Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Consultancy to Develop a Climate Action Strategy

About ChildFund

ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas to connect children with what they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are. In Kenya, ChildFund works through 11 Local Partners (LPs) and 2 direct implementing partners spread across 27 counties serving approximately 1.5 million children, families, and community members. We implement programs on Child Protection, Household Economic Strengthening, Early Childhood Development, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Food Security and livelihoods, Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition, Climate Change and Resilience Building.

The objective of the Consultancy:

ChildFund recognizes that climate change is among the most severe developmental challenges facing the world. Climate-induced shocks, including droughts, floods, sea level rise, desert locust infestation, and storms, among others, continuously result in the loss of lives and livelihoods and the destruction of properties and critical infrastructure. This poses environmental challenges like land degradation, water shortages, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, and pollution, among others affecting the population further. ChildFund’s goal is to support vulnerable communities in preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate-related shocks and promote replication and scale up of sustainable environmental management practices and appropriate adaptive solutions to climate change in the Country. About 89% of Kenya falls under Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and remains water scarce. Rain-fed agriculture and livestock production systems are the backbone of the economies of Kenyans, making them extremely susceptible to climate change. In line with this, ChildFund recognizes the need for a CO climate action strategy that complements its existing strategies and action plans as well as incorporates critical climate change emerging issues.

Thus, overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a ChildFund Kenya Country Office (CO) Climate Action strategy consistent with existing international, regional, and national policies and strategies aimed at effectively responding to the threats of climate change. The strategy will guide and help the Country Office and its implementation partners to address medium and long-term adaptation needs in the operational areas by clearly articulating its climate action vision, objectives, guiding principles, CO priority actions and planning to inform decision-making.

Specific objectives of the assignment include to:

1. Undertake a detailed assessment of the Global, Regional and National context of climate change, policies and strategies and its impact impacts, vulnerability, and risks in relevant thematic areas such as agriculture, livestock, water, security, gender, health, education, migration and displacement, transport, and infrastructure, among others.
2. Conduct mapping of climate action stakeholders at National, County government and community level
3. Facilitate a one-day stakeholder consultation to gather input towards the drafting of the strategy, including the consultation with children and other marginalized groups.
4. Identify gaps and opportunities in climate change actions that will inform the design of CO climate Change strategy.
5. Based on the above, draft a climate change action strategy with clear actions and recommendations, and share for review and validation.
6. Prepare and Submit final CO Climate Action Strategy within the agreed timeframe.

Scope of work

The Consultant will be responsible for collecting, compiling, and reviewing key resources and coordinating the information gathering and review processes. The consultant will gather relevant up to date information and data from credible sources at all levels (Global, regional, National, County and community) relating to ChildFund work and operations. The assignment will adopt mixed methods in data collection, both quantitative and qualitative will be used. It will involve participatory tools and techniques, such as In-depth interviews, Key informant interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and others. The consultant will engage ChildFund staff, Government departments, other INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and community members. The consultant will review relevant documents, such as the ChildFund Project proposal, existing project reports, National and County Development Plans and policies.

Supervision

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of DRR Senior Specialist, supported by the Programs and Sponsorship Director. The consultant or consulting firm will work closely with assigned technical staff from Country office and Implementing partners and regularly holding physical and virtual meetings and visit.

This exercise will take a maximum of 5 weeks and may require field visits to different counties where ChildFund has operations.

Expected Deliverables

1. An inception report that includes a conceptual framework, methodology and work plan 2 days after getting the assignment
2. Draft Country Office Climate Action Strategy 4 weeks after starting the assignment.
3. Validation report of the Strategy
4. Final ChildFund Kenya Climate Action Strategy

Tentative Schedule

The consultancy work shall begin immediately after the signing of the contract with ChildFund Kenya, and it shall be for a fixed 5 weeks. There will be an inception meeting with the country office management to lay ground for the work.

Consultants’ Qualifications

The consultant must have the following competencies:

• An expert in climate change action and mitigation.
• At least 7 years of experience in climate change, action, mitigation and strategy development, having at least developed a climate change-related strategy before.
• Master’s Degree in Climate Change, Environmental Science, Strategy Planning, Meteorology, Agricultural sciences, or related fields. A PhD is an added advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of international policies and tools in climate change and related thematic fields.
• Good policy analysis and political alignment skills.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams across multiple countries and institutions.
• Excellent skills and ability to articulate ideas clearly and accurately, including the ability to prepare reports and communicate effectively in English.
• Practical experience in organization development, communication, governments, civil society and communities’ engagement, policy and advocacy support in relation to climate change and environmental management is a requirement.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and networks.

Selection Criteria

• The selection criteria are education, relevant work experience (as described above), good track record in delivering similar assignments, and familiarity with climate change actions, policies and strategy development.

Consultancy Work Payment Schedule

Output Payment Completion Timeline

Submission and approval of inception report 20% Within two weeks of signing the contract

2nd Draft Regional Climate Action Strategy 50% After two months

Validation of the final Climate Action Strategy 30% Approved

NB:

• The Consultant’s compensation shall be paid NET, within 30 days from receipt of a proper invoice unless otherwise specified.
• Payment will be made by cheque unless otherwise specified.
• The payment shall be subjected to 5% withholding tax as required by the Law at the time of payment.

Insurance cover

• The consultants will be responsible for their own medical and life insurance coverage for the duration of the assignment.

Taxes

• The consulting Firm will be responsible for remitting its taxes.