Strengthening ASEAN Mechanisms for Reducing Emission for Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD-plus)
The ASEAN Secretariat and Australia, through the AADCP II, invites applications for a medium-term (8 person months) consultancy for the above-referenced study.
Mitigation efforts under a new international agreement on climate change are expected to include the REDD-plus mechanism (“Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries”). REDD-plus intends to utilise economic incentives to developing countries to prevent forest land conversion, deforestation and forest degradation. These will enhance the carbon absorption capacity needed to combat global warming. As developing countries stand to benefit from a climate change deal that accounts for emissions from forests and other land uses, it will be important to have the right framework in place.
The importance of REDD-plus was highlighted in the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Joint Response to Climate Change during the 16th ASEAN Summit in April 2010, in which the leaders declared their desire to “...reaffirm that agreement on and effective implementation of Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)-plus mechanisms is critical for contributions by ASEAN Members States to mitigate emissions, and offers major opportunities for enhancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, as well as supporting the livelihood of local communities in a sustainable manner”. Similarly, the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) endorsed the ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Framework on Climate Change: Agriculture and Forestry towards Food Security (AFCC) in November 2009. The AFCC is designed to address cross-sectoral issues between the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprints in dealing with climate change and its impacts to ensure food security and to contribute to the stabilization of food markets in the region. One of the priority issues in the AFCC is climate change mitigation in the forestry sector, including the use of REDD-plus, which will ultimately contribute to a green economy and sustainable development in ASEAN Member States
The project will be implemented over a continuous period of 10 calendar months. Professional services through this consultancy are required for 8 person-months. Such services include research, analysis and presentation, report writing/preparation, consultation with stakeholders, and technical support to meetings and workshops. The consultant is expected to provide a budget estimate for: •Consultant fees •Study related expenses
Qualifications In its proposal the bidder should demonstrate that it meets the following qualifications: •Postgraduate degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Geospatial Analysis, climate change related fields or other relevant international development field; •Good knowledge and extensive experience on climate change and forestry related issues with a minimum six (6) years high-level experience especially with regard to deforestation and forest degradation data collection/monitoring, forest carbon assessment, land use and land use change monitoring, UNFCC and other MRV standards and guidelines; •Proven experience in integrating MRV and REL methodologies into policy planning and capacity building; •Proven track record in research, survey, activity design and delivering technical assistance, including effective capacity-building, related to forestry and climate change; •Understanding of international and regional issues, and knowledge of climate change negotiation in particular on REDD-plus; •Familiarity with REDD-plus financing concerns and schemes; •High-level interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including experience in cross-cultural environment and international settings; •Proven experience in dealing with senior government officials, parliamentarians and other identified stakeholders; •Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines; •Proven skills in data analysis, assessment and in related policy advise; and, •Proven skills in report writing and conversing in English.
Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal in response to this announcement. The proposal should be in two parts: technical and financial. The technical component should present the following information: •A brief discussion indicating the bidder’s understanding of the needs of the project; •A brief analysis of key issues; •A methodological discussion of how the bidder proposes to address those needs including assessment of key issues, analytical strategies and approaches that will underlie the project and specific techniques to be utilized; •A detailed work plan that specifies activities to be undertaken, expected outputs, resources to be utilized and timing; •Management plan; •A discussion on how measures to ensure the future sustainability of the outcomes of the project will be addressed; •CV of the expert; •Brief discussion of firm’s past experience in undertaking similar work and brief summaries of all projects undertaken. The financial component should specify all direct and indirect costs, in US dollars, including billing rates for experts, workshops, etc. The selected bidder will be offered a lump-sum, output-based contract for the provision of the required services with scheduled milestone payments. The award of the contract will be subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable agreement.
Applicants should send via e-mail and mail/courier four (4) printed copies their application with a cover letter, materials specified in Section IX above and other supporting documents to the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program II, 2nd Floor, ASEAN Secretariat, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, Jakarta 12110 (email: tender@aadcp2.org), indicating “Strengthening ASEAN Mechanisms for Reducing Emission for Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD-plus)” as subject. Only applications (either e-mailed or printed versions) received by 5PM, Jakarta time, no later than 30 July 2011 will be considered. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Moreinfo: http://www.aseansec.org/19570.htm
