Liberia Forest Sector Project: Intensification and Acceleration of Impacts by Focusing Livelihood Development and Land Use Support in Clustered Communities/ South East Landscape

Project ID: P154114

Project Title: Liberia Forest Sector Project

Borrower Bid Reference: LR-FDA-180397-CS-QCBS

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

LIBERIA FOREST SECTOR PROJECT

PROJECT ID: P154114

GRANT ID: TFA2427

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE INTENSIFICATION AND ACCELERATION OF IMPACTS BY FOCUSING LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE SUPPORT IN CLUSTERED COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH EAST LANDSCAPE OF THE LIBERIA FOREST SECTOR PEOJECT

 (REFERENCE NO: LR-FDA-180397-CS-QCBS)

This request for expressions of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in Development Business No. WB452-01/17 of January 31, 2017.

The Republic of Liberia has received a grant from the Government of Norway in the amount of US$36.7 million equivalent through the World Bank towards the cost of the Liberia Forest Sector Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this Grant to eligible payments for the provision of consulting services for the Intensification and Acceleration of Impacts by Focusing Livelihood Development and Land Use Support in Clustered Communities/ South East Landscape.

The consulting firm shall undertake the assignment under the following task;

Task 1: Support Livelihood Activities: provide incremental support for livelihoods by coordinating implementation of LFSP livelihood activities for targeted communities in the landscape.

Task 2: Promote market chain and access for selected commodities such as Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFPs), Food crops and agroforestry products.

Task 3: Land use planning at district level and clan/community level.

A full copy of the terms of reference can be found below, as Attachment 1 to this request for expressions of interest

The Forestry Development Authority now invites qualified and eligible firms to express their interest in providing the required Services for the Liberia Forest Sector Project. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). See shortlist criteria below:

        QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The firm must have experience in developing participatory land use planning
The firm must have experience in diversified livelihoods development
The firm must have experience in preparing and implementing land use plans at district and clan/community levels
The firm must have implemented similar projects in the Region of Africa, preferably in Liberia (and in landscapes) for not less than five (5) years
Must have established systems for efficient financial and program management as required by international best practice.
 Note: In addition to other relevant information to be submitted, Consultants (firms) are to present all assignments of similar nature undertaken: Assignment details, name of client & country of assignment, contract value and role of firm etc.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14 and 3.15 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers Goods, Works, Non-Consulting Services and Consulting Services July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018

 Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy agreement to enhance their qualifications.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection based on the Quality and Cost Based Selection method (QCBS). For reference, please see paragraph 7.3 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers Goods, Works, Non-Consulting Services and Consulting Services July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018 by following the link below: 

http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/178331533065871195/Procurement-Regulations.pdf

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0900 to 1600 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, by mail or by e-mail) by 16:00 GMT on September 21, 2020.  Envelopes or subject of emails must be marked “Ref: EOI for CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE INTENSIFICATION AND ACCELERATION OF IMPACTS BY FOCUSING LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE SUPPORT IN CLUSTERED COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH EAST LANDSCAPE OF THE LIBERIA FOREST SECTOR PROJECT”.

Forestry Development Authority

Whein Town, Mount Barclay

 P. O. Box 3010 Montserrado County

Monrovia, Liberia

Attention: National REDD+ Project Coordinator

Tel: +231(0)880-699-711

Email:  fawasa@gmail.com & cc: hdd1960wllms@gmail.com   

Attachment 1: Terms of Reference: Intensification and Acceleration of Impacts by Focusing Livelihood Development and Land Use Support in Clustered Communities in the Southeast Landscape of the Liberia Forest Sector Project

Background and introduction:

Liberia contains about 4.7 million ha of lowland tropical forest. Most of Liberia’s rural population is dependent on forests and their various products and ecosystem services. The country’s forests are under threat of deforestation and forest degradation (D&FD) due to the expansion of agriculture, illegal and unsustainable logging, mining activities and inadequate oversight and enforcement. D&FD is the second leading cause of global warming, making the loss and depletion of forests a major issue for climate change.

Liberia faces enormous challenges in managing its forests to contribute to long-term, sustainable economic growth, support the livelihoods of rural communities, and ensure that its important national and global heritage is conserved. As part of the forestry reform process, Liberia’s engagement with the World Bank and other donors has emphasized national efforts to reduce emissions from D&FD and to foster conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). Liberia is developing its REDD+ strategy that will build the country’s capacity to be ready to participate in the future in a large-scale system of positive incentives for REDD+.

In support of achieving the above, Liberia and Norway signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) in September 2014, with the purpose of (a) supporting the development and implementation of Liberia’s REDD+ strategy to ensure significant net reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from D&FD; (b) contributing to sustainable development of Liberia through protecting natural forests, restoring degraded lands, and developing Liberia's agricultural sector; and (c) working together to support progress on global efforts regarding climate change and sustainable development in general and REDD+ in particular. The Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP) is a result of this partnership, aimed at improved management of, and increased benefit-sharing in, targeted forest landscapes. The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) leads implementation of the LFSP. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME), and the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) are responsible for certain specific project activities.

A key factor undermining sustainable forest management has been limited or lack of alternative livelihood opportunities in forest communities including around protected areas (PAs). In the name of seeking alternative livelihood options, miners, loggers/pit-sawyers and hunters carry out illegal activities in PAs. Secondary and primary forest areas are often cut down by farmers to produce rice and other food crops as well as tree crops.

Unsustainable land use and management is a notable issue. With the lack of national land use policy and law as well as associated regulations, land use plans are lacking in communities. As a result, communities are not making the right decisions to the extent that ensures their land use for agriculture, settlements, logging, mining, nutrition and does not undermine national efforts for sustainable forest management.

The objective of this approach is to enhance the effectiveness of project activities by focusing on implementation of appropriate forest management practices and technologies, sustainable livelihoods and participatory land use planning (PLUP) in the targeted clustered communities (districts) in the north-west (NW) and south-east (SE) forest landscapes in Liberia. This implies working with technical service providers (TSPs) responsible for coordination of implementation of select LFSP activities in the landscape in line with the project development objective. 

Community forest in the context of sustainable forest management – sustainable livelihoods and land use

Practice so far has shown that communities are keen to manage forest but with the expectation of some early returns to sustain basic needs. Nearly all of the communities with CFMAs in Liberia have so far chosen to use their community forests for commercial harvesting with the expectation that this would provide fast returns from the resource. It is also clear that communities’ governance and contract negotiations capacities are weak, and they are unable to incorporate equitable and fair returns into their agreements with the companies contracted for commercial harvesting in their forests. As a result, there is a substantial risk that the negotiations and harvesting agreements with companies will not yield fair and long-term benefits for­­­ the communities, nor will the forests be sustainably managed as a local economy asset.

The approach to management of community forests needs to aim at enabling the communities to exercise their rights based on robust understanding of resource management fundamentals before moving to support applicant communities towards the AFC. Building up this capacity requires a holistic approach that factors in the immediate needs of communities such as food security, water access, education, health whilst building towards medium and long term opportunities centered on income streams from sustainable management of the forest resource (including commercial, conservation etc.) and alternate livelihoods.

LFSP planned community livelihood restoration and development initiatives

The LFSP has a number of sub-components with associated activities to support livelihoods activities. In particular, the Community Forestry Component 2.3 aims to strengthen the management of, and benefits-sharing from community forests. It seeks to ensure that the use of any resource in community forest areas is managed by and for local communities. The project anticipates coordination with community as a whole and engaging with organized as well as informal sector actors such as chainsaw millers and charcoal producers, to develop and implement a comprehensive training program on compliance with GoL regulations, improved production and processing techniques, best practices for sustainable forest use, safety, cost accounting, financial management, and establishment of contracts, among others. Communities can choose the types of alternative livelihoods to encourage the development of sustainable forestry.

LFSP is also targeting a number of communities/ villages adjacent or close to PAs in the North-West and South-East for sustainable livelihoods support activities. All livelihoods support activities in these areas will be coordinated with other LFSP components supporting on-the-ground activities, i.e. the Community Forestry, land use and Sustainable Agriculture subcomponents. The MOA, LLA and the Community Forestry Department along with the Conservation Department of FDA will collaborate and coordinate technical support.

Intensification and acceleration of impacts by focusing livelihood development and land use support in clustered communities/landscapes

There is a need to focus support for communities within clustered communities in the North-West and South-East forest landscapes where the various land uses (community, protected, mining, and agriculture) need to advance to sustainable management and reduce emissions. This will require working closely and complementing ongoing and planned activities with strategic partners. Demonstrated results in these initially clustered communities will then be replicated throughout the landscapes.

Scope of the assignment

The scope of this assignment requires focus on the following:

Task 1: Support Livelihood Activities: provide incremental support for livelihoods by coordinating implementation of LFSP livelihood activities for targeted communities in the landscape.

Socio-economic/livelihood assessment: Carry out a gender responsive socio-economic / livelihood assessment of the communities in and around forests, PAs, CFMAs (potential CFMAs) and identify collaboratively with community members and stakeholders’ livelihood and social infrastructure needs and opportunities that also support protected area objectives and conservation, bearing in mind the resources upon which they depend. The assessment should explore and analyze priority-viability nexus of livelihood activities.
Plan of actions on livelihoods: TSP will develop a plan for addressing livelihoods issues in identified communities and will deploy on the ground staff to work directly with communities. The plan should include the list of targeted communities, the method and level of engagement (individual, group, or communitywide livelihood plans), indicative list of livelihood activities and less-costly social infrastructure package, specific outputs for each activity, costs of livelihood investments (equipment, consultancies, training etc.) and a proposed operational budget. Livelihood activities will advance the adoption of sustainable land use and land management practices such as conservation actions, sustainable agriculture, supporting PA protection, wildlife conservation and forest management which would be attractive enough for communities to take a longer-term vision for management of forests (that includes commercial, conservation and other uses) whilst guaranteeing short term upfront support of sustainable forest management.RIU will screen the indicative list of livelihood activities and social infrastructure items to ascertain that they do not include activities corresponding to the category “A” definition in terms of environmental and social safeguards risks.
Anti – elite capture of resources: TSP will conduct a rapid assessment of relevant community dynamics to account for it in order to ensure that there is no elite capture of resources and that all community members, including women, youth and marginalized groups are able to participate.
Livelihood capacity building/training: Prepare gender responsive Livelihood capacity building and training plan supporting the implementation of five (5) key identified livelihood interventions. Identify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders who will be involved in livelihoods opportunities. Outline the financial resources required to implement/operationalize the livelihoods to include, but not limited to, capacity building, enterprise development, marketing and incorporate, as applicable.The plan will incorporate training of key individuals that can serve as training/livelihood mentors for post consultancy continuity, where possible. The plan will specify minimum number of livelihood options, with estimated number of persons to be trained per livelihood option taking place along specific timeline. The plan will stipulate the development and submission of training materials and guidance for post consultancy use and continuity.
Task 2: Promote market chain and access for selected commodities such as Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFPs), Food crops and agroforestry products: It is well established that non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute in various ways to the well-being of communities.

Market access and constraints assessment: TSP will assess available markets and review market access constraints for targeted communities and specific products, will suggest and implement steps to improve market access for these communities and particular products.The assessment will aim at (i) existing informal relationships and governance mechanisms among actors along the value chain, (ii) key issues and challenges affecting the marketing of the selected commodities, (iii) major local and if applicable, distant markets, (iv) size of markets, volume of sales, market integration/segmentation, (v) local market structure and enabling environment, (vi) market actors and behavior.
Facilitate market access: Based on market and access assessment, outline key interventions and development required to market for the selected commodities. Facilitate the formation of formal cooperatives (that can access markets) where deemed necessary. Facilitate and increase linkages between communities, and private sector buyers of selected commodities.
Facilitate the formation of cooperatives (that can access markets) where deemed feasible.
Task 3: Land use planning at district level and clan/community level

Document current land resources, land tenure, social structures, and customary land conservation practices which should be considered in promoting sustainable land use. Identify sustainable land use practices (such as farming systems and practices) that will increase the sustainable productivity of forest areas avoiding any form of degradation and exploitation of natural resources. This should be done in a process involving community members, leaders through meetings and workshops and field visits etc.
Assess existing community land use arrangements and their influence and impact on current and future land use practices: This should be achieved in a process involving discussions with local community leaders, stakeholders of interest, review of existing documents.
Analyze the past and present trends of land use: This should be done from the information gathered from satellite images and analysis, ground truthing, community meetings and workshops, stakeholder meetings etc.
Task 4: Community participation, governance, communications

Strengthen the institutional capacity of the governance structures within communities and provide training on sustainable forest management, supported by comprehensive CFMPs.
Coordinate with, as well as get technical support from the Regional Inter-Agency Task Teams (RIATs) in the landscapes.
Develop and implement measures including trainings facilitating sustainability of the LFSP achievements and practices.
Develop a communication strategy to ensure that participants understand the linkage between the adoption of diversified livelihoods and reduced dependence on the forest resources.
Ensure county authorities, community leaders (chiefs, youth leaders, women leaders) and community-based organizations (CBOs) are linked to, as well as appropriate involved in project activities
Task 5: Support to sustainable forest management / Climate-Resilient practices

Assess communities’ understanding and practices relating to sustainable forest use (including agriculture practices) and identify gaps in terms of sustainable forest management and climate-resilience (adaptation and mitigation- including REDD+)
Identify and validate/select with communities and other technical stakeholders (agriculture extension technicians, regional foresters and mining agents, etc) at least five innovative and socially appropriate technologies for sustainable forest management (including sustainable/ climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable NTFP and tree harvesting practices and smart-mining technologies)
Organize community actors (farmers, NTFP/tree harvesters, artisanal miners, etc) into different learning groups (using appropriate methods such as FFS, AMFS, etc) in targeted clustered communities to test the selected technologies for sustainable forest management
Review and document results of tested innovations and support transfer (through field extension staff from MoA, FDA, MME, etc) of successfully tested technologies to other farmers and forest users in other communities (the number of these to be agreed by the local stakeholders and FDA) for adoption and replication of the technologies
Link the RIATs, local CBOs and other relevant local groups for broader transfer of knowledge and sustainability 
Develop a plan and strategy for learning/knowledge-sharing and awareness among community actors (farmers, artisanal miners, pit-sawyers, hunters, CBOs, agri-extension/forest extension staff in the landscapes) for ensuring communities’ adoption and sustenance on climate-resilient (including sustainable forest management) practices- appropriate innovation/technologies for agriculture and forest land use
Organize and implement learning, knowledge-sharing events with county and community leaders, Community-based organizations, CSOs in the landscapes, government actors and targeted interest groups (farmers, pit-sawyers, artisanal miners, etc) to enhance communities’ understanding/appreciation of the benefits of standing forests (as opposed to only felling trees), the benefits of REDD+ mechanism
Organizing and facilitating exchanges among communities to share knowledge and experience on sustainable forest management
Environmental and Social Safeguards: the tasks should be guided by the World Bank Environmental and Social Policies and should comply with all relevant legal requirements in Liberia. Ensuring full adherence to all environmental and social safeguards of the LFSP working closely with, and under the technical supervision of RIU’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists.

Deliverables:

Socio-economic/livelihood assessment of the targeted communities. Within 6 weeks of contract signing
Plan of actions to implement livelihoods activities which shall include (i) the list of targeted communities, (ii) indicative list of livelihood activities, (iii) a package of less-costly social infrastructure, (iv) specific outputs for each activity, (v) costs of livelihood investments (equipment, consultancies, training etc.), and (vi) proposed operational budget. The plan should specify the method and level of engagement where relevant. Within 4 weeks of contract signing
Livelihood capacity building and training plan supporting the implementation of identified livelihood interventions. Within 4 weeks of contract signing
Market access and constraints assessment as described under Task 2. Within Six weeks of contract signing
Steps to improve market access for targeted communities and particular products based on the review of market access constraints. Within 18 months of contract of contract of signing
List of cooperatives whose formation is deemed feasible to facilitate market access. Within Six weeks of contract signing
A communication strategy on the linkage between the adoption of diversified livelihoods and reduced dependence on the forest resources. Within 10 weeks of contract signing
Participatory land use plans ands steps to implement them.Steps to strengthen the institutional capacity of the governance structures within communities and provide training on sustainable forest management, supported by comprehensive CFMPs.  Within 18 months of contract signing
Measures to facilitate sustainability of LFSP achievements and practices. Within 18 months of contract signing
Report on the level of adoption of sustainable forest management (climate-resilient practices) including agriculture practices (number of communities where practiced, number of farmers adopting and number of hectares) With in the twentieth month of contract signing
Payment Terms:

Payments will be made in accordance in with the following:

First Payment: First month – Fourth month: twenty- five percent (25%) payment of contract value upon submission and acceptance of monthly progress reports and reports on the completion of all deliverables within this period.
Second Payment: Fifth month – Tenth Month: thirty–five percent (35%) payment of contract value upon submission and acceptance of monthly progress reports and reports on the completion of all deliverables within this period.
Third Payment: Eleven month – Sixteen Month: Fifteen percent (15%) payment of contract value upon submission and acceptance of monthly progress reports and reports on the completion of all deliverables within this period.
Fourth Payment: Seventeen – Twenty fourth month: Twenty-Five percent (25%) payment of contract value upon submission and acceptance of monthly progress reports and reports on the completion of all deliverables within this period.
Duration of the assignment

The duration of the assignment is approximately 24 months from the date of contract signing.

Client’s Inputs and Counterpart Personnel

The client through the Technical Departments (coordinated by the RIU) shall provide a list of targeted communities, maps and background information on communities in targeted landscape to facilitate this assignment. The client shall provide counterpart personnel who are already in the landscape to include qualified and experienced Natural Resource Management Officers (NRMOs), Conservation Junior Officers (CJOs) and Community Forestry Extension Officers (Eos) already in the landscapes to support the consultant assignment.

Costs related to travel of the designated CFD staff shall be borne by the FDA.

Reporting requirements

Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the FDA and direct supervision of the National REDD+ Coordinator, the Technical Service Provider (TSP)/Firm will be responsible of for the coordination of implementation of select LFSP activities in the landscape working with other TSPs through sub contractual arrangements; ensuring strategic direction of LFSP activities aligns to the project objective.

TSP will submit to the FDA Managing Director through the National REDD+ Coordinator a quarterly progress implementation report informing about programmatic, financial, technical and administrative aspects, stakeholders engaged, and lessons learned.

Qualification and Experience of the Firm (Lead TSP)

The firm must have experience in developing participatory land use planning
The firm must have experience in diversified livelihoods development
The firm must have experience in preparing and implementing land use plans at district and clan/community levels
The firm must have implemented similar projects in the Region of Africa, preferably in Liberia (and in landscapes) for not less than five (5) years
Must have established systems for efficient financial and program management as required by international best practice.
Must have the following key experts:
An experienced Project Manager/Livelihood Development Expert with not less than 10 years of experience in community development projects and with at least a Masters’ degree in Natural Resource Management, Agro-Economics, Forest Economics, Agro-Ecologist, Development Economics, Rural Development.

Market Access and Value Chain Expert: A Master’s degree in disciplines such as agricultural development, agricultural economics, agribusiness management, rural development or a closely related field. Seven (7) or more years professional experience in a relevant field such as agriculture value chains, private sector development, livelihood diversification, value chain, rural business

development and agricultural marketing.

Spatial Analyst and Land Planning Expert: Master’s degree in the field of Planning, Geography, Environmental Planning, Land-use Planning or similar field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in land use planning and spatial analysis and use of remote sensing and GIS for plan use planning.

Environmental and Social Development Specialist: A Master’s degree in disciplines such as Development Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Modeling, Natural Resource Management, or other fields applicable to environmental and social compliance is required. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of design and management of environmental and social management systems, safeguards systems. Demonstrate skills and direct work experience with at least one or more of the following: public consultations; public hearings; participatory research methods (including observation, surveys); participatory rural and urban appraisal; participatory poverty assessments; participatory monitoring and evaluation; and grievance redress mechanisms. Demonstrate experience in mentoring and providing capacity building in developing and implementing environmental and social safeguard policies, strategies and guidelines.

Local Level Governance Specialist: Master’s level degree required in public policy, international development, sociology, political science, or a relevant social science discipline. Must have a minimum of 7 years’ experience providing support to local government and to civil society advocacy capacity building.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Organization/Department: Forestry Development Authority
Name: Saah A. David, Jr.
Address: Whein Town, Mount Barclay
Province/State: Liberia
Country: Liberia
Phone: +231880699711
Email: fawasa@gmail.com