Terms of Reference and Scope of Services
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB)
National Firm on
Assessment of climate-smart agricultural activities in Tajikistan
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[1] 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 Mechanism 1.7. 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 |
2. Objectives of the assignment
This assignment is to be carried under the Component 1 of the CAMP4ASB project, “Regional Climate Knowledge Services”, and refers to the following sub-activities of the project: 1.6. “Climate Investment Assessment Mechanism”. Under this sub-activity regular on-field assessments of investments made under sub-component 2.1 are conducted in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
With the CAMP4ASB project in its final year of implementation, Tajikistan’s financing facility supported more than 3800 investments in climate-resilient measures at the small scale, primarily focused on the subprojects in crop diversification; small scale new greenhouses; water resources management; beekeeping, processing dry fruits, purchasing energy-efficient equipment. With that, this ToR is seeking a firm to conduct the last round of Climate Investment Assessments in Tajikistan. Taking into consideration the abovementioned, the scope of the assessment has been expanded to not only (1) conduct the regular annual assessment of climate investments, following the existing methodology and tools, but also to (2) review the full investment database, provide a comprehensive overview of the different technologies and methods used and assess their effectiveness. Finally, the consultant is expected to (3) develop at least 15 success stories, with a particular focus on gender-sensitive climate resilient investment solutions and (4) develop a report on failed investments in different sectors that did not achieve success in implementation according to the agreed plan.
3. Scope of work and tasks
The Consultant (Firm) is expected to perform the following tasks in Tajikistan:
1. Conduct the regular annual assessment of climate investments (approximately ten climate investments, at an advanced implementation stage)
1.1. Review the existing methodology of the Climate Investment Assessment Mechanism and results of its application. Suggested changes and additions to the methodology will be discussed with both the RCU and NCU as appropriate.
1.2. Conduct the final Climate Investment Assessment, including an initial assessment of selected sub-projects, through investment data review and field visits and conduct a detailed assessment of (i) climate risks and availability of adaptation measures in the sub-project implementation area; (ii) climate anomalies; (iii) negative impact of climate; and (iv) efficiency of measures in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change stressors.
1.3. Compile the assessment report, including (I) a summary on the surveyed sub-projects with owner/household information, geographical location, range of the loan amount, retrospective information on farm specialization and performance, and supported agricultural activities, household profile; (ii) detailed analysis of findings; (iii) compilation of key lessons learnt from investments and Investment Facility Stakeholders (including the NCU, Financial Institutions, beneficiaries etc) and its replicability of assessed measures in Tajikistan and beyond; and (iv) conclusions on the effectiveness of assessed investments in regards to environmental, financial and social outcomes recommendations on the promotion of CSA practices in the region
2. Provide a comprehensive overview of climate-resilient technologies and measures supported by the Investment Facility in Tajikistan
2.1. Review the Investment Facility database and develop key indicators that reflect the various characteristics of investments for a comparative overview (including technologies applied, measures introduced, investment type, cost-benefit ratio, satisfaction ratings, hectares of land improvement, location, gender-sensitive benefits, etc), to be approved by the NCU and RCU
2.2. With the support of the NCU Tajikistan and relevant financial institutions, collect missing data (through review of investment documentation as well as follow up calls or visits to beneficiaries) for all investments supported by the Financing Facility and ensure completeness of the sub-project database
2.3. Compile a report with a (i) comprehensive overview of investments supported by the Tajik Financing Facility; (ii) comparative analysis (along defined indicators) on characteristics of investment of interest ; (iv) key findings.
3. Design success stories to showcase best practices in adapting to climate change through investments in climate-resilient agricultural technologies and measures
3.1. Develop a methodology for data collection to demonstrating success stories
3.2. Together with the NCU and financial institutions, select suitable investment sub-projects for success stories
3.3. Conduct on field visits for meeting relevant beneficiaries, individuals and stakeholders to collect data and photos
3.4. Develop success stories, including high quality photos and others suitable for inclusion into the Central Asian Information Platform (CACIP) as well as the CAREC websites.
4. Develop a report on failed investments in different sectors that did not achieve success in implementation according to the agreed plan
4.1. Develop a methodology for data collection
4.2. Together with the NCU and financial institutions, select suitable investment sub-projects with difficulties in implementation
4.3. Conduct on field visits for meeting relevant beneficiaries, individuals and stakeholders to collect data and photos
4.4. Develop the report with analysis on what investments didn’t work out well, the reasons, and the lessons learnt how to turn into success stories if tried in the future with a different approach
# |
Deliverables (All Deliverables are due in Russian and English): |
Timeline: |
0. |
Inception |
|
0.1 |
Assignment work plan with the explanation of how the tasks will be undertaken in the time of COVID, including detailed methodology for all tasks and their indicative timelines |
1 October 2020 |
1. |
Task 1: |
|
1.1 |
Revised Climate Investment Assessment methodology (incl. selected sub-projects for site-visiting and extended programme of visit in the mentioned country in close cooperation with NCU) developed |
7 October 2020 |
1.2 |
On-field visit and evaluation of the selected sub-projects performed (takes into account evaluation tools of the Methodology) |
15 November 2020 |
1.3 |
Draft assessment report, which reflects on key items of the assessment as pointed out in the scope of work, developed and submitted |
25 November 2020 |
1.4 |
Final assessment report, which addresses comments and additions from the side of RCU and NCU, submitted |
30 November 2020 |
2. |
Task 2: |
|
2.1 |
Set of indicators developed, based on a detailed review of the Climate Facility database, and agreed by the NCU and RCU |
10 October 2020 |
2.2 |
Method of collection of missing data defined and data collection plan developed and approved by the NCU |
15 October 2020 |
2.3 |
Comprehensive database of the Tajikistan Climate Facility Investment Database completed |
25 November 2020 |
2.4 |
Comparative analysis report of investments in Tajikistan developed |
30 November 2020 |
3. |
Task 3: |
|
3.1 |
Methodology for conducting and identification of the success stories (incl. guiding questions, selected sub-projects for field visiting and extended programme to be agreed with NCU and RCU) developed |
1 October 2020 |
3.2 |
List of success stories and their outline developed and agreed with NCU and RCU |
15 October 2020 |
3.3 |
Data, photo and video-interview collected (both desk-top and on-field/site) |
15 November 2020 |
3.4 |
Draft success stories developed and submitted for review |
25 November 2020 |
3.5 |
Final success stories which addresses comments and additions from the side of RCU and NCU in Tajikistan submitted and integrated into the CACIP as well as the CAREC websites |
30 November 2020 |
4. |
Task 4: |
|
4.1 |
Develop a methodology for data collection |
1 October 2020 |
4.2 |
List of failed investments in different sectors is developed and agreed with NCU and RCU |
15 October 2020 |
4.3 |
Data, photo and video-interview collected (both desk-top and on-field/site) |
15 November 2020 |
4.4 |
Draft report developed and submitted for review with NCU and RCU |
25 November 2020 |
4.5 |
Final report with analysis on what investments didn’t work out well, the reasons, and the lessons learnt how to turn into success stories if tried in the future with a different approach |
30 November 2020 |
5. |
Information sharing activities |
|
5.1. |
Presentation of findings and recommendations of assessments on national and regional project events (at the request of the RCU) |
December 2020 - April 2021 |
4. Qualification and experience requirement
Experience:
· The Firm should have at least 5 years of experience in agricultural development, climate change, natural resources management, with focus on research and/or program analysis, monitoring and evaluation
· Capacity to have enough human resources and technical experience to conduct three assignments in parallel; and ability to work under pressure
· Work experience in the field of climate change and/or environment is a must
Personal qualities of the expert’s team:
· Project and research-based knowledge on agricultural structure and practices in Central Asian countries; and on surrounding institutional, social, climatic and technological factors
· Excellent communication, including report writing, and inter-personal skills
· Excellent team-players
· Evidence of strong analytical skills, and problem identification and solving
Communication and computer skills of the expert’s team:
· Computer skills (MS office, MS Word, MS Excel, Power point, Internet E-mail etc.) are required
· Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian
5. Timeline and Reporting
The estimated duration of the consultancy will be September 2020 -April 2021.
The Firm shall report to the CAMP4ASB RCU Coordinator.
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)
announces a vacancy for the following position:
Name of the position: |
National Firm on Assessment of climate-smart agricultural activities in Tajikistan |
Host organization: |
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia |
Location: |
Almaty, Kazakhstan |
Starting date: |
September 2020 |
Duration and form of contract: |
September 2020 -April 2021 |
Closing date of the vacancy |
September 21, 2020 |
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)
Country: Central Asia
Project Id: P151363
Project Name: CAMP4ASB
Loan Info.: IDA D0940
Assignment Title: National Firm on Assessment of climate-smart agricultural activities in Tajikistan
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 consulting services (“the Services”) include to conduct the last round of Climate Investment Assessments in Tajikistan.
Scope of Work
The Consultant (Firm) is expected to perform the following tasks in Tajikistan:
1. Conduct the regular annual assessment of climate investments (approximately ten climate investments, at an advanced implementation stage)
2. Provide a comprehensive overview of climate-resilient technologies and measures supported by the Investment Facility in Tajikistan
3. Design success stories to showcase best practices in adapting to climate change through investments in climate-resilient agricultural technologies and measures
4. Develop a report on failed investments in different sectors that did not achieve success in implementation according to the agreed plan
Detailed Terms of References is available here
CAREC now invites eligible Consultants (firms) 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.
Qualification and experience requirement:
Experience:
· The Firm should have at least 5 years of experience in agricultural development, climate change, natural resources management, with focus on research and/or program analysis, monitoring and evaluation
· Capacity to have enough human resources and technical experience to conduct three assignments in parallel; and ability to work under pressure
· Work experience in the field of climate change and/or environment is a must
Personal qualities of the expert’s team:
· Project and research-based knowledge on agricultural structure and practices in Central Asian countries; and on surrounding institutional, social, climatic and technological factors
· Excellent communication, including report writing, and inter-personal skills
· Excellent team-players
· Evidence of strong analytical skills, and problem identification and solving
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 subconsultancy. 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.