1.1 Background

The contribution of forest and tree resources in containing climate change, reducing social and biophysical vulnerability, creating employment and improving livelihoods has been widely documented. Moreover, there is mounting recognition of integrating forest and tree-based adaptation and mitigation options in addressing challenges posed by climate change and climate variability in Africa and the rest of developing world.  Such integration is expected to generate multiple benefits, including enhanced conservation of biodiversity, sustainable management of forests and improved livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.

In this regard, AFF in 2019 conducted many studies, two of which focused on strengthening capacity of stakeholders in African forestry to integrate and uptake adaptation and mitigation options in response to climate change and strengthening REDD+ implementation in African countries.  In these studies, activities, projects and programmes showing both mitigation and adaptation benefits that address resilience to adverse effects of climate change were identified.  More interestingly, piloted REDD+ activities were found to demonstrate both adaptation and mitigation potentials, even though most of the African countries are still at early stage of formulating and implementing REDD+ plans and activities in accordance with Warsaw framework. AFF, therefore developed a framework for integrating forest and tree-based adaptation and mitigation options in response to climate change and variability. This framework was validated by 54 stakeholders in forestry from 28 African countries.

Equally, another study conducted by AFF in 2019 on strengthening capacity of stakeholders in African forestry to improve on production and trade in gums and resins demonstrated that the livelihoods accessed from these non-timber forest products are critically important in fragile ecosystems of the African drylands. These arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are known to face many climate-related challenges including recurrent droughts, erratic and scanty rainfall patterns. The production and commercialization of gums and resins has strongly emerged as an alternative livelihood and climate-resilient strategy for ASALs’ communities. For example, it was observed that gums and resins exploited from Senegalia sp., Vachelia sp Comiphora sp. and related species are traded locally and are also part of cross-border trade that provides socioeconomic, cultural, medicinal benefits, in addition to environmental sustainability.  Promoting entrepreneurship opportunities and technologically efficient means for value addition of these important products could therefore contribute to improving resilience to climate change, as well as to enhancing livelihoods, national incomes and employment among actors in these climate sensitive areas.

However, underdeveloped markets and value chains, lack of financial capital, and technical skills remain key constraints to the gums and resins sector in the producing countries. Also, inadequate technical capacities among stakeholders in African forestry to develop bankable projects for implementation and uptake of integration adaptation and mitigation options while simultaneously accelerating REDD+ in African countries remains a significant challenge.

1.2 Rationale and purpose of the work

The African Forest Forum, in its annual work plan 2020 on the “African Forests, People and Climate Change” project, is recruiting ten (10) national experts, two each for Zambia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone  to strengthen capacity of stakeholders in forestry for the development of bankable projects that could enhance resilience to climate change and improve livelihoods of forest and trees’ dependents communities. This assignment will specifically focus on imparting knowledge and skills to trainers of trainer (ToTs) in supporting their countries  in mobilizing funds and other resources for  (i) implementing the framework on the integration and uptake of forest and tree-based mitigation and adaptation (M&A) options in response to climate change; (ii) enhancing REDD+ implementation; and (iii) strengthening of gums, resins and other NTFPs value chains of relevance for women and youth groups. The training in selected countries is expected to lead to the development of at least two national bankable projects submitted to relevant donors.

1.3 Specific tasks

In each selected country, the expert will;

(i) Compile and updated list of (potential) actors/stakeholders engaged in:

-implementing and uptake of forest and tree-based adaptation and mitigation options including elaboration and strengthening forest and tree-based resilience measures to adverse effects of climate change;

-implementing REDD+ activities, projects and programmes; and

-gums, resins and other NTFPs value chains, including their priority areas of intervention, status and resources needs;

(ii) Update the list and analyses of potential donors that could be targeted for fundraising considering advantages, disadvantages and requirements;

(iii) Based on (i) and (ii) develop contextualized training materials on resources mobilization through development of bankable projects to implement: (a) integration and uptake of forest and tree based adaptation and mitigation options as well as resilience to adverse effects of climate Change; enhancement of REDD+  and  (c) strengthening of gums, resins and NTFPs value chains;

(iv) In collaboration with AFF secretariat, undertake the training of trainers on resources mobilization through development of bankable projects as stipulated in (iii);

(v) Prioritize and select at least six draft project ideas/concept notes, two each per targeted country in different forest types and their host institutions/stakeholders for follow-up with AFF secretariat and finalization for submission;

(vi) Guide all trainees to develop an effective and realistic action plan and strategy for sustainable resource mobilization; and

Produce and submit a workshop report including all training material developed and used with appropriate recommendations.

2.0 Minimum qualifications and skills

The interested applicant should meet the following minimum qualifications and skills:

• Have a master’s degree in natural resources management with a good knowledge in forestry, climate change finance and environmental/natural resources economics or related subjects;
• Be a research-development scientist with proven knowledge and experience in designing, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of forestry and/or natural resources-based development projects; A PhD will be an added advantage
• Be knowledgeable on current and emerging issues in forestry and global climate change negotiations;
• Have experience in forest policy and management in Africa;
• Have good resource mobilisation skills and have contributed to secure funding for at least five (5) forest-natural resources-based projects at national and/or international level; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English for Anglophone and French for francophone Africa.

3.0 Application requirements

The applicant shall submit the following:

(i) Cover letter stating how the above qualifications and experience requirements are met.

(ii) A brief proposal/concept note containing:

• • key results area and corresponding activities;
  • A tentative outline of the programme for the training

(iii) Curriculum vitae.

 4.0 Deadlines

• Applications must be received by the AFF Secretariat before July 31^st, 2020.
• Results of the selection will be announced to successful applicant by August 20^th
• Selected applicants will hold a skype meeting with AFF secretariat to discuss an harmonize the approach and workplan in all the targeted countries not later than September 02, 2020.
• Based on prevailing COVID-19 situation in each country, the training will be conducted not later than the 15^th November 2020
• Supervision and guidance to the selected partners on development of bankable project proposals shall continue until March 31^st, 2021.

5.0 How to apply

All applications must be submitted by e-mail with the subject line: “Consultancy No: 02-111/113/3.1.2 “Strengthening capacity of stakeholders in African forestry to develop bankable projects for enhancing resilience to climate change and improvement of livelihoods” to Dr.  Marie Louise A. T. Avana-Tientcheu and Dr. Doris Mutta of the AFF Secretariat through the following e-mail addresses: m.avana@cgiar.org and d.mutta@cgiar.org and copied to exec.sec@afforum.org

To download the Terms of Reference, click on the links below:

“Strengthening capacity of stakeholders in African forestry to develop bankable projects for enhancing resilience to climate change and improvement of livelihoods”

“Renforcement de la capacité des parties prenantes de la foresterie africaine à développer des projets bancables pour améliorer la résilience au changement climatique et les moyens d’existence”