Terms of Reference Program Development Consultant for Phase II of the Forest Economy Program (ForEco 2.0)

BACKGROUND

Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) is one of Europe’s leading organizations in tropical rainforest protection, with more than twenty years of experience and a wide network of partners in all major rainforest regions. RFN works to preserve rainforests and their ecosystem services, while promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) to their traditional lands and resources.

In 2021, RFN launched the Advancing Sustainable Management in the Brazilian Amazon Program (ForEco) to develop sustainable economic models to unlock the potential of non-timber forest products that benefit IP and LCs, while protecting the rainforest.

To date, the ForEco program has led to multiple results improving and expanding successful value chains, promoting knowledge exchange, and advocating for policy change in order to strengthen IPs & LCs governance over their territories and the movement driving sustainable income generating activities in the Brazilian Amazon.

Building on the important results, positive impacts and lessons learned from the ForEco program, RFN is developing its second phase, to start from 2026. We are seeking a Program Development Consultant to support the program design and development Phase II of the ForEco Program.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this consultancy is to support the design and development of Phase II of the Forest Economy Program. This includes:

• Assessing the achievements, challenges and lessons learned from Phase I.
• Developing a comprehensive program design for ForEco Phase II, ensuring alignment with RFN strategic objectives and frameworks, and outlining the unique added value of the program to potential funders across the public and private sector.
• Identifying and engaging key stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and NGOs.
• Designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure program impact of ForEco Phase II.

SCOPE

In coordination with RFN, the program development consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conducting a review of Phase I documentation and outcomes.
• Facilitating stakeholder consultations to gather input and feedback.
• Drafting a detailed program design document for Phase II.
• Developing a work plan and timeline for program implementation.
• Creating a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress and impact.
  

1. Review of ForEco Phase I program documentation and outcomes

• Analyze reports, evaluations, and data from the first phase of the ForEco program.
• Conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including RFN staff, local partners, and community representatives.
• Identify key success factors, challenges, and areas for improvement.
  

2. Strategic Planning:

• Support the development of a theory of change (ToC) for the second phase of ForEco, aligned with the program framework and RFN overall ToC.
• Help define objectives, outcomes, progress markers and indicators for the program, based on previous developments made by RFN and partners.
• Map existing and potential partners and allies, including IPs & LCs organizations, as well as other civil society organizations (CSOs) and networks.
• Propose priority areas of intervention, geographic focus, and target groups.
  

3. Program Design:

• Draft a detailed program document, including components such as governance, funding strategy and mechanisms, and capacity-building strategies.
• Propose innovative approaches to enhance socio-biodiversity economies and sustainability.
• Integrate climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and rights-based approach into the program framework.
  

4. Support project proposal development

• Support partners in development of their project proposals
• Take part in carefully selected proposal development and submissions processes.
  

5. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Participate in organizing and facilitating workshops or consultations with local partners, IPs & LCs, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in strategic meetings and events.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the program design.

Design Methodologies: The consultant will employ the following design methodologies:

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Engaging with local communities to ensure the program meets their needs and leverages their knowledge and skills.
• Theory of Change (ToC): Mapping out the desired long-term goals and identifying the necessary preconditions and interventions to achieve them.
• Outcome Mapping: Structuring the program design with clear objectives, activities and progress markers for monitoring and evaluation.
• Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): Involving community members in the planning and decision-making process to ensure their perspectives and priorities are integrated.
• Agile Methodology: Allowing for iterative development and continuous feedback to adapt and improve the program design throughout its implementation.

DELIVERABLES

The consultancy should deliver the following outputs:

• Inception report outlining the approach and methodology.
• Stakeholder consultation report summarizing key findings and recommendations.
• Draft and final program design documents.
• Detailed work plan and timeline.
• Monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Presentations to support the promotion and pitching of the program to various audiences, including donors, partners, policymakers, and others.

TIMELINE AND DURATION

The consultancy is expected to be conducted over 6 months, according to the proposed timeline below*.

*The proposed timeline may be adjusted by mutual agreement between RFN and the consultancy to be hired, observing the rules to be established in the contract.

BUDGET AND RESOURCES

A budget and resource allocation plan will be developed in line with the approved proposal budget to support the consultancy. The total project cost cannot be over 570 000 NOK. Travel costs will be agreed separately, based on economy class travel, and compensated according to Norwegian government travel regulations.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Advanced degree in environmental science, sustainable development, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in program design and management, preferably in the context of rainforest conservation and community development.
• Proven track record of working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Expertise in community-based forest management, market-oriented non-timber forest products (NTFP), socio-biodiversity value chains, and in-depth knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs & LCs) territorial management and forest governance systems will be valued.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and eligible candidates (team or individual consultant) must submit technical and financial proposals by 31st January 2025. The proposal must include the following information:

• CV of all members in the team, and a summary of their qualifications (maximum two pages combined)
• Proposed methodology and timetable (max 2 pages)
• A financial offer, including daily fees based on 8 working hours per day. If team members have different fees, the expected division of labour between them must be indicated. The financial proposal must contain all the information related to the prices for the performance of the deliverables described in these terms of reference. The economic proposal to be offered must contain all direct and indirect costs, including audit fees and taxes. Travel costs will be agreed separately, based on economy class travel, and compensated according to Norwegian government travel regulations.
• At least two references (including contacts) for similar work.

Questions regarding the assignment can be submitted to the main contact: Geir Finstad, geirf@rainforest.no .

Proposals are to be submitted to the main contact: Geir Finstad, geirf@rainforest.no with a copy to Arne Dale, arne@rainforest.no .

SELECTION CRITERIA

The consultancy shall be conducted by one consultant or a team. Among the proposed individuals/teams, RFN will select the candidate(s) that provide best value for money based on a consideration of:

• to what extent the consultant/team are well suited for the task, emphasizing in-depth expertise and the relevance of the specific technical expertise and experience of the team member(s),
• the proposed methodology and
• the total cost of the proposal.

EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

Tenderers will be ranked according to a score based on the following criteria:

• Understanding of the assignment: 10%
• Methodology: 30%
• Past experience: 20%
• Team competency: 20%
• Budget: 20%

ELIGIBLE TENDERERS

i) Tenderers must provide information on their legal form and ownership structure.

ii) Tenderers shall be excluded from participation in a procurement procedure if:

(1) they are bankrupt, are having their affairs administered by the courts, or have suspended business activities.

(2) they or persons having powers of representation, decision-making, or control over them have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a final judgment.

(3) they have been guilty of grave professional misconduct.

(4) they have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established, or those of the country where the contract is to be performed.

(5) they or persons having powers of representation, decision-making, or control over them have been convicted for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organization or money laundering by a final judgment.

(6) they make use of child labour or forced labour and/or practice discrimination, and/or do not respect the right to freedom of association and the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining pursuant to the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

iii) Tenderers shall confirm in writing that they are not in any of the situations listed above. RFN reserves the right to investigate any of the situations listed above if it has reasonable grounds to doubt the contents of such confirmation.

iv) Contracts shall not be awarded to tenderers which, during the procurement procedure:

(1) are subject to a conflict of interests.

(2) are guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required as a condition of participation in the tender procedure or fail to supply this information.

RFN'S RIGHT TO REJECT PROPOSALS

RFN reserves the right to reject any of the proposals that it does not consider relevant.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Ethical considerations will be upheld throughout the development of the consultancy, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and respect for the rights and privacy of participants. The assignment should be conducted in accordance with the highest professional standards. As such, the work will ensure sensitive, safe, non-discriminatory participation, confidentiality, and anonymity of respondents. Specific consideration must be given to ethical issues of design, data collection, reporting and storage. According to the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), the consultancy must maintain appropriate measures to protect personal data. Info on GDPR can be found here: https://gdpr.eu.