Consultancy Service to develop climate and environment policy and framework

IFRC/American Red Cross Nepal is looking for the consultancy services to develop climate and environment policy and framework.

Interested applicant should submit their expression of interest along with the documents mentioned in ToR to Ms. Aliza Baidya at  aliza.baidya@ifrc.org

latest by 01 March 2023

IFRC/Nepal Red Cross Society

Develop climate and environment policy and framework 

Terms of Reference (ToR)

1.  Summary

2.  Background:

Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and IFRC Nepal, including Partner National societies (PNS), have recognized the importance of integrating climate- smart approaches and climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability into the bylaws, sectoral strategy, programs, plans and services. This includes integration with other priority areas, including disaster risk reduction, and management, community resilience, health, WASH, livelihoods, Community engagement and accountability shelter (green housing, green response), economic opportunity, nature-based solution, and protection gender and inclusion.

In April 2021, the IFRC and Climate Centre releases an assessment of the Climate Change Impacts on Health and Livelihoods in Nepal. This assessment highlights the urgency to act to address the direct and indirect impacts of the climate crisis on the wellbeing of communities. It identifies the need for cross-sector and widespread collaboration between National Societies, government agencies, the private sector, NGOs, civil societies, and communities to address the risks posed by climate change.

In the 2022 IFRC Nepal Operational Plan, the IFRC identified climate and environmental crises as a strategic priority in Nepal. The focus of this priority is to reduce the current and future humanitarian impacts of climate and environmental crises and support people to adapt and thrive in fact of it. This means climate and environmental issues are high on the collective agenda, urging for systematic integration of climate smart approaches and environmental sustainability across all programmes, operations, and our advocacy efforts. 

NRCS has always been striving towards integrating climate and environmental issues into programmes, operations, and services, with a focus on community-based adaptation but also exploring ways to harness co-benefits from its interventions towards mitigation efforts. As part of the NRCS 8th Development Plan for 2021-2025, addressing the risks and impacts of climate change and environmental crises is explicitly spelled out across the strategic priorities. In February 2022, a DRR/CCA Assessment for Water Sanitation and Hygiene was released as part of efforts to integrate DRR and CCA in the WASH programs and ensure that WASH programming is climate sensitive. 

The National Government of Nepal has also demonstrated support for climate mitigation, resiliency, and adaptation. In 2016, Nepal ratified the Paris Agreement and has since then shown progress towards achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) sectoral commitments and prepared Nepal's Long-term Strategy for Net-zero Emissions in 2021. The Government of Nepal is also taking active steps in formulating policies and guiding documents and embarked on its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process in 2018, to reduce vulnerability and build resilience to climate change by integrating adaptation across sectors and levels of government, in line with the National Climate Change Policy 2019.

3.  Purpose and scope of the consultancy:

3.1  Purpose: 

Although many NRCS programs, plans, and operations are incorporating climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability (in 2011, NRCS has drafted its climate change framework but was not finalized), NRCS does not have any overarching climate and environment policy and framework to guide the systematic integration of these approaches across its programme areas, and core functions including our positioning and engagement in the national climate policy discussions & discourses. Formulation of a climate and environment policy and framework can provide strategic direction and guidance to NRCS, IFRC and its members in Nepal to move towards climate smart and environmentally sustainable programming, operations and humanitarian services aligning with NRCS's and IFRC global priorities, movement led climate & environment charter and Nepal Government’s Climate Change Policy 2019 Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation plan.

Furthermore, this policy and framework is also intended to enhance the positioning of the NRCS as a major actor in climate change space in Nepal. NRCS is well established as a main actor in disaster risk management across the country, however, its contribution towards climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability is still less acknowledged in the national climate policy discussions and discourses around loss and damage. Positioning the NRCS as a climate actor and aligning its policy and framework with national climate change and environment priorities can also lead to increase climate funding opportunities to cater the ever-increasing humanitarian needs due to climate and environmental crisis. 

3.2.  Scope of work Climate and Environment policy and framework will be developed based on series of consultations' along with draft submission, validation and will be finalized in the consultative manner. The major areas of work expected to be completed by consultant are: 

• Prepare a detailed work plan to complete the task within stipulated timeframe. 
• Stocktaking of state of the environment and climate resilience elements in NRCS policies, strategies, and programs, IFRC and Red Cross Movement global priorities, strategies & Plans on Climate and Environment 
• Examine pertinent plans, policies, practices, and frameworks for improving organizational resilience.
• Examine other countries' and organizations' relevant climate resilience policy and framework in the context of Nepal, including bilateral, multilateral, UN agencies, and other relevant organizations.
• Identify organizational gaps in each dimension of the environment and climate resilience framework.
• Make recommendations for possible interventions, plans, practices, and frameworks, as well as policy options, for enhancing resilience to climate change and environmental crisis.
• Review of country climate change policy implementation, National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Long -Term Strategy for Net- Zero Emission in 2021 and other relevant documents.  
• Facilitate consultative workshops with NRCS provincial chapters, districts chapters representing different geographical areas and other stakeholders as relevant. 
• Identify and recommend a climate resilience and environment sustainable pathway actions in NRCS programs, operations, and services. 
• Recommend gender, disability, and social inclusion along with community engagement and accountability integration plan across the components of the policy and framework.
• Develop a climate and environment policy and strategic framework in agreed outline/format anticipating future changing climate landscape for the NRCS engagement in accordance with the Government of Nepal's climate change and DRM policies, strategies, and priorities.
• Incorporate/revise documents based on feedback/comments provided in various versions before producing final version to submit to NRCS. 

4.  Objective 

The main objective of the in-country consultancy is to develop the NRCS climate and environment policy and a separate strategic framework to guide the implementation of the policy. Furthermore, this task is objectified as outlined below:

• Guide on the way to potential interventions, plans, and practices, frameworks, strategies, and SOPs, policy options for integrating climate change and environment sustainability into the NRCS policies, strategies, and programs.
• Suggest an initial outline of policy and framework document to be further formulated in consistent and consultative manner
• Assess the NRCS's state of play on environmental and climate resilience within its programme pillars and identify gaps and opportunities for climate smart approaches at institutional and operational level.
• Develop overarching environmental and climate policy and elaborate it further in the strategic framework to operationalize the policy through sectorial programme and services from organizational units at all levels.

5.  Methodology and process

The specific study methodology will be detailed out in close consultation between the consultant and a Technical Working Group and the Commissioner, but will draw upon the following primary methods: 

• Desktop review of background documents, national policies, report of previous interventions, previous reports, as well as guidelines and policy documents of the NRCS and Nepal government.
• Conduct consultation process/meetings with the NRCS and IFRC, Technical Working Group as appropriate.
• Consultative visits/workshop/observations with Governments, and other stakeholders, NRCS provinces, and district chapters as appropriate. 
• Key informant interviews (institutional as appropriate). 
• Focus group discussions, (institutional) as appropriate. 
• Drafting the policy and strategic documents in English language 

The methodology of this work will be mixed methodology. The consultant will collect all the relevant qualitative as well as quantitative data. Furthermore, the study methodology will be detailed in close consultation between the advisory and technical working groups. An in-country consultant is expected to develop a detailed methodology with a specific method considering the quality of work and timeline of this assignment. The consultant will work closely with a Technical Working Group representing NRCS, IFRC, PNSs and Climate Centre. The TWG will remain focal point for the consultant in technical issues related to the assignment. Responsibilities of the TWG is summarized below:

5.1  Responsibilities of the Technical Working Group (TWG):

The TWG has been formed comprising representatives from NRCS various departments, IFRC Nepal Delegation PNSs and Climate Centre. The major tasks of TWG includes:

• Overall framing of climate and environment policy and framework 
• Ensure the quality of the consultant ongoing work by avoiding any overlapping in the entire policy formulation process.
• Support in organizing consultative meetings within and outside the organization by coordination with the relevant government ministries, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Provide relevant document, evidence, information to the consultant
• Review document drafted by the consultant especially on work plan and draft policy and frameworks and give necessary feedback and inputs
• Mobilize human resources/ volunteers for the field visit (If appropriate)
• Contextualization of the policy and framework document with the relevant national and international climate expert from the Red Cross Movement & beyond (and disseminate widely).

6.  Deliverables (outputs)

a)  Inception report/work plan: The inception report should include the proposed methodologies, a data collection and reporting plan with perfect deliverables, data collection tools (checklist, interview guide, questionnaire), and a clear timeline of deliverables including travel schedule. The outline of policy and framework documents should be included in work plan  

b)  De-briefing: This includes de-briefing meetings, workshops, and presentation sessions with the advisory and technical working groups. NRCS will facilitate and organize the workshop, the role of consultant in the workshop will make a presentation on the progress of the work. The consultant in close coordination with the advisory and technical working groups will confirm meetings and discussion sessions that includes collection of feedbacks.

c)  Findings/feedback, and draft report: The consultant will share a draft climate and environment policy and framework with TWG. TWG will collect feedback from IFRC, PNSs, Climate Centre, UN agencies, development partners, and authorities. The feedback will be submitted to the consultant to incorporate into the documents and finalize. 

d)  The final version of climate environment, and policy framework: Consultant should submit the final version of two documents: 

I.  The climate and environment policy: The main body should cover the background/context, vision, mission, values, strategic statement/ direction with its scope, guiding principles, policy statement and responsibilities. The suggested outline of the policy is given in annex- 1

II.  Climate and environment framework: This would consist of approximately 40 pages, descriptively explained and aligned with the  policy statements, well defined strategic directions in the climate and environment policy. The suggested/recommended outline of climate and environment framework is given in annex- 2

All products arising from this assignment will be owned by the Nepal Red Cross Society. The consultant will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the analytical results as his / her own work or to make use for private use. 

7.  Timeline: 

The total duration of this consultancy work will be of 4 months with estimated 45 days of level of efforts as outlined below:

8.  Experiences and qualifications

The consultant must have wide-ranging experience working on the policy and framework associated with climate change, disaster risk management, environmental management, and other related fields.

The required additional experiences and qualifications of the in-country consultant are as outlined below: 

 a)  Demonstrable working experience in formulating climate and environment policy and framework and understanding both global and national context of climate change across the interface of science, policy, and practice. 

 b)  Proven record of accomplishment in conducting qualitative and quantitative research and policy and framework in the field of climate change and environment 

 c)  Demonstrate capacity to work both independently, and with team 

 d)  Working experiences at national and international level minimum 10 years in relevant field 

 e)  Capacity to organize and facilitate workshops and meetings.

 f)  Good coordination capacity and communication skills

 g)  Strong commitment, enthusiasm, positive attitude, and tolerance capacity 

 h)  Diverse knowledge of gender, social inclusion, community engagement, and accountability.  

 i)  Excellent writing and speaking skills in English and Nepali languages

 j)  Minimum master's degree in climate change or disaster management or relevant field MPhil or PhD is preferable. 

 k)  Knowledge and experience working with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is desirable.

9.  Ethical consideration:

It is also expected that the consultant will respect the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: 1) humanity, 2) impartiality, 3) neutrality, 4) independence, 5) voluntary service, 6) unity, and 7) universality. Further information can be obtained about these Principles at: www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/index.asp

The following ethical considerations will be observed throughout planning and execution of the evaluation and during documentation and presentation of the findings: 

• The process at any point will ensure ‘Do No Harm’ principle. This will not only relate to physical consideration but also emotional and contextual considerations that might affect the well-being or social position of the participating individuals.
• Information at all levels will be confidential in nature and the analysis will be done based on blinding of the characters and context; as much as possible.
• Each person involved and the participating stakeholders will be completely briefed about the purpose of the process and the expected end products, with all the mediums to be used for documentation and presentation of the same.
• Any photograph and contextual information (name, household information, history, locality name, municipality, ward name etc.) will only be published if all the participating members endorse the process and allow publication of the same in totality.
• Any health or social status of the interviewed individuals will not be revealed with his/ her real name on it and without consent.
• The data and information collected will be triangulated in totality before publishing and the same will be done for all the secondary information received.
• In case of the case study and monographs, the consultant will use caution to present the cases with dignity and without any personal judgment and bias.
• The findings, case studies, photographs, process highlights, and recommendations will be shared with the NRCS and IFRC Nepal Country delegation office at Kathmandu, before finalizing the document for publication.
• The consultant will not have any personal and patent rights over the raw and refined data and the end-product of this process.
• In case the author wishes to use the unpublished datasets or information, from this assessment; (s)he/they must seek principal approval from IFRC/NRCS.
• The consultant is not authorized to promise a service or provide solution for any expressed problems. Though (s)he may document the same and make it available to the NRCS and IFRC.
• Complete orientation of the government laws and policies will be pivotal and at any point the consultant must respect and adhere to the local laws and policies.

10.  Application process:

Interested applicants should submit their expression of interest to the email: aliza.baidya@ifrc.org by 01 March 2023. In the subject line: Consultancy for climate and environment policy and framework of NRCS. Please state the consultancy you are applying for, last name and first name. (SUBJECT: Climate and environment policy and framework – Last Name, First Name). 

• Application materials should include:
• Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of consultant/s
• Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this study, daily consultancy fees (in NPR) and three professional references. 
• Applicants will be required to provide two sample reports where the consultant/team leader has contributed as a team leader and a sample of previous document/report most similar to that described in this TOR.

Cost related to any travel outside Kathmandu valley as part of the assignment will be reimbursed by NRCS/IFRC on actual basis. Application material are non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process. Please take note that incomplete application will be rejected. 

Kindly click on below link to view Annexes:

Annex 1 and Annex 2