SADC SECRETARIAT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY)
COUNTRY: Botswana
NAME OF PROJECT: SADC REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECT (RCRP)
PROCJECT ID: P180171
REFERENCE NUMBER: SADC/3/5/2/388
DATE OF ISSUE: 7th April 2025
Background
The SADC Secretariat through the SADC DRR Unit is implementing a Regional Climate Resilience Project (RCRP). The Project is the first in a Series of Projects (SOP), and involves Madagascar, Mozambique, South Sudan, Comoros, and two regional organizations: SADC, and the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO). The overarching development objective of the SOP is to strengthen the resilience to water-related climate impacts in Eastern and Southern African countries.
The SADC Secretariat managed share of the RCRP is being implemented over a period of five years, with an expected closing date of December 29, 2028. It is financed through a grant of US$ 5M and will be implemented through three main components: namely; Risk Management and Climate Financing; Infrastructure Investments and Sustainable Asset Management for Climate Resilience; and Adaptive Climate Services for Resilience Communities. It will be implemented through a Project Implementation Manual and coordinated by Project Implementation Unit (PMU).
The project serves as a first step towards a regional platform to tackle climate adaptation through a common and coordinated approach, including on fund raising and consolidating multilateral and bilateral support - which is critical to ensure alignment, development, and scaled-up financing of critical adaptive interventions.
It will contribute to improved disaster risk management in support of regional resilience and the strengthening of climate change, adaptation and mitigation, under the cross-cutting issues of the SADC Vision 2050, as well as contribute towards the achievement of the aspirations of SADC as spelt out in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030
Through the proceeds of this Project, the SADC Secretariate intends to hire an Individual CONSULTANCY TO STRENGTHERN CAPACITY OF SADC MEMBER STATES FOR IMPLEMENTING FORESTRY GUIDELINES ON PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT, REGIONAL FOREST INFORMATION SYSTEM AND FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT.
The SADC Secretariat therefore invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for CONSULTANCY TO STRENGTHERN CAPACITY OF SADC MEMBER STATES FOR IMPLEMENTING FORESTRY GUIDELINES ON PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT, REGIONAL FOREST INFORMATION SYSTEM AND FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT.
Title : CONSULTANCY TO STRENGTHERN CAPACITY OF SADC MEMBER STATES FOR IMPLEMENTING FORESTRY GUIDELINES ON PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT, REGIONAL FOREST INFORMATION SYSTEM AND FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT
Time Commitment : 100%
Accountable : Senior Programme Officer – Natural Resources and Wildlife
Duration of Assignment: 3 months
1.The Objectives of the Assignment
1.1 Overall objective
The overall objective of this assignment is to capacitate and equip Member States with skills and knowledge to implement the regional forestry guidelines.
1.2 Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the assignment are to:
Provide training to a total of 32 technical officers from sixteen SADC Member States on the regional forestry guidelines on Participatory Forest Management, Regional Forest Information System and Forest Fire Management.
Facilitate introduction of the guidelines to Member States articulating the significance and practical usage of the guidelines as a tool in implementing the SADC Forestry Strategy.
Develop participant handout package and supporting materials for an integrated capacity building program which will serve to enhance the knowledge base and skills of Member States in the implementation of the regional forestry guidelines.
1.3 Expected results
The main output of the consultancy is provision of training to a total of 32 technical officers from sixteen SADC Member States on the regional forestry guidelines on Participatory Forest Management, Regional Forest Information System and Forest Fire Management. Specific deliverables include the following:
(i) Inception report and proposed methodology or approach to meeting the objectives of the assignment.
(ii) Participant’s handout packages that include.
a) summarized version of information covered in each of the Guidelines.
b) template for an Action Plan to be developed by participants to strengthen implementation of the Guidelines.
(iii) Conduct training of SADC Member States.
(iv) Report from the training with concrete recommendations on the way forward.
2. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
This assignment is expected to be carried out by an individual consultant expert. The specific profile is provided below.
2.1 Qualifications and Skills
A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent level in Natural Resources Management including forest resources.
A minimum of 10 years’ working experience at least five of which should be in developing training materials or teaching guides.
Experience as a team leader in a related assignment.
Experience in working with SADC regional projects would be an added advantage.
Excellent interpersonal and strong communication skills, in both written and verbal English.
Ability to complete tasks efficiently and handling tight deadlines. Excellent time management and organizational skills to prioritize workload and deliver the needful during the training week.
Proof of satisfactory completion of previous related assignments.
2.2 General Professional Experience
At least 10 years of work experience in sustainable natural resources management or forestry ecosystem related programmes in the SADC region.
At least 5 years in a project leadership, coordination, or management role; and
Minimum of 3 years in a line management position or project coordination.
2.3 Specific Professional Experience
At least 5 years Knowledge of SADC development, regional economic and integration issues.
At least 5 years’ experience in Sustainable Forest Resources Management
At least 5 years’ experience in forest resources governance and administration.
At least 2 years knowledge of forest inventory, biomass assessment and monitoring.
At least 2 years knowledge of forest/wildland fire management.
At least 2 years knowledge of Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) including participatory forest management.
At least 2years of Project Management skills and experience
Experience having undertaken forestry related work with SADC would be an added advantage.
Knowledge of the SADC Protocol on Forestry and associated regional strategies and programmes will be an added advantage.
3. Duration of the assignment
The intended start date is as soon as both parties have signed the contract agreement and the period of implementation of the contract will be 90 calendar days from the date of signing the agreement. The consultancy will run for the period 01 July to 30 September 2025 including 3 days of training.
4. Facilities to be provided by the Client.
The SADC Secretariat, as the Contracting Authority will provide the following.
Venue for training
Electronic copies of the Regional Forestry Guidelines (PFM, RFIS and FFM).
Interpretation for three (3) days (French and Portuguese)
5. Location of Employment
The assignment is commissioned by the SADC Secretariat based in Gaborone, Botswana. However, the training of SADC Member States shall take place in Johannesburg, at a place and venue to be determined by the SADC Secretariat.
6. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
7. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection Method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
8. Mode of Application
Interested suitably qualified Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their updated detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates and financial proposal to the Secretariat through Tuesday 22nd April 2025 on or before 23:59 hours, Botswana local time, to the link below. No public opening will be held.
SADC Collab link: https://collab.sadc.int/s/rio3HbSgnqj4nF9
Kindly note that only highly technically scored bidder will be contacted for negotiations meeting.
9. Additional requests for information and clarifications can be made through the address below:
The Procuring entity: SADC Secretariat
Head of Procurement Unit
Contact person: Ms. Mercy Mikuwa
Telephone: +267 364 1989 / 3951863
Fax: 3972848
E-mail: mmikuwa@sadc.int
Copy to: tchabwera@sadc.int/ smokgwathi@sadc.int
