TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) FOR PROVIDING CONSULTANCY IN CAPACITATING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES (LGAs) TO DEVELOP STRATEGIC PLANS ON GENDER SENSITIVE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION BY OPERATIONALIZING THE EXISTING NATIONAL POLICY AND GUIDELINES

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Centre for Counselling, Nutrition and Health Care (COUNSENUTH) is a leading Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Tanzania that is committed to achieving optimal nutrition and a healthy, quality life for children, youth, women and other vulnerable groups. For more than 25 years the Centre has been committed to improving quality of life and has actively made tangible progress and a difference in the health, nutritional wellbeing of the people of Tanzania, especially the most vulnerable groups through the use of a human rights approach, gender transformation and active citizen participation.

COUNSENUTH is implementing Lishe Kijinsia, a gender-driven and learning-based nutrition programme implemented in Chemba DC in collaboration with the Chemba District Council – Dodoma, through the financial support of the Irish Aid. The community-based program has the overall goal of reducing childhood stunting among children under 2 years of age and contributes to evidence-based learning and documentation of the role of gender equality in improving maternal, infant, young child and adolescent nutrition. This is in line with the Government’s efforts to address childhood stunting in Tanzania and contribute to the implementation of NMNAP II (2022-2026)

The program supports the Local Government Authority in Chemba district in addressing gender disparities and climate change challenges to improve health and nutrition. From the year 2021, the Lishe Kijinsia Program started to address climate change after realizing the risks associated with its effects that aggravate the burden of undernutrition, as it affects food and nutrition security, increases women’s workload and undermines current efforts to reduce gender disparities and promotion of good health and nutrition. COUNSENUTH in collaboration with the Council have worked towards improving access to safe and clean water in the Chemba community by drilling a total of 12 boreholes. In addition, the program introduced a number of interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change; as a result, several achievements have been documented by the program. These include:

16 water harvesting systems were installed in 16 primary schools.
8,168 trees, including fruit trees were planted in 52 schools and 1,080 trees were planted in 43 villages
159 school clubs initiated/strengthened to address climate change and life skills
Supported the construction of a water trench at Mrijo Ward passing through 3 villages of Mrijo Chini, Olborti and Kaloleni to minimize flood effects in the three villages that were affected by floods for over 20 years.

RATIONALE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

According to the capacity needs assessment on climate change (CC) adaptation plans conducted in Chemba District August 2022, it was indicated that there was limited capacity in mainstreaming climate change action plans in terms of awareness, finance capacity gaps at various levels as well as coordination of the CC related interventions. The assessment further showed that it was important that planning for various development activities in various sectors should integrate climate change through a gender perspective to significantly support climate change mainstreaming at the district level climate change adaptation plans. The program therefore, intends to support the Chemba LGA to develop a strategic plan for gender-sensitive climate change adaptation by operationalizing the existing national policies, strategies and guidelines in order to address climate change holistically.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is to support and lead the Chemba Local Government Authorities in a technically grounded, consultative and participatory process for the preparation of a gender-sensitive climate change adaptation strategic plan for the period 2024–2028 in line with the Government Policies, Strategies and Guidelines; and including institutional arrangements, specific activities, proposed programs, timelines, targets and a detailed costing. The Consultant should also provide a monitoring plan.

SCOPE OF THE WORK

Under the supervision of the COUNSENUTH Director of Programs/Program Coordinator, and the Chemba District Environmental Officer, the Consultant’s specific duties and responsibilities include:

Develop a comprehensive methodology and work plan for a participatory process in the development of the strategic plan with a view to achieving both support, concrete cooperation and programming with the LGAs and relevant stakeholders, including the Government sectors/ministries/agencies from relevant sectors as mentioned in the report as well as other relevant bodies;

Prepare an Inception Report; the report within 5 days of the signing of the contract, and will include: the consultant’s work schedule and methodology, including proposed resources
Carry out a desk review of documents relevant to an understanding of the mandate, work and context of the Government on climate change. The work should start by reviewing all relevant information including, but not limited to the following:

National/ district-specific documents:

National sector policies, strategies, guidelines and related national development plans.
Relevant national laws and legislation as well as, approaches and national implementation plans on issues pertaining to climate change;
Climate Change-related research, studies, or analysis, including climate-related projections.
Past, ongoing, and planned Climate Change initiatives and programs from public, private and social sectors.
Review the findings from the 2022 report on the Capacity Needs Assessment on Climate Adaptation Plans in Chemba District Council, with a view to understanding the situation, identified gaps in institutional arrangements as well as the recommendations made.

Stakeholders mapping:

Mapping and analysis of key Climate Change stakeholders, with a focus on Governmental relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs); CSOs, private sector, women and youth organizations, and academia whose priorities and strategies directly address Climate Change, gender, food security and nutrition issues impacting women and children

Following completion of the desk review, the contractor will organize a half-day meeting for COUNSENUTH staff and key LGA counterparts to:

Present an initial assessment of the Climate Change situation in the country and Chemba and how it relates to child health, nutrition and development, maternal health and nutrition. The presentation should show:

The impact of Climate Change issues on children, adolescents (girls) and women.
Vital gender considerations in relation to households’ roles and responsibilities in regard to water management, exposure to climate change hazards, safety dimensions (including increased GBV) and women and girls’ engagement in decision-making processes on climate change solutions.
Status of integration of climate education in school curriculum and barriers of access for boys and girls.
The impact of climate change on agriculture, household food security
In addition, the presentation should include a draft list of stakeholders to be involved and consulted during the development of the strategic plan

Review the proposed methodology for the development of the strategic plan
Develop the Draft Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan with consideration for gender mainstreaming.

The Consultant is expected to conduct sessions and other initiatives using methods and communication skills to engage the targeted LGAs and other relevant stakeholders in addressing the identified and prioritized challenges so as to increase capacity in mainstreaming gender-sensitive CC action plans in terms of awareness, finance and coordination of the CC related strategies and interventions. The LGAs are expected to be guided to develop context-specific District Strategic Plans on gender-sensitive CC adaptation aligning with the national policies with increased coordination of the independently delivered services by the District.

Finalize the Strategic Plan, including a Results Matrix and a detailed Implementation Plan for 2024-2028. The plan should include vision and mission statements, priority projects and activities/interventions

Develop a costing for the implementation of the plan.

Develop a Policy Brief to be shared with decision-makers.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

5.1 The Consultant is required to have at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field in the area of planning, public policy, development studies, environment or social sciences.

5.2 The Consultant must have:

At least five (5) years of professional experience in strategic planning and management;
Demonstrated experience in working with Government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs
At least five (5) years of experience working in environmental sciences, nutrition, gender and climate change,
Experience in program management and understanding of the Government structure, workings, planning and funding cycles; and
Experience in coordinating diverse staff and in engaging in participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation.

5.3 The Consultant is expected to have the following skills, expertise and abilities:

Organizational development and capacity building;
Excellent writing and communication skills in English
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate well and work effectively with diverse people including stakeholders and Government professionals with various backgrounds and from different sectors at the National and District levels;
Excellent analytical skills;
Excellent time management skills;
Results-oriented, highly motivated and capable of working independently; and
Competence in the use of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Power Point.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

6.1 The Consultant will report to the Executive Director/Director of Programs, who will have overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the consultancy and facilitate the work of the Consultant. COUNSENUTH will make arrangements for the introduction of the Consultant to the LGAs and relevant key stakeholders. COUNSENUTH will provide in-country transportation, office accommodation in Chemba and administrative services for the Consultant as required.

6.2 The Consultant will deliver the following outputs to COUNSENUTH:

An Inception Report. The report will be presented within 5 days after the signing of the contract, and will include: The consultant’s work schedule and methodology, including proposed resources;
Draft Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan: Inclusive of a Results Monitoring Framework and Report, which will include Strategic Planning Sessions with LGA staff and meetings with stakeholders
Final Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan inclusive of a Results Monitoring Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy; a Results Matrix, Implementation Plan and general activities for 2024–2028;
End of Consultancy Report: presented
A Policy Brief to be shared with decision-makers (Government and Development Partners).

DURATION
- The Consultancy is expected to last for approximately 25 days, spread over time from 25^TH September to 21^st Decmber 2023

TIMELINES

ID	Activity	Timeline	Responsible
1	Submit an Inception Report; within 5 days of signing the contract, and will include: the consultant’s work schedule and methodology, including proposed resources and work plan for a participatory process in the development of the strategic plan with a view to achieving both support, concrete cooperation and programming with the LGAs and relevant stakeholders, including the Government sectors/ministries/agencies from relevant sectors as mentioned in the report as well as other relevant bodies	30^th September 2023	CONSULTANT
2	Complete a desk review of documents relevant to an understanding of the mandate, work, and context of the Government on climate change	2^nd to 6^th October 2023	CONSULTANT
3.	Complete mapping and analysis of key Climate Change stakeholders	9^th to 13^th October 2023	CONSULTANT
4.	Two days of sensitization of the LGA on the national level climate change policies, impacts and synergies between CC, gender and food and nutrition	16^th to 17^th October 2023	CONSULTANT COUNSENUTH LGA
5	Present initial assessment report in a half day meeting with LGA leaders and other stakeholders	18^th October 2023	CONSULTANT COUNSENUTH LGA
6	Complete Draft costed Strategic Plan with Implementation Plan: inclusive of a Results Monitoring Framework	19^th to 17^th November 2023	CONSULTANT
7.	Present the draft Strategic Plan in a Session with LGA staff and other stakeholders	21^st November 2023	CONSULTANT COUNSENUTH LGA
8.	Present the final strategic plan to LGA and COUNSENUTH	7^th December 2023	CONSULTANT COUNSENUTH LGA
9.	Submit a Final Costed Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan inclusive of a Results Monitoring Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy; a Results Matrix, Implementation Plan, and general activities for 2024–2028 to the LGA	21^st December 2023	CONSULTANT
10.	Submit a Policy Brief on Realities at the policy and ground levels, Key Issues and Recommendations to COUNSENUTH	14^th December 2023	CONSULTANT