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 longterm development projects. Now we’re looking for yours.

Oxfam in Bangladesh is looking for a qualified Consultant or a Consultancy Firm for “Strategic and Impact Assessment and Evaluation of Existing and Proposed (Future) Climatic, Environmental, and Ecosystem Intervention and Development Projects in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh”. We are inviting for proposal from interested consultancy firm / individual to undertake this assignment.

Background:

Bangladesh, the largest delta in the world is quite frequently quoted as one of the most vulnerable nations due to the impacts of climate variability and change. Bangladesh ranks 7th among all countries in the vulnerability list due to climate change. However, the coastal areas of Bangladesh are recognized as the most vulnerable zone which faces frequent climate change-induced hazards and disasters. Despite being the very lowest contributor to GHG emissions, the coastal communities are the worst impacted by their exposure to climate change. This we see as 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 inequalities to uphold Climate Justice for the people and the landscape.

Notwithstanding the vulnerabilities, considering the high ecological value, geopolitical location, fertility, accessibility, population dynamics, and intricated hydrological subsystems, Bangladesh views the coast as the forefront of its future development. Focusing on the opportunities of the blue economy or harnessing the benefits of the ocean, the country’s masterplans like the Delta 2100 and Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2041 emphasize an integrated and rapid development approach for the next 20 years. The anthropogenic stresses coupled with government masterplans, rapid urbanizations, export processing zones, economic zones, powerplants, road networks, and natural land transformation, are degrading the integrity of the natural environment and shrinking the livelihood spaces for the resourcedependent communities at an unprecedented rate. Besides, in the name of climate change mitigation and adaptation, we observe non-inclusive interventions (e.g., protected areas, forest conservation, sanctuaries, etc.). These so-called developments and conservation efforts benefit mostly the powerholders, while the marginal resource-dependent communities struggle to manage basic human rights. Oxfam sees these as inequality, and injustice and strives to ensure access of marginal communities to natural resources to establish their Natural Resource Rights.

In congruence with the increased number of development interventions, an additional supply of water and energy is becoming inevitable, as well as greater connectivity through multi-modal transportation. As one of the leaders in climate negotiations on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable countries, Bangladesh has an ambitious plan to continue shifting its total energy supply to green energy, while meeting increased demand due to economic growth. This fast export-driven economic transition means that vulnerable coastal communities also have to cope with changes to the landscape, including dealing with potential environmental and social impacts as well as loss and damage from climate change. Oxfam is working to ensure that pathways to sustainable development are people-centred, inclusive, environmentally responsible and climate-smart.

Objective:

The overall objective of this study is to assess and evaluate existing and proposed (future) climatic, environmental, and ecosystem intervention and development projects by government agencies and other national and international development organizations in the coastal areas of Bangladesh in terms of their credibility in ensuring climate justice and natural resources rights. The specific objectives of this baseline study are:

i. Develop an inventory of the projects (economic development, nature conservation, climate change mitigation, adaptation) that have already been implemented or are in implanting stage or proposed to implement in near future and represent through spatial analyses.

ii. Assess the implemented projects and develop measurable indicators or parameters to estimate the impact of the projects in terms of changing the life and livelihood of the coastal people and improving the environmental, biodiversity and ecosystem condition (including spatial context) of the coastal areas considering climate justice and natural resource rights issues.

iii. Assess to what extent the proposed projects considered or valued environmental and societal justice (e.g., environmental screening, social screening vs real-time impacts). Measure the engagement of people and rights holders during the design, implementation, and evaluation of the interventions and assess to what extent the intersectional gender issues are considered in the implanted and proposed projects.

iv. Identify which types of projects became successful/failed in ensuring environmental justice and what are the major drivers/reasons for success/failure and develop impact maps (for both success and failures) from the intervention sites to the surroundings in terms of actual development, climate justice, and resource rights.

v. Assess in terms of ecosystem restoration (e.g., NbS), climate change mitigation, and adaptation projects, whether the interventions/projects followed universally recognized processes and guidelines.

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

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION: 

The individual/firm must submit the following documents along with Technical & Financial Proposal

• The financial proposal should include 15% VAT only. Oxfam will deduct Income Tax and VAT as per government rules and policies at source from the agreed consultancy amount for national consultant and firms

For Individual Consultant:

• Maximum 2 pages’ profile highlighting related assignment completed with client name, contract person and mobile number along with detailed CV
• Team members (who will be involved in the assignment) must provide a short CV highlighting related assignments completed and role
• TIN certificate and any other relevant document (if necessary)

For Consultancy Firm:

• Maximum 2 pages’ firm profile highlighting related assignment completed with client name, contract person and mobile number
• Lead Consultant’s (who will lead the assignment) Maximum 2 pages CV highlighting related assignment completed, role in of the completed assignment
• Other team members (who will be involved in the assignment) must provide a short CV highlighting related assignments completed and role ▪ Firm’s Certificate, TIN and VAT registration, Trade License

Please only mention the assignment title “Strategic and Impact Assessment and Evaluation” in the subject line and send the application to hrbd@oxfam.org.uk

Submit two separate PDF files with following names: 

1. Financial proposal
2. Technical proposal

The Technical proposal should include following parts 

• Cover page
  
• Table of content
  
• Understanding of the assignment (pls. don’t copy & paste)
  
• Experience in handling similar assignments, a work-plan, methodology
  
• Certificate: TIN and VAT registration, Trade License

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 11 FEBRUARY 2023

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

OUR VALUES - All our work is led by six core values: 

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.