Antecedentes

Climate change, manifesting in the form of intensified cyclones, storm surges, and sea-level rise (SLR), is accelerating saltwater intrusion into the freshwater resources of the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Climate change-induced soil and water salinity is projected to adversely impact freshwater dependent agricultural livelihoods (leading to loss of productivity or livelihoods) as well as the availability and quality of drinking water in the vulnerable coastal communities. Among the vulnerable coastal communities the women and socio-economically marginalized groups such as Indigenous groups are more vulnerable given their specific livelihood circumstances, their socio-political isolation perpetuated by unequal power dynamics, and related information asymmetry and constraint in decision making processes.

A large portion of the coastal population of Bangladesh is highly exposed to climate change impacts. Particularly, climate-induced increases in the salinity of soil and freshwater aquifers (through sea level rise and cyclone-driven salt water inundations) pose a significant threat to agriculture-based livelihoods. Both Khulna and Satkhira experience extreme and increasingly common weather phenomena such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, floods and droughts on regular basis. These events severely impact the agriculture sector, drinking water supply, homes and infrastructure in both districts, putting people’s lives, livelihoods and assets at risk. The vulnerability of coastal communities to these changes in their environment is shaped by the topography, by virtue of being low-lying and pervaded by river networks, due to pervasive poverty, and due to limited enabling environment to allow the shift towards alternative, climate change resilient livelihoods. Between 16 and 35 percent of people living in Khulna and Satkhira are extremely poor. Gender inequality prevails in these districts through various social and cultural norms that shape women’s day-to-day activities as well as their capacity to adapt to climate change. For example, women have less decision-making power within the household and the workplace and are expected to manage the household and care for the family. Compounding these factors, climate change aggravates the burden of unpaid care work, creating a cycle, which undermines their climate change resilience.

The project is targeted to support an estimated 245,516 people directly from 56,264 households  including 579 Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Minority households (0.19% of the total households) and seeks to offer targeted support to women and adolescent girls in two coastal districts - Khulna and Satkhira in Bangladesh, by-

1. Providing skills training and assets for a selected number of fisheries and agriculture-based climate-resilient livelihoods, and promote market linkages for these livelihoods options;
2. Providing potable water solutions for a selected number of most salinity-affected wards within the districts, not currently covered by other interventions, through Rain Water Harvesting System (RWHS) at the institutional, community and household levels and pond based system with filtration treatment technologies at the community level; and finally
3. Strengthening institutional capacity, knowledge and learning on the climate-risk informed management of livelihoods and drinking water security.

By improving the water security and livelihood options of women in the target districts, the project aims for gender-responsive results regarding women’s access to resources and decision-making power and support women in taking the lead in building community adaptive capacity.

The project “Enhancing adaptive capacities of coastal communalities, especially women, to cope with climate change induced salinity” [Gender-responsive Coastal Adaptation (GCA)] funded by GCF/GOB/UNDP, has already identified 8 livelihood options as gender responsive and climate change resilient livelihoods. These came from a long list of 38 livelihood options gained from community-level assessments and the assessment of the best practices in comparable settings down to 17 considering salinity and cyclone resilience and fresh water dependency, followed by a comprehensive screaming of those options with the different aspects of the livelihood options- (i) profitability and market potential/value chain access; (ii) gender responsiveness and transformation potential; (iii) socio-economic considerations and community acceptance; and (iv) environmental impacts.

Finally accepted 8 livelihood options which are including- (i) crab farming and trading (ii) crab nursery (iii) aqua-geoponics (iv) hydroponics (v) plant nursery (vi) sesame cultivation (vii) homestead gardening (viii) crab and fish feed processing. A total of 1017 groups (details breakdown are provided in Table 1) will be formed with 25 members in each group and each group will be trained on 3 livelihood options out of eight and will be given input support for 3 production cycles for 2 selected livelihood options based on beneficiary preference.

Table 1 below summarizes Upazila and livelihood wise breakdown of the project targeted beneficiaries:

NB:  S=Sesame, HG=Homestead Gardening, HY=Hydroponics, AG=Aqua Geoponics, PN=Plant Nursery, CN=Crab Farming, FP= Feed Processing, CN=Crab Nursery

The Ministry of Woman and Children’s Affairs (MoWCA) has led this Project, with technical support on the livelihood component by Department of Women Affairs (DWA) and safe water provision interventions from the Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE), other GoB institutions like Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), Local Government Institutions (LGIs) as well as full participation of non-government organizations and community members, including marginalized groups in the intervention areas. Livelihood support for the project will be facilitated by Responsible Party NGOs for all 5 Upazila.

The project has envisioned to develop an Adaptative Scenario Modelling (ASM) which is expected to guide the project livelihood component (component 1) to ensuring equal distribution of project benefits among different socio-economic beneficiary groups, look at project interventions from gender lenses and perspective, help making livelihood and project interventions gender sensitive primarily and gender-responsive in the long run. The ASM should capture the local needs and priorities, prominent approaches like engaging men and boys, social-ecological model and relevant others of women empowerment and transformation. It should be aligned with GoB, GCF and UNDP’s standards, policies and guidelines and will integrate with other similar instrument such as Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESMF) and Indigenous People’s Plan (IPP). It should consider GoB’s planning documents like 7thFive Year Plan, Perspective Plans, and Delta Plan. The ASM should also incorporate the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on the project participants, on the livelihood options, on the economics at different levels as well as into the designing of the ASM.

The assignment will strengthen   the capacity of Output 3 with direct linkage with Output1 of GCA project

The assignment will develop an Adaption Scenarios Model (ASM) of climate risk, impacts and adaption for coastal livelihoods. The scenario for the project use to implement the project activities in order to mitigate potential risks and adverse impacts on women and Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Minorities in the Project area. It also intends to build the adaptive capacities of women in coastal communities of southwest Bangladesh and enable then to take up resilient, adaptive livelihoods in the face of climate-induced salinity.

The scenario will majorly reflect with:

1. Develop and document climate extreme impacts and adaptation strategies,
2. Strategies /plan of improved risk reduction and impact mitigation
3. Factors and variables of decision making on livelihoods.
4. Community-Led Adaptation Actions plan (CLAAP) [ It will cover two phases: a) Review project documents and relevant key literature on climate change risk impact and adaptation for proposed livelihoods of Khulna and Satkhira. And b) Field visits and FGDs and KII.]
5. Community Resilience plan to Climate Change on coastal livelihoods.

It will guide the project livelihood component, ensuring equal distribution of project benefits among different socio-economic beneficiary groups, especially for women and adolescence girls, ensure project interventions from gender lense and perspective, help making livelihood and project interventions gender sensitive and gender transformative. The appointed consultant will develop the Adaptive scenario model (ASM) with prominent approaches and framework on climate change risk, impact and Adaption for coastal livelihoods.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of the assignment is to develop a climate risks and impacts and Adaption Scenarios Model (ASM) of coastal livelihoods. The ASM will be used to implement the project activities in order to mitigate potential risks and adverse impacts on women and Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Minorities in the Project area. It will also intend to build the adaptive capacities of women in coastal communities of southwest Bangladesh and enable them to take up resilient, adaptive livelihoods in the face of climate-induced salinity.

The specific objectives of the assignment are

• To identify the Key Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Risks due to Climate Change in coastal regions, for women and adolescence girls.;
• To identify the Key Impacts of climate change (Changing Live, Losing Livelihood);
• To explore the Settlements and Infrastructure;
• To help/facilitate coastal poor households and communities taking gender-responsive and climate risk informed livelihood decisions;
• To facilitate promotion of climate adaptive Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) into livelihood planning of project households and communities; and
• To facilitate the Adaptation Strategies of coastal livelihood for Reducing Vulnerabilities due to Climate Change.

Deberes y responsabilidades

SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY TASKS

The consultant will be working closely and under the leadership of Project coordinator. The scope of work and key tasks will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the services described below-

1. Inception meeting: Organize an inception meeting with PMU and government counterparts to present the approach and methodology of developing the Adaption Scenarios Model (ASM) of coastal livelihoods and clarify the tasks, deadlines and logistical sequences. The results of the meeting should be captured in the inception report, which shall be formally approved by PMU.

3.2 Desk review: Review the available literature and studies related to climate change vulnerability and adaptation for coastal area of Bangladesh such as National Communications, Technology Needs Assessment and other relevant literature, with particular focus on long- and short-term impacts of SLR (Sea Level Rise),Cyclone ,salinity raise related hazards induced by climate change on the proposed coastal livelihoods.  Also, the following documents will be reviewed by International consultant.

• Detail project proposal of GCA
• Livelihood assessment report of the project and similar projects
• UNDP Gender Action Plan and Gender Sensitive Communication,
• GCF Gender Policy,
• UNDP Environment and Social Safeguard Framework,
• UNDP Gender Marker,
• GCA project document including result framework,
• UNDP Strategic Plan/policy

3.3 Field Mission:  The field mission should be designed based on the proposed methodology of the consultant. To ensure overall climate risks and impacts and adaptation scenarios for coastal livelihoods in targeted project sites, 10 working days for the field mission is proposed.

3.4 Deployment of information Based on the new data and information, assist the project team update work plan, indicators in the project log frame, as necessary and assist the M&E team to regularly monitor the risks and update risk mitigation strategy of coastal livelihoods;

3.5 Identify of the loopholes/weak points and recommend mitigation measures: Analyze technical and economic feasibility of the prioritized coastal livelihoods adaptation measures to be embedded into the ICZM framework as well as the associated risks and barriers to implementation. This would involve account of costs of impacts / no action scenario vis-a vis cost and benefit of adaptation options / alternative scenario; Based on the above analysis, produce the guiding notes/recommendations for the project team and the key stakeholders on key technical issues to help in smooth livelihoods Adaption.

3.6 Authentication and disclosure: A wide range of stakeholders including relevant government departments, LGIs and NGOs should be consulted and validated the findings from FGDs and KIIs. After approval of the final report by PMU it is required to translate into Bengali, National consultant will do this. Besides these consulted will present a wrap up presentation on collected information of field visit in Khulna regional office.

3.7 Capacity Building:

• One day knowledge sharing workshop should be organized for the key staffs of the Project. The content of training should include:

      Key Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Risks due to Climate Change: Key Impacts and Vulnerabilities, Settlements and Infrastructure, Impact on Livelihoods [Changing Lives, Losing Livelihood, Lost Livelihood,

      Description of ASM, methodology, techniques, application methods for clear understanding;

      Assessment of climate risks, Impacts, and adaptation status of livelihood, result capturing, analysing, mitigation and improvement criteria and techniques, monitoring and evaluation.

• Another one day wrap up presentation session should be organized on key findings and recommendations on Scenarios of coastal livelihood for Reducing Vulnerabilities due to Climate Change.
• Conceptual frameworks of livelihood adaption policy and Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) framework of proposed livelihood practices:

 [ Suggested: Adaptation policy frameworks for climate change and livelihoods: developing strategies, policies and measures for the coastal livelihoods].

3.8 Document meeting records: The outcome and key findings of the meetings/FGD/KII/workshops/stakeholder consultations etc. will be documented and reflected in the inception and completion report. International consultant will be facilitated here by National consultant.

3.9 Drafting the Adaption Scenarios Model (ASM):

The designing of the required ASM is the major task of the international consultant. This should address the broad and specific objectives and if required would not be limited to the descriptions of the ToR to better address the purpose of the ASM as well as the global and specific objectives of the project. Factors and variables of decision making on livelihoods [Livelihood choices, rural infrastructure, multinomial logit model, multivariate Tobit model]  should be revealed in ASM. Proposed steps are:

The consultant will be working closely and under the leadership of Project coordinator. The scope of work and key tasks will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the services described below-

1. Inception meeting: Organize an inception meeting with PMU and government counterparts to present the approach and methodology of developing the Adaption Scenarios Model (ASM) of coastal livelihoods and clarify the tasks, deadlines and logistical sequences. The results of the meeting should be captured in the inception report, which shall be formally approved by PMU.

3.2 Desk review: Review the available literature and studies related to climate change vulnerability and adaptation for coastal area of Bangladesh such as National Communications, Technology Needs Assessment and other relevant literature, with particular focus on long- and short-term impacts of SLR (Sea Level Rise),Cyclone ,salinity raise related hazards induced by climate change on the proposed coastal livelihoods.  Also, the following documents will be reviewed by International consultant.

• Detail project proposal of GCA
• Livelihood assessment report of the project and similar projects
• UNDP Gender Action Plan and Gender Sensitive Communication,
• GCF Gender Policy,
• UNDP Environment and Social Safeguard Framework,
• UNDP Gender Marker,
• GCA project document including result framework,
• UNDP Strategic Plan/policy

1. Field Mission:  The field mission should be designed based on the proposed methodology of the consultant. To ensure overall climate risks and impacts and adaptation scenarios for coastal livelihoods in targeted project sites, 10 working days for the field mission is proposed.

1. Deployment of information Based on the new data and information, assist the project team update work plan, indicators in the project log frame, as necessary and assist the M&E team to regularly monitor the risks and update risk mitigation strategy of coastal livelihoods;

3.5 Identify of the loopholes/weak points and recommend mitigation measures: Analyze technical and economic feasibility of the prioritized coastal livelihoods adaptation measures to be embedded into the ICZM framework as well as the associated risks and barriers to implementation. This would involve account of costs of impacts / no action scenario vis-a vis cost and benefit of adaptation options / alternative scenario; Based on the above analysis, produce the guiding notes/recommendations for the project team and the key stakeholders on key technical issues to help in smooth livelihoods Adaption.

1. Authentication and disclosure: A wide range of stakeholders including relevant government departments, LGIs and NGOs should be consulted and validated the findings from FGDs and KIIs. After approval of the final report by PMU it is required to translate into Bengali, National consultant will do this. Besides these consulted will present a wrap up presentation on collected information of field visit in Khulna regional office.

1. Capacity Building:

• One day knowledge sharing workshop should be organized for the key staffs of the Project. The content of training should include:
• Key Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Risks due to Climate Change: Key Impacts and Vulnerabilities, Settlements and Infrastructure, Impact on Livelihoods [Changing Lives, Losing Livelihood, Lost Livelihood,
•  Description of ASM, methodology, techniques, application methods for clear understanding;
• Assessment of climate risks, Impacts, and adaptation status of livelihood, result capturing, analysing, mitigation and improvement criteria and techniques, monitoring and evaluation.
• Another one day wrap up presentation session should be organized on key findings and recommendations on Scenarios of coastal livelihood for Reducing Vulnerabilities due to Climate Change.
• Conceptual frameworks of livelihood adaption policy and Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) framework of proposed livelihood practices:

 [ Suggested: Adaptation policy frameworks for climate change and livelihoods: developing strategies, policies and measures for the coastal livelihoods].

3.8 Document meeting records: The outcome and key findings of the meetings/FGD/KII/workshops/stakeholder consultations etc. will be documented and reflected in the inception and completion report. International consultant will be facilitated here by National consultant.

3.9 Drafting the Adaption Scenarios Model (ASM):

The designing of the required ASM is the major task of the international consultant. This should address the broad and specific objectives and if required would not be limited to the descriptions of the ToR to better address the purpose of the ASM as well as the global and specific objectives of the project. Factors and variables of decision making on livelihoods [Livelihood choices, rural infrastructure, multinomial logit model, multivariate Tobit model]  should be revealed in ASM. Proposed steps are:

->•Planning ->•Situation analysis->•Decision scaling

3.10 Field validation of the ASM:

A wide range of stakeholders would use this scenario model for different livelihood groups so; a field validation and necessary adjustment should be completed before finalization of the ASM. After final approval of the PMU it is required to translate into easy and understandable Bengali version and the National Consultant will take the lead in this regard.

3.11 Define implementation process of the ASM

Describe full knowledge of the Adaptive Scenario Model. Roles and responsibilities of different users/parties/stakeholders should also be clearly identified and described findings with suggestions. Please find the different parties and stakeholders bellow:

3.12 Final ASM (both English and Bengali version): The final ASM will be prepared addressing comments and suggestions received from PMU and government counterparts.

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF TRAVEL

The consultant will be recruited for 32 working days spread over the period of 4 months, from the 3rd week of  May’2021 to 3rd week of August’ 2021. The working location will be Satkhira and Khulna District for field visit and stakeholder interview, and Dhaka for other relevant tasks of the assignment. The international consultant mainly responsible for strategic analysis with a good teamwork with National consultant. S/He shall closely liaise with the PMU for the arrangement of missions and logistic arrangements.

DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS:

Deliverable 1:   Submission of Inception report: It includes climate risk profile (CRP) with a roadmap of the assignment and M&E plan.                    

Deadline:  Approx. 2 weeks after signing the contract

 Deliverable 2: Mission Report:

A outline of the mission report with evidence-based climate risk, Impact and Adaption assessment (traditional non-adaptive and maladaptive livelihood), including updated / localized scenarios on proposed livelihoods of the project areas. Mission will be coordinated and completed by National consultant.

Suggested online guide:

Conceptual Framework of Adaption (CFA) or Adaptation Policy Frameworks (APF).                               

Deadline: Approx. one and half months after signing the contract

Deliverable 3: Workshop after field mission: One day knowledge sharing workshop/presentation after field visit on Key Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Risks due to Climate Change: Key Impacts and Vulnerabilities, Settlements and Infrastructure, Impact on Livelihoods [Changing Lives, Losing Livelihood, Lost Livelihood}

Deadline: Approx. Two months after signing the contract

Deliverable 4: Draft Adaptive Scenario Model (ASM)

Deadline:  Approx. 3 and half months after signing the contract

Deliverable 5:  A PowerPoint presentation on FINAL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Deadline: Approx. 4 months after signing the contract

Deliverable 6: Final Adaptive Scenario Model (ASM)

Deadline:  Approx. 4 months after signing the contract.

PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS

The International consultant will work under direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and in close consultation with the Adaptive Livelihood Expert and Gender Specialist based in Dhaka and Gender Empowerment Officer based in Khulna Regional Office. Relevant UNDP Country Office Programme Manager and National Project Director (NPD) will be responsible for overall strategic guidance. The progress of the consultant will be monitored based on the timelines and milestones indicated in the inception report.

International Consultant will design all strategic plan with the support of National Consultant. A national consultant will conduct the field activities- FGD, KII, meeting with stakeholders, documentation, translation into English and Bengali in consultation with the International Consultant as applicable.

Competencias

a. Strong interpersonal and communication skills;

b. Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;

c. Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;

d. Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;

e. Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;

f. Comprehensiveness knowledge of climate change.

g. Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;

h. Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;

i. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

j. Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;

k. Positive, constructive attitude to work.

l. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in Climate Change and Development, Agriculture, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Environmental Engineering/Management, Planning, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience preferably in the area of climate resilient livelihoods and integrated natural resources planning at national and sub-national levels ; experience in South Asia would be an advantage.
• Comprehensiveness knowledge climate change, adaptive livelihoods, coastal communities of Bangladesh or similar developing countries.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work in a team.
• Ability to work independently and to deliver high quality framework/report with minimal supervision/feedback.
• Demonstrated command over capturing climate change issues, development of planning, writing professional reports/project documents in English in a timely manner with evidence by submission of sample reports.
• Excellent drafting ability, presentation, and communication skills, both oral and written;
• Skills in facilitation and coordination, entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner; commitment to teamwork and to working across disciplines;
• IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications.
• Work experience in an international organization is an advantage, as is knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
• Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER

The criteria which shall serve as basis for evaluating offers will be:

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and relevant work experience of individual consultant/organization will be weighted a maximum of 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Please note that the details of past works on similar assignment needs to be submitted with the proposal.

PAYMENT TERMS

AWARD OF CONTRACT

The consultants who fulfill the requirements will be assessed based on a combined scoring of:

• Technical evaluation comprising of 70%, and
• Financial evaluation of 30%.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Please indicate fee structure: All-inclusive lump-sum fee in the financial proposal.

Note: Payments will be made upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the PMU. The consultant must factor in all possible costs in the “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee/Daily fee” financial proposal including consultancy and professional fee, DSA for field visits, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, transportation, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. The cost for organizing scheduled meeting, training, FGDs and KIIs related to this assignment will be borne by UNDP. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials.

RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

Please submit the below preferred documents with the presentation of offer:

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
2. UNDP Personal History Form (P11);
3. General Terms and Conditions of Hiring an IC
4. Technical proposal with clear outline and methodology of the task;
5. Financial proposal with breakdown of the cost items.

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document

Document download link:

LINK-1) Personal History Form - https://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Operatinos/Jobs/P11_Personal_history_form_latest%20version.doc

LINK-2) Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal -

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

ANNEXURE

Annex A:  GCA’s Livelihoods Assessment Report

Annex B:  GCA’s Gender Action Plan

Annex C: Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework