Call for Proposals to Develop Climate-Related Hazard and Vulnerability Maps and Scenario-Based Tools for Long-Term Adaptation Planning Mechanisms

The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation, with support from the Japanese Government and the United Nations Development Programme, is implementing a two-year project: Building Capacity for Integrated and Comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Malawi (AAP Malawi). The objective of the project is to enhance Malawi’s existing climate initiatives by strengthening capacity for long term investment in, and management of climate-resilient sustainable development. This will be achieved through the realisation of the following five outputs:

• Dynamic, long-term planning mechanisms to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change introduced;
• Leadership capacities and institutional frameworks to manage climate change risks and opportunities in an integrated manner at the national and local levels strengthened;
• Climate-resilient policies and measures implemented in priority sectors;
• Financing options to meet national adaptation costs at national and local levels expanded; and
• Knowledge on adjusting national development processes to fully incorporate climate change risks and opportunities generated and shared across all levels.

Under Output 1, UNDP conducted a systematic and comprehensive study to assess the existing capabilities and related geo-spatial datasets, including a gap analysis, in order to develop a long-term adaptation plan and materialise a set of usable tools and methodologies. This analysis on hazard mapping capacity will enable the development of climate-related hazard and vulnerability maps and scenarios to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop long-term adaptation planning tools based on the production of climate-related hazard and vulnerability maps and scenarios for 4 vulnerable districts (Karonga, Salima, Zomba and Mulanje) both in digital and hard copy formats in order to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change. The scope of the consultancy is to produce GIS shape files containing updated climate information and identified hazards through which climate-related hazards and vulnerability maps can be produced. Upon initiation of the contract the consulting firm will undertake an initial scoping exercise in collaboration with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) in order to assess and understand linkages with other AAP and national climate change activities ensure synergies and avoid duplication of activities, linking particularly with the Climate Atlas developed by the World Bank under the National Climate Change Programme for Managing Climate Change in Malawi.

Climate-related Hazard and Vulnerability Maps Development carried out for 4 climate change vulnerable districts (Karonga, Salima, Zomba and Mulanje):

• Define the key climate change-related drivers for Malawi (population growth, weather-related hazard, social vulnerabilities, etc.);
• Develop a concept for the integration of relevant data layers (climate change-related hazards and vulnerabilities) on national and district scale;
• Build consensus with relevant national and sectoral stakeholders on planning tools to be used to map hazard and vulnerabilities;
• Adapt vulnerability framework for conditions in Malawi integrating DRR, CCA and livelihood approaches;
• Develop critical set of indicators and compile required data (incl. remote sensing, socio-economic, population, geospatial baseline data);
• Produce topographic database and orthophoto maps both in digital and hard copy of the areas that encompass the 4 vulnerable districts;
• Produce base and orthophoto maps both in digital and hard copy formats of selected Urban centres of the four districts;
• Produce high resolution digital elevation model for areas that encompass the four districts;
• Provide ground survey control for base maps;
• Carry out field verification and annotation for completion of the maps and map and symbolisation in partnership with Department of Surveys;
• Produce metadata for the deliverables;
• Modelling of hazards maps and simulation;
• Produce specific maps like historical land use, forest cover, drainage systems and climatic hazard prone areas to identify trends;
• Model climate-related national and districts vulnerabilities with specific focus on health (HIV/AIDS) and population trends by integrating expert knowledge through interactive and participatory methods;
• Visualise results and indicators as part of the national web-based atlas;
• Provide on-the-job training to Survey Department personnel throughout the development of hazard and vulnerability maps.

Develop an interactive system of data down/up-load to be integrated in the Web-GIS National Database:

• Incorporate automatic data collection / transmission and visualization from meteorological stations and seismographers;
• Develop a well designed database ready for up scaling and linking to other existing and future databases using GIS technology containing detailed information of the mapped area (the GIS database should be linked to census data);
• Integrate relevant layers such as population density, topographic and morphological information;
• User-friendly modalities to generate / customize / print maps and upload data;
• Enable off-line visualisation of specific sets of data;
• Enable rapid mapping using Google Earth technology;
• Enable the District officers to upload and download in real time geo-referenced information and pictures related to rapid assessment (i.e. via tablets and smart-phones).  

The international Consulting Firm is expected to produce in both hard and electronic copy the following deliverables:

• An inception report which will be presented to the Technical Committee on Climate Change for endorsement within 2 weeks of commencement of the assignment;
• A draft report which will be presented for review to the Technical Committee on Climate Change and other stakeholders including hard copy and soft copy of climate-related hazard and vulnerability maps for the 4 pilot districts;
• A beta-version of the Web-GIS National Database on hazard and vulnerability maps integrating an interactive system of geo-referenced data and information down/up-load;
• A final report after incorporating comments received from the Technical Committee on Climate Change and other stakeholders and the final version of the Web-GIS National Database.

• A minimum of seven years experience in the area of remote sensing, hazard mapping, early warning systems, natural resource management and climate change. Those with experience in hazard mapping and remote sensing will have an added advantage;
• A vast experience in modern surveying and mapping operations using latest technologies with respect to GPS and GIS is a strong asset;
• A proficiency in English with excellent communication skills demonstrated by an ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively both orally and in writing;
• Knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa and experience in Malawi is considered an asset;
• Computer literate with competences in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation and the use of Internet;
• Ability to analyse and interpret data and information.

• A minimum of postgraduate degree in Environment, Natural Resource Management, Remote Sensing, Disaster Risk Management or other related fields.

It is anticipated that this assignment will be completed within an overall total of 60 person days spread over a period of 3 calendar months.

Interested and qualified consulting firms are invited to apply. Applicants should submit technical and financial proposals in two separates e-mails/uploads, describing fully how the TORs will be achieved, the methodologies and approaches to be used, detailed work plans and activities, duration and detailed budgets based on the activities to be conducted taking into consideration only consultancy fees (operational costs to print maps, organize workshops, etc. will be covered by the project). In addition, applicants should provide the detailed CVs of the lead and assistant consultants and names of three traceable referees. For any inquiry please contact

UNDP Malawi,
Procurement Unit
P.O Box 30135, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, E-mail: procurement.mw@undp.org