***CLOSED*** Call for Expression of Interest – Gap, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for the Development of Belize’s Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan

***CLOSED*** Call for Expression of Interest – Gap, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for the Development of Belize’s Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan

Country: Belize 

Donor: Green Climate Fund 

Project Title: Enabling Activities for the Formulation and Implementation of a Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan for Belize Project. 
 
Project Number: BLZ-RS-011 
 
Type of Consultancy: Consulting Firm or Consortium – LUMP SUM (the Firm’s cost will include Professional fees, travel related expenses, consultation costs) 
 
Title of Consultancy:  Gap, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for the Development of Belize’s Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan.  
 
Main Duty Station: Remote with travel to country 
 
Expected Start and End Date: April 2024 to March 2025 
 
Duration: 12 months 
 
Outcomes: Climate hazard impact, vulnerability and risk studies for the Development of Belize’s Multi-sectoral National Adaptation Plan in 5 priority areas.  

1 Background:

The Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) support for the formulation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and other adaptation planning processes was made available to all developing countries as part of the Readiness Programme.  This support enables developing countries to plan and attract larger scale finance for more resilient futures by strengthening their adaptation planning processes.  These planning processes are key building blocks of countries’ ongoing efforts to bolster adaptive capacities, attract investment in adaptation from a diversity of sources, and to help galvanize public and private sector-led actions to make societies more climate-resilient. 

Considering the anticipated impacts of climate change, Belize has recognized the need to strategically address future climatic threats. Threats to major sectors due to climate change are linked to changes in precipitation, sea surface and air temperature rise, ocean acidification, changes in intensity and frequency of extreme weather events and natural hazards, and limited access to climate financing.  These threats and impacts will be addressed through the formulation of climate sound plans and frameworks based on available scientific evidence, with consideration for the most vulnerable groups. The approach will seek to increase Belize’s resilience to climate change through improved adaptation planning, alignment to national policies and legislation, and capacity development and knowledge transfer, while also decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. It is imperative that all adaptive measures consider the collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors to address the associated challenges and impacts of climate change.  

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has received accreditation by the GCF as a national Direct Access Entity. This role requires PACT to take on several responsibilities associated with the delivery of impactful projects within the priorities of the Fund, of PACT, and of Belize’s National Climate Change Policy & Plan and related frameworks. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) as National Designated Authority (NDA) of Belize to the GCF, and the National Climate Change Office as UNFCCC Focal Point, PACT has received approval for financing from the GCF under its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme for the project entitled “Enabling Activities for the Formulation and Implementation of a Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan for Belize”.  

This project will guide the future development of some of the country’s major sectors under changing climatic conditions, inclusive of the following priority sectors: i) Land Use, Human Settlement & Infrastructure, ii) Tourism, iii) Human Health, iv) Agriculture, and v) Forestry. Enhancing cross linkages with other sectors and other National Adaptation Plans using a multisectoral approach will ensure fortification of resilience to changes in the climate on a more wholistic level and help to avoid duplication, concurrently supporting vulnerable populations. The formulation and implementation of the NAP will enable Belize to formulate concrete interlinked solutions, adaptation actions in the priority sectors and will support the strengthening of existing mechanisms and adaptation responses at a multisectoral level.

The project is comprised of three substantive outcomes that will achieve the objective:  

Outcome 1: Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened. 
• Output 1: Capacity development plans outlined, and training provided.
• Output 2: Adaptation solutions identified to address barriers and vulnerabilities to climate change with adaptation actions and measures developed and prioritized.
Outcome 2: Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact. 
• Output 1: Climate hazard impact, vulnerability and risk studies elaborated.
• Output 2: Comprehensive Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) and Gender, and Social Assessment elaborated, inclusive of a roadmap for Children and Youth participation in Climate Change Action within the MNAP roadmap (including gender considerations, indigenous and other vulnerable groups).
• Output 3: Adaptation impact monitoring, evaluation and learning systems established. (5 priority sectors namely: i) Land Use, Human Settlement & Infrastructure, ii) Tourism, iii) Human Health, iv) Agriculture, and v) Forestry).
• Output 4: Communication, outreach and knowledge transfer to relevant public, private and civil society decision-makers and other stakeholders undertaken.
Outcome 3: Adaptation Finance Increased 
• Output 1:  Climate Finance Strategies for the priority sectors developed.
• Output 2: Three GCF concept notes or the prioritized areas developed and submitted.

2 Overall Objective

The overall objective of this consulting firm is to conduct a risks and vulnerability assessment in order to develop a gender and socially transformative Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan (MNAP) to reduce impacts of climate change and to facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into existing policies, programmes, activities and planning processes. 

3 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to: 

i. Carry out Climate hazard impact, vulnerability, gap and risk studies for the 5 priority sectors (namely: i) Land Use, Human Settlement & Infrastructure, ii) Tourism, iii) Human Health, iv) Agriculture, and v) Forestry).
ii. The assessment should be a comprehensive assessment inclusive of indigenous and other vulnerable groups.

4 Personnel

PACT is an equal opportunity employer and reaffirms its commitment to achieving gender equality in all aspects of its work. 

The assignment is to be undertaken by a suitably qualified Consulting Firm. The selected Consulting Firm will identify the team of consultants, including a designated team leader.  The team leader and the Consulting Firm will work together to develop a detailed work plan and implementation schedule.  The team members are to assist with the implementation of the agreed work plan which will include tasks such as collecting of data and information as it relates to conducting reviews of laws, policies, development plans and strategies and conducting analysis and projection models. 

The team to prepare the capacity development plan, training guide/modules, based on consultation and needs assessment of capacity gaps for Belize with the 5 priority sectors will include a team leader with experience in capacity development and climate adaptation planning. Other experts can be added to the team if required or as needed but will not be considered as key experts.  

The team leader should be one of the key specialist experts and will possess demonstrated skills and experience in leading a complex technical team and in the preparation and writing of technical science-based reports. Other key experts must provide demonstrated skills and at least three years of experience in their fields and must hold at least a university degree in the related field.  
 
The firm is required to possess the following competencies for the successful execution of this assignment. 

a. Be a reputable Company/Firm with a Minimum of three (3) assignments or projects demonstrating in-depth knowledge Gap, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, working with countries in the Caribbean would be an asset.

4.1 Key Experts

Key Expert 1: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Specialist. 

Qualifications and Skills 

      • A minimum of a master’s degree in in Environmental Science or Management, Climate Change Science, International Development, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or other related fields.

General Professional experience 

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the fields of environment and climate change adaptation with a specific emphasis on national vulnerability and risk assessments, environmental risk assessment, risk mapping, climate modelling, and/or climate change mainstreaming.

• Experience in the development of National and sector-based Adaptation Plans and other national climate change policies and strategies.

• Experience in executing adaptation Gap assessments relating to climate change impacts vulnerabilities and risks for economic sectors.

• Experience in capacity development and institutional strengthening in developing countries, ideally in the context of decentralization processes and/or climate change adaptation.

• Experience in developing and implementing best practice methodological approaches for national vulnerability and risk assessments.

• Experience working with government institutions, as well as, civil society/private organizations, indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups and consultants.

• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other communications and knowledge materials.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience in organizing and facilitating consultations and workshops.

• Familiarity with relevant global conventions and agreements or experience in the UNFCCC climate change regime will be an asset.

• Experience working in the Caribbean region.

Key Expert 2: Climate Modelling specialist

Qualifications and Skills 

      • A minimum of a master’s degree in climate science, physical sciences, computer science or related field. Post-graduate degree and specialist training in climate modelling preferred.

General Professional experience 

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in national, regional, or global climate modelling.
• Ability to generate global temperature and precipitation climate scenarios.
• Knowledge of climate computer operating systems, software, and tools.
• Ability to downscale global climate model data.
• Work experience in data management and analysis.
• Work experience in organizing training and workshops.
• Teamwork and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other communications and knowledge materials.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience in organizing and facilitating consultations and workshops.
• Experience working in the Caribbean region.

Note:

• The Experts must have combined knowledge of climate change adaptation issues in all 5 priority areas, i) Land Use, Human Settlement & Infrastructure, ii) Tourism, iii) Human Health, iv) Agriculture, and v) Forestry.
• ALL KEY EXPERTS will be evaluated/scored during the tender evaluation.

4.2 Other Experts:

CVs for experts other than the key experts will not be evaluated/scored during the tender evaluation but should be included in tenders. 

The selected consulting firm or consortium shall select and hire other experts as required to complete the tasks and according to the profiles identified in the Terms of Reference. They must indicate clearly which profile they have so it is clear which fee rate in the budget breakdown will apply. All experts must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities accorded to them. 

Note that civil servants and other staff of the public administration of the beneficiary country cannot be recruited as experts unless prior written approval has been obtained from the Chief Executive Officer of their designated ministry. 

5 Application:

Interested firms are asked to submit a signed letter of interest and a detailed technical proposal for the deliverables. The technical proposal should include methodology, work schedule, quality control and quality assurance. The technical proposal shall also describe the composition of the team and relevant years of experience. The most recent curriculum vitae of all members of the consulting team must also be provided. A financial proposal must also be submitted.   

The proposal should be addressed to: 

Mr. Radin Santos
Procurement Officer
Protected Areas Conservation Trust

Re: Expression of Interest – Gap, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for the Development of Belize’s Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan 

Soft Copies should be sent via email to: procurementofficer@pactbelize.org on or before 4:30pm on April 26, 2024.  

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PACT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against protected characteristics (gender, age, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability).
PACT is not liable for any costs incurred by applicants in submission of their application. 

2 thoughts on “***CLOSED*** Call for Expression of Interest – Gap, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for the Development of Belize’s Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan”

  1. Ander Barrenetxea Arrinda April 18, 2024

    When addressing the email that appears in the ToR to submit the proposals, we receive an error message and the email is not received. Could you please advise another email address where we can send the requests for clarifications. Thanking you in advance for your guidance with this issue.

    • Andre Marsden April 18, 2024

      Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have edited the information on both the website and downloadable TOR to reflect the correct email address for submission.

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