Oxfam employs more than six thousand people in 90 countries who share a commitment to work together to end poverty and suffering. It is committed to ensure diversity and gender equality within the organization and welcomes applications from women, person with disability and under-represented groups. Oxfam does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on their HIV/AIDS status. The organization has been working in Bangladesh since the War of Independence and has established a permanent country office in 1972. Since then it has responded to all major emergencies in the country. Oxfam’s current program focuses on Economic Justice & Resilience, Gender and Women’s Leadership and Humanitarian Capacity Building and Response.

A simple, inescapable truth underlines everything we do at Oxfam. There’s enough wealth in this world to go around. It’s not unfortunate that people live in poverty. It’s unjustifiable. It’s not their problem. It’s ours too. And with the right support, we can stop poverty and suffering in their tracks. More than 8,000 people already commit their time and talents to our humanitarian and long-term development projects. Now we’re looking for yours.

Background & Rationale:

Effective forest monitoring is essential for sustainable environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Geospatial technologies have emerged as powerful tools for mapping forest cover, detecting changes, and supporting conservation efforts . These technologies enable precise data collection, analysis, and visualization, facilitating informed decision-making.

Deforestation and land degradation pose significant challenges to ecosystems and communities that rely on forest resources. Halting deforestation and restoring degraded lands are critical to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. In various regions, geospatial technologies have been successfully used to monitor forest cover changes, detect illegal logging, and support conservation initiatives. Compared to traditional surveying methods, drone-based monitoring offers a cost-effective solution by providing high-resolution data for forest management. Oxfam is committed to promoting community-based forest restoration and conservation under its Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ) Project.

The Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ) project, implemented by Oxfam in Bangladesh (OiBD) and its partners with support from ANCP, aims to empower coastal communities by promoting a resilient and healthy ecosystem. The project focuses on creating community-led ecosystem restoration actions through forest regeneration, home-stead agriculture action in coastal regions especially focusing on Moheskhali, Chakaria, Shyamnagar, and Koyra.

As part of these efforts, the BID4Cj project partner staff require comprehensive training in GIS applications and drone operations for forest monitoring. This training will enhance their capacity in spatial data collection, and forest analysis, enabling them to effectively monitor deforestation, land-use changes, and biodiversity loss. By integrating geospatial technologies into local conservation initiatives, Oxfam aims to strengthen long-term environmental sustainability and resilience.

Objectives:

The key objectives of this training program are:

• To enhance the technical capacity of partner staff in GIS and its applications.
• To enable participants on basic operation drones safely and effectively for forest monitoring.
• To improve the ability of staff to assess and report on forest health using GIS and drone imagery.
• To ensure that participants can integrate GIS and drone data into forest monitoring frameworks for better decision-making.

Scope of Work:

The training program will be a three-day intensive workshop designed to equip approximately 10 participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in GIS and drone operations. The consultant or firm selected for this assignment will be responsible for all aspects of the training, including content development, logistics, and facilitation. The training should be structured to ensure hands-on experience, allowing participants to apply skills in real-world forest monitoring scenarios.

The training will cover:

• Fundamentals of GIS and its Applications in Forest Monitoring
  Participants will learn the basics of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including spatial data structures, coordinate systems, and mapping techniques. The session will focus on how GIS is used to assess forest cover, detect deforestation, and support conservation planning.
• Spatial Data Collection and Management
  This module will cover various data sources, such as GPS-based field data, open  source data and drone-captured images. Participants will learn how to collect, store, and organize spatial data for effective analysis and decision-making in forest monitoring.
• Drone Operation
  Participants will receive hands-on training on drone components, flight planning, and operational protocols. They will learn about regulatory guidelines, safety measures, and best practices for using drones in environmental monitoring and data collection.
• Data Acquisition Using Drones for Forest Monitoring
  This session will focus on the practical aspects of using drones to capture high-resolution imagery for forest assessment. It will include techniques for planning flight paths, capturing georeferenced images, and optimizing data collection for forest analysis.
• Reporting and Visualization of Findings for Decision-Making
  The final module will cover how to interpret analyzed data and create maps, reports, and visual presentations.

Deliverables:

The consultant or firm will be responsible for planning, organizing, and delivering the          three-day training. The specific tasks and expected deliverables are outlined below:

Duration and Location:

The training program will be conducted over three consecutive days at a location mutually agreed upon by the consultant and project team. The consultant or firm will be responsible for managing all logistical aspects of the training, including venue booking, equipment setup, and participant coordination. The venue should be equipped with the necessary training facilities, including computer labs, GIS software, and an outdoor area suitable for drone operation.

Budget:

The total cost for the assignment is capped at BDT 3,00,000.00 (Three Lacs BDT) (including VAT and all other Government of Bangladesh charges as per the Rules).

Payments will be made upon successful completion and approval of each deliverable, ensuring quality and compliance with project requirements.

Qualification:
 
The selected consultant or firm should meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and drone technology.
• Proven experience in conducting similar GIS and drone training programs.
• Familiarity with forest monitoring applications and environmental conservation projects.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to provide hands-on practical training.
• Availability of necessary equipment, including GIS software and drones.

Evaluation Process:

Oxfam will review and weigh consultancy applications based on the following criteria. It is worth noting that Oxfam prefers a value for money approach and does not necessarily weight a lower price over a quality candidate. Interested consultants/firms are encouraged to apply.

Please refer to the detailed ToR (Click here) for this assignment.

The technical proposal should consist of the following sections and the given page limit, along with sample writing of up to 2 pages and a copy of similar work.

Along with the technical and financial proposals, the following documents need to be submitted separately:

• For Individual Consultant:
  • A profile/CV of a maximum of 2 pages, highlighting related completed assignments with client names, contact persons, and contact numbers.
  • One-paragraph short CVs for other team members involved in the assignment, highlighting related completed assignments and roles (if applicable).
  • Proof of last two payments/ rates (Please submit in a separate folder and rename the folder as ‘Proof of Payment’).
  • Copies of NID, TIN, BIN, VAT Registration, Trade License, Work Permit, as applicable.
•  For Consultancy Firm:
  • A firm profile of a maximum of 2 pages, highlighting completed related assignments with client names, contact persons, and contact numbers.
  • The lead consultant's (who will lead the assignment) maximum 2-page CV, showcasing related assignments completed and specifying the role in each completed assignment.
  • One-paragraph short CVs for other team members involved in the assignment, highlighting related completed assignments and roles.
  • Proof of last two payments/ rates (Please submit in a separate folder and rename the folder as ‘Proof of Payment’).
  • 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 Oxfam via email at Ban_Consultancy@oxfam.org.uk with the subject line “GIS Training and Forest Monitoring"

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 09 APRIL 2025

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We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

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We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks