Consultant for Training on Climate Change Adaptation (CSA)

1.      About Muslim Aid Pakistan:

Muslim Aid is a UK based Islamic charity NGO. It was established in 1985 in response to the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia, by 23 organizations based in Britain. Over the past 25 years Muslim Aid has grown from a small office in London to an international UK NGO, providing relief and development programmes in over 70 countries across the globe. Whilst continuing to carry on its commitment to emergency relief work Muslim Aid also began to implement long-term development programmes. Today, water, healthcare, shelter and construction programs Muslim Aid believes that in order to really help people, the causes, not just the symptoms of poverty must be addressed. By 1994 long-term development projects accounted for almost 50% of Muslim Aid’s relief activity. As well as helping people overcome crises, Muslim Aid provides skills and resources to assist people to move forward to a better life. Muslim Aid works closely with the communities to deliver its programmes and remains committed to working in collaboration with all its beneficiaries to ensure that the solutions are not imposed from the outside. All solutions are culturally sensitive, practical and owned by the beneficiaries. Muslim Aid entered Pakistan after the devastating earthquake in 2005. It provided emergency relief and rehabilitation services to the people affected by the earthquake. Since 2005, our country office has provided support to over 2.9 million people affected by natural disaster, poverty and political tensions.

We work with the Pakistani people and government to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, improving people’s lives and prospects. We are passionate about long-term development programmes that improve the education of all people across the country so that they may enjoy a bright future free from poverty.

2.      Background: 

The northern parts of Pakistan, particularly Chitral, have been witnessing the impacts of climate change, which are manifesting through various environmental and social challenges. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and erratic weather events have become more frequent, leading to shifts in the region's ecology and natural resources. Glacier melt and changes in snowmelt patterns have affected water availability and river flow, impacting agriculture, livelihoods, and overall water security in the region. Situated in a mountainous region, Chitral is naturally prone to flash floods as it is located in the Hindu Kush Mountains, which creates a funnel effect, channeling rain and snowmelt into narrow valleys, increasing the risk of flooding. As climate change is causing the glaciers in the Hindu Kush Mountains to melt rapidly, the melt water is adding to the already high levels of precipitation in the region, making flash floods a regular occurrence.

In direct response to the urgent and devastating consequence of the recent rains and flash floods in Chitral, Muslim Aid Pakistan is implementing comprehensive intervention strategy of Chitral Recovery: “Empowering communities through recovery initiatives” a 14 months project funded by MAUK and MAUS. The project aims is to restore the living conditions of 1,000 floods affected HHs.  This initiative is designed to offer both immediate relief and sustained recovery support to restore the livelihood of affected communities in Chitral. The project is strategically designed to not only address the pressing challenges faced by those affected by flooding but also to lay the foundation for enduring and sustainable development, enhancing resilience in the region.

The project also aims to promote awareness about climate change, its impact on life and livelihood, adaptation to local conditions, and strengthening resilience among farmer groups. Muslim Aid Pakistan will identify 100 beneficiaries for Agriculture and Water Management initiatives to help these vulnerable beneficiaries enhance their capabilities. To identify training needs and gaps, the Individual Consultant will work closely with the government's Agriculture and Water Management departments. In the same relationship, the Individual Consultant will develop a capacity building agenda for Climate Smart Agriculture and Adaptation strategies to be implemented in both districts (Upper and Lower Chitral). While the Agriculture Department will support in demonstrating in research and extension activities 

The same farmer groups will have exposure visits to the Climate Resilient Agriculture Practice/ Demonstration areas and visualize the real sense of Climate Smart Adaptation. This will create a sense of awareness about Climate Change Adaptation, learn how to adapt these practices on ground with the support of Government officials and improve their living standards. In the same connection, a joint Climate Adaptation plan will be developed for farmers for crops and orchards with the support from Agriculture and water Management Departments and a future Action Plan will be developed for Climate Adaptation and resilience jointly with Farmers and Government Departments for the adaptation of climate-induced cropping pattern /crops will help in their continuous agricultural activities and ensuring for the source of their sustenance livelihood.

Keeping in view the critical importance of the subject, Muslim Aid Pakistan is intending to design a two-days training for each training batch to raise awareness of this issue among selected beneficiaries in upper and lower Chitral.

3.      General objectives of the assignment:

The overall objective of this assignment is to train a cadre of 100 selected farmers in 2 targeted districts lower and upper Chitral. For creating awareness about the devastating changes in Climate pattern and its worse effect on agriculture and its impacts on the life and livelihood; adaptation to the local conditions and improving with creating resilience among the farmer groups. The scope of general aims will be as follows:

•   To work closely with the Government Agriculture and Water Management Departments and identify the training needs and gaps.
•   Develop the capacity building agenda for Climate Smart Agriculture and Adaptation measures to be carried out at both districts (Upper and Lower Chitral).
•   Increasing access to high quality information about the impacts of climate change, weather cycle on economic activity, by linking with the current scenario and keeping in view the mountain climate resilient strategy.
•   Coordinate with Agriculture Department to support in demonstrating in research and extension activities. 
•   The same Farmer groups will have Exposure visits to the Climate Resilient Agriculture center established by Government, where the they visualized the current Practice/ Demonstration real sense of Climate Smart Adaptation.
•   These farmers will learn modern and climate resilient adopted techniques to further replicate these practices int their respective areas
•   Develop joint Climate Adaptation plan of farmers for crops and orchards with the support from Agriculture and water Management Departments and a future Action Plan will be developed for Climate Adaptation and resilience jointly with Farmers and Government Departments for the adaptation of climate-induced cropping pattern /crops will help in their continuous agricultural activities and ensuring for the source of their sustenance livelihood.

4.      Specific objectives of the assignment for individual consultants:

•   To design and deliver 4 Trainings of selected participants, each training will conduct for 2 days with maximum 25-28 farmers with the consultation of Muslim Aid Chitral team.
•   To design and develop training materials (including Participant’s Handbook/Manual, and IEC Material) covering topics promoting climate resilient livelihoods and preparedness.
•   To increase knowledge and skills of target trainees and to equip them with required tools and techniques to further execute this in their work places and communities through developing their learning and best practices on key concept of community-based climate change resilience.
•   To prepare the target group through these trainings, in climate resilient/adaptive livelihood strategies, value chains, and public-private partnership on climate-smart agriculture, livestock management, and agro-forestry.
•   To enhance knowledge of target communities about existing institutional frameworks and national policies on climate change adaptation/resilience and develop community linkages with government line departments.
•   To help and assist in designing small Climate change projects /Action plans as follow up of this training 
•   Master training will provide manual in Urdu language covering the training purpose.
•   MAP team will prepare the training schedule and will finalize training venue with the consultation of community and stakeholders.
•   Master trainer will ensure to facilitate interactive training by using audio, video, presentation, group work, and corelating with successfully models, case studies of successful practices.
•   Mater trainer will develop PPT in Urdu and English language and will share with MAP team for review before delivery of training.

5.      Scope of work: 5.1 Manual Development:

•   A training agenda and manual will be developed by the Individual Consultant covering all above-mentioned training objectives, purpose of climate resilient agriculture practices.

5.2 Training Delivery:

•   The Individual Consultant will deliver the training sessions according to the manual and session plans approved by Muslim Aid Pakistan for identified trainees. The training participants would be identified by Muslim Aid Pakistan.

5.3 Pre-post evaluation:

•   Evaluation and grading of trainees will be conducted on the first and final day of training for assessing level and increase of knowledge. The Individual Consultant will also prepare the pre-test and post-test analysis report, which will be the part of training completion report.

5.4 Reporting:

Individual Consultant must submit detailed report training on following format.

•   Title page
•   Table of contents
•    Training schedule (with date, location, sessions)
•   List of participants, Attendance sheets and registration form
•   Results of pre- and post-test with analysis
•    A group photo and a few more photos of training activity
•    Participants’ feedback about training and trainer
•    Training proceedings (brief)
•   Action plans/Small group or individual projects submitted by the trainees for further practical implementation

5.5 Training Duration and Participants:

•   The duration of each training will be 2 days. Number of participants will vary between 25-28. Daily training time will be at least 6 to 7 hours (0900 - 1600 Hours).
•   Total trainings 4, No of days 8 (Two batches in upper Chitral and 2 Batches in lower Chitral)

6.      Competencies 6.1. Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork

• Demonstrates commitment to MAP’s mission, vision and values
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time
• Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others

6.2. People Skills

• Demonstrates ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others
• Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior
• Respects individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

6.3 Partnering and Networking:

• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously.

6.4 Results-Orientation:

• Plans and procedures quality results to meet established objectives.

6.5 Communication:

• Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively
• Strong communication skills
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner

6.6 Job Knowledge and Expertise:

•   Strong analytical skills
•   Knowledge and experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change and overall development issues

7.      Required Qualification and Experience:

The Individual Consultant should have demonstrated competence and capability to handle a similar job. The selection will be based on the criteria listed below.

•   The Individual Consultant should have significant experience in leading and co-leading similar assignments 
•   Strong track record with at least 5 years of experience in developing training modules, and in designing and rolling out training programmes (of national/provincial scale) with national and/or international agencies.
•   Demonstrated experience of successfully designing and conducting trainings specifically on themes of Climate Change and having successfully completed at least 3,4 training programs on same/similar thematic areas.
•   Have adequate knowledge and understanding about local and regional gender dynamics as well as understanding of context related to culture, security, rural life, and training of women and diverse participants. 
•   Should have the staff, qualified in agriculture background.

8.      Content of the Proposal:

The Individual Consultant will be required to submit a detailed proposal for delivery of proposed CSA training. The proposal should be divided into two parts, i.e. technical and financial. The technical part will contain the following sections

•   Experience in leading and co leading similar assignment 
•   Experience in relevant field (Demonstrated experience of successfully designing and conducting trainings specifically on themes of Climate Change and having successfully completed at least 3,4 training programs on same/similar thematic areas)
•   Experience in developing of training modules, designing and rolling out of training programs in national and provincial level with national and international agencies
•   Qualification and experience of leading staff along with CV
•   Assignments completion reports prepared in past
•   Detailed methodology designed for designing and rolling out training
•   Detailed timeframe/ Work plan/ Training calendar (including dates for submission of the first draft and final report)

The financial part will describe the estimated cost for the evaluation in detail.

9.      Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria:

Criteria:

Points

Academic Qualifications/Education

Max 30 points (20 mark for MA/MSc, 10 additional Marks for M.Phil./Ph.D.)

At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the areas of CSA (Proven knowledge and previous experience in successfully designing and conducting trainings specifically on themes of CSA and having successfully completed training programs on same/similar thematic areas).

Max 20 points (4 mark for every 1 years)

Detailed methodology designed for the assignment

Max 20 points

Detailed timeframe/ Work plan/ proposed CSA training agenda and contents of the sessions aligned with the above-mentioned objectives of CSA/ Training calendar (including dates for submission of the first draft and final report)

Max 30 points

10.  Technical Evaluation Criteria:

Criteria:

Points

Rating based on Qualifications

60%

Interview

40%

11.  Currency:

All currency in the proposal shall be quoted in Pakistan Rupees (PKR).

12.  Timeframe and duration of the assignment:

The suggested time frame is one month to begin by the 1st of April 2024. The final report must be submitted on or before 31st May 2024. However, the Individual Consultant will submit a proposed work plan with key milestones within a week of signing of the contract, which will be reviewed and approved by MAP. It is anticipated that the first draft of the CSA training report will be produced within 7 days of signing of the contract and the finding of the report will be presented to the MAP and in a scheduled meeting for finalization and approval of the training agenda.  The final reports should be submitted within 10 days on receiving feedback.  During the whole period follow up meeting will be held between the Individual Consultant and MAP.

13.  Terms of payment for the service and deliverables:

Payment for the services will be made via online bank transfer in SWC bank account.

Payment will be made as per following deliverables:

Acceptance of contract of award

20%

Completion of initial draft report consist of the training agenda and detail contents of the sessions, Presentation and acceptance of draft report

30%

Completion of 4 training events and sharing of the final completion report of the services as per agreed action of the clause

50%

14.  Supervision & reporting:

The final selected Individual Consultants will report to Muslim Aid Pakistan’s District Coordinators of Lower and Upper Chitral 

15.  Selection method:

Hiring of Individual Consultant will be done in accordance with the HR procedures of Muslim Aid Pakistan.