***DEADLINE EXTENDED*** Call for Expression of Interest – National Individual Consultant – Specialization in Climate Technology Solutions – WBS # 2.2.2
Title of Project: Building Capacity for Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Land Management and Strengthening the Capacity of the Ministry of Economic Development for pre- Accreditation to the Green Climate Fund
- 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.
Standardized demographic features of human settlements need to be established to ensure that categorization and services are based on population size and demands. There is also limited recognition of the role of human settlements and urban land management in reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions, considering that urban areas generate approximately 80 percent of global energy and emit 50 to 60 per cent of the world’s GHG emissions.1 This Readiness will address key areas to improve human settlements and infrastructure to make them climate resilient, while building the capacity of regulatory agencies in the public and private sectors. It will also equip municipalities with resources to improve urban planning and monitoring. Barriers to an enabling environment will be addressed by improving the relevant frameworks to support resilient human settlement urban planning and improving coordination and collaboration between regulating and service providing agencies and institutions. Increasing knowledge sharing will improve public buy-in and awareness on the importance of climate impacts, mitigation and adaptation and their relationship to protecting investments in human settlements and infrastructures.
- General Objectives of This Consultancy:
The general objective of this consultancy is for appropriate climate technology solutions to be identified and prioritized in accordance with national strategies and plans for climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Specific Objectives of This Consultancy:
The specific objectives of the consultancy will be as follows:
3.1 To assess current climate technology needs and challenges.
3.2 Identification of climate technology options for both mitigation and adaptation.
3.3 To assess the scalability and suitability of these technologies in Belize to build climate resilient human settlements and infrastructures.
3.4 To provide recommendations on the viability of adopting and implementing these climate technologies solutions into the planning processes at the various key stakeholder’s agencies.
- Scope of Works/Main Activities:
The selected consultant will carry out the following main tasks:
4.1 Conduct gender sensitive stakeholder consultation workshop to identify, evaluate, and prioritize appropriate technology options for climate resilient settlements, urban infrastructure and appropriate technologies:
4.1.1 Sensitization workshop consisting of 25 participants disaggregated by organization, age and sex.
4.1.2 Consider technologies in various sectors (energy, agriculture, water management, transportation, and infrastructure).
4.1.3 Review of relevant case studies, similar projects and best practices done in Central America and the Caribbean region.
4.1.4 Engage with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, industry experts, and NGOs.
4.1.5 Identify, evaluate and prioritize appropriate technology options for climate resilient settlements, and urban infrastructure.
4.2 Conduct a 2-day gender sensitive stakeholder consultation workshop for feedback on identified technologies for climate resilient human settlements and infrastructure.
4.2.1 Sensitization workshop consisting of 30 participants disaggregated by organization, age and sex.
4.2.2 Stakeholders will include BAP, MIDH, Municipalities, and regulatory Agencies, industry experts, and NGOs.
4.2.3 Consider local context, regulatory frameworks, and social acceptance when assessing suitability.
4.2.4 Assess the potential environmental impacts (positive and negative) of implementing the selected technologies, including carbon footprint reduction and other ecological considerations.
4.2.5 Explore opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability.
4.3 Develop a Financial Strategy for Resource Mobilization and Detailed Action Plan based on a Comprehensive Vulnerability and Needs Assessment to identify, evaluate and prioritize appropriate technology options for climate resilient settlements, urban infrastructure, and appropriate technologies with consideration on the challenges and risks of different urban areas across Belize.
4.3.1 Identify potential technology solutions that can address these needs.
4.3.2 Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature and research on the selected technologies, focusing on their technical specifications, performance, and limitations.
4.3.3 Review relevant case studies and best practices from similar projects or regions.
4.3.4 Develop customized climate technology solutions that align with urban settlement infrastructures.
4.3.5 Provide technical expertise to integrate these solutions into existing systems and processes.
4.3.6 Identify and analyze potential risks and barriers to the implementation of the selected technologies.
4.3.7 Develop a financial strategy for resource mobilization and detailed action plan with timelines based on the results of the vulnerability and needs assessment and considering the results of the downstream consultancy on feasibility assessment of climate resilience technologies.
4.4 Conduct a 1-day Regional Stakeholder Engagement workshop on the identified and prioritized climate technology options for resilient settlements, and urban infrastructure from the different urban areas.
4.4.1 Consisting of 30 participants disaggregated by organization, age and sex.
4.4.2 Ensure that the proposed solutions are environmentally sustainable and climate resilient.
4.4.3 Provide guidance and knowledge transfer solutions to becoming self-reliant in managing these solutions.
- Schedule Of Expected Results/Products:
Work must be carried out within three (3) months upon signing the contract. The following products will be provided by the consultant:
5.1.1 Inception report including a detailed work plan (digital copies in Microsoft Word format), delivered within one (1) week after contract signature.
5.1.2 Report of the Gender Sensitive Stakeholder consultation (including evaluation, and presentation) and the 2-day Gender-Sensitive Stakeholder Consultation Workshop and feedback of the assessment report inclusive of presentations and participation disaggregated by organization, age, and sex delivered within six (6) weeks after contract signature.
5.1.3 Vulnerability and Needs Assessment Report identifying options for building climate resilient settlements appropriate technologies and urban infrastructures with a gender focus for the different urban areas delivered within eight (8) weeks after contract signature.
5.1.4 Financial strategy for resource mobilization and detailed action plan with timelines based on the Comprehensive Vulnerability and Needs Assessment delivered within ten (10) weeks after contract signature.
5.1.5 A comprehensive report that includes the findings, conclusions, and recommendations for each selected technology suitable for decision-makers in accordance with national strategies and plans for climate adaption and mitigation. The report should also include a section on the 1-day Climate Technology Options Workshop and feedback of the assessment inclusive of presentations and participation disaggregated by organization, age, and sex, delivered twelve (12) weeks after contract signature.
- Qualification of Consultant:
The consultant should possess the following qualifications:
Academic Qualification: A master’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, climate science, or relevant certificates in climate technology and sustainability, or related field.
General Specification: 5 years’ experience in climate technology, renewable energy, inclusive of internships, and on-the-job training.
Specific Specifications:
- 3 years professional experience in developing and implementing climate technology solutions.
- Working experience with similar projects/consultancies delivering solutions for climate resilient settlements and urban infrastructure.
- Working experience developing needs assessment reports.
- Working experience with projects/consultancies conducting gender sensitization workshops.
Overall skills, knowledge, abilities
The selected consultant will need to have or show:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and training abilities.
- Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in written English.
- Presentation and facilitation skills.
- Flexibility and adaptability.
- Coordination:
The technical focal point and main counterpart for this consultancy is the Belize Association of Professional Planners. The administrative focal point for this consultancy is the Project Manager of the GCF Readiness 10.
- Level of effort, length of contract, other contract details:
Level of effort: The successful consultant will be employed on a contractual basis. The level of effort required to carry out this assignment is estimated at a maximum period of 74 days over a period of three (3) calendar months.
Stakeholders: Belize Association of Planner, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Municipalities, Populace of Belize, Regulatory Agencies.
Format of Reports: All report must be in hard and digital copies and in Microsoft office format.
Duration of contract: All consultant services should be completed within 74 days within three (3) months of the signature of the contract.
Type of contract: Lump sum.
Budget: US$29,600/BZ$59,200
- Payment Schedule for Deliverables:
1 – Inception report including a detailed work plan – 15%
2 – Report of a 2-day Gender-Sensitive Stakeholder Consultation Workshop and feedback of the assessment report – 20%
3 – Vulnerability and Needs Assessment Report identifying options for building climate resilient settlements appropriate technologies and urban infrastructures. – 20%
4 – Financial strategy for resource mobilization and detailed action plan – 20%
5 – A comprehensive report that includes the findings, conclusions, and recommendations for each selected technology suitable for decision-makers in accordance with national strategies and plans for climate adaption and mitigation. The report should also include a section on the 1-day Climate Technology Options Workshop and feedback of the assessment inclusive of presentations and participation disaggregated by organization, age, and sex, delivered twelve (12) weeks after contract signature. – 25%
- Application Procedures:
Expression of Interest package should contain:
- Cover letter briefly explaining interest, relevant work experience, and expertise of the consultant.
- Comprehensive resume of the Consultant.
- Copy of degrees and certificates.
Application should be submitted before or on August 22, 2025, to the following email address:
Mr. Radin Santos
Procurement Officer
Protected Areas Conservation Trust
Soft Copies should be sent via email to: procurementofficer@pactbelize.org
Packages are to be labelled as:
RFP: Specialization in Climate Technology Solutions – WBS # 2.2.2
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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 Consulting Teams in submission of their application.