Natural Resource Management Consulting Firm

Republic Of Sudan

Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP)

Sustainable Livelihoods for Displaced and Vulnerable Communities in Eastern Sudan Project

Grant#: TF0A3002 - Project ID# P158066

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Assignment Title: Consulting Firm for Natural Resource Management

Reference No. SD-SLDP-14547-CS-QCBS

INTRODUCTION:

The Government of Sudan received funding from the World Bank-managed State and Peacebuilding Fund (SPF) to implement the second phase of the Sustainable Livelihoods for Displaced and Vulnerable Communities in Eastern Sudan (SLDPII), which became effective in December 2016. Alongside providing some technical assistance to the initial six communities targeted during its phase one , SLDPII targets an additional ten selected IDP and host communities in Kassala in order to strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders including state authorities, displaced persons, and vulnerable host communities, to plan and implement improved livelihood and natural resource management practices.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The project seeks to recruit a consulting firm to work closely with PCU/SPU, state authorities, civil society, and target communities to carry out key project activities in as much as it related to natural resource management practices. This NRM consulting firm will establish close working relationships with the NGO implementing partner recruited for the project and consultant for baseline studies to coordinate its activities.

The NRM consulting firm’s core function is to sensitize communities and raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation and linkages between natural resource management and development processes; train communities on how to integrate environmental concerns through a community-driven planning process; and support communities in developing and executing individual and sub-projects centered on natural resource management. Its deliverables are most closely aligned to Component III: Community Small Works Support.

Under this sub-component, communities will be organized and mobilized to plan and implement a portfolio of small-scale work in their communities that are focused on integrated natural resource management practice yielding climate change co-benefits. Proposed and executed small works sub-projects are in line with broader project objectives of enabling transitions from aid dependence to self-reliance and speak to the need for community participation in development processes. To ensure that the project respond to specific needs of target communities, the small works program has a degree of flexibility in the project design. The range of small works proposals that can be implemented may take many forms and include:

• Improved Agricultural Management: Examples include activities to increase resilience of degraded areas for crop production; expand soil conservation practices [minimum tillage, rotating crops]; introduce crop mixes more suited to climate change; improve crop storage; proliferate improved seed varieties and seed banks; safeguard biodiversity; switch to lesser water intensive and nitrogen efficient crops; introduce measures to increase agricultural productivity; establish demonstration farms to showcase and receive training on improved seeds and practices.

• Improved Animal Production: This would consist of measures taken to improve animal waste management [manure and methane biogas]; improve range management to increase carbon sequestration; establish nurseries for improved pastures; demarcate livestock routes; reduce losses, improve productivity, and feed-to-food conversion efficiency through improved animal health, genetics and feed practices.

• Irrigation and Drainage: Small works may introduce or expand water pumping for irrigation using renewable energy sources; replace existing diesel pumps with more energy efficient or electric pumps; plant hedges and cover crops to reduce moisture loss; reduce water use in land preparation; introduce technologies that improve water use efficiency; enhance water harvesting systems [farm ponds, storage tanks, check dams, etc.]; revise water management plans and pricing for increased efficiency.

• Forestry: Task activities seek to promote agroforestry, farm forestry, and community afforestation activities to increase resilience of farm systems; rehabilitate forest lands by grazing, revegetation, improvement of poor and degraded soils; and clearing and opening fire lines .

• Other Civil Works Upgrades: This entails environmentally-friendly upgrades to off-farm and rangeland structures, for example using renewable energy to provide power to schools.

• Income Diversification: This indicates large income-generating activities that provide an alternate source of income and can measurably reduce burden on natural resources.

However, its role extends to other components of SLDPII as much as they are tied to natural resources management. The NRM consulting firm is expected to undertake a range of activities across: sensitization and mobilization of target communities, community governance and capacity-building, Community Environmental Action Planning [CEAP], community small works, community contribution mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation, support to activities of NGO Implementing Partner on design and implementation of livelihoods support trainings and other opportunities focused on natural resource management during the duration of the consultancy, and technical assistance and operational support on other relevant activities as determined by SPU and/or raised by target communities.

• TIME FRAME AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS:

The NRM consulting firm will be hired for a period of 16 months . The firm will report directly to the Program Coordinator for SLDPII based in Khartoum and will work closely with the SPU Manager based in Kassala.

• SLDPII now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services and furnish in its application package indicating Expression of Interest the below documents:

• Official registration papers issued by the concerned government agencies.

• Organizational chart indicating management structure and team membership.

• Supporting documents demonstrating activities implemented in the last 2 years.

• Bank account statement and other documentation indicating ownership.

• Information on the consulting firm’s offices, equipment, transports facilities, etc.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for request for proposal.

• Preliminary shortlisting criteria for this assignment includes:

• Demonstrated general experience in natural resource management, community-driven development, monitoring and evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and research.

• Specific experience in similar assignments integrating natural resource management in sustainable development through capacity-building and project management, community-driven environment planning, mobilization

• Availability of staff with appropriate skills and experience

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of environmental landscape, local context, gender and cultural sensitivities in Kassala

• The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers [Version January 2011; Revised July 2014] (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

• Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. The nature of association, whether it is a joint venture or a sub consultancy, should clearly be stated. In case of joint venture, the firm leading the joint venture should be identified.

• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Qualification Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines dated January 2011; Revised July 2014".

• Further information can be obtained at the address below during office working hours from 09:00 am to 16:00 pm, Sunday-Thursday, Sudan local Time. Three (3) copies of expressions of interest must be delivered in-person, or by mail, fax, or e-mail on or before September 14th 2017 to the address noted below. Interested consulting firms can access the full text of ToR at the project website: www.sldp.sd

• Applications should be addressed to:

Sustainable Livelihoods for Displaced and Vulnerable Communities in Eastern Sudan Project Phase II

Attn.: Mr. ELHUSSEIN ELKHAZIN- PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Amarat Street #63, Nasr Complex

Building #A15, 1st Floor, Flat #001

E-mail: [email protected]

With copy to: [email protected]

Telephone: 00249155186500; 00249915939797