The following terms of reference (TOR) sets out the expectations for the interim evaluation (IE) for the project: FP050: Bhutan for Life, hereafter referred to as the “Project.” The technical consultant selected to conduct this evaluation will hereafter be referred to as “evaluator.”
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small, landlocked, developing country with a total area of 38,394 km2, characterized by rugged mountainous terrain with elevations ranging from 160 meters to more than 7,000 meters above sea level. The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) has always considered environmental conservation a centerpiece of the country’s development strategy and strives to mainstream environmental concerns into its overall development planning. The country’s first modern legislation was the Forest Act of 1969, specifically aimed at protecting forests. Similarly, the National Forest Policy of 1974 was the first formal policy in the country, and helped establish a policy framework for conservation. This has been further strengthened through the formal adoption of the country’s development philosophy of pursuing Gross National Happiness, which includes environmental conservation as one of its four pillars. Bhutan is one of the very few countries in the world to feature environmental conservation explicitly in its constitution. Due to its developing economy, low population and extensive forests (forests cover approximately 69.71% of the land area as of 2022), and also due to the country’s strong commitment to sustainable development, Bhutan is unique world-wide in that it is carbon negative, a net sink for greenhouse gases.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has thus made clear its commitment to following an environmentally and socially sustainable path to development. The country’s 2nd NDC under the Paris Agreement reiterates the carbon neutrality pledge, and outlines low emission development strategies (LEDS), and roadmaps. Maintaining a minimum of 60 percent of its land under forest cover for all time, in accordance with the country’s Constitution, is central to both its mitigation and adaptation strategies, with the Bhutan for Life project serving as the cornerstone for this effort.
The Project aims to employ an innovative financial model built around the creation of a sinking fund to support improved management of the country’s PAs while providing the time and resources to allow the Government to identify and secure long-term revenues sufficient to maintain these management improvements. The Project was organized into the following components:
Scope and Objective For The Evaluation
WWF-US is seeking an independent consultant to undertake an Interim Evaluation (IE) of the Project, as required by WWF and GCF Policies and Procedures. The scope of the IE will cover both GCF and co-financed portions of the project.
The purpose of this evaluation is to support accountability, transparency, and adaptive management of the project. Based on this assessment, it is expected that the evaluator will provide feasible recommendations that could be applied for the remaining duration of the project. The interim evaluation’s specific objective would be to assess project implementation, its progress, overall management, credibility of results/reporting and achievement of results and/ or contributions towards expected results, including behavioral changes necessary to achieve the expected results. The evaluation will apply the GCF Evaluation Criteria set out in the GCF Evaluation Policy[1] and further defined in the Evaluation Guidelines.[2]
[1] GCF Evaluation Policy for the GCF. B.BM-2021/07. (May 2021)
[2] GCF Evaluation Guidelines: Evaluation Operational Procedures and Guidelines for Accredited Entity-led Evaluations V.1 (March 2023)
Position Details
Project Data
RELEVANT DATES
Evaluation Approach and Methods
The evaluation will adhere to the relevant guidance, rules and procedures established by WWF[1] and the Green Climate Fund. The evaluation must provide evidence‐based information that is independent, participatory, transparent, and ethical. The evaluator must be unbiased and free of any conflicts of interest with the project. The evaluator is expected to reflect all stakeholder views and follow a participatory and consultative approach. Additionally, the evaluation should be utilization-focused and gender and human rights responsive. There should be close engagement with government counterparts, the GCF National Designated Authority (NDA), the Executing Entity project management unit (PMU), partners and key stakeholders. Contact information will be provided.
The Evaluation should include multiple methods of data collection for triangulation purposes, preferably with analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data and a diverse and sufficient sampling of stakeholders. Ideally, the methods would use a quasi-experimental design to better understand project additionality.
The Evaluation process will include the following, with deliverables marked by “*”:
Expected Content of The Report
The Interim Evaluation report will include:
[1] For additional information on evaluation methods adopted by WWF, see the WWF Evaluation Guidelines , published on our WWF Program Standards public website.
[2] See annex C
Required Qualifications and Experience
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
Proposal Process
Interested consultants are invited to submit a technical and financial proposal with their curriculum vitae, two relevant writing samples (e.g. evaluation reports) and three professional referees with their contact information. Only complete proposals received by the deadline will be considered. The financial proposal should be inclusive of all costs covering team member fees, travel, communications, quality assurance, translation services, taxes, and any others, if applicable. The budget shall not exceed $80,000. Individuals, teams, firms, or partnerships of firms may present proposals.
Interested consultants are requested to send their proposals to [email protected] by January 31, 2025. All questions about the requirements or process should be submitted to this e-mail address by January 24, 2025. Responses to frequent and submitted questions will be available to all interested consultants until the proposal deadline at the end of the following live document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BDY6c87rQ1amULiviyBXknFchKesHP0x/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101431196757707270045&rtpof=true&sd=true.
The technical proposal and qualifications/experience of the individual or team will account for 90% of the weighted score of the proposal. The technical score will be based on how the proposal reflects an understanding of the work and adherence to the TOR and quality of the proposal (readability, depth/breadth and suitability of the methodology), as well as the degree to which the candidate meets desired and required qualifications/experience mentioned in the terms of reference above. The financial elements of the proposal will account for 10% of the weighted score of the application.
Once all proposals have been scored by the review committee, a shortlist of proposals will be determined, and the candidates notified. Shortlisted candidates will have their references contacted, proposal reviewed by project stakeholders and will participate in an interview. Shortlisted candidates who are not selected will be provided with information on relative strengths and weaknesses of their proposal, but specific scores and the identity of other candidates will not be shared.
The selection process will be in compliance with WWF and GCF requirements. Any questions or concerns about non-compliance or irregularities in the process can be raised through WWF’s mechanism for reporting concerns available here: https://wwfus.ethicspoint.com.
To see the full terms of reference complete with annexes, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BDY6c87rQ1amULiviyBXknFchKesHP0x/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101431196757707270045&rtpof=true&sd=true