Tender for consultancy services on bridging localisation and climate adaptation pathways with case studies from Asia, Middle East and Africa, March 20

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity, which aims to alleviate the suffering of the world's poorest people. It is an independent Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded in the UK in 1984.

With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities - regardless of race, religion or gender.

We are signatories to the Grand Bargain, Charter for Change, and the Red Cross Code of Conduct, which sets ethical standards for organisations involved in humanitarian work and commits us to the important principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. We are also firmly committed to the People in Aid Code of Best Practice. The high quality and impact of our work means we are among only 5 UK-based charities to have been certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). As full members of the INGO Accountability Charter, our excellence in transparency, good governance and social responsibility is recognised.

Our vision:

Inspired by our Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.

Our mission:

Exemplifying our Islamic values, we will mobilise resources, build partnerships, and develop local capacity, as we work to:

• Enable communities to mitigate the effect of disasters, prepare for their occurrence and respond by providing relief, protection and recovery.
• Promote integrated development and environmental custodianship with a focus on sustainable livelihoods.
• Support the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty.

At the international level, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and is a signatory to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct. IRW is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) through raising awareness of the issues that affect poor communities and through its work on the ground. Islamic Relief is one of only 13 charities that have fulfilled the criteria and have become members of the Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk), and is certified by CHS.

IRW endeavours to work closely with local communities, focussing on capacity-building and empowerment to help them achieve development without dependency.

Please see our website for more information http://www.islamic-relief.org/

Project overview

Strengthening Response Capacity and Institutional Development for Excellence (STRIDE) is a ground-breaking model of institutional capacity enhancement for disaster preparedness and local partnerships, being implemented in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Middle East.

To maximise our impact and build community resilience, Islamic Relief develops the capacity of local partners to work alongside us in delivering effective aid and development programmes. Through global advocacy we push for positive change particularly on climate change, gender justice and forced displacement, and we develop Islamic perspectives that combine spiritual and practical insights to provide distinctive, impactful approaches to some of the biggest challenges facing our world.

The STRIDE project develops and contextualises exercises and capacity strengthening trajectories that are indicated by on-the-ground factors. The project continuously reviews the changing humanitarian discourse and aligned the workstreams accordingly, ensuring commitments to field teams and local partners according to their needs. The impacts of emerging global challenges, such as the COVID pandemic, climate change, food and financial crises, extreme poverty, political and economic instability, energy security, and displacement are increasingly alarming for humanitarian organisations, thus, making it extremely difficult for operating in this complex and unfavourable environments. Keeping in view the changing humanitarian sector dynamics, STRIDE contributes to sensitising the organisational leadership, fundraising partners, and field offices on the importance of Localisation and partnerships.

Research Background

Climate change is the single biggest threat the world is currently facing, causing increased humanitarian need. Natural disasters, migration and displacements, armed conflict, and epidemics today occur more frequently and with greater intensity, causing more death and economic loss. Their burden on the humanitarian sector and humanitarian leadership is getting heavier accordingly. A modern vision of humanitarian assistance requires an understanding of justice, global outreach, and strategic partnerships.

Recent global disasters, from hurricanes, droughts, record-breaking heat waves, and especially flooding, have shown us that disasters continue to increase in intensity and frequency. Recent disasters, like the flooding in Pakistan and Nigeria, and the slow onset of humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, have caused unprecedented destruction. Still, they also brought about a new awareness for urgent and immediate action, not only when it comes to integrating Disaster Risk Management into our daily functions but also in addressing Climate Change with it.

The increasing impacts of climate change and resulting humanitarian trends will not only become pronounced, but disasters will also become more unpredictable in the coming years. Despite the evident threat, many humanitarian actors have not engaged with the impact that climate change is having, and will increasingly have, on humanitarian interventions. Among those actors aware of the challenge, many don't possess clarity on addressing climate issues through humanitarian programmes.

At the same time, the impacts of these crises are skewed - where the people who have caused the least harm to the planet and are also the least equipped to deal with large-scale disasters, are the ones who continue to suffer the most. This well recorded notion casts a notable shadow over both practical and theoretical efforts to secure global cooperation. These humanitarian crises have also highlighted deep inequalities and injustices in our societies and surfaced the fact that these are also built into our organisations and structures. The ethical problems that arise in disaster settings, especially since the most poor and vulnerable countries witness climate change impacts, have been a cause for violation of basic human rights. Understanding the types and the determinants of ethical challenges is crucial in order to find the most benevolent action while respecting the dignity of those affected people. This is where the notion of climate justice overlaps with humanitarian ethics.

Climate Action, at its core, highlights the importance of engaging local actors in operational and policy decision-making that affects them. This inclusive approach and call for accountability to affected people aims to amplify the voices of the local and marginalised, ensuring equitable and non-discriminatory access to assistance and protection.

Objectives

This assignment aims to present an overview of the localisation and climate change nexus in theory and support the arguments through field realities in the form of case studies. This study will inform policymakers of the dynamics of shared values and overlapping mandates and responsibilities of institutions and people working in localisation and climate action. The research will propose recommendations on how collaboration, joint planning and pooled funding, among other key aspects, can support climate vulnerable communities worldwide. Key objectives and outcomes of the study are, inter alia, as follows;

Raise awareness of the humanitarian impacts of disasters, taking into account the long-term consequences of climate change, for example on health, food security, livelihoods, migration and displacement.

Highlight the need to develop and strengthen collaborative approaches with a broad range of partners to mobilize the knowledge, capacity, and resources required to meet current and future challenges related to the climate emergency.

Capture field realities and human stories from ongoing and recent humanitarian disasters to build relationship between climate adaptation measures and DRR activities.

Recording an overview of the challenges faced by humanitarian actors, especially with regards to localisation efforts, as they respond to the humanitarian implications of climate change

Promote action at the regional, national and local levels through the provision of technical guidance and dissemination of best practices on addressing the implications of climate change on humanitarian sector.

Provide evidence-based technical advice to the negotiators at the UNFCCC sessions in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Conference 2023, Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, Asia-Pacific & African regional platforms, and learning and advocacy platforms in-between.

Analysing opportunities for galvanising action over the coming years as identified by local actors and humanitarian practitioners on ground.

Local realities will help ensure a humanitarian perspective on loss and damage and need for nature based solutions and protection, which will feed into the narrative of the integration of climate change in DRR planning and budgeting at the regional, local and national levels.

About the assignment

Climate change and related disasters pose significant challenges not only for the poorest and most vulnerable people, but also for leaders in disaster and emergency management. Effective leadership in the humanitarian space entails responding to, and preparing for, increasing frequencies and intensities of extreme natural hazard events while simultaneously managing and justifying the suffering and loss that individuals and communities experience in case of futile protection measures. In order to get insights into this multi-layered challenge and how it is compounded in multiple ways societies engage with risk and develop vulnerability or resilience, this study will draw upon selected examples from Asia, Middle East, and Africa to unfold the gaps in the current development–humanitarian response nexus.

While climate change is a driver of humanitarian crisis, climate action is a step in the direction of humanitarian localisation. Identifying overlapping mandates between climate change mitigation and adaptation measures and localisation, and integrating the two will enable us to acknowledge and raise awareness about the fact that climate change inevitably means disaster. Currently, in many parts of the world, the ministries and local departments responsible for climate change and DRR still operate in silos, whereas a localisation vision that is strategic, inclusive, and anticipatory is the one that factors in the ongoing and future consequences of climate change with DRR strategies. The integration of the two will help us build positive futures with diverse and robust local networks that are created to take practical and concrete actions ahead of disasters.

This research assignment seeks interdisciplinary contributions from Universities/Research and Policy Institutes/ Independent Consultants from the social sciences on the relationship between climate change adaptation and humanitarian localisation using examples and case studies from different regions of Asia, Africa and Middle East.

The call for research aims to produce evidence-based recommendations for conceptualising joint governance of climate and humanitarian challenges. The aim is to identify gaps and a way forward to enhance the protection and empowerment of vulnerable communities affected by climate change and humanitarian crisis worldwide by examining the prevailing institutions and principles governing the different sectors.

The increasing impacts of climate change and resulting humanitarian trends will not only become pronounced, but disasters will also become more unpredictable in the coming years. Despite the evident threat, many humanitarian actors have not engaged with the impact that climate change is having, and will increasingly have, on humanitarian interventions. Among those actors aware of the challenge, many don't possess clarity on addressing climate issues through humanitarian programmes.

The Research project on Bridging Localisation and Climate Adaptation Pathways – Case Studies from Asia, Middle East and Africa therefore aims to present an overview of the localisation and climate change nexus in theory and support the arguments through field realities in the form of case studies.

Methodology approach

The research team will propose a relevant and fitting methodology for the research build upon the following key needs of IRW;

1. Conduct a thorough desk review research on the overlapping principles and mandates of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, and localisation, and the challenges and opportunities of integrating humanitarian and climate change work streams.
2. Identify key stakeholders and experts in the field of climate change, localisation, environment, disaster management, human rights, and related fields from NGOs/INGOs, UN Agencies & CSOs, and field staff of Islamic Relief Country Offices in Asia, Africa and Middle East (where relevant) for primary data review.
3. Identify and compile case studies from the different regions to complement the study in highlighting the overlapping mandates between climate adaptation and localisation work streams, how climate action supports community empowerment and localisation efforts, how localisation takes different forms in different regions, and other relevant findings.
4. The research is meant for both academic and non-academic audiences so the language and tone of the study should be set accordingly – a blend of analytical and story-telling approach is encouraged.
5. The process must reflect inclusive and participatory approach.

Deliverables and Responsibilities

Deliverables for this project would be;

• The research team will submit a financial proposal, and a technical proposal clearly outlining the expected table of contents for the study, methodology, sampling, data collection, data tabulation etc.
• A comprehensive research paper with strategic articulation of primary and secondary data. The study will comprise of a list of gaps, findings, analysis, case studies, and recommendations. Maximum length of the paper should be between 24-30 pages.
• A brief (2-4 page) quality summary of the research study and one additional output (blog post, policy brief or conference presentation) to promote the study and dissemination of key findings and policy recommendations emerging from the research.
• The research is meant for both academic and non-academic audiences so the language and tone of the study should be set accordingly – a blend of analytical and story-telling approach is encouraged.
• All administrative and logistics costs related to the assigned task will be the responsibility of the research team.
• The research team will submit one additional output (blog post, policy brief or conference presentation) to promote the study and dissemination of key findings and policy recommendations emerging from the research.
• The research team will be responsible for any administrative and logistics cost related to the assigned task will be the responsibility of the research team.
• The Research team will ensure data collection using appropriate mediums and methods (interviews, literate review etc.).
• The Research team will ensure timely submission of research deliverables.
• IRW will share relevant policy and strategy documents with the research teams.
• IRW will facilitate and connect the research teams with the IR field office teams
• IRW will approve the final layout and research plan jointly with the research team

Required competencies

Required competencies of the consultant would be:

• Have a broad understanding and experience of conducting evaluations, outcome and impact assessments and reviews using a variety of methodologies and conducting desk reviews and studies.
• Must have experience in accessing and managing large bodies of diverse data and extracting relevant information from them and drawing appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
• Must be able to converse with stakeholders from a variety of background in order to elicit specific information.
• Will have significant technical and practical field-based research experience on the main and cross-cutting themes of the research in the context of international humanitarian and development sector, especially in the Global South, and be able to use this knowledge to construct effective enquiries and order information received.
• Will write informatively and succinctly in English.
• Respect the values of Islamic Relief.
• Possess strong qualitative and quantitative research skills.

The chosen evaluation team will be supported by IRW Disaster Risk Management Department (DRMD) team.

Project outputs

In addition to the above mentioned deliverables, the following key considerations are expected;

• the consultant is expected to produce a detailed work plan and inception report, developed with and approved by IRW, setting out the detailed methodology, relevant technical standards to be used as reference for the evaluation, sampling strategy and deliverables prior to commencing the primary data collection and review,
• The work plan, inception report, draft report, final report, presentation, etc., and communication language must be in English.
• Report layout with the proposal (consultant is invited to propose most suitable report structure layout).
• An example of the full report (max 24-30 pages) layout will ideally have the following sections:

1. Title of Report: Bridging Localisation and Climate Adaptation Pathways – Case Studies from Asia, Middle East and Africa
2. Consultancy organisation and any partner names.
3. Name of person who compiled the report including summary of role/contribution of others in the team.
4. Period during which the review was undertaken.
5. Acknowledgements.
6. Abbreviations.
7. Table of contents.
8. Literature review
9. Executive summary
10. Background and methodology of study
11. Primary and Secondary data analysis
12. Conclusion and recommendations
13. Bibliography
14. Annexes

• Terms of reference for the review.
• Profile of the review team members.
• Review schedule.
• Documents consulted during the desk review.
• Persons participating in the review – with appropriate consent for names to be published or specific names should be anonymised highlighting just role, organisation and gender.
• Quality media images demonstrating IRW work in the region.
• Additional key overview tables, graphs or charts etc. created and used to support analysis inform findings.
• Anonymised copies of all data collected in Excel or appropriate format which would enable cross-checking and any additional analysis.
• A presentation of draft findings and recommendations will be made by the consultant remotely to IRW Disaster Risk Management Department (DRMD), Regional Desk and country teams. Please allow 1.5 hours for this session.
• A final webinar will be delivered by the consultant to a wider IR audience to share the key findings and lessons learned.

Timetable and reporting information

This study will cover regions of Asia, Middle East, and Africa. The total duration of the assignment is 3 months. The project is expected to run for a maximum of 45working days (starting mid May 2023 and concluding by end of August 2023) with the following schedule;

Date

Description

Responsibility

22nd March 2023

Tender live date

IRW

17th April 2023

Final date for submission of bid proposal

Consultant

17th – 20th April 2023

Proposals considered, short-listing and follow up enquiries completed

IRW

15th May 2023

Consultant interviews and final selection (+ signing contracts)

IRW

22 May 2023

Contract agreement and engagement

IRW

20 June 2023

Submission of Inception Report (at least 7 days before commencing the evaluation)

Consultant

25 August 2023

Final report submitted to IRW

Consultant

Reporting information:

Contract duration: Duration to be specified by the consultant (no more than 45 days preferred)

Direct report: Head of Disaster Risk Management Department.

Job Title: Consultant: Bridging Localisation and Climate Adaptation Pathways – Case Studies from Asia, Middle East and Africa

The consultant will communicate in the first instance with and will forward deliverables to the IRW Disaster Risk Management Department.

Proposal to tender and costing

The consultant interested in carrying out this work must submit the following items as part of their proposal/bid:

1. Detailed cover letter/proposal outlining a methodology and approach briefing note
2. Résumé(s) or CV(s) outlining relevant skills and experience possessed by the consultant who will be carrying out the tasks and any other personnel who will work on the project
3. Example(s) of relevant work done of similar evaluations in PDF
4. The consultancy daily rate (fill in appendix 1)
5. Expenses policy of the tendering consultant. Incurred expenses will not be included but will need to be agreed in advance prior to contract award (fill in appendix 1)
6. Be able to complete the assignment within the timeframe stated above
7. Be able to demonstrate experience of outcome reviews, mapping and impact assessment/evaluation approaches for similar work.

Terms and conditions

The consultant would provide financial proposal outlining detailed break up of costs and charges. There would be formal agreement on payment schedule and funds transfer process once the consultant would be selected. Payment will be made in accordance with the deliverables and deadlines for this project so are as follows:

• • 40% of the total amount – First upfront payment - 30% of the total amount – submission of the first draft of the evaluation report - 30% of the total amount – submission of the final evaluation report including all outputs and attachments mentioned above

We can be flexible with payment terms, invoices are normally paid on net payment terms of 30 days.

Additional information and conditions of contract

The following additional information will be expected from the consultant and be pursuant to the conditions printed beneath as well as the terms and conditions in the consultancy contract.

1. The ToR document is between the consultant and Islamic Relief Worldwide.
2. Islamic Relief Worldwide is a legally registered charity under the laws of the United Kingdom charity registration number 328158
3. This document covers the research project identified and described in this document and related correspondence and may not be expended for any other purposes without the prior written approval of Islamic Relief Worldwide, Head of Disaster Risk Management Department
4. The project will be carried out under the auspices of the Islamic Relief Worldwide, Disaster Risk Management Department. The lead researcher will be working in the capacity of a freelance consultant, an individual or for an organisation.
5. Collected data, information, reports and reference documents should be submitted, along with any audio files and transcripts collected.
6. Intellectual Property Rights to all research, and data, conducted and collected and the final report belongs solely to Islamic Relief Worldwide.
7. In case of contraventions or breach of any of the terms of the agreement, any outstanding payments to the Lead Researcher or the organisation will be withheld.

During the consultancy period,

IRW will only cover:

Consultancy fees

Any travel costs to visit IRW or any of our country offices if required.

IRW will not cover

Tax obligations as required by the country in which he/she will file income tax.

Any pre/post assignment medical costs. These should be covered by the consultant

Medical and travel insurance arrangements and costs. These should be covered by the consultant.

To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;

https://www.islamic-relief.org/tenders/category/open-tenders/

How to apply

Consultancy contract

This will be for an initial period that is to be specified by the consultant commencing in May 2023 (exact date to be mutually agreed). The selected candidate is expected to work from their home/office and be reporting into the Head of Disaster Risk Management Department of IRW.

The terms upon which the consultant will be engaged are as per the consultancy agreement. The invoice is to be submitted at the end of the assignment and will be paid on net payment terms 30 days though we can be flexible.

All potential applicants must fill in the table beneath in Appendix 1 to help collate key data pertaining to this tender. The applicant must be clear about other expenses being claimed in relation to this consultancy and these must be specified clearly.

For this consultancy all applicants are required to submit a covering letter and CV’s of all potential consultants including the project lead.

A proposal including, planned activities, methodology, deliverables, timeline, and cost proposal (including expenses) are expected.

Other relevant supporting documents should be included as the consultants sees fit.

All applicants must have a valid visa or a permit to work in the UK (if travel is required to the UK). A valid visa/work permit is also required for those areas required to be visited as part of this consultancy.

Tender dates and contact details

All proposals are required to be submitted by Monday 17th April 2023 at 1.00pm UK time pursuant to the attached guidelines for submitting a quotation and these be returned to; tendering@irworldwide.org

For any issues relating to the tender or its contents please email directly to; tendering@irworldwide.org

Following submission, IRW may engage in further discussion with applicants concerning tenders in order to ensure mutual understanding and an optimal agreement.

Quotations must include the following information for assessment purposes.

1. Timescales
2. Full break down of costs including taxes, expenses and any VAT and be able to provide best value for money
3. References (two are preferred)
4. Technical competency for this role
5. Demonstrable experience of developing a similar piece of work including a methodology

Note: The criteria are subject to change.

Appendix 1

Please fill in the table below. It is essential all sections be completed and where relevant additional expenses be specified in detail. In case of questions about how to complete the table below, please contact; tendering@irworldwide.org

Cost evaluation for consultancy on bridging localisation and climate adaptation pathways with case studies from Asia, Middle East and Africa, March 2023

Full name of all consultants working on this project

Full company trading name

No of proposed hours per week

No. of proposed days

Preferred days

Non preferred days

Earliest available start date

Expected project finish date

Day rate (required for invoicing purposes) £

Total cost for consultancy in GBP (less taxes and expenses) £

Expenses (flights) £

Expenses (accommodation) £

Expenses (transfers) £

Expenses (in country travel) £

Expenses (visa) £

Expenses (security) £

Expenses (food) £

Expenses (print/stationary) £

Expenses other (please specify) £

Total expenses £

Total VAT or taxes £

Total cost for consultancy in GBP (inclusive of taxes and expenses) £

Note

The applicant is expected to take responsibility for paying full taxes and social charges in his/her country of residence.

To access or download the tender documents please follow the link below;

https://www.islamic-relief.org/tenders/category/open-tenders/