National Reviewer

1. PROJECT SUMMARY

Payment for Eco-systems Services (PES) will be a key element in strategies for mainstreaming forest biodiversity conservation and maintaining essential support services, and for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The GEF-supported Millennium Ecosystem Assessment concluded that more than 60% of the world’s ecosystems services are either degraded or used unsustainably. The Stern Report in 2006 highlighted the effect of deforestation on climate change through carbon emissions while the role of forests in watershed protection is critical for water supply services downstream, for agriculture and flood prevention. Biodiversity is closely linked with the functioning of various forest ecosystems services such as soil conservation, genetic resources conservation and carbon sequestration, and as a result depredation of the forest fauna and flora can have severe consequences for human welfare.

At the same time, these challenges pose problems for forest management for sustainable timber production as an integrated component of the ecosystem. The forests provide a wide range of services and a viable management plan needs to incorporate these fully. Some may have commercial potential while others are of social importance and it is within this holistic approach that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system has a distinct advantage over other certification systems being developed which focus exclusively on one service or another. It also has a track record in biodiversity conservation through its High Conservation Value Forest approach and in fact has one of its Core Principles (Principle 9) dedicated to this. Nevertheless FSC is often seen as being exclusively timber focused rather than addressing the wider ecosystem services.

The purpose of this project is therefore to improve and promote sustainable forest management for a range of ecosystem services through the medium of FSC certification. Over the project duration of four years, the application of FSC certification will be tested on the ground for the additional services mentioned above and other allied ones such as recreation. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and system, as well as to provide the so needed ‘evidence-base’, it will need to be tested and its impacts measured in different socio-political as well as environmental conditions. For this reason, the project will be implemented in four countries, Chile, Indonesia, Nepal and Vietnam, through local and international NGOs and government agencies. Essential to this is the development of suitable measurable compliance indicators which will be incorporated in FSC national standards in the pilot countries and into international standards.

At the same time, certification has to be paid for and it is necessary to determine the market demand, both in relation to specific services and also for the concept of “bundling” a set of such services under one certification process. This in turn requires a feasible business model to be designed for both international and domestic markets.

At the international level, a number of actions will take place: 

• International generic ecosystem service indicators will be developed for approval by the FSC Board
• An FSC ecosystem services strategy will be defined
• Guidance documents for standards development will be published
• A impact monitoring methodology to track FSC certification impact will be designed
• New certification business models will be designed and tested in various habitat and landscapes based on FSC Principles and Criteria
• Market promotion of ES-based forest certification will be undertaken through communications campaign, partnership building in countries, training and technical services
• Information and didactic materials will be produced for public outreach

At the termination of the project, it is expected to have enabled a global system of expanded FSC forest certification targeting a few key ecosystem services with (present or future) market potential, established a few certified sites for ecosystem services and to have successfully proven the (monetary as well as non-monetary) benefits through the mechanism of FSC certification such as revenue generated for forest operations and local communities.

More information about the project including key documents can be found on forces.fsc.org

2. SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

GEF procedures necessitate the execution of a project MTR on all Full Sized Projects. The MTR has as a main goal the fine-tuning of workplans for the second half of the project, improving project approaches and optimizing implementation arrangements, based on a review of progress on execution as well as the achievement of project outcomes as specified in the Project Document. MTRs are considered an integral part of GEF projects and the responsibility of the project executing agencies and should be based on an extensive and transparent consultation process with all key stakeholder groups. MTR findings and recommendations will be reviewed and endorsed by the International Steering Committee (ISC); and subsequently to be adopted by the four National Executing Agencies (NEAs based in Chile, Indonesia, Nepal and Vietnam) and staff followed by a summary of key decisions indicating target dates, and key responsible agencies/officers for meeting these recommendations. In Vietnam NEA is SNV Vietnam.

The MTR is composed of (i) country MTR workshops; (ii) the process facilitation and project review by a small team of MTR consultants visiting a selection of field sites, meeting and/or interviewing key stakeholder groups, reviewing outputs & deliverables, and attending a number of the country MTR workshops; (iii) preparation of Country MTR Reports and Consolidated MTR Report; (iv) ISC meeting on formal endorsement of the MTR findings, recommendations and action schedule.

The MTR team consists of a Team Leader, National Reviewer for each country (4), and a MTR Workshop Facilitator for each country (4).

The project period under evaluation will be from its launch in October 2011 to the end of the First Quarter of 2014.

The indicators for the project are reflected in the project logframe (see Appendix 4 of Project Document), subject to establishment of baseline conditions for a number of indicators at the start of the project. The activities in the first two years have been monitored regularly, and outputs will be evaluated against the indicators during this Mid-Term Review (MTR) (Year 3). MTR workshops will present summary findings based on the progress and performance ‘self-assessment’ by the national project team (the country MTR Reports), consultations with a broad range of project partners and stakeholders, any initial findings by the lead reviewer based on field visits, interviews or document review, and summarize the key findings from experience during the first two years activities, for the consideration of project management. The MTR Workshops also act as a medium for outreach on the project achievements so far. 

The National Reviewer will review reports and other project materials, and consolidate his/her findings and recommendation in a short Summary Review Report, including materials assess from the National MTR Reports, MTR Workshops as well as his/her own observation from field pilot visits and interviews conducted together with the Team Leader Reviewer.

Key review objectives

The MTR has as main goal the evaluation of progress to date using the indicators as a benchmark for project progress, possible fine-tuning of workplans for the second half of the project, improving project approaches and optimizing implementation arrangements, based on a review of progress on execution as well as the achievement of project indicators as specified in the Project Document.

The review will assess, amongst other things:

1.The effectiveness and efficiency of project management and supervision of project activities;
2.The production of planned outputs and milestones, in terms of quantity, quality, usefulness and timeliness;
3.Project performance in achieving project objectives and outcomes;
4.Project performance against quantified criteria;
5.Project progress against available and spent budget (GEF & co-finance);
6.Sustainability and replicability of project achievement towards outputs and outcomes to date.

Based on this:

• The Consultant, in support of the Team Leader, and his/her team shall make recommendation on how to continue and improve project implementation during the second half of the project.
• Confirm and/or recommend any specific redirecting of program activities;
• Confirm or change activity benchmarks;
• Advise on project institutional arrangements;
• Advise on project approaches towards stakeholder groups and other beneficiaries;
• Any needed approaches to better achieve project objectives and/or outcomes.

The National Reviewer (and Workshop Facilitator during the workshop discussions), in full consultation with the Team Leader/International Reviewer, shall compile, capture and evaluate project information, which will be used by the TL in preparing the consolidated MTR Review Report for review by the project management in July/August, and endorsement of MTR Findings and Recommendations during the ISC which is scheduled to meet in August/September 2014.

The review shall particularly assess the overall project execution performance, the overall progress of the project, as well as the overall project impacts during the first 2+ years of the project.  It shall also provide a summary review of the approach and methods used during the first 2+ years in achieving the project objectives and outcomes.

The review shall also highlight lessons learned and/or best practice features for expansion, the replication elsewhere and strengthening of the GEF project portfolio, in particular. The review of sustainability and replicability of the project will be an integral part of this.

3. STATEMENT OF SERVICES

The National Reviewer is responsible for conducting an independent review of national project implementation to date and submitting this to the Team Leader for incorporation into the Consolidated MTR Report.

Specific tasks are as follows:

1.In consultation with the NCU prepare a workplan during the first week of assignment and obtain final approval from the International Team Leader
2.Review the national Mid Term Report submitted by the NCU
3.Conduct a desk study of all available project documents, outputs and other deliverables for the country concerned, especially including local language documents and materials
4.Compile and review co-finance delivery, as against the project plan
5.Attend the National Workshop together with the Team Leader, keep minutes and assist the Workshop Facilitator prepare the National Workshop report.
6.Conduct a field visit to the project pilot site(s) selected for review together with the Team Leader.
7.Assist the Team Leader with identifying key persons, stakeholder groups and institutions to consult, interview or request for information;
8.Assist with the overall review and evaluation
9.Focus on key project issues and problems and advise the Team Leader accordingly
10.Assess execution performance, delivery on outputs and project impacts
11.Capture issues and draft mitigation measures on: project implementation, approach, institutional aspects, stakeholder issues, financing, sustainability and replicability of project impacts
12.Capture lessons and best practices
13.Coordinate with, report to, and be responsible to the Team leader on all technical matters.

Location

The consultant will be based at his/her own office, but will visit the project’s National Coordination Unit office based respectively in Jakarta, Kathmandu, Hanoi and Santiago de Chile+Concepcion as necessary, attend the full duration of the National Workshop and undertake visits to the project pilot sites and other organizations as appropriate and in full consultation with the Team Leader Reviewer

This consultancy is one component of the overall MTR process and must be integrated with the other elements under the guidance of the Team Leader.

4. DELIVERABLES AND VERIFIABLE INDICATORS

1.National Summary Review Report, independent of that submitted by the SNV
2.Input to the MTR Workshop report/minutes
3.Clearance for final payment by team Leader to SNV/FSC
4.Consultancy completion report

5. SCHEDULE

The consultancy of two months (40 person-days) should take place between 1 April and 30 August 2014. The Consultant will start his work at least four (4) weeks before the arrival of the MTR team leader (which is tied to the start of the field visit and/or the Workshop).

During this period the national consultant may bill up to but not to exceed a total of 40 work days. (SNV will, in consultation with the National Reviewer, decide on a fixed amount for the whole consultancy irrespective of the number of work days involved)

6. SUPERVISION

The National Reviewer will be responsible to the Team Leader on all technical matters and responsible to the SNV on administrative and financial matters. During the absence of the team leader the consultant will consult with the SNV or FSC for clarification on any duties related to this contract.

The SNV will oversee logistical and day to day implementation of the contract.

7. REPORTING

A succinct National Summary Review Report independent of the Country MTR Report to be confidentially submitted to the team Leader – final drafts to be ready before the country visit of the team leader.

Consultancy completion report (3 pages) to be submitted to project manager and FSC containing the following information:

a.Services performed
b.Deliverables completed
c.Any significant problems encountered
d.Recommendations
e.Other comments

8. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

The Consultant shall receive a first payment of 10% of the total amount due upon signing of the contract. The Consultant will receive a second payment of 40% of the total amount due upon submission of his/her draft Summary Review Report.  Final payment of 50% will be made upon satisfactory completion of the report and other deliverables, to be acknowledged by the international Team Leader.

Local travel in the country related to mid-term workshops and field site visits as well as the related food and accommodation costs will be paid by SNV. The Consultant is responsible for the costs of other local travel, which should be included in the Consultants fee.

9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

The SNV will provide the following administrative and logistical support to the Consultant:

• Official letter of introduction to project partners and management.
• All necessary information regarding the MTR process and schedule
• Unrestricted access to all documents, outputs and other project deliverables as required, including the SNV’s MTR report
• Full cooperation regarding staff availability for the discussion of project implementation and progress
• Assistance in contacting national, provincial, and site staff, consultants, subcontractors and stakeholders
• Assistance in making arrangements for site visit(s)
• Assistance in booking accommodation and local transport to attend the MTR Workshop
• Draft MTR Workshop report as soon as it is available (but prior to the actual workshop)

The Consultant will:

• Be available during official working hours while working on this consultancy
• Attend the full duration of the MTR Workshop, including discussions outside normal working hours as required.
• Work with the Team Leader for the duration of his in-country visit, including a field trip to one or more project sites
• Arrange and pay for all transportation from his home to the work location and back. (Note: travel, accommodation and meals for attending the Workshop outside duty station and field trips will be reimbursed by SNV following SNV procedure)
• Provide own computer for development of deliverables and materials.
• Provide all deliverables and materials in paper (three copies) and digital form.
• Pay for own incidental expenses and personal communications that do not directly concern the work in hand.

If an administrative or logistical support service is not listed, then it automatically becomes the personal responsibility of the Consultant unless otherwise agreed in writing.

10. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

The consultant should have the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• Education and Experience:
• At least 7 years working experience in forestry/land use, certification, natural resource management, payment for environmental services, biodiversity conservation, watershed management or related fields
• Demonstrated experience of project management, monitoring and evaluation of a national program or project

Skills and attributes:

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Excellent analytical, evaluation and report-writing skills
• Computer literate – especially in use of MS Office programmes
• Good spoken and written English
• Fluency in the national language

Three professional references are required.

11. CONTACT DETAILS

Vu Thi Que Anh
SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation
6th Floor, Building B, La Thanh Hotel, 218 Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Vietnam
T: +84 4 3846 3791 ext: 194   F: +84 4 3846 3794   M: +84 (0) 982249195
E: [email protected]