Call for Expression of Interest – Identification of Adaptation Priorities and Development of Belize’s Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan

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.

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.

Overall Objective

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.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

i. Identify, develop and prioritize adaptation solutions to address barriers and vulnerabilities to climate change inclusive of an elaborate plan to address findings of the assessments under this project for the 5 priority sectors (namely: i) Land Use, Human Settlement & Infrastructure, ii) Tourism, iii) Human Health, iv) Agriculture, and v) Forestry) for the development of a Multisectoral National Adaptation Plan for Belize.
ii. Development of a MNAP roadmap which incorporates the recommendations from the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children, Youth, Gender and Social Assessment, the GAP Assessment and the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment produced under this project.
iii. Develop a Multi-sectoral National Adaptation plan for the five identified sectors that is youth, gender and socially inclusive, taking into consideration the resilience needs of indigenous and other vulnerable groups.

Scope of Work

The selected consulting firm or consortium will be responsible for:

• Establishing the team of consultants that will be responsible for the identification, collection and analysis of specified data, and other information in support of the successful completion of the tasks identified in this TOR.
• Organizing and facilitating in-country activities including but not limited to questionnaire design and application, stakeholder meetings, trainings, workshops and data collection and analysis for the successful conclusion of the work.
• Ensuring that the primary stakeholders, (government agencies, community groups, private sector, women, indigenous groups, youth etc.), are adequately consulted and that related issues within the project are adequately addressed.
• Ensuring timely intervention and completion of scheduled activities.

✓ Consulting a wide range of stakeholders in conducting the tasks included in these terms of reference. These should include, but not limited to:
✓ The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management
✓ The Ministry of Health and Wellness
✓ The Ministry of Infrastructure, Development and Housing
✓ The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation
✓ The Belize Tourism Board
✓ The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining
✓ The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise
✓ The Ministry of Economic Development
✓ The Ministry of Blue Economy
✓ Ministry of Human Development and Indigenous Affairs
✓ Ministry of Education
✓ Department of Youth Services
✓ The National Climate Change Office
✓ The Forest Department
✓ The Department of the Environment
✓ The National Emergency Management Organization
The International Development and Humanitarian Agencies in Belize
The National Meteorological Service
Women’s Commission
NGOs and CBOs and private sector organizations.

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 or Consortium 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 MNAPs 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 in development of National Adaptation Plans, working with countries in the Caribbean would be an asset.
b. The selected Company/Firm is required to have 10+ years’ experience in the development of national cross-sectoral developmental strategies with experience in climate adaptation planning. Expertise in Policy Development, Adaptation Planning, Climate Studies and Climate Finance.
c. Minimum of three (2) assignments or projects demonstrating knowledge of the UNFCCC guidelines and requirements.

Required qualifications and experience

Key Expert 1: Climate Change Policy and Planning Specialist

Qualifications and Skills

A minimum of master’s degree in Climate Change Policy and Planning, natural resource management, environmental management, environmental policy, environmental science, development policy, natural resource economics or a related field.

General Professional experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in the development of National and sector-based Adaptation Plans and other national climate change policies and strategies.
• Minimum of 2 assignments related to development of NAPS.
• Must have demonstrated expertise in Policy Development, Adaptation Planning, Climate Studies and Climate Finance.
• Experience in Institutional vulnerability and risk analysis in the context of the development of adaptation planning.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other communications and knowledge materials.
• Experience working in the Caribbean region.
• Familiarity with relevant global conventions and agreements or experience in the UNFCCC climate change regime will be an asset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience in organizing and facilitating consultations and workshops.
• Experience working in the Caribbean region and the development of NAPs.

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.

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 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.

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. A financial proposal shall also be submitted. The most recent curriculum vitae of all members of the consulting team must also be provided.

Those interested should present the technical offer and budget proposal that responds to the contents of this Terms of Reference, the subject of the email should read: Expression of Interest: “PROPOSAL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF ADAPTATION PRIORITIES AND DEVELOPMENT OF BELIZE’S MULTISECTORAL NATIONAL ADAPTATION PLAN” and should include two (2) separate attachments: (1) ONE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL and (1) ONE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL, additionally, 2 references and the relevant contact information.

The proposal should be addressed to:

Mr. Radin Santos
Procurement Officer
Protected Areas Conservation Trust

Soft copies should be sent via email to procurementofficer@pactbelize.org on or before 5:00pm on December 6, 2024.