1. Background and Justification:

As a low-lying developing state, Belize is highly vulnerable to the climate change impacts such as sea level rise, erosion, storm surges and flooding. A 2014 assessment categorized Belize’s vulnerability index to climate change as extremely high: ranking 9th on the list of 38 other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF, 2014). The assessment highlighted the country’s high risk to climate change based on its adaptive capacity linked to the vulnerability of the agriculture sector. Belize is seasonally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, which on average, according to scientific reports, are becoming more intense each year because of human-induced global warming and higher sea surface temperatures. Belize is also highly exposed to other natural hazards such as flooding and drought, more pronounced in inland areas.  These can lead to infrastructure and economic losses, especially in agricultural and inhabited areas during the hurricane season. There has also been evidence that the average annual temperature of Belize has been rising and is projected to rise further. To effectively address these issues, the threat of climate change requires multilateral action from policy makers, technical experts, the private and public sector as well as local communities, in order to seek solutions and make changes to effectively adapt to climate change impacts. To reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to future climate risks and hazards Belize must devise mechanisms to adapt to the imminent changes affecting economic sectors, livelihoods, and natural ecosystems.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has received grant funding from the Adaptation Fund (AF) for the project “Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation,” under the Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) funding window. The goal of this project is to improve Belize’s long-term capacity to protect communities from climate threats posed by drought, unpredictable water availability, floods and improper wildfire management. The Project is being executed by PACT and will function as an on-granting mechanism for climate finance in country, targeting five interlinked project components:

• • • Component One: Safeguarding Forest and Water Resources through Strategic Protection and Restoration Solutions.
    • Component Two: Combating Wildfires through Adaptive Management.
    • Component Three: Creating Opportunities to Support Alternative Livelihoods.
    • Component Four: Building National Capacity to Access Adaptation Finance.
    • Component Five: Community Disaster Risk Management.

2. Justification

The Sarteneja Village Council, under the Adaptation Fund Project AF-EDA-003 intends to refurbish a two-story community building located in Sarteneja Village, Corozal District. The building will accommodate administrative offices, conference spaces, and storage facilities. To ensure the refurbishment is executed according to professional standards and regulatory requirements, the Council seeks to engage the services of a qualified Architect or Civil Engineer to develop the necessary technical documentation and obtain approvals from relevant authorities prior to tendering construction works.

3. Objectives

To engage a qualified professional to:

• • • Develop comprehensive architectural and engineering drawings (including structural, plumbing, and electrical components) for the refurbishment of the Sarteneja community building.
    • Submit and obtain all required approvals and permits from relevant authorities, including the Central Building Authority (CBA) and Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
    • Prepare a detailed Bill of Quantities (BoQ) to support a competitive bidding process for contractor selection.

4. Scope of Services

The selected Architect/Engineer will be required to undertake the following tasks:

5. Deliverables

The Architect/Engineer shall deliver the following outputs:

1. 1. Inception Report – detailing approach, timeline, and preliminary findings.
   2. Draft Architectural and Engineering Drawings – for review and feedback.
   3. Final Construction Drawings – inclusive of architectural, electrical, plumbing, and structural details.
   4. Bill of Quantities (BoQ) – fully itemized, cost-estimated, and formatted for tender use.
   5. Permit Approvals – including copies of permits/letters from CBA and PUC.

6. Duration and Schedule

The consultancy is expected to be completed within Ten (10) weeks from the date of contract signing, distributed approximately as follows:

7. Qualification and Experience

The Architect or Engineer must possess the following qualifications:

• • • Registered and licensed to practice in Belize.
    • Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in architectural, civil, or structural design.
    • Proven experience in building refurbishment or renovation projects of similar nature.
    • Familiarity with Belize’s Central Building Authority (CBA) and Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requirements.
    • Ability to prepare professional construction drawings and BoQs.
    • Strong communication and coordination skills with local authorities and clients.

8. Reporting and Supervision

The Architect/Engineer will report directly to the Sarteneja Village Council Chairperson or a designated project representative. Regular updates and coordination meetings shall be held to review progress and address issues as they arise.