TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR CONSULTANCY

Job Description

 TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR CONSULTANCY

OPERATIONALISATION & DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION NETWORK 

MARCH-MAY 2024

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

1.0 SUMMARY. 

2.0 BACKGROUND 

2.1 About Trócaire

Trócaire is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland that works in partnership with local organisations in developing countries and with people in Ireland to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice, as well as contributing together with partners to bring about a positive and lasting changes. 

Trócaire works exclusively with local partners to achieve climate and environmental justice; ensure women and girls’ protection, voice & influence; and save lives and protect human dignity. Trócaire actively supports work on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, women’s political participation and leadership, sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment, natural resource management and environmental conservation, and humanitarian preparedness and response.

Trócaire Sierra Leone is implementing a Climate Change programme, with support from the Irish Aid. The programme expects to support the agency of communities to adapt to the impact of climate change, as well as strengthen new and existing coordinating bodies to increase the voice, agency and visibility of local advocates, communities, and individuals, particularly women and youth, in climate change and create new forums where appropriate. The programme, aligned with Sierra Leone’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), also seeks to support community mainstreaming of climate change adaptation through supporting local management and governance initiatives and partnerships. The programme will introduce forest enterprise development practices to provide opportunities for forest-edge communities to diversify and strengthen the resilience of their production systems, improve livelihoods, ecosystem services, improved sectoral and public involvement, and enhanced capacities and awareness towards conservation through the set-up of community natural resource management committees. 

2.2 About the Network

The roles of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts cannot be overemphasized. They are a key stakeholder in national and international climate processes, playing a crucial role in contributing to bringing ground-level vulnerabilities into decision-making processes, providing technical support to policy processes that aim to tackle climate change. While noting the significance of their roles, it is worth mentioning that there is more to be demonstrated to justify the said roles through capacity strengthening for climate change advocacy, participate in climate discourse, and progress in positioning key issues of climate change in critical processes, including negotiations to better mainstream climate change in national development.

Climate change is a critical public policy issue in which citizen engagement and participation should be encouraged and prioritized. The unfortunate reality is that the voices of those most impacted by these interconnected crises are largely excluded from governance spaces that shape policy responses.

To effectively address climate change, the international community recognizes the central role that civil society and local communities play in understanding local challenges and risks, drafting inclusive and just policies and plans, and ensuring successful mitigation and adaptation.

A consensus has emerged, in both climate governance regimes and in the scientific literature, that climate change adaptation should involve multiple actors from the public and private sectors and from across civil society (IPCC 2014). Furthermore, both the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement include provisions and recommendations for engagement with civil society and NGOs. 

Article 6 of the Convention rallies together governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to implement action that is collaborative, country-driven, interdisciplinary, and culturally sensitive. It also puts socially inclusive climate policy and implementation at the heart of its work. It strengthens the role of traditional, intergenerational and gender-sensitive knowledge, as well as people’s participation in decision-making. Moreover, Article 6 emphasizes that climate change solutions are the responsibility of all.  It gives value and meaning to climate-smart actions, particularly actions by young people who will inherit the future.

3.0 Network Objectives 

3.1 Specific Objectives

The Consultant will provide guidance and support in:

1. Support with the selection process for Climate Change Network (CliCNet) Leadership.
2. Development of Strategic Plan for CliCNet: Develop a 5-year strategic plan for CliCNet. This will also include facilitating the review and validation workshops. Develop a comprehensive strategy, action plans, and budgets for implementing a thematic network-based influence process, and operating the network, including objectives, structure, and operational guidelines.
3. Development of CliCNet Constitution. 
4. Post-COP 28 Activities: Support the implementation of a post-COP28 workshop. 
5. Reporting and Documentation: Prepare and submit detailed reports outlining the progress, challenges, and recommendations.

3.2 Expected Outcomes 

1. Formalised leadership structure of CliCNet is complete, including formally elected leadership positions. 
2. 5-year Strategic Plan for CliCNet developed and disseminated. 
3. CliCNet guiding constitution developed and disseminated. 
4. Facilitation of post-COP28 workshop for CliCNet members. 
5. Detailed report on all activities and achievements of the consultancy with CliCNet, including impact, developed and submitted to Trócaire. 

4.0 Organization and Target Participants

Through support of Trócaire, this consultancy will benefit directly CSOs, faith actors, academia, government MDAs, INGOs and other national and international entities working in strengthening synergies in pursuit of climate justice.

5.0 Purpose/Objective of the consultancy

Provide consultancy services, and operational and strategic support to Climate Change Network (CliCNet) of Sierra Leone. 

5.1 Description of activities

1. Establishment of a formalized leadership structure for CliCNet, with the successful election of key leadership positions.
2. Creation and distribution of a comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan for CliCNet, outlining key objectives and strategies for the network’s development.
3. Development and dissemination of the guiding constitution for CliCNet, providing a framework for the organization’s principles and governance.
4. Conducted a post-COP28 workshop for CliCNet members, facilitating discussions and knowledge-sharing on relevant climate change issues and outcomes.
5. Preparation of a detailed report encompassing all consultancy activities and achievements with CliCNet. The report includes an assessment of the impact of these activities and is submitted to Trócaire for review.

5.2 Outputs

1. Output: Formalized leadership structure for CliCNet, including the successful election of key leadership positions.
2. Output: Comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan for CliCNet developed and distributed, highlighting key objectives and strategies for the network’s development.
3. Output: Guiding constitution for CliCNet developed and disseminated, establishing a framework for the organization’s principles and governance.
4. Output: Conducted post-COP28 workshop for CliCNet members, facilitating discussions and knowledge-sharing on relevant climate change issues and outcomes.
5. Output: Detailed report on all consultancy activities and achievements with CliCNet, including impact assessment, prepared and submitted to Trócaire for review.

6.0 Scope of Work

7.0 Key Deliverables

1. Formalized leadership structure for CliCNet, including the successful election of key leadership positions.
2. Comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan for CliCNet developed and distributed, outlining key objectives and strategies for the network’s development.
3. Guiding constitution for CliCNet developed and disseminated, establishing a framework for the organization’s principles and governance.
4. Post-COP28 workshop conducted for CliCNet members, facilitating discussions and knowledge-sharing on relevant climate change issues and outcomes.
5. Detailed report on all consultancy activities and achievements with CliCNet, including an impact assessment, prepared and submitted to Trócaire for review.

8.0 Timeline

The consultancy shall last for a period of 13 weeks, starting March 1st to May 31st, 2024.

9.0 Profile of the Consultant

1. a) Educational qualifications 
2. • Master’s degree in any of the following: Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Social Sciences or any relevant field of study. 

1. b) Experience, skills, and competencies 
2. Seven (7) or more years of experience in programme/project cycle management and strategic management, more specifically in the field of environment and/or climate change. 
3. Extensive experience working with CSO networks at national and/or international levels.

• Solid understanding and knowledge of the climate change and environmental context in Sierra Leone.
• Demonstrable experience conducting similar tasks, particularly with the development of strategic and operational plans. 

10.0 Payment schedule

The payment will be done as follows:

1. 30% upon signing of the contract and submission of the inception report;
2. 40% upon submission of National Climate Change Advocacy and Network Building Workshop report;
3. 30% upon submission of the report on post-workshop support provided to the networks prepared and submitted to Trócaire.

11.0 Special notes regarding rapportuering/report writing 

The rapportuering/report writing tasks will include, but not limited to the following:

• Before the sessions

Rapporteur should ensure that they:

1. Are familiar with the speakers, their bio data and their names.
2. Meet before the session to define the methodology that they will use to ensure consistency while covering each session.

• During the session

Rapporteur (per theme) should ensure that he/she:

1. Take note on the main discussion sessions/workshop proceedings, conclusions and recommendations of each Presentation or speech.
2. Take note of those questions/remarks from the floor which could be of interest for consideration in the session Summary Report, as well as of the replies from the speakers.

• After the session

Specifically, the Rapporteur is to prepare the electronic Report for each day (per theme) that must include details of key Statements and Recommendations from the session’s meetings, issues/constraints raised and details of Participants. 

• After the session

Specifically, the rapporteur is to:

1. Prepare the electronic Report for each meeting that must include details of key Statements and Recommendations from the session’s meetings, issues/constraints raised and details of Participants.
2. The Rapporteurs will verify the Report of conclusions in collaboration with the Chair of the sessions/Moderator and present them to Treocaire as soon as possible after the meeting takes place.

12. Ethical considerations 

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, Trócaire Sierra Leone is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve. We require that all staff and representatives (consultants, contractors, vendors/suppliers, interns, trainees, volunteers, agents and implementing partner organizations) take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially women and young people), and all those with whom we work. 

While working for the organization, the consultant has responsibilities to maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members, and promotes the implementation of Trocaire’s code of conduct. Throughout the assignment, the consultant is expected to adhere to Trocaire Sierra Leone’s code of conduct including the safeguarding policy ensuring that all measures are taken to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of the individuals and communities involved.

12. Application Process 

Applications or expressions of interest should be submitted by email to: emily.curran@trocaire.org, copying henry.bayoh@trocaire.org

• Technical Proposal – outlining your understanding of the TOR, the methodology that will be used in undertaking the assignment, work plan, and team composition, including Curriculum Vitae (CV) and contact details of at least three (3) references. 
• Financial proposal (maximum 1 page) outlining all relevant costs, including consultant fees. 

NB: This bid is open to both individuals and organizations. The successful candidate/organization will be expected to provide two reference letters of previous work done.

Deadline for Submission of Expressions of Interest is COB 28th February 2024. 

(Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted for next steps).