Call for the Expression of Interest for a Curriculum Development Consultancy Firm
Project Background
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a multilateral financing mechanism established to support climate action in the Caribbean and, by extension, developing countries. In fulfilling its mandate, the GCF responds to climate change through strategic investments in actions that will result in low-emission and climate-resilient development. These strategic investments will limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries and help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Several windows for financing and technical support for a programmatic approach are available to engage the GCF for the implementation of climate actions. These include funding windows for mitigation and adaptation, the Private Sector Facility, the Readiness and Preparatory Support Program, a REDD+ results-based payment program, and an Enhanced Direct Access Program designed to enhance funding access by sub-national, national, regional, public, and private entities.
In 2018, the GCF accredited the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) 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), Belize’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF, PACT has received approval for financing under a Readiness and Preparatory Support Project titled, “Strengthening technical and institutional capacities of Galen University, BLPA, PACT, BNPAS and the Government of Belize to access Climate Finance.”
This project is to be executed over an 18-month implementation period. It will contribute to reducing Belize’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by facilitating the coherent integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures into the public and private sectors, through developed programs and projects. Belize will create partnerships with the public sector to build resilient livelihoods and minimize climate vulnerabilities of communities; and conserve and increase the resilience of the agriculture sector, academia, NGOs, Government, and other relevant sectors.
One of the key outputs of the project is the establishment of an educational program at Galen University that will support the advancement of Belize’s climate change goals/targets. As such, PACT is seeking a consultancy firm to lead the development of a National Climate Adaptive Education Program for Galen University, which will create a relevant curriculum focused on climate change education and tailored to professionals working in climate change and environmental spaces. The Program will be the intellectual property of Galen University. This involves designing a program and associated resources that address local climate challenges to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge thereby enhancing their effectiveness in assigned roles. Additionally, the consultant will oversee the launch of a pilot program specifically aimed at these professionals, gathering feedback to refine the curriculum and ensure it meets the needs of those actively engaged in climate adaptation efforts throughout Belize.
Purpose of Assignment
To develop an applicable and versatile National Climate Adaptive Education Program to meet the growing needs of climate change risks in Belize. The development of the program should consider the versatility of Belize’s multitude of sectors and allow for future program modifications as climate adaptation and mitigation interventions are dynamic. The program should also be centered on Galen’s commitment to Sustainable Development and national needs as identified in Belize’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Master Plan (NCCPSMP) and Belize’s GCF Country Programme.
To build Belize’s national climate resiliency, by equipping entities to ascertain their climate change impacts, devise achievable targets and formulate plans and programs to address climate impacts based on scientifically sound information. The program will provide continuous training and support to key stakeholders across sectors to achieve desirable climate change resiliency outcomes. The above will also provide stakeholders with the tools needed to successfully access climate finance.
The formulation of the National Climate Adaptive Education Program will require the following project outputs:
Activity
1.1 Develop a National Climate Adaptive Education Program for Galen
University
1.2 Validate the proposed NCAEP for Galen with relevant stakeholders.
Scope of Work
The Consultancy firm will undertake the following tasks:
1. Phase One: Inception Report and Workplan
Consultancy firm will work with Galen University and relevant entities to establish scope of work, timelines and expected results to clarify requirements and pending concerns for the efficient implementation of the consultancy. The consultancy firm will undertake a preliminary review of national documents and ongoing project documents to ascertain priority climate change education needs.
Output: Inception Report – the report should include an initial stakeholder mapping, literature review synopsis and a workplan, and timeline for the consultancy.
2. Phase Two: Analysis
Consultancy firm will complete a Gap Assessment with the aim to understand the climate adaptive needs of Belize’s sectors and to clearly identify educational knowledge and skill needs to improve the capacity of the sectors (public and private). This will require detailed mapping of key stakeholders and periodic engagement. As national stakeholders will be the end users of the Program, it is imperative that they are engaged from the onset to ensure that their identified needs are incorporated into the development of the Program.
The firm will conduct an analysis of current academic programs and ongoing projects with climate change training activities, to identify further gaps to be filled by the program. The firm is required to liaise with national stakeholders to ensure that the program addresses national needs and fits the initial program requirements.
A pre-feasibility assessment should be completed to determine the viability and operational needs of the program. This assessment should include a synopsis of the technical, technological, financial, and physical resources needed to operationalize the program.
Output: Climate Change Education Gap Analysis and Action Plan – this report will include a comprehensive analysis on the National Climate Adaptive Education Program needs within the public and private sectors.
3. Phases Three: Develop a Comprehensive National Climate Adaptive Education Program
Consultancy firm should fully develop a National Climate Adaptive Education Program to be piloted at Galen University. The aim of the program is to provide working professionals and traditional students with the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge in the realm of climate change for its integration into the public and private sectors. The creation of the program will require the incorporation of analysis, stakeholder consultation, and prefeasibility assessments completed under phase two.
This phase should conclude with the development of a program inclusive of a program specification document, program sequence/pathway, course syllabi of records, program entry requirements, professional requirements for lecturing within the program (draft Terms of References) and general teaching materials (book list, readings, presentations, assessments). The program should be developed in a manner that allows for its growth and restructuring through its implementation. Hence a monitoring and evaluation system should be developed, to enable the assessment of the program. The program will be reviewed by Galen’s Quality Assurance Director and the Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology.
4. Phase Four: Validation Period (Workshops)
Following the development of the program, the consultant must undertake a validation phase with national stakeholders. This process enables national stakeholders to share their insights and, where necessary, concerns about the program’s structure. During the validation period, the firm will be tasked with modifying the program to reflect the comments and concerns from national stakeholders.
5. Phase Five: Consultancy Closure Report
The firm will create a report that synthesizes lessons learnt from consultancy process.
Professional Qualification and Experience Requirements
The consultancy firm must possess the following experts:
- Climate Change Specialists with expertise in climate science, environmental studies, or natural resource management
- Curriculum Development/Design Specialist with experience in learning experience design including digital platforms
- Social Science specialist with experience in and knowledge of gender and social issues associated with climate change Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with experience in developing feedback mechanisms for adaptable educational programs.
Knowledge Assets
- Climate Change risk impacts and interventions in Belize and the region.
- Local Context: Awareness of local environmental challenges and cultural narratives enhances the curriculum’s relevance and applicability to specific communities.
- Experience in academic indicator development, data collection and analysis, data quality assessments, and/or academic performance monitoring and reporting.
- Experience in conducting training in managing for development results
Skill Requirements
- Advanced level of computer literacy (Microsoft Office applications preferred)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent organizational and planning skills
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria will be used to determine the eligibility of consulting firm:
- Legal Status: The firm must be legally registered and authorized to operate in Belize or internationally. Evidence: Copy of Registration Certificate]
- Experience: The firm must demonstrate at least 10 years of experience in curriculum development, preferably in the field of environmental science, climate change, or sustainable development. Evidence: Project references with contact information]
- No Conflict of Interest: The firm must declare that there is no conflict of interest in undertaking this assignment. [Evidence: Signed declaration]
- Compliance: The firm must not be included in any list of debarred or ineligible firms by the World Bank, EU, IDB, GCF, or any other multilateral development bank.
Expression of Interest
Candidates should submit their expression of interest, which responds to the requirements outlined in these Terms of Reference, along with their Technical and Financial Proposal, by 5:00 pm on April 25, 2025. The package should be addressed to:
Mr. Radin Santos
Procurement Officer
Protected Areas Conservation Trust
Re: Expression of Interest — Curriculum Development Consultant and Training Services
Soft copies should be sent via email to procurementofficer@pactbelize.org and copy projectcoordinator@pactbelize.org and accountsclerk3@pactbelize.org.
procurementofficer@pactbelize.org with copy to projectcoordinator@pactbelize.org and accountsclerk3@pactbelize.org
Re: Expression of Interest – Adaptation Fund – Feasibility Study
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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.