Terms of Reference: Consultant – Freshwater Program Development/Proposal Writer

  • Full Time
  • Zambia
  • - / Month
  • Applications have closed

WWF

TERMS OF REFERENCE

TERMS OF REFERENCE:  CONSULTANT – FRESHWATER PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT / PROPOSAL WRITER

1. Background

WWF is an International Non-Governmental Organization that deals with conservation of nature. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. In collaboration with WWF Netherlands and with DGIS Funding, Funding WWF-Zambia Country Office (WWF-ZCO) is currently implementing last year of the current phase of The Zambezi River Basin Freshwater Strategic Framework that lays out WWF Zambia and WWF Mozambique’s priorities for freshwater conservation in the Zambezi Basin, for the period of 2016 to 2020. This strategic framework is grounded in the country offices conservation plans, and provides a basin wide integration of WWF’s freshwater work. The framework is a partnership programme, informed by past experiences, in-depth discussions with numerous conservation and development NGOs and CSOS, public and private sector partners and research institutes. WWF has been involved in freshwater and wetland conservation at various levels and scales in the Zambezi basin for almost 30 years. Priorities for action evolved along the years to meet changing water challenges, adapt to changing policies and legislations, as well as carve strategic partnerships with relevant actors such as ZAMCOM; and taking a broader programmatic, coordinated landscape approach to the basin to seize opportunities that are arising.

While the Zambezi River Basin Freshwater Strategic Framework document and funding requirements are broader than the Shared Resources, Joint Solutions Programme (SRJS)[1], much of its ethos, approach to change and links to human wellbeing targets is founded on that programme. The vision of this programme is that by 2020 the Zambezi Basin River inhabitants recognize that the river’s system health is the cornerstone of sustainable socio-economic development and that, when well-managed, the river supports thriving freshwater ecosystems and more resilient livelihoods. The vision of this programme also puts significant emphasis on the concept of resilient livelihoods. At the end of the day, people will be the greatest beneficiaries of conservation action that protects freshwater ecosystem functions that in turn form the foundation of international public goods (IPGs), such as water provision and food security.

Protecting these IPGs, through strong partnerships for lobbying and advocacy on freshwater conservation matters is the cornerstone of SRJS programme in the Zambezi, but also how WWF and other partners like IUCN operate in this region. The conservation targets identified in this strategic framework are critical freshwater habitats and water dependent endemic and endangered species of the basin. Some of the more serious threats they face arise from existing and planned water infrastructure for hydropower production as well as large-scale agriculture. Other water dependent industries such as mining also pose a threat and degrade the connectivity of the Zambezi River Basin system and its environmental flows. A rhythm of frenzied development, and a hungry global commodities market, coupled with the opposite reality of sheer poverty of local populations, creates an environment where change happens at speed and scale that no government system or natural process has time to adapt and / or control. Thus, the need for action that addresses long term underlying policy frameworks and financial flows but also partners with CSOs and the private sector to achieve change now. Action will therefore take place at three different scales: Priority landscapes (Upper Zambezi, Kafue Flats, Lower Zambezi and Luangwa Catchment), national scale and transboundary scale (Kwando and Zambezi). The programme is structured around 17 strategies that act at these 3 scales and engage with civil society organizations, public and private sector to achieve change. At the transboundary scale, the programme is focusing on catalyzing international dialogue on matters critical for transboundary e-flows implementation. We will also seek partnerships with other large international CSOs and NGOs to influence decision-making processes of financial flows of large investors in the basin. Our experience shows that the private sector has great interest in working together with other private sector partners, NGOs and governments.

WWF-Zambia Country Office (WWF-ZCO) is seeking to hire a competent and highly motivated Freshwater Program development / Proposal writer (Consultant), for a new phase of a program to be implemented in the Zambezi river basin in Zambia.

2. Purpose

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to provide strategic technical assistance to the WWF Zambia Country Office Freshwater Program in developing the next phase of a new freshwater project focusing on the Zambezi river basin.

3. Scope of work

  • Support the freshwater team in assessing the program performance over the last five years and critically look at ways to build of the successes and lessons learnt to deliver program results through partnerships with the private sector, public sector and civil society organizations;
  • Lead the WWF Zambia Freshwater Team and stakeholders to develop an innovative funding proposal for the next five years of the program, with agreed timelines. In particular, the new program should take into account much of the program experience, positive and negative, of the last 5 years in setting up partnerships, and managing them to deliver impact at scale.
  • Provide expert input to WWF’s Zambia and ensure that the new programme is aligned to the WWF Zambia Country Strategy 2021-2025 as well as provide strategic alignment of the new program with the Dutch Fund for Climate Development (DFCD) program and synergies with the Kwando Transboundary program.
  • Lead stakeholders in the preparation of bankable projects with agreed timelines.
  • Make presentations of drafts and final proposal to WWF Zambia and key stakeholders for review and comments.

4. Methodology and Work Plan

The consultant will develop an acceptable and detailed methodology and work plan that will form part of the inception report. Meetings will be held between the consultant and the contracting party (WWF –ZCO) in the first week upon commencement of the assignment.

5. Expected Outputs/deliverables: The expected outputs of the consultancy are:

5.1 Inception Report detailing the methodology to be used, accepted and approved by WWF ZCO and key stakeholders

5.2 Draft proposal clearly articulating the context of the project & needs analysis, theory of change (toc), objectives, relevance, methodology & impact including, cost effectiveness, & added value, activities & work packages, participants & project management, dissemination, communication & visibility actions, risks and risk mitigation matrix, and sustainability and indicative total budget

5.3 A short synthesis showing strategic alignment of the new program with the Dutch Fund for Climate Development (DFCD) program and synergies with the Kwando Transboundary program.

5.4 Final Proposal that includes project summary, project & needs analysis, theory of change (ToC), objectives, relevance, methodology & impact including, cost effectiveness, & added value, activities & work package, participants & project management, dissemination, communication & visibility actions, risks and risk mitigation matrix, and sustainability and detailed budget and first year workplan.

(The actual details of the proposal format will be discussed and agreed with WWF Zambia)

6. Reporting: The consultant will report to the Freshwater Programme Manager

7. Duration and timelines

Contract duration: 45 days – spread over 3 months (01 September — 30 November, 2020)

8. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Minimum qualifications and experience:

8.1 Education:

  • A post graduate qualification in Environment, Natural Resources management, Integrated Water Resources management, Business, Project Management, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree holders with extensive project development/fundraising experience for large national or Landscape and transboundary level complex programs will be considered.

8.2 Experience:

  • At least 10 years of general work experience in program development/fundraising in an international NGO environment in environment and development sectors with at least 7 years of experience that is directly related to this assignment.
  • Experience with development of large, complex program funding concepts/Proposals for international donor agencies.
  • Demonstrated skills in developing Theories of change, project / programme budgets and monitoring and evaluation frameworks for projects.
  • Experience in multi-tasking, meeting deadlines, and initiating follow through with meticulous attention to detail and high-level accuracy both individually and in a team setting.
  • A team player with solid analytical capabilities and excellent writing and presentation skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team, and with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Critical thinking and good organizing and coordinating skills.
  • Proven ability to work and multi-task under pressure, respond quickly to changing situations in complex project environments, prepare responses/narrative quickly and clearly and use personal initiative
  • Proven experience in cooperation with international organization
  • Experience in strategic consulting, grant applications drafting, budgeting, reporting
  • Knowledge and proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools,
  • Good knowledge of freshwater issues in Zambia and the Zambezi River Basin
  • Previous work experience in monitoring and evaluation, and in particular in the assessment of progress in program implementation and evaluations will be an added advantage
  • Fluency in English is required.

9. Expression of interest, Technical & Financial Proposal

Interested individuals should submit an expression of interest, detailed Curriculum Vitae and a technical proposal (Main proposal not exceeding 5 pages) of their interpretation of the assignment, along with a financial proposal for their services. The financial proposal should include a breakdownof any lump sum amount.  Submit to [email protected]. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Deadline for applications: September 23rd , 2020

[1] The long-term goal of the Shared Resources Joint Solutions (SRJS) program is to secure the eco-system based IPGs water provisioning, food security and climate resilience for future generations. This goal is pursued through a Theory of change (ToC) that includes several outcomes related to capacity building, partnership development, behavioural change, and changes in policies and practices that are underpinning the desired changes in ecosystem health and benefits to people and nature.


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