UNDP Bangladesh is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document approved by the Government and UNDP in 2006 and signed United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Bangladesh 2012 – 2016. Pillar Five of UNDAF: Climate Change, Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Response. Outcome One: By 2016, populations vulnerable to climate change and natural disaster have become more resilient to adapt with the risk. Outcome Two: By 2016, vulnerable populations benefit from natural resource management (NRM); environmental governance and low- emission green development.

Coastal greenbelts have long been seen as an important strategy for reducing the vulnerability of coastal populations to climate-related hazards in Bangladesh and the country has over five decades experience of coastal afforestation and reforestation. Over 200,000 ha of mangroves have been planted along the coast since the 1960s. However, the success of afforestation and reforestation efforts has been highly variable due to a range of institutional, technical and socioeconomic factors that have affected their long-term sustainability. A number of barriers currently prevent the realization of the full adaptive potential of coastal greenbelts, including an underlying incentive structure that drives people to exploit and degrade coastal forests rather than preserve them. LDCF support will be used to help the Government of Bangladesh overcome these barriers through a suite of complementary measures to achieve the project’s objective of reducing the vulnerability of communities to the adverse impacts of climate change in the coastal zone through participative design, community-based management and diversification of afforestation and reforestation programmes. The project has been designed to complement a major new programme on coastal afforestation and reforestation funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF).

Existing baseline forestry projects offer limited opportunities for community engagement in coastal forest establishment and maintenance. Historically, at the time of establishing the forest, community participation has been limited to employment as daily wage labour for tending nursery plantations, planting of mangrove seedlings and initial protection of the young seedlings. Once the forest is established, community members are hardly engaged in the management of forest resources. Although forest product sharing options have been clarified through the Social Forestry Rules of 2004 & its 2010 amendment, actual benefit-sharing options envisaged in these rules are restricted to non-mangrove species and benefits accruing to communities from mangrove greenbelt forests are currently anyways limited due to both low species diversity and the limited economic potential of planted species to local communities and government concerns about their ability to ensure sustainable use. Absence of a formal agreement in which local communities are given access to various tangible benefits generated by the coastal greenbelt forests over time, coupled with the limited roles they play in the management of the forests, results in an on-going incentive structure that drives some community members to exploit, rather than protect forest resources.

Therefore, the project wants to develop and implement a sustainable benefit-sharing agreement/strategy through hiring an experienced national consultant who is able to do the needful assessing the existing and past benefit-sharing mechanism prevails in protected/Ecologically Critical Area /inland aquatic ecosystem Management and potentials of coastal plantation in  regards to benefit-sharing mechanism emphasizing  its sustainable conservation, protection and management with the active participation of community people.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this assignment is to develop coastal forest/green belt benefit-sharing agreements/ mechanism for the Forest Resources Protection Groups (FRPGs) and Co-management Committees (CMCs) specifying details of benefits to be shared, when, where, how, etc. and also define the roles and responsibilities of the different parties to the agreement. To accomplish the assignment, he will have to carry out the overall responsibility of benefit sharing Planning for the Programme sites in a participatory approach considering costal afforestation-reforestation, livelihood diversification and protection of communal livelihood assets.

SCOPE OF WORK:

1. In order to launch this process, there will be meetings with the different relevant stakeholders (govt. & non-govt. organizations especially Forest Department, local communities including forest dependent people, fishermen, and other civil society organizations) to inform and discuss the objective of this consultancy work.
2. Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close colloboration with concerned PMU and field team, the consultant will contribute to a number of project activities, namely:
3. Assess the impact of enrichment plantations in older plantations where some diversification has already been trialled emphasizing community benefits, such as those under CBACC project.
4. Analyse and synthesise key findings on options for strengthening natural resilience and economic value of coastal forest from systematic assessment of mixed species trials and diversified plantations for wider dissemination and replication especially its sustainable conservation benefitting the community people.
5. Based on the findings, draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing for coastal mangrove plantations emphasizing its sustainable conservation and protection.
6. Develop and agree rules for FRPG membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with CMCs, monitoring and reporting.
7. Develop and agree rules for CMC membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with FRPGs, engagement with upazila Disaster Management Committees and monitoring and reporting.
8. Carryout capacity and training needs assessment for FRPG and CMCs regarding forest stewardship plan, benefit-sharing agreement and importance for the conservation and protection of coastal green belt.
9. Facilitate and organize broader policy discussions at subnational and national level on draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing in coastal plantations.viii)Submit final report on assigned activities including draft benefit-sharing agreement, training and capacity need assessment report for FRPG and CMCs.

 Deliverables:

The following deliverables will be produced from this contract

1. The consultant shall submit work plan and time frame for conducting consultation with relevant stakeholders to Project Manager.
2. Impact assessment report on enrichment plantations in older plantations where some diversification has already been trialled emphasizing community benefits, such as those under CBACC project.
3. Analysing and synthesise report on key findings on options for strengthening natural resilience and economic value of coastal forest from systematic assessment of mixed species trials and diversified plantations for wider dissemination and replication especially its sustainable conservation benefitting the community people.
4. Draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing for coastal mangrove plantations emphasizing its sustainable conservation and protection.
5. Report on rules for FRPG membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with CMCs, monitoring and reporting.
6. Report on rules for CMC membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with FRPGs, engagement with upazila Disaster Management Committees and monitoring and reporting.
7. Capacity and training needs assessment for FRPG and CMCs regarding forest stewardship plan, benefit-sharing agreement and importance for the conservation and protection of coastal green belt.
8. Facilitate and organize broader policy discussions at subnational and national level on draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing in coastal plantations
9. Submit final report on assigned activities including draft benefit-sharing agreement, training need assessment report for FRPG and CMCs.

SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

The consultant will work under direct supervision of the Project Manager of Integrated Community-based Adaptation into Afforestation and Reforestation Programme in Bangladesh. S/he will also work closely with other project staff, concern UNDP staff, partner organizations, research organizations, and stakeholders at different levels including local communities and relevant government agencies.

TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINES:

The assignment is for a total of 50 days over a period of 5 months from 15 November 2017 to 14 April 2018 (Approximately 10 days in a month).

Task 01- Submit work plan and time frame for conducting consultation with relevant stakeholders to Project Manager- 02 days Required

Task 02- Assess the impact of enrichment plantations in older plantations where some diversification has already been trialled emphasizing community benefits, such as those under CBACC project.- 10 days Required

Task 03- Analyse and synthesise key findings on options for strengthening natural resilience and economic value of coastal forest from systematic assessment of mixed species trials and diversified plantations for wider dissemination and replication especially its sustainable conservation benefitting the community people-  07 days Required

Task 04- Draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing for coastal mangrove plantations emphasizing its sustainable conservation and protection .- 10 days Required

Task 05- Develop and agree rules for FRPG membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with CMCs, monitoring and reporting. .- 05 days Required

Task06- Develop and agree rules for CMC membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with FRPGs, engagement with upazila Disaster Management Committees and monitoring and reporting.- 
05 days Required

Task 07- Carry out capacity and training needs assessment for FRPG and CMCs regarding forest stewardship plan, benefit-sharing agreement and importance for the conservation and protection of coastal green belt.- 03 days Required

Task 08- Facilitate and organize broader policy discussions at subnational and national level on draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing in coastal plantations- 03 days Required

Task 09- Submit final report and documents covering all above mentioned deliverables- 05 Days Required

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will prepare and submit the above-mentioned documents during the assignment period. Further work or revision of the documents may be required if it is considered that the documents do not meet the ToR, errors of fact or the documents are incomplete or not of an acceptable standard.

 Duty Station:

The duty station is in the Project Management Unit (PMU), Dhaka. The consultant will work 25% of his time at PMU, 50% time at field and 25% from home.

 INPUTS:

PMU will arrange travel as per UNDP rules for project implementation related field works subject to the prior approval of the Project Manager. PMU will also bear all financial cost involved in conducting any training programme and validation workshops related to assigned assistance for field implementation programmes of the project.

All other inputs including the laptop with necessary software packages to carry out the service will have to be borne by the consultant.

Travel and DSA:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Deliverables are linked with the payment schedule:

1st Milestone- 10 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Submit work plan and time frame for conducting consultation with relevant stakeholders to Project Manager- By 17 November 2017 (within 02 working days)

2nd Milestone- 20 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Assess the impact of enrichment plantations in older plantations where some diversification has already been trialed emphasizing community benefits, such as those under CBACC project.- By 30 November 2017 (within 12 working days)

3rd Milestone- 20 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Analyze and synthesize key findings on options for strengthening natural resilience and economic value of coastal forest from systematic assessment of mixed species trials and diversified plantations for wider dissemination and replication especially its sustainable conservation benefitting the community people and Draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing for coastal mangrove plantations emphasizing its sustainable conservation and protection- By 30 December 2017 (within 20 working days)

4th Milestone- 10 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Develop and agree rules for FRPG membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with CMCs, monitoring and reporting and Develop and agree rules for CMC membership and operation, including decision-making processes, roles and responsibilities of members, engagement with FRPGs, engagement with upazila Disaster Management Committees and monitoring and reporting.- By 31 January 2018 (within 30 working days)

5th Milestone- 10 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Carry out capacity and training needs assessment for FRPG and CMCs regarding forest stewardship plan, benefit-sharing agreement and importance for the conservation and protection of coastal green belt.- By 28 February 2018 (within 40 working days)

6th Milestone- 10 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Facilitate and organize broader policy discussions at subnational and national level on draft notification on forest product benefit-sharing in coastal plantations-By 30 March 2018 (within 45 working days)

Final Milestone- 20 % of the contract value shalle be paid upon submission of Submit final report covering all above mentioned deliverables- Final Report- By 14 April 2018 (within 50 working days)

1. Excellent oral and written English and Bangla communication skills, and exceptional technical writing and presentation capabilities;
2. Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
3. Ability to work independently and participate in team-based environment.

Academic Qualifications

Postgraduate degree in forestry/agro-forestry/Mangrove Ecology/ Eenvironmental sciences or relevant disciplines.

Experiences

• Minimum 08 years’ experience in the assessment and support of natural resource management
• Ability to assess potential of benefit sharing arrangements for participatory NRM.
• Experience in the design and implementation of payments for ecosystem service projects especially in the context of Bangladesh.
• Working experience in government ministries/departments and UN/International organizations.
• Previous demonstrated experience working in a Project team.
• Familiarity with and up-to-date Knowledge on, various international efforts in payments for participatory NRM endeavours.
• Excellent verbal and written English skills

Language requirements

Fluency of English and Bangla language is required;

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages-

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Lodging, meals and transport cost for field visit related to this assignment will be paid by the project as per UN standard.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel and DSA:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNDP, and upon prior agreement/approval, such travel shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis-

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1 Relevant educational qualification - 10 Marks
• Criteria 2 Appropriateness of the proposed methodology including the timeline – Max 15 Marks
• Criteria 3 Relevancy of previous research report/publications- Max 25 Marks
• Criteria 4 Proven working experience with government, ministries, department and UN/Donors/international organizations- 20 Marks

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks)

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below.

The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/

Where:

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Proposers who shall not submit below mentioned documents will not be considered for further evaluation.

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; P11 can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
• Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; b) a brief methodology, on how you will approach and complete the assignment, including a tentative table of contents for the final report; and c) a list of similar assignment with topic/name of the assignment, duration, role of consultant and organization/project
• Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.