SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS CONSULTANCY

GENERAL INFORMATION

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. Together with global products and services, these in-country programs focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities which build a strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers and building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Among GGGI’s Colombia portfolio, GGGI is leading the America’s Flyways Initiative (AFI) together with the Latin American and the Caribbean Development Bank (CAF). AFIis an initiative pursued by the National Audubon Society, Birdlife International (BirdLife) and the Latin American and the Caribbean Development Bank (CAF). It is a unique, impactful approach to biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation by integrating and scaling-up nature-based solutions and bird-friendly large scale infrastructure projects through major economic development projects across a network of critical habitat for declining populations of shared migratory birds across the Americas. Within the frame of this initiative, GGGI is designing a Green-Blue Financing Mechanism. For doing so, GGGI has established two main products. The Green-Blue Financing Mechanism is composed of three main components or activities: (1) an Enabling Condition Facility; (2) a Project Preparation Facility; and (3) A Green-Blue Credit Facility. A central part of this work is the integration of Environmental and Social Safeguards throughout all the stages of the development and adoption of the mechanism.

GGGI Colombia is seeking for an individual consultant to support AFI in the revision of CAF’s Social and Environmental Safeguards and the integration of a biodiversity conservation approach into CAF’s Project’s Investment Cycle.

Deliverables and Payment schedule

For the purposes of this contract, the consultant shall carry out at least the following activities:

1. Review of the current system of CAF’s social and environmental safeguards and analyzing how they are implemented throughout the project phases, how they contribute to the objectives of enhancing communities’ adaptation to climate change and to reduce negative effects on biodiversity in the development of projects.
2. Review of at least 3 regional and international examples of best practices that integrate social and environmental safeguards aimed at biodiversity, with particular attention to reviewing the implementation, organization and preparation, execution arrangements and monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
3. Design and run interviews with relevant stakeholders, focusing on project evaluation cycles, environmental and social safeguards and biodiversity conservation. The relevant actors and main performance indicators will be defined together with the partners of the initiative – CAF, Audubon and BirdLife – as well as the method of convening and logistics.
4. Develop recommendations for the incorporation of conservation of migratory bird species into CAF’s projects investment cycle, based on the review of updated literature for the Americas on the greatest threats to migratory birds in the continent, the impacts of migratory species on the health of ecosystems in the region, as well as best practices to mitigate these threats in the planning and construction of infrastructure; renewable energy projects; ecological restauration; coastal zone management; water management in peri-urban and rural areas and flood risk management; management of solid and chemical waste potentially hazardous to birds; management of health risks in poultry production; management of fisheries, aquaculture, rice paddies and permanent crops; tourism management in coastal areas; ecotourism and agrotourism; sustainable construction of bird-friendly buildings, among other activities with greater relevance and impact on migratory birds.
5. Develop recommendations for integrating climate change adaptation in communities, ecosystems and species in CAF’s Projects’ Investment Cycle, based on the information collected in the activities above mentioned. The recommendations will be focused, but not limited, on social and environmental safeguards with a focus on biodiversity and the integration of migratory species un decision-making processes.
6. Carry out a validation exercise with the partners of the initiative – CAF, Audubon and BirdLife – including the relevant departments of each institution, as well as other actors to be defined during the development of the project.
7. Attend meetings with partners and internal technical meetings, as required.

The consultant will develop, with the technical accompaniment of GGGI, the following deliverables considering all the information described in these terms of reference:

Deliverable 1. Workplan

One (1) detailed work plan (in English and Spanish) that includes at least the following aspects: management approach, activities, proposed methodologies to achieve the deliverables, development times, delivery times, and responsibilities.

Deliverable 2. Review of CAF’s social and environmental safeguards.

One (1) document containing an analysis about how CAF’s environmental and social safeguards are implemented throughout the project phases, how they contribute to the objectives of enhancing communities’ adaptation to climate change and to reduce negative effects on biodiversity in the development of projects.

Deliverable 3. Review regional and international examples of best practices.

One (1) document containing at least 3 regional and international examples of best practices that integrate social and environmental safeguards aimed at biodiversity, with particular attention to reviewing the implementation, organization and preparation, execution arrangements and monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

Deliverable 4. Interviews design, workplan and systematization

One (1) document containing the questions, the selected relevant stakeholders, the schedule and the systematization of the interviews focused on project evaluation cycles, environmental and social safeguards and biodiversity conservation.

Deliverable 5. Validation exercise with the partners of the initiative – CAF, Audubon and BirdLife

One (1) document containing the methodological proposal of the validation exercise with the partners of the initiative – CAF, Audubon and BirdLife – including the relevant departments of each institution, as well as other actors to be defined during the development of the project.

Deliverable 6. Recommendations for the incorporation of biodiversity conservation with emphasis in the protection of migratory bird species into CAF’s projects investment cycle, and recommendations for integrating climate change adaptation in communities, ecosystems and species in CAF’s Projects’ Investment Cycle

One (1) document containing recommendations for:

– The incorporation of biodiversity conservation with emphasis in the protection of migratory bird species into CAF’s Projects’ Investment Cycle,

– The integration of climate change adaptation in communities, ecosystems and species in CAF’s Projects’ Investment Cycle

The recommendations shall be based on updated literature for the Americas on the greatest threats to migratory birds in the continent, the impacts of migratory species on the health of ecosystems in the region, as well as best practices to mitigate these threats in the planning and construction of infrastructure; renewable energy projects; ecological restauration; coastal zone management; water management in peri-urban and rural areas and flood risk management; management of solid and chemical waste potentially hazardous to birds; management of health risks in poultry production; management of fisheries, aquaculture, rice paddies and permanent crops; tourism management in coastal areas; ecotourism and agrotourism; sustainable construction of bird-friendly buildings, among other activities with greater relevance and impact on migratory birds. This document must include the comments gathered in the validation exercise with the partners of the initiative.

Deliverable 7. Consultancy summary

One (1) word document no longer than 10 pages (in English and Spanish) and a PowerPoint Slide deck no longer than 10 slides (in English and Spanish) summarizing the main outcomes of this consultancy will be developed by the consultant, and with the most important milestones, achievements and corresponding recommendations.

Deliverables, timing and payments

* No additional travel expenses will be recognized for the execution of the consultancy.

Reporting Arrangements

Supervision shall be provided by GGGI Colombia’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Associate, to ensure the timely and quality delivery of products outlined in the contractual objective. The deliverables will be revised, and it is expected that each deliverable will have two to three iterations to ensure quality. Follow up meetings will be held periodically.

The consultant work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning, and weekly short face-to-face or remote meetings for prioritizing of activities, all of them previous consensus with the GESI Associate and when necessary, with the SPAR6C Program coordinator.

• The Consultant shall submit the Final Report which should reflect the outcome of all activities prepared by the consultant. The report should also give recommendations for further activities to be carried out.
• All relevant technical papers, reports, and other documents prepared from the start to the end of the assignment shall be attached to the Final Report.
• The Consultant shall submit the report in electronic versions readable by a Microsoft Office application.
• Workplan and summary report must be in Spanish and English.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED