Terms of Reference for DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL BASELINE AND INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY SUBREGIONAL ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION 2015-2025 1. Background The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has 15 member states and an approximate population of 280 million people which is growing at an average rate of 3%. The Region experiences GDP growth of 5.14%, with a very significant part of the economy in the industrial (32% GDP) and service (51%) sectors. These factors population growth and industrialisation converge to pose a number of significant threats on the region s environment, including land degradation, depletion and extinction of species (loss of biodiversity), increasing frequencies of droughts, water stress, and dwindling production and productivity. Realising these threats, all Member States have signed the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). SADC Member States are aware that a coordinated regional approach is needed to deliver on UNCCD activities. There have been regional efforts to address land degradation and combat desertification through initiatives such as the development of the Regional Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, promulgation of the SADC Protocol on Environment and elaboration of the Regional Climate Change Programme. The first generation SADC Sub-regional Action Programme to Combat Desertification (SRAP) was developed in 1997. Since 2013, the Kalahari-Namib Project (KNP) on enhancing decision-making through interactive environmental learning and action in the Molopo-Nossob river basin in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa has been supporting the SADC Member States to enhance their engagement with the UNCCD at the regional level. Component 3 of the project on Enhanced Regional Decision-Making and Exchange of Best Practices has focused on the delivery of a regional integrated management instrument and a regional forum to promote SLM, share experiences, best practices, and dialogue on an enabling policy environment at national and regional level for coordination, and information and knowledge sharing with other on-going initiatives. In consultation with the SADC Secretariat, the Governments of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa prioritized the need to update the 1997 Sub Regional Action Programme to Combat Desertification in Southern Africa, which was the existing regional instrument responding to the UNCCD. In order to ensure that all Member States were a part of the process, the regional forum convened through the project has
brought together the UNCCD Focal points and regional partners to review and update the SADC SRAP and to prepare SADC Common positions for the UNCCD Conference of Parties. The first Regional forum was convened in 2013, in South Africa in preparation for UNCCD COP 11, held in Namibia, the second Regional Forum was convened in 2015 in South Africa in preparation for UNCCD COP 12, held in Turkey where the SADC SRAP 2015 2025 was pre launched by the Namibia Minister of Environment and Tourism. The SADC SRAP 2015 2025 was approved by the SADC Council of Ministers in November 2015. The SADC SRAP is designed to be a programme for the implementation of the UNCCD and the adaptation/mitigation/reduction of vulnerability to climate change in Southern Africa. The implementation of the SRAP should therefore contribute to increasing the efficiency and effects of scale of the National Action Plans (NAP s). The objective of the SADC SRAP is to amongst others, reinforce the NAPs but operate at a broader geographical, political, institutional and programmatic level; act as an implementation tool of several parties; and express common policy, approach and practice of the various role players. The SADC SRAP thus provides a roadmap through which the SADC regional structures, Member States, relevant stakeholders and relevant partners can: Mobilise resources and work together to combat Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN); Shows the links between high level initiatives and policy frameworks which helps identify higher priorities; and Implement transboundary initiatives The third regional forum was convened in Windhoek from 12 13 August 2016 as a SADC pre-event to the Africa Drought Conference (15 19 August 2016). During this third SADC Regional Forum Member States confirmed that the SADC SRAP provided the overall framework for regional cooperation on the implementation of the UNCCD, however a key step to its successful implementation was the identification of technical areas of focus through the development of a regional baseline and investment framework, communication and partnership mobilization strategy and a high level regional round table. The fourth regional forum was convened in Pretoria from 21 22 April 2017 and one of the main outcomes was the identification of priority impact programmes aligned with the SADC SRAP Operational Objectives that can be developed into bankable projects for implementation at sub regional level. 2. Objectives of the Consultancy and Specific Tasks The main objective of this consultancy is to review the recommendations and outcomes of the SADC UNCCD Regional Forums and develop a high level regional baseline and investment framework for the SADC SRAP 2015-2025.
The purpose of baseline assessment is to establish an in-depth analysis of the existing situation, identifying underlying challenges and barriers, existing and critical gaps in investments vis a vis the overall goal and objectives of the SADC SRAP 2015-2025. The key components of the baseline include a range of strategic planning exercises including formative situation analysis, identification of technical areas of focus, stakeholder analysis, and resource mapping (technical resources; knowledge resources; tools, equipment and facilities and financial resources). The baseline will be complimented by an investment framework (resource mobilisation strategy) which will build on the resource mapping developed during the baseline assessment. 3. Specific Tasks Working in close consultation with SADC Secretariat, UNCCD Focal Points and IUCN, the consultant will carry out the following tasks: Baseline Assessment 3.1 Undertake a literature review to establish the status, pressures and responses to desertification, land degradation and drought in the SADC region. The report should highlight the following relevant developments based on the available literature: a. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); b. Global trends and initiatives of relevance to the implementation of the UNCCD such as the UNCBD, UNFCCC, Ramsar Convention, MDG s, Rio +20, Climate Change, REDD+, TEEB, SDG s, the Green Economy etc; c. Regional trends and initiatives with a specific focus on the AU, NEPAD, SADC institutions and policies, regional and transboundary developments, initiatives such as TerrAfrica, CAADP, the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience & Sustainability Initiative, the Sahel and West Africa Program (SAWAP) For the Great Green Wall, Africa Restoration Initiative (AFR100), other major investments and practices, regional projects; d. Existing relevant data sets and maps on land degradation and desertification; e. Regionally significant national level initiatives such as Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target setting, land care programmes, Country Pilot Partnership Programmes, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, Land reform programmes, Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) etc; f. Status of land degradation in the SADC region based on LADA, other assessments and remote sensing; g. Status of data, monitoring and maps of land degradation and desertification; h. Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) threats and solutions that require increased action, policy changes and investment in the development of new knowledge and information at the sub-regional or transboundary level; i. Linkages between DLDD, LDN, biodiversity loss and climate change 3.2 Undertake a stakeholder analysis which should be informed by existing literature, relevant networks, electronic survey and email correspondence as required; Investment Framework (Resource Mobilisation Strategy)
3.3 Based on the findings of the baseline assessment develop an investment framework (resource mobilization strategy) which should include the following: 3.4 Relevance of SADC SRAP within the context of national, regional, continental and global financing agenda 3.5 Identification of existing traditional, non-traditional and innovative financing mechanisms at national, regional, continental and global level summarising each fund s investment policies, guidelines and funding targets (including private sector, philanthropy and mainstreaming within other sectors 3.6 Proposed key programme and project investment principles (such as geographical balance; ecosystem based approaches, gender, alignment with SADC Regional Cooperation priorities; alignment with Rio Conventions, SDG s and other international agreements) and 3.7 Proposed key programme criteria such as regional impact/result potential, replicability and scalability; needs of the beneficiary countries; country ownership and institutional capacity; economic efficiency and financial viability/soundness 3.8 Development of four to six programme investment priorities/scenarios aligning the priority technical areas identified in the baseline assessment and the priority regional programmes identified during the fourth SADC UNCCD Regional Forum with potential investment opportunities that can be led by SADC Secretariat and/or jointly by Member States such as Global Environment Facility and Global Climate Fund. Consultation with Member States and Development of Draft and Final Document 3.9 Taking into account the outcomes of the fourth SADC UNCCD Regional Forum, develop first draft baseline assessment and investment framework and submit by 31 July 2017 3.10 First draft baseline assessment and investment framework to be circulated to Member States and comments to be received by Monday 14 August 2017 3.11 Incorporate comments received and submit second draft by Friday 25 August 2017 before working group meeting 3.12 Participate in Task Team Working Session to review second draft and prepare final draft from 28 31 August 2017 3.13 Submit final baseline and investment framework by Friday 1 September 2017 3.14 Present Final draft at High level dialogue to be convened during UNCCD COP 13 (date to be confirmed) 4. Detailed Outputs 4.1 First draft baseline assessment and investment framework by Monday 31 July 2017 4.2 Second draft baseline and investment framework by Friday 25 August 2017 4.3 Final draft baseline and investment framework by Friday 1 September 2017 4.4 Presentation for High level dialogue at UNCCD COP 13 (date to be confirmed)
5. Qualifications and requirements of the consultant/s o At least a Master s degree in natural resources management, environmental management, environmental economics, land management, development studies or any related fields; o At least 10 years of proven working experience in natural resources management in the SADC Region; o Experience in partnership development and resource mobilisation; o Good understanding of multi-lateral environmental agreement approaches, in particular the UNCCD and investment planning; o Strong reporting, analytical and writing abilities o Women are strongly encouraged to apply 6. Time Frame and Reporting The services of the consultant(s) are needed from approximately 30 June 2017 to 30 September 2017. The consultant will report to the Programme Officer, People and Landscapes at IUCN. Application Requirements Applicants who meet the above requirements are requested to submit by email a brief Technical and Financial proposal, and detailed CV in English to: akshay.vishwanath@iucn.org by Wednesday 21 st June 2017.