Background The Gambia is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Gambia is among the Nations that are vulnerable to climate variability and change, hence at the forefront of international climate action. The Gambia signed the UNFCCC in 1992, ratified it in 1994, and signed the Paris agreement[1] on 26th April 2016. This project is anchored on the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT), which was established in 2016 by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) following a request by the Conference of Parties (CoP 21) in Paris. The CBIT promotes transparency and accountability; hence, it is one of the ways through which the GEF is supporting countries to successfully implement Article 13 of the Paris Agreement This project has 4 components namely Component 1: Strengthen the capacity of national institutions to manage the National Green House Gas Inventory (GHGI) and Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to improve transparency over time. Component 2: Strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders in The Gambia on Green House Gas (GHG) data management for the GHGI and MRV system. Component 3: Development of an integrated knowledge management platform for sharing transparency activities. Component 4: Monitoring and Evaluation This project is executed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) and Conservation International Africa Field Division (CIAfFD). Project Overview Under the direct supervision of the Technical Director (Conservation International) and the Permanent Secretary (MECCNAR), The Gambia CBIT project aims to build capacity of institutions in The Gambia to meet the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of Article 13 under the Paris Agreement. This project has four components that seek to overcome the critical barriers to the achievement of the requirements of Article 13 of the Paris Agreement by The Gambia. The components were identified through a consultative process and as provided in the approved Project Identification Form (PIF), they aim to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of The Gambia to respond to the Transparency Requirements of the Paris Agreement. The components are; Component 1: Strengthen the capacity of national institutions to manage the National Green House Gas Inventory (GHGI) and Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to improve transparency over time: Component 1 will support capacity-building with a focus on strengthening the national Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sectors on GHGI and MRV system to improve transparency. The outcomes are: Outcome 1.1***:*** Strengthened coordination, data sharing, and engagement of key institutions/stakeholders in managing the National GHGI and MRV system. Output 1.1.1: The National task force on GHGI and mitigation strengthened and formalized as a framework for inter-ministerial coordination and GHG data sharing. Output 1.1.2: Stakeholder roles defined in the operationalization of the GHGI, MRV system, and GHG data management. Output 1.1.3: Focal points in each of the key government ministries and institutions identified, strengthened, institutionalized, and functioning as hubs for data collection and processing. Output 1.1.4: Gender focal points on climate change in the key institutions established and strengthened. Outcome 1.2: A functional National Green House Gas Inventory (GHGI) and Measuring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system in line with UNFCCC standards. Output 1.2.1: Technical guides on data transmission and communication in compliance with IPCC standards developed. Output 1.2.2: Functional online MRV system for collecting and managing NDC information. Output 1.2.3: NDC sector interactions and compliance with IPCC reporting requirements strengthened. Output 1.2.4: Strengthened technological capacity of key national institutions through the provision of MRV equipment. Component 2: Strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders in The Gambia on Green House Gas (GHG) data management for the GHGI and MRV system: Component 2 focuses on strengthening the capacity of stakeholders in the IPCC GHG emitting sectors to effectively and efficiently manage GHG data henceensuring quality GHG data is collected and reported by The Gambia. The outcome is; Outcome 2.1: Strengthened capacity of stakeholders to collect, process and feed GHG sectoral data into the GHGI. Output 2.1.1: Field data teams from the key emission sectors (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use, Energy, Transport, IPPU, and Waste) trained in the collection, processing, and transmission of GHG data. Output 2.1.2: At least twenty people from the hubs and coordinating agency trained in domestic MRV systems, tracking NDCs, enhancement of GHG inventories, and emission projections (at least 25% of the trainees are women). Output 2.1.3: Sector Hubs participate in the process of preparation of the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR). Output 2.1.4: Best practices shared and scaled out through peer exchange programs/workshops for stakeholders on transparency activities. Output 2.1.5: One final project report published (outlining project achievements, lessons learnt, gaps and opportunities and way-forward for CBIT in The Gambia. Component 3: Development of an integrated knowledge management platform for sharing transparency activities: This component is designed to support the establishment and strengthening of a national web-based information sharing platform to enhance the transparency of data sharing activities. The outcome is; Outcome 3.1: An integrated knowledge management platform linked to the Global CBIT Coordination Platform is functional and used by stakeholders as a one-stop source of information for transparency-related activities. Output 3.1.1: An integrated knowledge management platform for sharing transparency activities established and operational. Output 3.1.2: Knowledge Management Products generated and disseminated Component 4: Monitoring and Evaluation: This component is designed to support project monitoring systems providing systematic information on progress in meeting project outcomes and output targets. The outcome is; Outcome 4.1: An integrated monitoring and evaluation framework for the project. Output 4.1.1: Periodic M&E reports generated and submitted to CIGEF Agency. Output 4.1.2: A Terminal Evaluation Report generated by the project Terms of Reference, Deliverables and Deliverables Schedule Under the direct supervision of the Technical Director (Conservation International) and the Permanent Secretary (MECCNAR) the consultant is expected to: Undertake a capacity and technical needs assessment of The Gambia Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) sectors to understand the current gaps and needs in meeting the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) requirements. Conduct interviews and consultations with key stakeholders, including government officials, relevant ministries, agencies, and non-governmental actors involved in climate change initiatives and document gaps in data collection, analysis, QA/QC and reporting. The consultant with support from MECCNAR will hold atleast one in person workshop in The Gambia for the purposes of engaging with the stakeholders, Assess existing data collection and reporting systems and procedures for climate change actions in The Gambia. Identify gaps and challenges in meeting the enhanced transparency requirements, including issues related to data availability, quality, consistency, and reporting formats. Evaluate the institutional capacity and technical expertise required for effective reporting and compliance with transparency obligations. Provide recommendations and strategies for strengthening the data collection and reporting systems, enhancing institutional capacity, addressing identified gaps and challenges. Revise the project’s Results Framework (RF) and strategy in alignment with the findings of the needs assessment. Prepare a comprehensive needs assessment report documenting the findings, analysis, and recommendations of the needs assessment. The report shall include, amongst others, the following areas. Revised Project Results Framework; Revised RF with project strategy reflecting the current realities and priorities within The Gambia. Data collection: Assess the current GHG inventory data collection process as well as the process of tracking NDC obligations related to adaptation, climate finance and capacity building. The scope shall involve. Existing processes, identifying additional datasets, and collecting available information on the collection and input data for key IPCC sectors related to mitigation (Energy/transport, AFOLU, LULUCF, IPPU, and waste). Reviewing processes, identifying datasets, and collecting best available information on capacity building for adaptation and mitigation efforts in collaboration with the MECCNAR ). The review should include a description of the different aspects of capacity development and the related financial flows (public, bilateral and multilateral). Reviewing existing processes in the collection and input of geo-spatial data for GIS analysis related to tracking climate adaptation and mitigation. This should include the methodological and visual description of technical guidelines, data formats and processes involved in the data collection process, description of timeframes for each process flow and identification of entities/individuals responsible of providing the data of each relevant sector. Data analysis and Reporting: Assess the current GHG inventory status and reporting processes to identify gaps and opportunities for capacity building. QA/QC: Assess national level systems and tools used to ensure data Quality Control and data Quality Assurance; and current data archiving within government departments and recommend a data management solution including storage modalities and registry functionality. Capacity Building needs: Identify capacity building needs and priorities for The Gambia Expected Outputs/Deliverables: An Inception Report, including the conceptualization, roadmap and workplan for the assignment outlining the methodology, data collection tools, and proposed timeline for conducting the needs assessment. Revised Results Framework and project strategy in line with the current status of the project and country context. A first Draft Report of the needs/capacity assessment that will include the findings of the needs assessment, analysis of the gaps and challenges, and preliminary recommendations for strengthening The Gambia transparency framework. A Final report: a comprehensive final needs assessment report which will be a revised and finalized report based on review feedback received, incorporating additional inputs, and providing clear and actionable recommendations for The Gambia to meet the enhanced requirements for the Paris Agreement. Minimum Requirements Experience in MRV and GHG emissions inventories, climate mitigation and policy analysis. Demonstrated experience in international and national GHG inventory capacity development using IPCC methodologies, GHG accounting and data management. Experience in the development of systems/platforms for GHG data management and tracking of mitigation targets and capacity building on GHG data collection, processing and transmission. Demonstrate the availability of a team of key sector-specific experts (energy, industry, waste and agriculture/land use) who are UNFCCC accredited in the collection, compilation, analysis and reporting/presentation of GHG emissions. Experience in compiling, manipulating and presenting environmental data. Experience in supporting countries in Africa with capacity building in GHG inventory development. Provide references for countries worked with. Ability, experience and expertise in organizing, leading in-person and remote capacity building activities. Demonstrated ability in engaging with and working with national stakeholders (Governments, NGOs, donors, research and academics). More Details on the Terms of reference can be found in the link https://www.conservation.org/about/procurement-opportunities How to apply Submission Details Deadline. Proposals must be received no later than 15th November 2024 17:00 Hrs (EAT) Late submissions will not be accepted. Proposals must be submitted via email to procurementaffd@conservation.org. All proposals are to be submitted following the guidelines listed in this RFP. Validity of bid. 120 days from the submission deadline Clarifications. Questions may be submitted to Procurement AFFD – General procurementaffd@conservation.org by the specified date and time in the timeline below. The subject of the email must contain the RFP number and title of the RFP. CI will respond in writing to submitted clarifications by the date specified in the timeline below. Responses to questions that may be of common interest to all bidders will be posted to the CI website and/or communicated via email. Amendments. At any time prior to the deadline for submission of proposals, CI may, for any reason, modify the RFP documents by amendment which will be posted to the CI website and/or communicated via email. Proposal Documents to Include Signed cover page on bidder’s letterhead with the bidder’s contact information. Signed Representation of Transparency, Integrity, Environmental and Social Responsibility (Attachment 1) Technical Proposal. Corporate Capabilities, Experience, Past Performance, and 3 client references. Please include descriptions of similar projects or assignments and at least three client references. Qualifications of Key Personnel. Please attach CVs that demonstrate how the team proposed meets the minimum requirements listed in section 5 (Minimum Requirements). Technical Approach, Methodology and Detailed Work Plan. The Technical Proposal should describe in detail how the bidder intends to carry out the requirements described in the Terms of Reference Section 3. Financial Proposal. Offerors shall use the cost proposal template (Attachment 3). Resulting Award CI anticipates entering into an agreement with the selected bidder by 30th November 2024. Any resulting agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of CI’s Services Agreement. A model form of agreement can be provided upon request. More details can be found in our website at https://www.conservation.org/about/procurement-opportunities