Call for Proposals to Develop a National Strategy on Climate Change Learning

Climate change, caused by human interference in the climate system, has become a global concern. Climate change is affecting the world’s poorest countries (mainly in sub-Saharan Africa) where most people are at immediate risk. Failure to respond to climate change will stall and reverse efforts to reduce poverty. According to the United Nations Country Assessment Report for Malawi (2010), climate change poses a threat to Malawi’s development agenda that, in the short-to-medium-term will significantly affect the natural ecosystems with major implications for several weather-sensitive sectors (environment, agriculture, forestry, water resources and fisheries) and human systems (human health and human settlements). In the long term climate change will undermine attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and exacerbate poverty.  Conscious of this reality and commitment to global efforts, the Government of Malawi signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in June 1992 and April 1994 respectively. Malawi also ratified the Kyoto Protocol in October 2001, formulated the initial and second communication to UNFCCC in 2002 and 2010 respectively; and developed NAPA in 2006. In 2009, the Government recognized Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources Management as one of the Key priority areas (KPA) in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS), an area which has also been highlighted as KPA under the draft MGDS II. Implementation of these initiatives and management of climate change requires high levels of awareness, knowledge and skills on climate change across all sectors as envisaged under articles 6 and 10 of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto protocol respectively. It is against this background that Malawi submitted an application to CC: Learn under United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to participate in pilot project to strengthen human resources and skills development for advancement of green, low emission and climate resilient development. One of the main activities under the CC: Learn pilot project is the development of a national strategy to strengthen human resources in order to address climate change. The pilot project is financially supported by the Swiss Government through the CC: Learn secretariat under UNITAR. In the country, the pilot project will be supported by UNDP – Malawi and will be coordinated by the Department of Development Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning through the National Climate Change Programme frameworks. The project will build on previous studies of Capacity and Training Needs Assessment of Existing Climate Change Management Structures.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a national strategy to climate change learning through multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholders collaboration:

• Establish human resources and skills gaps on climate change response by among other things reviewing the Capacity Needs Assessment; Training Needs Assessment and National Capacity Self Assessment Report;
• Analyse human capacity development related policies and initiatives on climate change learning in Malawi;
• Identify strategic policy and priority actions to strengthen multisectoral learning and skills development on climate change;
• Analyse institutional human resources capacities and needs to deliver climate change learning in key sectors;
• Identify and highlight key professional, skills learning needs and actions in key sectors;
• Explore opportunities of integrating climate change learning within existing projects and strategies;
• Identify specific short, medium and long term actions to enhance CC learning in key sectors;
• Propose action plan for short, medium and long term climate change learning in key sectors;
• Identify challenges and opportunities to strengthen national systems of education and training in climate change learning;
• Propose financing plan for the strategy;
• Propose an M&E Framework for the strategy.

There are four main outputs expected as follows:

• An inception report which will include among others an assessment of the ToRs; a methodology to develop the national strategy; data collection tools; a work plan and a list of stakeholders to be consulted. Draft Inception report to be submitted to Development Planning within five working days from the date of signing the Contract. The inception report shall be presented to the National Technical Committee on Climate Change;
• A zero draft strategy submitted to Development Planning and to be presented for initial comments to the National Technical Committee on Climate Change and stakeholders;
• A revised draft strategy after incorporating comments from the Technical Committee and stakeholders submitted to Development Planning;
• A final draft strategy submitted to Development Planning for validation at a National workshop; and
• A final strategy after incorporating comments at the national validation workshop.

In carrying out the work, the Consultancy Firm will work under the supervision of the Director of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. The Consultancy Firm will report to the National Technical Committee on Climate Change. The duration of the consultancy is 40 person-days spread over a period of two calendar months. The Consultancy Firm is responsible for the ultimate delivery of the Output (validated strategy).

• The Lead Consultant should have a minimum of seven years of relevant professional, research and/or consultancy experience, with practical knowledge in climate change-related issues, human resources development, education and training;
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the current issues in Climate Change, capacity development and how these relate to sustainable development;
• Experience in formulation and/or review of training curricula;
• Skills in facilitation and coordination, including high level government consultation, with strong communication and inter-personal skills;
• Proven team leader, able to lead a task team of national experts;
• Sound judgment and strong client and results oriented;
• Demonstrated and strong analytical, research, presentation, and report writing skills;
• Experience in working with government and national stakeholders, with demonstrated ability to work under different settings and environments.

• The Lead Consultant should have an advanced university degree (Masters or higher level) in a discipline relevant to Climate Change; Environment and Natural Resources Management.
• Other relevant disciplines include: Policy Analysis, Public Management, Education and Human Resource Development.

The technical proposal should fully describe how the Terms of Reference would be achieved, explain the approach and methodologies to be used, present a work-plan that outlines activities, duration and responsible experts. The financial proposal should specify fees and operational costs associated with the work-plan in US $ and Malawi Kwacha.  

CVs of Lead Consultant and main assistant to carry out the assignment, relevant profile of previous consultancies carried out, contact telephone and fax numbers, e-mail, postal and physical addresses for applicants and three traceable referees should accompany the proposals. The application should be submitted by mail in sealed envelopes separating technical and financial proposals. Please submit your applications to:

Procurement Section

UNDP Malawi

P.O. Box 30135

Lilongwe 3

Malawi