Call for proposals – IPLC Forest Facility Real-time Evaluation

RFN is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the work to protect the world’s rainforests and strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples, in cooperation with indigenous and environmental organisations in Southeast Asia, Central Africa and the Amazon. The IFF is an innovative mechanism being designed to ensure long-term security for DRC’s forests, and to strengthen the role of communities in forest governance. The IFF will primarily support the establishment of effective, equitable, rights-based management regimes for high-integrity forests1 and focus on creating integrated mosaics of Indigenous/community land tenure and protected areas, recognized and supported in government-endorsed spatial and jurisdictional plans.

Purpose and scope

The purpose of this real-time evaluation is to produce knowledge that can improve the establishment, efficacy, and durability of the IFF, while also guiding and inspiring future interventions around the world. A real-time evaluation was decided upon as the mechanism itself is a novel approach and would benefit from immediate feedback during the design and early implementation process. Each of the studies will serve specific purposes.

1. The first study will serve to improve documentation of the results and effects of this project as well as the project’s participatory strategy to ensure the IFF’s empowerment and independence.
2. The second study, will assess the early implementation of the project and generate recommendations to improve implementation in the remaining period, providing input to the design of the IFF’s governance and independent M&E systems, as well as the implementation of activities by partners and the piloting of the small-grants mechanism. Lessons learned for future use within the IFF and beyond should be highlighted. Key issues for project implementation and final evaluation will be identified.

Timeline and budget

The consultancy is planned to be undertaken from October 2023 - March 2025 and will include two studies. Proposed dates are outlined in the suggested evaluation timeline included in the Terms of Reference, but proposals should suggest adaptations to this timeline if necessary. Final dates will be agreed upon between consultants and RFN.

The total budget, including travel, should not exceed USD 92,000 (VAT not included in total).

The consultant will be expected to make her/his/their own arrangements for accommodation, travel, and office facilities during the evaluation. RFN will assist with travel to partners in the project area.

Qualification and composition of the team

The review shall be carried out by one or more consultants. The combined qualifications of the evaluation team shall as a minimum constitute at least five years’ experience on evaluation or work experience from working with civil society organizations at global, regional or national levels. Among the proposed teams, RFN will select the team that provides best value for money based on a consideration of a) to what extent the team is well suited for the task, emphasising in-depth expertise (including academic work) and the relevance of the specific technical expertise and experience of the team member(s), and b) the costs expressed in daily fees.

When assessing the qualifications of the team, RFN will look particularly for the following:

• Demonstrated research and evaluation skills including research methodologies including qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience from reviewing/evaluating activities of similar nature, including REDD+ projects, technical expertise in forestry or other natural resources management.
• Good understanding of climate change mitigation and FCPF/REDD+ mechanisms
• Good understanding of monitoring and evaluation, and results management as practiced in ODA-funded NGOs.
• Language proficiency in French and English. If languages cannot be covered by the team, please present a plan (incl. budget) for the use of translators.
• Experience working in the DRC, particularly in the project areas of Equator, North Kivu, South Kivu, or Maniema.
• A gender-balanced team

Consultant’s proposal

Candidates should refer to the evaluation terms of reference and the project results framework for the project to inform their proposals.

Questions regarding the assignment can be submitted to audrey@rainforest.no (Cc: jean-luc.mugisho@rainforest.no) and the answers will be shared with all registered candidates.

The candidates must submit the following:

• CV of the team leader for the evaluation, team roles, and a brief summary (maximum two pages combined) of their qualifications as well as experience in carrying out similar activities and examples of results obtained, sources and amounts of funding for such projects, and a few contacts for reference.
• Proposed methodology, max 2 pages.
• A budget for the evaluation, including daily fees based on 8 working hours per day. If team members have different fees, the expected division of labour between them must be indicated. Include any other costs necessary to carry out the review. Travel costs will be agreed separately, based on economy class travel and compensated according to Norwegian government travel regulations.
• Proof of authorization to operate in the DRC
• If the consultant(s) is not located in Oslo, the costs for at least one travel to Oslo.

Proposals must be sent to audrey@rainforest.no (Cc: jean-luc.mugisho@rainforest.no) by the end of Friday the 22nd of September 2023, marked with IFF Real-time Evaluation Proposal and your organisation’s name in the subject field.