TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
for

Consultant for Resilient Green Model Village Plan Development

1. Background

Bangladesh, the world's largest delta, is frequently cited as one of the most vulnerable nations due to the impacts of climate variability and change. According to the global climate risk index, Bangladesh is ranked among the top 10 countries at risk of climate disasters globally. The coastal areas of Bangladesh are recognized as the most vulnerable zone, which faces frequent climate change induced hazards and disasters. Despite being the lowest contributor to global GHG emissions, the coastal communities of Bangladesh are among the worst impacted due to their high exposure to vulnerabilities. Oxfam believes this is utter injustice that triggers inequalities and multiple environmental, social, and economic vulnerabilities, especially for the poor and marginal communities. Oxfam strives to fight this injustice and inequity to uphold Climate Justice for the people and the landscape.

Breaking the Silence is working with the support of Oxfam in Bangladesh to ensure pathways to resilient development are people centered, inclusive, environmentally responsible, and climate smart and for which Oxfam initiated a project called "Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ)". The primary objective of the BID4CJ project is to equip communities with the capacity, power, and evidence for influence to negotiate with the duty bearers and the private sector to harness their fair share of sustainable economic growth in coastal areas. The project aims to promote green businesses (e.g., businesses that sustainably use low energy and natural resources and cut GHG emissions) that directly contribute to community livelihoods – without increasing vulnerability to climate change or environmental pollution. The project also focuses on mobilizing communities to manage and restore critical coastal and marine ecosystems that provide livelihoods and protection from climatic disasters and associated vulnerabilities.

2. Project Summary

The Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ) project (January 2022 June 2027) aims to empower coastal communities to nurture healthy ecosystems and a climate just economy in southwest and southeast Bangladesh through feminist climate movements, ecosystem restoration, and ethical business development.

Overall Project Objective: The vision of the BID4CJ Project is for coastal communities of Bangladesh to have an equal share of the benefits of healthy ecosystems and a climate just economy. To realize this vision, the project aims to build a feminist climate movement that reclaims the rights of women, men, and other marginalized groups over climate finance and invests in a gender and climate just economy. It will do this by restoring coastal ecosystems and promoting an inclusive blue economy and green businesses that contribute to sustainable development and withstand climate change.

Project Locations:

• Satkhira District: Shyamnagar and Assasuni Upazila
• Khulna District: Koyra Upazila
• Cox’s Bazar District: Chakaria and Moheskhali Upazila

Specific Objectives of the Initiative:

Oxfam and its partners, BTS and CODEC are working closely with coastal communities to nurture healthy ecosystems and a climate-just economy in southwest and southeast Bangladesh through one of the objectives being Ecosystem Restoration. Under this initiative Breaking the Silence (BTS) is aiming to create a number of villages with a focus to enhance the adaptive capacity to be more climate resilient. Through this initiative it is expected that each community have a comprehensive and replicable village development plan which can be used as one of the advocating tools for the community for being future resilient. 

This assignment aims is to contribute in enhancing the living environment of the human non-human community. Designing shelters, WASH facilities based on Vernacular crafts or architecture which are appropriate and respectful to their culture and construction material and techniques) through conducting Social Architecture workshop.

3. Objective of the Assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to document the outcomes of the social architecture workshop and arrange a one-week, community-based workshop to document community practices related to vernacular architecture. This workshop will document

1. Mapping of the community, using existing and preferred map, which will highlight the locations of the settlements, food forests, sanitation facilities, water facilities, etc.
2. Categorize and document the existing flora and fauna of the existing site, and historical landscape.
3. List Good and bad practices related to WASH, habitat and housing design in the community while consulting.
4. Document the traditional crafts and vernacular architectural references of the community, including construction techniques and material supply chain.
5. Consultation with the crafts persons in the community about construction practices, and market survey.
6. Consultation with community member of different age and gender group to document their aspiration and knowledge about how they want to see their village in the future while being compassionate to all the elements in the nature.
7. Arranging a presentation/conservation between community and local leaders.
8. Mention the findings of the workshop in the final report.
9. Design the Ideal Green Model Village considering all the findings.
10. Design a brochure/ Poster (any appropriate Print media) for future reference on housing, habitat and hygiene for the children.
11. Submit an architectural drawing at the end of the assignment. The drawing set should have the following:

• Basic Site masterplan (Mention housing location, Facility and institution locations etc.)
• Drawing of the proposed landscape design (Mention contour, Tree location, Landscape element location etc.)
• Typical Architectural drawing of proposed house/institutions/facilities (Plan Two detailed sections, Elevations)
• Detail drawing of key/major Landscape elements (Roads, walkways, steps stairs if needed)

Scope of Work and Deliverables:

4. Duration of the Assignment:

The assignment will begin on 07th April, 2025 and conclude by 15 June 2025, ensuring all deliverables are met, including post-event reports and materials.

5. Team composition of the Consultant:

The team must maintain a balance between experienced professionals, crafts persons and architectural students.

• Gender and age diversity should be ensured within the team and include at least one landscape expert or agricultural activist. One member should be designated for continuous communication regarding design decisions.
• Team must have experience related to community-based construction.
• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, or a related field;
• At least 5–10 years of experience in community-based architectural design, urban planning, or rural development projects.
• Experience working with indigenous or rural communities, incorporating local knowledge into planning and design.
• Experience in conducting community consultations, stakeholder engagement, and participatory design workshops.
• Strong mapping and site analysis skills
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of local and sustainable construction materials and supply chains.
• Sensitivity to gender, age, and cultural dynamics in community development projects.

6. Proposal Evaluation Criteria:

Payment Schedule:

• 30% upon inception meeting and report publication.
• 30% upon accepted photo story book development and publishing.
• 40% upon submission of final deliverables (photo exhibition event organization and documentation reports).

Completion Criteria:
The assignment will be considered complete upon the successful execution of the deliverables as per agreed standards.

Notes:

• The total proposed cost for the assignment will be capped including VAT and all other Government of Bangladesh charges as per the Rules.
• The final payment will be made upon successful completion and approval of each deliverable, ensuring quality and compliance with project requirements.

7. Application Procedure and Documentation Required

Interested consultant or firm must submit technical and financial proposal based on the above terms of reference. The package should include:

• A firm profile of a maximum of 2 pages, highlighting completed related assignments with client names, contact persons, and contact numbers.
• Technical proposal with a clear timeline, including a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Individual CV of the lead consultant (maximum 2-page CV) and short CV of the team members, showcasing related experience from similar projects completed and specifying the role in each completed assignment. Please include the contact details (email and telephone number) of the focal point.
• Proof of last two payments/ rates.  
• Financial proposal (in separate file) clearly distinguishing each of the fees and costs (inclusive of all applicable taxes). The financial proposal must include detailed budget lines with defined units, unit numbers, unit rates and sub-totals for each budget lines and any remarks required to clarify the basis of calculation.
• Sample of previous similar work with contact details of client (at least two professional references).
• Copies of the firm’s certificate, TIN, BIN, VAT registration, and trade license and any other relevant documents.  

The proposals must be sent in English and the submissions must reach Breaking the Silence via email at info@breakingthesilencebd.org and cc to and cc to kzaman@breakingthesilencebd.org with the subject line “Resilient Model Village Plan Development” by  March 2025.

Standard procedures in the delivery of the products:

1. Copyright of documents, photos and all raw materials belongs to Breaking the Silence and Oxfam in Bangladesh. The Consultant may not use, reproduce or otherwise disseminate or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate such works without prior consent from Breaking the Silence and Oxfam in Bangladesh.
2. In case of late delivery of services and unsatisfactory performance on behalf of the consultant, Breaking the Silence and Oxfam in Bangladesh may refuse to accept delivery of all or part of the services and claim liquidated damages as per Breaking the Silence and Oxfam in Bangladesh special terms and conditions.

Reservations and Confidentiality:

Breaking the Silence and Oxfam in Bangladesh reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered, or for failure to meet deadlines. The Consultant undertakes to maintain confidentiality on all information that is not the public domain and shall not be involved in another assignment that represents a conflict of interest to the prevailing assignment.

Last Date of Submission: 30 March 2025