TERMS OF REFERENCE Capacity Development Strategy for IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation

I. BACKGROUND

The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN Med) opened in Malaga (Spain) in October 2001. It is one of the regional/outpost offices of IUCN, a membership Union dedicated to a sustainable future for people and nature and uniquely composed of governments and civil society organizations.

Within the Mediterranean, IUCN-Med’s work is regional across 28 countries in Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. IUCN-Med has the capacity to be present and operate within and across regional political frameworks, mobilizing nature conservation and sustainable development efforts throughout the political and cultural diversity of the greater Mediterranean.

For the past 20 years IUCN-Med has executed a wide portfolio of projects and actions to address environmental challenges, with a strong emphasis on capacity building (CB) of the Conservation Community in the Mediterranean, including conservation managers, practitioners, journalists and decision-makers, especially in North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) but also operating at the broader EU Mediterranean scale. CB activities were mainly designed according to project needs and covered several topics as Protected Areas and Marine PAs management; sustainable tourism and ecotourism development; Red Listing for species and ecosystems; conservation action plans and climate change, Nature-based Solutions among others.

In 2020, IUCN-Med developed its new working Strategy for 2021-2024, of which Capacity Development (CD) for Conservation and Development is one of the main pillars. This Strategy identifies priority working areas and cross-cutting issues to address biodiversity loss and climate change impacts in the Mediterranean. The priority working areas within the new Strategy are the following:

• Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change
• Nature Conservation and Food Systems
• Ecosystem Resilience and Spatial Planning
• Marine Biodiversity and Blue Economy
• Biodiversity Standards and Indicators

In the framework of its new Strategy and quadrennial Programme 2021-2024, IUCN-Med aims to increase the impact and coherent implementation of its CD initiatives within the 5 working areas, by developing a Capacity Development Strategy aligned with the modern approaches in capacity development and emerging environmental challenges in the Mediterranean. To do so, the office seeks to engage the services of a qualified Consultant(s) to develop a Capacity Development Strategy, which will promote a common and systematic approach among its working areas for the identification, design, monitoring and evaluation of capacity development initiatives.

II. Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes of the Capacity Development Strategy are the following:
An increased coherence and effectiveness of IUCN-Med’s CD activities; 
A strengthened impact and visibility of IUCN-Med’s work in CD;
An increased IUCN-Med added-value as a CD partner within the Mediterranean community;
A more effective and increased application of IUCN-Med’s resources for CD linked to achieving its strategy outcomes.

III. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this consultancy is to develop the new IUCN-Med Capacity Development Strategy, in line with the core IUCN strategic working lines and programmes as well as SDGs. The objectives of the new Capacity Development Strategy are:

• To build on existing skills and knowledge, and leverage existing initiatives to implement a locally-driven dynamic and flexible process of change;
• To shift IUCN-Med’s role from a provider of technical assistance to a facilitator of change, helping local actors to sustain themselves the change and development processes in the long term;
• To increase emphasis on dialogue with IUCN members, national partners and stakeholders, to move from supply-driven to demand-driven CD efforts;
• To provide a more integrated approach that considers capacities of individuals, organizations and the enabling environment for CD;
• To ensure scalability and provide an increased focus on forming partnerships with other CD actors;
• To articulate/scope/link the strategy with current related frameworks at IUCN HQ (IUCN academy);
• To foster innovation and openness to a wider audience, overcoming the barriers to learning;
• To provide the framework for monitoring and assessing impacts of IUCN-Med CD activities.

IV. METHODOLOGY

An inception meeting between the Consultant(s) and IUCN-Med team will be organised upon the signature of the contract to discuss IUCN-Med needs and approaches to reach the objective of this assignment.

During his/her work, the Consultant(s) should conduct at least the following tasks:

• Brief overview of CD definition and understanding inside and outside IUCN,
• Internal review of IUCN-Med’s current CD practices and approaches;
• Identification of strength and success factors;
• Development of a theory of change (ToC) for Capacity Development within the context of IUCN-Med Strategy and Programmes 2021-2024;
• Identification of key stakeholders and target users for conservation Capacity Development in the Mediterranean region;
• Identification of best practices and areas of convergence in Capacity Development for conservation and sustainable development implemented by other international organisations;
• Highlight areas of best practices linking methodology to delivery of results;
• Stakeholders’ consultations and identification of opportunities to create joint learning processes with partners such as triangular cooperation, global learning platforms and knowledge networks;
• Provide the basis for defining IUCN-Med shared catalogue of CD guided courses, materials, etraining events, implementation modalities and timeframe;
• Identification of IUCN-Med staff needs in term of Capacity Development related competencies.
• Development of the Capacity Development Strategy, including Results Framework and Operational plan.

The Consultant(s) will propose a methodology for conducting each task in agreement with IUCN-Med. He/she will conduct interviews and/or bilateral meetings with key IUCN-Med staff, members and partner organizations on their capacity development strategies and initiatives

V. KEY DELIVERABLES

• An inception report including a work plan, detailed methodology, report format and timeline, to be submitted within 7 days from the start of the assignment;
• A draft CD Strategy, Results Framework and an Operational Plan responding to the objectives mentioned above;
• Organisation of an internal consultation workshop with IUCN-Med staff to facilitate the discussion and collect feedback to be taken into account for finalizing the CD strategy;
• A final proposal of IUCN-Med Capacity Development Strategy, including the feasibility and guiding steps to its implementation;
• A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the whole process conducted, the main results and outcomes and the next steps.

At least three internal meetings should be planned during the preparation of the CD Strategy:

• A Kick-off meeting to discuss the methodology, working approach and calendar
• A workshop to present and discuss the draft CD Strategy
• A final meeting to present the final CD Strategy

VI. SUPERVISION AND COLLABORATION

The consultant(s) will work under the supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator at IUCNMed, to facilitate the access to information, materials and contacts with IUCN-Med staff and Mediterranean stakeholders as needed.

This is a desk-based assignment. No missions are planned apart from the presentation at IUCN-Med premises in Malaga (otherwise online). The consultant(s) will be expected to make imaginative use of online networking, questionnaires etc. to obtain the required information and conduct consultations.

VII. TIME SCHEDULE

The Assignment shall be expected to be completed according tothe following tentative schedule:

• By 23 August: Starting of the assignment upon signature of the contract between IUCN-Med and the selected Consultant(s);
• By 06 September: Inception report (including a work plan, detailed methodology, report format and timeline) completed;
• By 18 October: A draft CD Strategy completed
• By 15 November: Consultation process conducted
• By 30 November: Final version of CD Strategy with all the material (PPT, questionnaires, etc.)

VIII. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills and proven ability to work in a multicultural setting and teams with diversity of background and skills;
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills, and ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
• Demonstrate integrity and ethical standards;
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

IX. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE   

Academic qualification:

• At least a master’s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Sociology or any relevant area;

Experience and skills:

• Not less than 10 years working, and training experience related to Capacity Development Strategies/plans/activities;
• Experience in coaching and delivering training on cross-cutting conservation issues to actors from the private and public spheres in developing countries;
• Previous experience in the development of a Capacity Development strategy and results framework for Government institutions or bi-lateral partners is an advantage;
• A “bigger picture” view and understanding of the conservation and development sectors;
• Sound experience of modern approaches, tools and appropriate methods for planning monitoring and evaluation of change processes in a complex environment;
• Having a good understanding of the influence of languages, culture, gender, internet access on capacity-development programme performance and impact;
• Demonstrated innovative and “out-of-the-box” approach to Capacity Development.

Language:

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish will be an asset.

X. DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

Applicants should submit the following by email to uicnmed@iucn.org  (cc: helene.willem@iucn.org) by 31st July the latest at midnight (CET):

• A curriculum vitae including highlighted references to previous relevant work and publications;
• A covering letter outlining their suitability for the job, providing initial observations on the ToRs and an outline of the methodology they would use;
• A financial offer in Euros (VAT included) for completion of the required tasks, including the daily rate used for calculations.

XI. Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Profile (diploma and experience) of the consultant(s) in relation to the subject of the present mission (60 points); and
2. The methodology proposed for conducting the mission, and observations/analysis on the ToRs (40 points).

The best value for money is established by weighing technical quality against the price on an 80/20 basis.