as well as best practical examples from the region and worldwide;
- Conduct a series of online (webinar, video- conference) trainings (2 or 3 days long[5]) to all 5 countries of Central Asia with a particular reference to various target groups (policy makers, experts and civil society organizations/young professionals);
- Develop a comprehensive assessment report on every online training conducted with detailed description of lessons learned, results achieved and level of knowledge acquired: particular reference on figures and statistics is recommended; produce a road map containing recommendations and next steps on country- and region-specific actions on capacity building in respective or new topics;
- Provide the guidance and assure that the on-line module is properly integrated into the E-Learning tool of the CACIP.
2. Support in developing a joint regional statement for COP26
- Conduct a practical 2-days regional workshop with the aim to (a) highlight key outputs and lessons learned from country-specific trainings and introduce the road map, (b) perform simulation exercise on CoP meeting(s), and (c) discuss and develop a joint regional statement on behalf of the countries of Central Asia to be voiced at COP26;
- Provide expert support for members of national UNFCCC delegations in the process of consideration and agreement the statement within countries.
3. Ensure active participation of the national delegations at the COP26
- Provide suggestions, to the extent possible, to the COP26 official programme agenda to ensure the delivering a joint statement on behalf of the countries of Central Asia at one of the plenary sessions of the COP26;
- Organize and facilitate at least 1 (one) regional side-events during the COP26;
- Organize at least 5 (five) bilateral meetings between financial institutions/funds and CAREC/CAMP4ASB team to explore opportunities for mobilizing additional climate finance for Central Asia;
- Develop a comprehensive narrative report about the events held, lessons learned and results achieved, which in addition, will contain recommendations and next steps for further follow-up actions toward preparation to next COPs.
Schedule and deliverables
# |
Tasks |
Deliverables |
Timeline |
1 |
A series of online trainings to all 5 countries of Central Asia conducted |
- Minutes of meetings with members of national delegations, observers and interested young professionals; - A package of training modules and supplementary handouts developed and fully functional on CACIP E-Learning tool; - A series of online trainings (2 or 3 days long) to all 5 countries of Central Asia conducted; - A comprehensive assessment report developed with a detailed description of lessons learned, results achieved and level of knowledge acquired: particular reference on figures and statistics is recommended; a road map containing recommendations and next steps on country- and region-specific actions on capacity building in respective or new topics developed. |
By December 31, 2020 |
2 |
А joint regional statement for COP26 developed and agreed |
- The regional workshop report produced to contain a well written and agreed version of a joint regional statement of the Central Asian delegations (incl. civil society organizations and youth) to be echoed at COP26. |
By February 28, 2021 |
3 |
An active participation of the national delegations at the COP26 assured |
- A joint regional statement delivered at one of the COP26 plenary sessions; - At least one regional side-event organized and facilitated; - At least 5 (five) bilateral meetings between financial institutions/funds and CAREC/CAMP4ASB team organized - A comprehensive narrative report about the events held and outputs achieved, which in addition, will contain recommendations and next steps fur further follow-up actions developed |
By June 30, 2021 |
3. Required qualification
· Experience in negotiations at UNFCCC COP events and in organizing/facilitating high-level events at the global environmental/climate forums
· At least 10 years’ experience in capacity building (trainings/courses) on climate-related aspects of policy, regulations and international relations;
· At least 5 years’ experience of working with national ministries, government agencies, academia and civil society in the countries of Central Asia;
· Proven experience of working with UN Agencies and MDBs, including other international funds and bilateral donor institutions
· Strong contacts with state and non-state climate actors in EU countries and beyond
§ Language skills in English and Russian
4. Timeline and Reporting
The estimated duration of the consultancy will be July 10, 2020 – July 31, 2021.
The Consultant (Firm) shall report to the CAMP4ASB RCU Coordinator.
[1] Dependent on the date and circumstances of the forthcoming CoP26
[2] For more details about the project and description of all components and subcomponents please, refer to the CAMP4ASB Project Appraisal Document (PAD)
[3] The new dates for COP26 will be announced later
[4] Incl. youth and civil society organizations
[5] Dependent on the content of the training agenda and coverage of all required topics
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia
Attn: Sanzhar Mustafin, Procurement Specialist of CAMP4ASB project
40, Orbita-1, 050043, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan,
Tel: +7(727) 265 4334, 265 4327, 265 4342 (ext.111)
E-mail: SMustafin@carececo.org
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)
Country: Central Asia
Project Id: P151363
Project Name: CAMP4ASB
Loan Info.: IDA D0940
Assignment Title: Consultant (Firm) to facilitate policy dialogue and building technical capacity of the Central Asian network of delegates attending the UNFCCC COP26[1]
Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): Contract Ref. CCSE-2020-C-005
The Regional Environment Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the GRANT #D094-7C «Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin» (CAMP4ASB), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The Consultant (Firm) is expected to develop and perform capacity building exercises for members of national UNFCCC delegations of the Central Asian countries[2], assess their effectiveness, as well as to facilitate the process of formulation, consideration and agreement of a joint regional statement for the UNFCCC COP26. The Firm will also provide support in active participation of the delegations at COP26 meetings.
Specific Tasks:
· Conduct a series of online trainings for the 5 countries of Central Asia;
· Support in developing a joint regional statement for COP26;
· Ensure active participation of the national delegations at the COP26.
Detailed Terms of References is available at:
http://carececo.org/en/main/offers/tenders/
or by e-mail: SMustafin@carececo.org
CAREC now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:
Qualification Requirements
· Experience in negotiations at UNFCCC COP events and in organizing/facilitating high-level events at the global environmental/climate forums;
· At least 10 years’ experience in capacity building (trainings/courses) on climate-related aspects of policy, regulations and international relations;
· At least 5 years’ experience of working with national ministries, government agencies, academia and civil society in the countries of Central Asia;
· Proven experience of working with UN Agencies and MDBs, including other international funds and bilateral donor institutions;
· Strong contacts with state and non-state climate actors in EU countries and beyond;
· Language skills in English and Russian.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 1.9 and 1.11 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants Under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011 and revised July 2014 (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and eligibility.
Consultants may submit their EOI as an individual firm or in association in the form of a joint venture or sub consultancy. All the members of the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire assignment. However, the experience of sub-consultant will not be considered while short-listing. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on Consultants' Qualification (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. The best qualified and experienced firm shall be selected and only this one selected firm shall be asked to submit a combined technical and financial proposal.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09:00 to 17:00 (Almaty time).
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by July 06, 2020.
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia
Attn: Sanzhar Mustafin, Procurement Specialist of CAMP4ASB project
40, Orbita-1, 050043, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan,
Tel: +7(727) 265 4334, 265 4327, 265 4342 (ext.111)
E-mail: SMustafin@carececo.org
[1] Dependent on the date and circumstances of the forthcoming CoP26
[2] Incl. youth and civil society organizations