Call for EOI – National Consultancy Services for a firm for the Development and Institutionalization of an Environmental and Social Management System
Background:
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a unique global platform established to respond to climate change by investing in low-emission and climate-resilient development. GCF was established to limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries, and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Given the urgency and seriousness of this challenge, the Fund is mandated to make an ambitious contribution to the united global response to climate change.
Belize, like many other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The country’s low-lying coastline and sectoral vulnerabilities to climate risk coupled with limited access to national financial, technological, and technical resources to build the country’s resilience, led to a ranking of #9 on the Climate Change Vulnerability Index for the Latin American and Caribbean Region.
Taking a proactive approach to building climate resilience, the Government of Belize has prioritized the capacity building of national institutions which can access climate finance and implement bankable projects and programmes. International funding agencies such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) offer support to developing countries who are working to achieve climate adaptation and mitigation in accordance with their Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. GCF’s Readiness and
Preparatory Support Programme supports country-driven initiatives by developing countries to strengthen their institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks towards a transformational long-term climate action agenda.
The development of Belize is depending on mitigating changes that are beyond our control and adapting to those that are projected to affect our population in the short and long-term. To achieve the latter, Belize must address barriers that may limit implementation of interventions and their impacts. Some of these barriers include the non-existence of climate smart development plans for human settlements and infrastructure. With almost half of the population in urban areas (45%), and rural to urban migration increasing over the last decade, lack of urban planning has become evident, with its associated challenges.
General Objectives of this Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide a pre-accredited Environmental Social Management System (ESMS) in line with GCF standards. The instutionalized ESMS will be managed by the Ministry of Economic Development.
The Environmental Social Management System will strengthening MED internal structures to develop and implement bilateral and multilateral funded projects by complimenting the National agenda, as well as regional and international frameworks.
Specific Objectives of this Consultancy
- To have a well-designed and developed ESMS in place with clear strategies and missions for MED
and other relevant stakeholders. - To have a set of performance indicators to monitor the ESMS activities and targets for them in
the short and medium term. - To have the ESMS accredited.
- To provide MED with ESMS manuals, handbooks
Qualifications and Experience
Option #1
Firm’s Experience:
- At least ten (10) years of experience working in the development of ESMS within the government
sector. - Developed at least two (2) ESMS in the last 5 years that met GCF’s accreditation requirements.
Team’s General and Specific experiences:- Experience in conducting Environmental and Social Risk Assessments and developing associated
Environmental and Social Monitoring Plans. - Experience in environmental risk management work
- Experience in environmental Impact assessment and Environmental Management plans,
environmental and social impact assessment - Familiarity with BAF requirements, IUCN and other relevant social and environmental safeguard
guidelines and policies of other multilateral development institutions. - Familiarity with power and vulnerability analyses and project beneficiary targeting.
- Experience working with internationally funded projects performing similar type of work will be an asset.
- Experience in conducting Environmental and Social Risk Assessments and developing associated
Overall skills, knowledge, abilities the selected consultant will need to have or show:
- Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in written English.
- Ability to facilitate meetings/focus groups.
- Ability to conduct trainings.
- Presentation and facilitation skills.
- Flexibility and adaptability.
Option # 2
Team Composition:
The consulting firm must also have suitable, sufficient, and efficient resources, in such a way that the
objective of the project is achieved without delays or deficiencies. This must have the required personnel detailed below as a “Work Team”, within which it is expected to have the following professionals:
- Team Leader/Environmental Specialist – Have a master’s degree in project management,
environment, social sciences, sustainable development, or related disciplines to the assignment.
General professional experience with a minimum of 10 years in sustainability, environmental &
social risk management, and quality assurance systems. - Social Specialist – Have a master’s degree in social science (sociology, political economy with a
minimum of 5 years in social risk management and/or social development. - Stakeholder Engagement Specialist – master’s degree in communication, journalism, or other
social science with a minimum of 5 years professional working experience in public
communication. Additional experience includes identifying different types of stakeholders and in public information disseminations and outreach activities.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE
Interested parties are asked to submit:
- Signed cover letter briefly explaining interest, relevant work experience, and expertise of the consultant.
- Comprehensive resume of each team expert.
- Copy of degrees
- For firms: submission of copy of Certificate of Good Standing from the Belize Tax Service, Social Security Board and Belize Companies Registry.
Packages should be submitted no later than December 8, 2023, at 5:00pm (Central Standard Time) and
addressed to:
Mr. Radin Santos
Procurement Officer
Protected Areas Conservation Trust
Re: Expression of Interest – Development and Institutionalization of an Environmental and Social
Management System (ESMS) – WBS # 1.2.3
Soft Copies should be sent via email to:
Procurementofficer@pactbelize.org and ProjectManager2@pactbelize.org
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PACT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against protected characteristics (gender, age, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability).
PACT is not liable for any costs incurred by applicants in submission of their application.