Workshop Facilitator

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

The MTR Workshop facilitator will assist organizing the workshop including the program, as well as having a broad and representative participation from project partners and other related stakeholders, facilitate the workshop discussions and conclusions, and summarizes these in a  short workshop report or minutes.

Key objectives of the consultancy

The MTR has as a 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.

One of the key elements of the MTR process in project countries is to hold National MTR Workshops. The goal of the Country MTR workshops is to assess the project implementation outputs, successes and any flaws, through a transparent and consultative process between project management teams, stakeholders, associated country partners active in similar fields of work, as well as related programs. The National MTR Reports will form the basis for the presentations and discussions at the workshop.

A systematic overview will be obtained on project impact and execution performance through focused discussion of project results, as well as achievement on project objectives and outcomes, as against the indicators set in the Project M&E Plan.

NEAs/NCUs will be required to present the results of a critical program implementation self-assessment including on key issues affecting the performance of the project, which has as main goal the drafting of effective mitigation measures for the remainder of the project. The Country MTR Reports will form the basis for these presentations and discussions.

Workshop will take 1-2 days and be facilitated by a National Facilitator who is responsible for proper use of communications, stakeholder participation, analysis and synthesis of findings, and ownership by target stakeholders.  Furthermore the workshop facilitation will highlight lessons learned, both positive and negative. The National Facilitator will have the lead in the drafting of the MTR workshop summary report. 

Format and Programme

To allow for cross-country review and standardized reporting, workshops are suggested to contain the following components:

• A formal opening ceremony, including VIP and media – to promote outreach on the project
• Presentations by the NEA/NCU covering progress against workplan and benchmarks, outputs, implementation challenges and problems (HR, financial, logistic, operational), plans
• Plenary discussions and workgroups for stakeholders to:
• evaluate the project’s - progress and plans; identify lessons learned and best practice; discuss problems, constraints and possible solutions; assess sustainability
• Summary session to confirm the key findings

It is advocated to use small breakout groups based on the main cluster of issues identified during the short summary presentations on Phase I project implementation, and brainstorm on how to address them.

The detailed program should be coordinated with the MTR Team Leader and approved by FSC/UNEP, and be designed to deliver a short report with the contents as agreed with the MTR Team leader (when appointed).

Suggested workshop participation

There should be about 30-50 workshop participants, (apart from project staff) drawn from a variety of stakeholders directly involved in the project, as well as those working in similar fields. Suggested groups:

• High ranking government official associated with the project (e.g. Minister of Environment, GEF Focal Point) to open the workshop
• The media (e.g. TV, radio, newspapers) – for the opening session and if relevant
• Selected members of the Steering Committee
• Selected representatives of pilot site management
• Representatives of the Standard Development Group or other Indicator Development Group and International Generic Indicator process
• National ForCES partner agencies and FSC Network Partner of the country (if any)
• Representatives of the private sector, NGOs and universities
• Project staff and consultants
• Representatives of other government or non-governmental organizations as appropriate, and relevant to the themes covered by the project (forest and plantation management, certification bodies, protected areas, BD conservation, eco-tourism, watershed management, PES/PWS, REDD+, trade, science, community-participatory NRM programs, indigenous people representatives, etc)

Proposed participants lists should be shared with FSC before proceeding with the organisation of the workshop.

3. STATEMENT OF SERVICES

The MTR Workshop facilitator will assist organizing the workshop including the program, as well as having a broad and representative participation from project partners and other related stakeholders, facilitate the workshop discussions and conclusions, and summarizes these in a  short workshop report or minutes.

Specifically, the Consultant will:

1.Liaise closely with the NEA/NCU, National Reviewer and Team Leader regarding preparations for the Workshop
2.Design and implement a representative, transparent and consultative workshop process, including the 1-2 days of the meeting
3.Design the workshop programme in accordance with the above requirement
4.Ensure adequate stakeholder representation at the workshop in terms of the participants list
5.Facilitate plenary sessions and group discussions during the workshop; assist participants in drawing conclusions, and developing recommendations for the MTR workshop report
6.Brief all other staff involved in running the workshop (e.g. chairpersons, assistants) on the objectives of the relevant sessions and facilitation methods to be employed
7.Design and distribute Workshop evaluation forms to participants, and collate the results for inclusion in the workshop report. The forms should include assessment of stakeholder representation, opportunity to express views, and whether the workshop sessions achieved their identified objectives.
8.Prepare the concise workshop summary report in collaboration /consultation with the National MTR reviewer, and based on the format agreed with the MTR Team Leader.

Location

The consultant will be based at his/her own office, but will visit the project’s National Coordination Unit office in Hanoi as necessary, attend the full duration of the National Workshop.

4. DELIVERABLES AND VERIFIABLE INDICATORS

1.Workshop programme
2.Workshop evaluation forms, and the workshop sessions achieved identified objectives, according to evaluation
3.Stakeholder participation at the workshop is a good representation of the key stakeholder groups at national and site levels
4.Workshop summary report (concise) includes main finding and recommendations

5. SCHEDULE

The consultancy should take place between 15 and 31 June 2014. During this period the consultant may bill up to but not to exceed a total of 7 days.

6. SUPERVISION

The NEA/NCU will supervise the issue and administration of this contract, and oversee logistical and day to day implementation of the contract.

The MTR Team Leader will provide technical oversight of the Workshop Facilitator's work.

7. REPORTING

The Workshop Facilitator assisted by the National Reviewer, is responsible for the Workshop summary report. 

8. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

The Consultant will receive a first payment of 20% of the total amount due upon the signing of the contract.  A second and last payment of 80% of the total amount will be made upon satisfactory completion of the workshop report, including analysis of the workshop evaluation form.

The project NCU will be responsible for the appointment of a workshop rapporteur, who will work in close collaboration with the facilitator.

9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

The National Coordination Unit will provide the following administrative and logistical support to the Consultant:

A.Official letter of introduction
B.All necessary information regarding the MTR process and schedule
C.A copy of the national Mid Term Report and other unrestricted documents on the project as required
D.Full cooperation regarding the organization, technical programme and implementation of the Workshop
E.Assistance in booking accommodation and local transport to attend the MTR Workshop, if applicable

The Consultant will:

A.Be available during official working hours while working on this consultancy.
B.Attend the full duration of the MTR Workshop, including discussions outside normal working hours as required.
C.Arrange and pay for all transportation from his home to the work location and back. (Note: travel, accommodation and meals for attending the MTR Workshop will be reimbursed by NCU.)
D.Provide own computer for development of deliverables and materials.
E.Provide all deliverables and materials in paper (three copies) and digital form.
F.Pay for own incidental expenses and personal communications that do not directly concern the work in hand.

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

10. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

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

Education and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience of planning, organizing and particularly facilitating meetings and multistakeholder processes (required)
• Experience of PRA and/or other stakeholder participation techniques (required)
• Degree in social or natural sciences or related fields (advantage)
• Advanced training in public communications (advantage)

Skills and attributes:

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills (required)
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Computer literate – especially in use of MS Office programmes
• Good spoken and written English
• Fluency in the national language

HOW TO APPLY

Interested consultants should submit their application letter and latest CV by email to [email protected] no later than 10th May 2013.