TNC – THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (TNC)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO DEVELOP A COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE ‘BUILDING A BLUE-GREEN ECONOMY IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS’ PROJECT

I.            INTRODUCTION

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 70 countries. Founded in 1951, TNC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. With our core values of integrity beyond reproach, respect for people communities and culture, and commitment to diversity we aim at environmental conservation through lasting tangible results. Visit www.nature.org to learn more

II.            PURPOSE

It is the intention of TNC to solicit proposals from qualified bidders for the drafting of GEF project document (ProDoc) an associated documents toward the achievement of the goals expressed in the attached concept note. TNC reserves the right to reject proposals for any reason and to pursue purchasing in a manner that is in the best interest of the organization.

III.            BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT (Project Overview)

Though wastewater, solid waste and agricultural runoffs threaten the health of coral reefs and marine life globally, this is especially true in Caribbean countries like St. Kitts and Nevis where major land-based pollution sources are watershed-based pollution, particularly agriculture runoff and the lack of wastewater treatment and solid waste management. Alongside negative environmental impacts, this also presents health risks and economic risks for the tourism sector. Pollution is predicted to increase if not addressed, particularly given the growth projected for tourism. St. Kitts and Nevis has a serious problem concerning solid waste and chemical waste disposal. Many ghauts (ravines) are littered with waste, which then drain into the ocean. Coral is further damaged by recreational activities and sand mining is a root cause to coastal degradation.

The country needs better data and information to guide informed decision-making about policies, to substantiate the need for policies and regulations and to improve their enforcement. Limitations include a lack of regulations of recreational activities, inadequate waste management, and limited innovation and uptake of cost-effective nature-based and regenerative approaches.

The proposed project intends to contribute to policy coherence and cross-sectoral cooperation. Many of the policies proposed for review and improvement already involve collaboration between multiple agencies. The project will implement a key priority for adaptation to climate change listed in the FAO “Report of the vulnerability and capacity assessments in coastal and fishing communities in Saint Kitts and Nevis,”1 which is to strengthen coordination and collaboration between the various actors, particularly government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.

The proposed project seeks to make a case for greater investment in coastal and marine management and pollution abatement, by demonstrating the economic value of natural resources and the impact of pollution. This will be achieved through three components: 1)Data collection and monitoring; 2) Solutions and policies, and 3) Knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation.

With these existing challenges, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has secured funding from the GEF for the project: “‘Building A Blue-Green Economy in St. Kitts And Nevis’”. This proposed project has received a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) to prepare a Project Document (ProDoc), based on the approved project proposal concept. The PPG phase is considered as a preparatory phase and will need to support various data collection efforts and undertake validation of the key sections contained in the concept note. The final output of the PPG phase will be a The Nature Conservancy (TNC) GEF multi-focal area project document and a GEF Endorsement Request submitted to and approved by TNC, and GEF, with all required supporting annexes. In accordance with GEF procedures, the full set of project documentation must be submitted to the GEF Secretariat no later than December 31st, 2024.

IV.            TERMS OF REFERENCE, DELIVERABLES, AND DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE

A.      Consultancy objective

To support the implementation of the PPG and write the GEF full-sized project document, including CEO Endorsement Request and the required/relevant appendices and annexes.

Under the direction and supervision of the Task Managers of TNC, the consultant will be required to undertake the following specific tasks in close collaboration with TNC, government representatives, identified technical stakeholders, and the GEF Implementing Agency, Conservation International (CI).

1. Act as Project Development Expert.
   1. Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the project team (TNC, the Government, CI, and national stakeholders).
   2. Participate in the launch event for this project preparation phase to provide an overall orientation to the project team, government, and other national stakeholders in relation to GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring.
   3. Coordinate with the Project team in preparations for the virtual launch of the PPG phase and the validation workshop; and facilitate stakeholder consultation meetings/workshops as agreed.
   4. Conduct and scientific assessments and consultations of key stakeholders, including on regulatory frameworks, policies, enforcement, capacity assessments, knowledge management, social and gender equality, environmental safeguards, etc.
2. Perform the following tasks for the GEF Project Document Formulation:
   1. Control quality of inputs and outputs for the project
   2. Ensure understanding about the project's problem and barrier analysis among the project planning team.
      1. Help determine the project's system boundaries and scope.
      2. Based on the inputs from the Project team and national stakeholders, compile baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP). This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals, and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome; presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices.
      3. Based on the inputs collected, prepare a quantified assessment of global environmental benefits for wastewater management.
         1. Reconfirm the project strategy and finalize project sections on:
            1. An assessment of the social, economic, and financial sustainability of proposed project activities.
            2. Assessment of alternatives to the project strategy and establishing the cost effectiveness of the preferred strategy and suite of activities.
            3. Replication strategy for project activities.
               1. Assessment of the risks to the proposed project activities and identifying measures to mitigate these risks.
               2. Incremental cost analysis.
               3. Define and validate the project outcomes, outputs, and activities based on a logical framework analysis and project's theory of change including through the related assessments, analyses and reporting by the Project team and national stakeholders. Develop the results framework of the project with SMART indicators, baseline and targets.
               4. Define options for the project's institutional and implementation arrangements: work closely with the Project team to finalize the terms of reference for the project steering committee, project management unit, relevant key staff and any other key governance arrangements for the project.
               5. Work with TNC’s Safeguard team in order to ensure the economic, social and environmental risks are fully addressed and develop a stakeholder engagement plan in collaboration with the Project team.
                  1. Develop the project's innovativeness, sustainability and replication approach.
                  2. Ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to GEF guidelines.
                     1. Facilitate the process of confirming co-financing.
                     2. Prepare costed M&E and communications work plan for all activities, with defined indicators, to be funded by the GEF including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The plan will be based on the standard template provided in the GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy and Communications Policy
                     3. Finalize the project results framework as regards all activities. Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative SMART indicators, mid and end-of-project targets. Establish baseline and targets for indicators. Ensure that all related activities are in conformity with GEF- 8 focal area guidelines and indicators. Special attention should be paid to include socio-economic and gender sensitive indicators.
                     4. Develop an action plan for incorporation of gender equality aspects in the project, with quantifiable baseline and target indicators, as per GEF and TNC guidance and based on the results of gender analysis and ensure integration into project design, including outputs, activities, indicators.
                        1. Develop a stakeholder engagement plan based on inputs from the Project team.
                           1. Working with the government and the national experts, ensure the quality of relevant GEF-8 core indicators.
                           2. Compile and produce a fully-fledged GEF project document with all the required annexes and the GEF CEO Endorsement request document with all the required annexes/attachments.
                           3. Address all comments on the project documentation by TNC, Conservation International GEF Agency, and GEF.
                           4. Ensure that any review points from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, the GEF Council and the GEF Secretariat, including those made during the project identification stage, as well as the formal review by the TNC Project Review Committee are met and responded to in the Project Document and CEO Endorsement Request.

The following documents and other relevant material are to be consulted as background for the GEF PPG phase:

• Project concept cleared for inclusion.
• Comments from GEF Secretariat on concept
• Annotated GEF Project Document Template and associated guidance included therein.

B.      Final outputs of the GEF PPG

1. 1.       Technical Review
   1. i.            Baseline studies: this will include a desktop review of all relevant documents, actual and previous studies on coastal/nearshore and estuarine biodiversity, waste management, wastewater, and other identified areas. The resulting reports will also include an analysis of the existing planning, policy and regulatory frameworks related to the elements identified in the concept.
   2. Multi-stakeholder meetings with Government and partners (technical and financial) held to investigate the implementation of this project development to identify on- going projects and other initiatives to be incorporated in the project document. Activities of similar types could be implemented jointly and or in parallel if project calendars will permit it.
   3. Identification of project sites.Based on the above reviews, and through consultation with stakeholders, the targeted project pilot sites / corridors will be identified.
      1. a.       Relevant maps to be acquired or developed.
      2. Stakeholder consultations during technical review: collaborate with, mobilize, and engage stakeholders during project design. Negotiate partnerships with on-going projects to align their activities and the project to build synergies.
         1. Document these consultations.
         2. Draft Theory of Change (ToC) and Results Framework (RF)
            1. a.       Drafted based on desktop review and initial results from stakeholder consultations.

2.       Institutional arrangements, monitoring, and evaluation

The outputs of the technical review will be used as input to phase 2 for the formulation of the GEF project document. This section includes the formulation of the GEF Project Document,

CEO Endorsement Request, and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes

1. Theory of Change. The detailed theory of change (ToC), based on the studies and data collection undertaken in section 1, will be developed. The selected approach will be identified, with a clear rationale backed by credible evidence.
2. Finalization of project results framework: Further refine the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results- oriented and Time-bound (SMART) indicators, mid and end-of-project targets. Special attention will be made to include socio-economic and gender sensitive indicators.
3. Indicator development and validation should incorporate country context especially as it relates to country resources and capacities.
4. Definition of monitoring and evaluation (M&E): A detailed M&E work plan will be developed, including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The plan will be based on the standard template provided in the GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy.
5. Definition of management arrangements: The organizational structure governing the project will be defined. This will include the Terms of Reference for the project steering committee, project management unit, key staff, and any other key governance arrangements for the project – including roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of lead and partner agencies.

1.  Stakeholder consultations: involve key government agencies, NGOs, and local communities in the development of the project strategy and results framework to ensure ownership and agreement on the project objectives and outcomes; facilitate consultations to secure agreement(s) on project implementation arrangements; including roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of lead and partner agencies.
2. a.       This should lead to the development of a stakeholder engagement plan.
3. b.       Document these consultations.
   1. vi.            Social and environmental safeguards. The purpose of this is to identify ways to avoid negative environmental and social impacts where possible (e.g., through site selection). If risk avoidance is not possible, then mitigation and management measures must be identified.
      1. Prepare a detailed multi-year budget following the standard template provided in the GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy.
      2. Explore multilateral and bilateral co-financing opportunities: undertake a series of consultations with partners to ensure a coherent and sustainable financing package for the project.
      3. Facilitate completion and acquisition of the required Co-financing lettersfrom participating government institutions, bilateral development partners, multilateral development partners, private sector and NGOs that wish to provide grant, loan, or in-kind contributions to the project.
         1. Mechanisms for monitoring and recording co-financing data should be developed.
         2. Stakeholder consultations: facilitate consultations with key stakeholders (including civil society organizations, indigenous people, gender groups, youth, and others as relevant) and describe how they have been engaged in project preparation. All financial and technical partners and the government will be involved at an early stage to inform the preparation of a stakeholder engagement plan.
         3. A validation workshop will gather representatives from all relevant stakeholders to present, discuss and validate the final draft GEF submission package.

3.       Financial planning and co-financing investments

4.        Validation workshop 

1. Outputs/Work Assignment schedule

V.            COMPETENCY

i.            Academic Qualifications:

• Minimum of Master's Degree in biodiversity sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, waste management, natural resource management, or a closely related field.

ii.            Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in the field of biodiversity conservation, protected area management and natural resource management is required.
• Demonstrable experience in the development and design of GEF projects and/or programs including CEO/Approval Packages is required.
• Experience with project development, implementation, management and monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development projects, in the areas of biodiversity and ecosystem management or waste management.
• Experience working in SIDS. Work in the Caribbean would be an asset – this is necessary for the development of work which considers specific country context.
• Technical and intellectual skills in biodiversity management, waste management, coastal zone management, sustainable development.
• Experience in integrated policy development processes associated with environment and sustainable development issues.
• Demonstrable expertise in managing relationships and developing and maintaining strategic partnerships including across government and non-government actors.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement facilitation and workshop organization.
• Experience working with international organizations, including TNC, the UN system, and the GEF, is preferred.

VI.              SUBMISSION DETAILS

1. 1.       Deadline. Proposals must be received no later than April 26th, 2024, 11.59 (UTC -4). Late submissions will not be accepted. Proposals must be submitted via email to Olando Harvey with Roselyn Stanislaus in Cc. All proposals are to be submitted following the guidelines listed in this RFP.
2. 2.       Validity of bid. 120 days from the submission deadline
   1. 3.       Clarifications. Questions may be submitted to Olando Harvey  by the specified date and time in the timeline below. The subject of the email must contain the RFP title. TNC will respond in writing to submitted clarifications by the date specified in the proposal timeline below. Responses to questions that may be of common interest to all bidders will be communicated via email.
   2. 4.       Amendments. At any time prior to the deadline for submission of proposals, TNC may, for any reason, modify the RFP documents by amendment which will be communicated via email.
   3. 1-2-page Technical Proposal including deliverable timelines and highlighting relevant geographical and technical experience that will meet the minimum requirements of this specific project.
      1. CVs of all team members should be included as an annex to the technical proposal.
      2. Financial Proposal

i.      Submissions missing any required component will not be considered.