The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, is requesting Expressions of Interest from qualified consultants for the Lead Project Development Consultant, for the project “Promoting Integrated Sustainable Management of the Peruvian Amazonian landscape Madre de Dios”.

*Terms of reference in English and Spanish and a Maps link.

Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) CEO approved the “Promoting Integrated Sustainable Management of the Peruvian Amazonian landscape Madre de Dios” Child Project on June 26th, 2023. The project objective is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of priority ecosystems in the Madre de Dios Basin to help curb deforestation, prevent biodiversity loss, promote biological connectivity, and carbon neutrality, and improve the quality of life of vulnerable local populations.

The project will be implemented over 5 years through the following components:

• Component 1: GOVERNANCE AND ENABLING CONDITIONS

The project will strengthen multi-sectoral territorial governance platforms and support the implementation of regional and local territorial management instruments (biodiversity, climate change, land use planning, among others) with the participation of stakeholders including local communities and indigenous populations.

The component has the following Outcomes:

1. Strengthened legal and institutional framework for territorial planning and management in the Madre de Dios (MDD) landscape.

2. Strengthened deforestation monitoring, surveillance, and response systems.

• Component 2: SUSTAINABLE VALUE CHAINS

With the objective of generating sustainable economic incentives for local populations and in order to curb deforestation in the landscape, the project will promote eco and bio-businesses of sustainable value chains, articulated and free of deforestation and the transition to carbon neutrality, prioritizing the management and sustainable use of standing forest, through capacity building of producer organizations and indigenous communities, access to markets, access to financing and institutional strengthening.

The component has the following Outcome:

1. Improved productive management practices in priority landscape areas.

• Component 3: MANAGEMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABLE USE AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY

Ecosystem conservation management will be strengthened, including the management of NPAs and their buffer zones, PCAs, and other conservation modalities. The project will contribute to improving conditions for wildlife management and human-wildlife coexistence, and will promote sustainable finance of conservation mechanisms.

The component has the following Outcomes:

1. Increased area of the Amazon biome of global importance under various forms of protection (including OMECs and other conservation mechanisms).

2. Effective management of existing conservation areas (under different forms of conservation) strengthened.

3. Human-wildlife conflict reduced in priority areas of the MDD landscape to promote coexistence.

4. Sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation, and restoration of ecological connectivity in the landscape increased, identifying, and implementing new mechanisms and strengthening existing mechanisms (green PIPs, forestry sector incentive programs -OSINFOR-, local government incentives, MERESE, works for taxes, among others).

• Component 4: COMMUNICATION, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The project will facilitate spaces for knowledge generation and management, including communication and socialization mechanisms, recognizing the contribution of traditional, intergenerational and gender knowledge, and integrating this knowledge in the national environmental information system to generate transformational behavioural change.

The Project will participate in spaces for the exchange of experiences with other projects and especially in the ASL Program’s knowledge generation and exchange platform.

The component has the following Outcomes:

1. Efficient decision making and adaptive project management informed by a robust M&E system.

2. Strengthened national and regional coordination and knowledge management platforms, with improved access for public and private actors.

3. Education and awareness for behavioral change and environmental empathy.

Objective for this Role

Lead and prepare the development of documents for the project “Promoting Integrated Sustainable Management of the Peruvian Amazonian landscape Madre de Dios”, working closely with government partners (Ministry of Environment of Peru (MINAM) and The National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP), the WWF Peru office, WWF GEF Agency, any additional consultants (e.g., gender and stakeholder engagement, safeguards) and other key stakeholders. The Lead Project Development Consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive project design in support of government priorities and in accordance with WWF and GEF standards.

The consultant will ensure timely delivery of the full WWF GEF Project Document package, including: WWF GEF Project Document, GEF CEO Endorsement Request document, GEF core indicators, Letters of Co-financing, and other requested materials as mutually agreed in the project development workplan.

Main Responsibilities

• The consultant will be based in Lima, with multiple field visits to Madre de Dios, Cusco, and Puno. The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:
• Organize and lead the process of elaboration of the project document in coordination with WWF, MINAM, SERNANP and stakeholders.
• Prepare the project document: Promoting the Integral Sustainable Management of the Peruvian Amazon Landscape and accompanying documentation (GEF CEO approval request document, GEF core indicators, co-financing letters and other requested materials) according to the approved work plan. Responsible for the final delivery of the complete project document package;
• Coordinate with the Project Development Team (PDT) and WWF GEF Agency on the overall planning and development of the project design and associated documentation required for GEF CEO approval;
• Coordinate with WWF Peru, and specifically with the WWF Peru MDD office, the Project Development Team (PDT), the technical inputs and participatory processes of the parties and the various stakeholders involved in Madre de Dios, Cusco, and Puno;
• Elaborate the work plan and budget for project preparation, including deliverables in coordination with the PDT, timelines, and specific roles, to be finalized at the start of ProDoc with the partners;
• Correspondingly support in interaction with relevant government departments and other stakeholders, working closely with the PDT, WWF Office and WWF GEF Agency, local NGO partners, CBOs, private sector organizations and others. Document these interactions. He/she may delegate specific tasks as appropriate;
• Ensure appropriate consultations with the local community and other key stakeholders to inform project design and comply with WWF and GEF policies in coordination with the NBS MDD consultation process;
• Ensure compliance with WWF, GEF and government policies and best practices for quality project development, including social and environmental safeguards, financial management, public participation, gender and social inclusion integration, monitoring, and evaluation, and incorporating lessons learned from previous projects.
• Incorporate feedback from GEF Sec/STAP reviews as necessary until CEO approval.
• Participate in review meetings organized by the GEF Agency at midstream and upstream and incorporate feedback into project design and documentation;
• Absolve national and local stakeholder consultations, both in person and through the consultants and local team, to inform project design and comply with WWF and GEF policies. Integrate stakeholder feedback into the project design.
• Review and provide feedback on TOR and consultant work plan, review and ensure quality of consultant deliverables.
• Prepare stakeholder engagement strategy for PPG (project preparation grant), stakeholder analysis, engagement plan and stakeholders.
• Review the gender analysis and Gender Action Plan developed by the consultants and include considerations throughout the project design (including in the results framework and project budget);
• Lead project design based on concept note and project design consultations, including identification of project activities, site identification and selection (or selection criteria), document baseline and incremental cost rationale, develop results framework and required GEF monitoring tools, support budget development with support from Executing Agency and project partners in a timely manner;
• Lead the detailed development of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) Screen. Review Safeguards Mitigation Plans based on the Categorization/ESSF memorandum prepared by the Safeguards consultant and revise the ProDoc (including strategy, budget) as necessary to reflect compliance with WWF environmental and social safeguards policies and procedures;
• As requested, prepare documentation, and participate in remote and face-to-face team meetings, as well as participate in regular checks on progress towards deliverables to WWF GEF Agency;
• Support WWF GEF Agency with financial, administrative, and capacity assessments to inform implementation arrangements and project implementation risk mitigation measures, if required;
• Conduct project design workshops with the PDT, WWF GEF Agency, consultant(s), including an inception meeting and other key workshops to inform project design as needed and defined in the work plan;
• Design of project activities, Stakeholder Engagement Plan and identification and selection of supporting site in coordination with partners and the Project Development Team, based on the Concept Note;
• Prepare response matrix to comments from GEF Secretariat, Council and STAP to CEO approval;
• Draft and review other documentation as necessary to demonstrate full due diligence during project development.
• Ensure that the project design provides for an appropriate budget for adequate project implementation.

Deliverables and Schedule of payment[1]

Duty station

• Based in Lima with frequent trips to the project intervention areas.

Duration

• Tentative 15 months (Until CEO Endorsement).

Logistics, Team, Collaboration and Supervision

A Project Development Team (PDT) will be established to guide the development of the project and will ensure participation and buy-in from key parties for project development, including government partners. The PDT Core Team, as the main decision-making body, includes the Ministry of Environment of Peru, SERNANP, WWF Peru, WWF GEF Agency, the lead consultant, and national consultants. The PDT will guide the project development process based on the approved workplan. The PDT Core Team will review consultant deliverables and provide no-objection to ProDoc drafts for payment.

WWF Peru will contract the consultants, supervise their workplan and manage the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) budget. WWF Peru will also provide logistical support to the PDT and consultants, including the hosting of meeting space as necessary and facilitating consultations with project beneficiaries. WWF Peru will support government relations for project development and will provide technical input to project design. In addition, WWF Peru will support the development of the detailed ESS Screen and will provide GIS support for maps as needed. The consultant will coordinate closely with the key WWF Peru staff.

The consultant will administratively report to the WWF GEF Agency project manager (Isabel Filiberto as Project Manager) in communications and deliverables. The WWF GEF Agency project manager will provide guidance on WWF GEF project development process and requirements, assess the quality of all deliverables, and will approve deliverables for payment. WWF GEF Agency will handle communications with the GEF Secretariat.

WWF GEF will facilitate two review processes (at mid-point on draft 0 of ProDoc, and prior to Validation Workshop and submission to the GEF). The review panel will include WWF network experts, the extended WWF GEF team, and may include external specialists. The consultant will participate in any review meetings, will incorporate key review points (as noted by WWF GEF Project Manager) into the project design and documentation, and will provide a response matrix documenting how key review points were incorporated.

National Consultants will be hired in August 2023. The consultants will coordinate with Lead Project Development Consultant and administratively report to WWF Peru. The roles of the consultants will be defined in the work plan.

[1] This table is preliminary and subject to adjustments in collaboration with the selected Lead Consultant.

Qualifications and Experience

Required experience and expertise of the consultant or consultancy team:

• At least ten years’ experience in developing, implementing/executing and/or evaluating complex international projects.
• Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Environmental Public Policy or other related fields.
• Extensive Knowledge of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the GEF Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Program (ASL).
• Experience and successful track record in the formulation and implementation of major projects, mainly GEF projects.
• Experience working in Peru, especially in with government agencies, the Environmental Public Sector, in Natural Protected Areas, in topics related to the conservation of the Peruvian amazon biome.
• Experience working with and managing multi-disciplinary teams and in delegating tasks remotely.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, analytical, research and presentation skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills in English.
• Experience writing proposals and reports.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with WWF Network.
• Experience with Open Standards/Project and Program Management Standards (PPMS) in the GEF context.
• Ample experience working with government agencies and regional governance bodies, specifically in the region.
• Demonstrated expertise in gender responsive project design.
• Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

All candidates interested in conducting this assessment on a consultant basis should submit, no later than August 14, 2023, a detailed application proposal including:

• A curriculum vitae and cover letter detailing his/her experience in relation to the topic of the consultancy;
• A detailed budget proposal (Financial proposal) which takes into account the financial conditions specified in this ToR and specifies the honorarium (daily rate) as well as any other costs.

All applications should be sent to lucia.chuquillanqui@wwfus.org with reference “ASL GEF08 Peru: GEF Project Development Lead”

**Deadline: August 14, 2023**

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.