Call for consultancy services: evaluation of national governance instruments on desertification, biodiversity and climate change on forestry

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

Undertake studies on: a) extent to which national instruments governing issues related to desertification, biodiversity and climate change address forestry and related sector plans to inform the design of measures to improve their coordination in forest biodiversity hotspots; and b) stakeholders capacity needs for biodiversity hotspots management to inform development of training modules/guidelines for mainstreaming forestry into the national instruments.

SPECIFIC TASKS

1. Evaluate the extent to which sector-based plans related to forestry are addressed in national instruments governing issues related to desertification, biodiversity and climate change in the country [National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions/National Adaptation Plans (NDC/NAPs), Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Targets, among others].
2. Analyse national organizational/governance structures, sectoral interfaces and discordances in the implementation of the policies and policy instruments at the different levels of government (national, sub-national, local).
3. Identify key areas of overlap and synergy in addressing forestry in the national instruments governing desertification, biodiversity and climate change (NBSAP, NAP-CD, NDC/NAP, LDN targets).
4. Identify measures and approaches to minimize the overlaps, enhance synergies, explore and utilise the opportunities as reflected in NBSAPs, NAPs, NDC/NAPs, LDN Targets in strategies, plans, programmes and activities, to improve their management.
5. Identify and document national policies, strategies and practices for biodiversity hotspots’ protection and conservation in different forest types to explore synergies in them and minimize overlaps in order to enhance coherence of hotspots’ management plans and activities.
6. Assess the effectiveness of the approaches for managing biodiversity hotspots in order to sustain the supply of ecosystem services.
7. Identify knowledge and skills gaps among African forestry stakeholders, working on issues related to biodiversity, on mainstreaming and coordinating policies and initiatives related to biodiversity conservation, land degradation and climate change into strategies, plans, programmes and initiatives related to biodiversity hotspots management
8. Based on findings of Tasks 1 to 7 above prepare a national report and policy brief; and based on findings of task 7 above prepare a training module or guideline on mainstreaming forestry into appropriate national governance instruments.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES 

1. A detailed report comprising about forty (40) pages, which comprehensively addresses the assigned tasks and key result areas, excluding references, and annexes;
2. A policy brief, and a fact sheet to be finalised in collaboration with relevant staff at the AFF
3. One training module or guidelines for mainstreaming forestry into national instruments on CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC for targeted audience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Have at least a master’s degree in natural resources management, forestry, environmental management, public policy, climate change or any related area; a PhD will be an added advantage;
• Be a regional expert with broad knowledge and at least five years’ experience post MSc in forestry and natural resources management, policy and governance in Africa;
• Proven experience in regional and global environmental policy making processes and negotiations;
• Have good writing skills and have at least written technical reports and published peer reviewed journal papers in related themes; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English or French

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The tasks in these ToRs are for one and a half person‐months of workload, commencing on 30 September 2024 and spread over a period of six months. The consultant shall work from their location but be in close consultation with relevant staff at the AFF Secretariat while keeping to agreed delivery schedule.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email, quoting the title and number of this consultancy on the subject line and attach a proposal containing:

• Cover letter stating how you meet the above qualifications and experience requirements;
• A methodological note (of 4 pages max) indicating for each key results area, corresponding specific activities and methodology for executing them;
• A data matrix listing information needs plotted against data sources;
• A draft work plan (clear deliverables plotted against work weeks for each key result);
• A tentative table of contents of the report with corresponding number of pages; and
• An updated CV.

Please apply, with the subject line: “CONSULTANCY SERVICES NO 02-1.1.1 AFF – EVALUATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNANCE INSTRUMENTS ON DESERTIFICATION, BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON FORESTRY, AND THEIR COORDINATION IN FOREST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS IN AFRICA” and indicating for which country and biodiversity hotspot you are applying for, to Dr Doris Mutta at d.mutta@cifor-icraf.org and Dr  Djibril Dayamba at d.dayamba@cifor-icraf.org with a copy to exec.sec@afforum.org

Application deadline is 13 September 2024. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

To download the Terms of Reference, CLICK HERE.