Fund for Environment and Cimate Change in Rwanda (Fonerwa)

REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

FUND FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CIMATE CHANGE IN RWANDA (FONERWA)

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTANTS/CONTRACTUAL STAFF

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTUAL STAFF TO WORK WITH MINIRENA ON THE FUND FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN RWANDA-FONERWA

Background and context

The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has prioritized green economy to guide national development through economic transformation that is environmentally sustainable and climate resilient. This is reflected in the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (EDPRS II) which considers green economy among priority areas and identifies environment and climate change as a cross cutting issue to be mainstreamed across socio-economic sectors. At the highest policy level, the Cabinet approved the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) in 2011 to guide and drive the performance of all sectors of the Rwandan economy towards climate resilient and low Carbon development pathway. The fund for environment and climate change, FONERWA, was identified as the sustainable financing facility to ensure successful implementation of the GGCRS. As a result, the GoR has established and is committed to operationalize FONERWA. The Fund is supervised by the Ministry in charge of environment and climate change (MINIRENA)

FONERWA’s mission is twofold:

1)  to mobilize and manage resources forachieving environmental sustainability, climate resilience and green growth in order to promote Rwanda’s short, medium and long term sustainable development goals.

2)  To fund projects and programmes by public and private sector organizations that produce results contributing to these objectives

Thus, FONERWA serves as acritical platform and conduit for facilitating direct access to international environment and climate finance, and streamlining,rationalizing and managing externally sourced and domestic finances in a way that accelerates the achievement of broad based national sustainable development priorities.

The fund can be accessed by line ministries, Government agencies, Districts, civil society organizations (CSOs) including academic institutions and the private sector, as long as the proposed activities are in compliance with theFund eligibility criteria.

The Fund Management Team (FMT) provides broad capacity building through various approaches that include workshops and seminars, working sessions involving small groups and intensive one-on-one technical assistance. Applicants are supported to submit Project Profile Documents (PPDs) and full Proposals (PDs), as well as providing Technical Assistance (TA) and advisory support to approved projects on implementation, monitoring and evaluation and lesson learning.

The fund has been operational since 2012 and has to-date successfully processed applications and supported the implementation of high quality project proposals that have met the rigorous and competitive criteria for funding.

The support to FONERWA operations

A Fund Management Team (FMT) supported FONERWA operations include resource mobilization, proposal screening and technical review, capacity building for potential applicants to the fund and technical support during proposal development, knowledge management for aligning results to FONERWA objectives and support to overall communication needs of the fund.

FONERWA is currently recruiting applicants who will provide technical expertise in various areas of support to FONERWA operations. Potential areas of support include:

·  capacity building in diverse technical fields including environment, climate change and natural resources; renewable energy, infrastructure, urban planning, rural development areas including agriculture, and emerging areas that respond to climate resilience and green growth.

·  technical support to applicants in proposal development;

·  conducting technical reviews;

·  Support to private sector to increasingly integrate green business concepts and enhanced green investments.

·  Other auxiliary functions include Knowledge Management/communications advisor, resource mobilization advisor, events management expert;

·  Support in general project design and management such as and Cycle Management Project (PCM) with emphasis on M&E.

·  Support the day to day operations of the fund in areas of procurement and financial management

The fund is seeking international, regional and national experts in line with the above potential areas of support categorized as follows:

1. Sector specialists (Fig 1) required on call down basis (Consultants)

2. Other auxiliary functions (Fig 2) as external consultants

3. Support services staff (Annual contractual staff on full time basis)

It should be noted that the list is not exhaustive. These areas match the key entry points for FONERWA interventions

The experts in Fig 1 and 2 will then be assigned to transfer skills and capacity to institutional support staff at both central and decentralized levels, to build local capacity for long term support to Project Cycle Management (PCM) including specific support to FONERWA financed projects and hence the sustainability of the programme.

Figure 1: Chart that maps out experts needed to support FONERWA windows.

Figure 2: Auxiliary support to FONERWA operations.

1.0 Sector specialists (Fig 1) required on call down basis

1.2 The Purpose and Objectives of the consultancy

The purpose of the international/Regional/National consultancy is to:

1)  support capacity building and skills development in project design, development, review and management through workshops, seminars, and one-to-one coaching and mentoring of stakeholders;

2)  Provide training and deliver technical skills to the fund management team and national consultants, to focus on ensuring transfer of skills and expertise to local teams for sustainable long term capacity development to support FONERWA operations;

3)  Support training and skills transfer in specific technical areas of expertise highlighted in Figure 1& 2 to ensure proposal development by project applicants seeking FONERWA funding are relevant to fund objectives and therefore meet criteria for FONERWA financing;

4)  Conduct technical reviews of proposals seeking funding from FONERWA, at various approval levels of the review process.

Please note: these ToRs indicate broad areas of potential support to FONERWA and outline the overarching objectives and aims of FONERWA for general orientation to potential consultants. Actual tasks and assignments will be specifically targeted to draw down consultants as required and assignment -specific details will be developed as appropriate on a need basis.

1.3 Scope of work by sector specialists (Fig 1)

The main tasks of the consultant will include, but not be limited to, support FONERWA in achieving capacity development objectives ensuring that national capacity is built to:

ü  Train grant applicants in proposal development and preparation towards enhanced access to FONERWA funds;

ü  Providing hands-on technical support to training national counterparts including the GoR recruited secretariat, Fund Management Team (FMT), Fund Technical team (FTC), Fund Managing Committee (FMC) and other national teams that are identified to support proposal screening, technical review and ensuring that overall quality of projects meets the exceptional standards of FONERWA financing requirements;

ü  Preparing and delivering effective capacity building strategies to ensure national capacity is built for the long term sustainability of FONERWA operations.

1.3.1 Specific areas of support by Private sector specialist (Fig 1)

ü  Provision of Technical Support for Submission of Proposals from (PPD) Development to full Proposal Development, identify and create a pipeline of projects “with transformational impact” for the private sector,

ü  Be the main focal point for the private sector and respond to requests from the potential applicants, as and when required, and co-ordinate with potential international private sector applicants

ü  Provision of Technical Support for private sector project Monitoring and Implementation and advise management accordingly

ü  Guide on private sector targeting and assist in refining and introducing private sector financing instruments

ü  Support the Implementation of the current private sector Financial Instruments, assess their performance, impact and sustainability issues in line with the Rwandan context

ü  Build new national and international partnerships supporting private sector engagement.

ü  Design a strategy for FONERWA private sector targeting to guide FONERWA private sector actions and coordinate its implementation

1.3.2 Qualifications and criteria for the consultancy positions (Fig 1)

ü  Master’s degree PhD (an added advantage) in a relevant field such as economics, Engineering, Environment/Natural Resources Management and rural development (Refer to Figure 1 as a guide for specific area of expertise);

ü  Minimum 5 years work experience in related fields such as Environment and Climate change, project design, monitoring and evaluation, cost-benefit analysis and associated methodologies, and strategic planning;

ü  Experience in Proposal Development/Screening/Capacity Building (depending on the subject area)

ü  Detailed knowledge of environment and climate change in the Rwandan /developing country context, and wider international development agenda is a definite advantage;

ü  Practical knowledge of GoR procedures and protocols through direct experience of working with the Government would be an added advantage;

ü  Experience of dealing with policy makers/development partners;

ü  A working relationship and understanding of diverse cultures, priorities and contemporary needs of the government/private sector in the context of capacity building;

ü  ability and/or experience to influence change to institutional landscape and processes;

ü  Excellent communications skills;

1.3.3 Terms and conditions of service (Fig 1)

These services will be hired on a call down basis apart from the private sector specialist who will be on contract basis for a period of one year renewable based on satisfactory performance.

2.0. Other auxiliary functions (Fig 2)

2.1 Auxiliary support to FONERWA operations.

The auxiliary consultant/firm that is being targeted for this recruitment will be required for i) The Knowledge Management advisory; and ii) communications advisory;

2.1.1 Knowledge Management advisory

1.  Ensure Knowledge Management system is fully established and operational; through Integrated Knowledge Management Platform; manage web content and dissemination of key information on FONERWA in coordination with the communications expert through the website (backend & front end, hosting, support/helpline etc) Where necessary contract IT firm to provide the necessary support required

2.  Manage and supervise transfer/migration of current systems from existing partners (where site is hosted) to be hosted and managed locally under GoR policies

3.  Manage spot checks for the website, maintenance, troubleshooting, site updates and or developments/upgrades etc of systems where necessary

4.  Establish and maintain links with regional and international resource centers, learning events/seminars

5.  Establish and maintain database of all relevant fund activities in line with Knowledge management and provide reports where necessary in line with this data; Lessons Learned

6.  Train and provide capacity building to FMT staff who will be shadowing the Knowledge Management expert

2.1.2 Communication advisory

1.  Develop and execute FONERWA Communications strategy

2.  Plan and coordinate FONERWA Launch – May 2014

3.  Showcase FONERWA as a brand; locally & internationally; in the media, manage website content and communications, events management, do public relations for the fund

4.  Update and maintain FONERWA publications in terms of official website, social media, lessons learned, collect relevant data on the fund and funded projects and disseminate it to the relevant audience/stakeholders i.e. Development partners, GoR, prospective applicants, media, bloggers etc Ensure face time at key environment and Climate change events/meetings/workshops both locally & globally

5.  Coordinate events/activities between FONERWA with GoR& Development partners

6.  Assist in recruitment and managing of Creative/Advertising agency to handle FONERWA as a brand. Take lead and advise FMT on FONERWA events both locally & globally

7.  Coordinate FONERWA short film production and have it disseminated nationally and internationally. Develop mini-films, as possible from, larger film to be used strategically on the web, events, targeted to journalists as part of an online press kit.

8.  Family of communications deliverables that can be repurposed into multiple communications tools (print, web, social media, press kit) and used as the national and international level. Outreach brochure, fact sheets, and success and potential success stories.

9.  Train and provide capacity building to FMT staff who will be shadowing the Communications expert

2.1.3 Qualifications and criteria for the consultancy positions (Fig 2)

ü  Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Information Communications technology -ICT, public relations, marketing etc.,

ü  Minimum 5 years work experience in related fields

ü  Knowledge of environment and climate change in the Rwandan /developing country context, and wider international development agenda is a definite advantage;

ü  Practical knowledge of GoR procedures and protocols though direct experience of working with the Government would be an added advantage;

ü  Experience of dealing with policy makers/development partners;

ü  A working relationship and understanding of diverse cultures, priorities and contemporary needs of the Public/private sector in the context of ICT;

ü  ability and/or experience to influence change to institutional landscape and processes;

ü  Excellent communications skills;

2.1.4 Terms and conditions of service (Fig 2)

These services will be hired on a need basis and companies are welcome to submit their applications along with CVs that highlight individuals from the companies that meet the criteria and qualifications indicated above.

3.0 Support services staff (Annual contractual staff required on full time basis)

3.1 Support services staff

The Support services staff that are targeted for this recruitment include i) The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist; ii) The procurement specialist; iii) The financial management specialist; and iv) The Project Analyst. The specific areas of support are highlighted under each position.

3.1.1 M&E specialist

ü  Assessing and improving/strengthening the current FONERWA M&E system/tools, its implementation and linkage to other sectors and EDPRS 2 both from at the fund level to the FONERWA supported projects, including data collection mechanisms/methods, data quality assessment, management and reporting.

ü  Suggesting and designing an appropriate statistical based Management information system/electronic M&E, to harmonize data generated from the FONERWA supported projects and other FONERWA stakeholders for appropriate quality reporting and documentation.

ü  Identifying new innovations in M&E including online applications (use of ICT in Monitoring and Evaluation)

ü  Providing technical assistance in selecting, constructing data collection instruments, data analysis, data recording and on knowledge management