National Firm on Assessment of climate-smart agricultural activities in Uzbekistan

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 Uzbekistan

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, Uzbekistan’s financing facility has completed its allocation and supported a total of 43 investments in climate resilient measures at the larger scale, primarily focused on the construction of greenhouses for small and medium-sized agro-production enterprises. With that, this ToR is seeking a firm to conduct the last round of Climate Investment Assessments in Uzbekistan. 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 5 success stories, with a particular focus on gender-sensitive climate resilient investment solutions (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 Uzbekistan:

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 Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan

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 Uzbekistan 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 Uzbek 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 Uzbekistan Climate Facility Investment Database completed	25 November 2020
2.4	Comparative analysis report of investments in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan 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.

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09:00 to 17:00 (Almaty time).

Mr. Sanzhar Mustafin,

Procurement Specialist

Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for the Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB)

The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia

___________________________________________

40, Orbita-1, A15D5B3, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan,

e-mail: smustafin@carececo.org