Consultant - Senior Advisor, Rusizi Basin

Job Description

Rusizi Basin Senior Advisor, WRI Africa

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

About the World Resources Institute

Founded in 1982, The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.

Overview:

WRI intends to award a Fixed Price contract to an individual to support WRI Africa in the development and execution of an integrated, long-term program for the Rusizi Basin (the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Burundi). This will focus on water resources management, landscape restoration, food security, sustainable energy production and supply, resilient cities, research, partnerships, and institutional capacity building. The goal is to foster a resilient environment for people, nature, and the economy within the framework of WRI’s 30-year vision for the Rusizi Basin: “A Rusizi Basin with sufficient energy generation and supply, healthy landscapes that revitalize local and national economies, while creating communities and ecosystems resilient to climate change and associated disasters.” This vision aligns with WRI’s Global and Africa Strategies.

The Consultant will also support the establishment of effective partnerships and government engagement to promote the Community-Led Forest Economy (CLFE) initiative at the global level and within the Congo Basin. Additionally, this role will be crucial in leading urban climate resilience efforts in Central Africa, particularly in DRC, Congo, Burundi, and cities in the Rusizi Basin.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Coordination & Development:

• Lead the development and coordination of a long-term integrated program for the Rusizi Basin, addressing key challenges faced by people and nature across the region.
• Build and maintain multi-sector and multi-institutional partnerships to promote sustainable development, climate resilience, and ecosystem health in the region.
• Coordinate urban climate resilience initiatives in the Rusizi Basin, incorporating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) to enhance climate adaptation and disaster resilience.

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:

• Facilitate engagement with multi-stakeholder groups, including technical and financial partners, to ensure successful development and implementation of the Rusizi Basin Integrated Program.
• Support the promotion and implementation of the Community-Led Forest Economy (CLFE) initiative in Africa, Indonesia, and Latin America, particularly in Congo Basin countries, through partnerships with governments, COMIFAC, ECASS, and other strategic partners.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key influencers, government counterparts, and decision makers to increase WRI’s influence and impact across the region.

1. Project Implementation & Reporting:

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban climate resilience projects in the DRC, Congo, and Rusizi Basin cities.
• Ensure accurate and timely project reporting to regional leads and stakeholders.
• Coordinate data collection and analysis to evaluate the progress of projects and ensure alignment with the program’s goals.

1. Resource Mobilization & Fundraising:

• Support resource mobilization efforts, particularly for urban climate resilience projects in the Francophone countries of the Rusizi Basin.
• Engage with potential donors, governments, and institutional partners to secure funding and resources for long-term initiatives.

1. Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing:

• Foster research partnerships with local institutions such as universities, research organizations, and governmental bodies in the Rusizi Basin to promote collaborative research and knowledge-sharing.
• Lead capacity-building efforts to enhance local and regional expertise in sustainable development, climate resilience, and resource management.

Key deliverables:

1. Proposal on the Ruzizi Basin Integrated Programme for resilience of people, nature and economy
2. An engagement strategy for the Community-Led Forest Economy Movement for the Congo Basin A comprehensive project proposal outlining the objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes for the promotion of NbS in the Rusizi Basin Cities,
3. A comprehensive baseline report on sedimentation and solid waste deposit levels in the micro-catchments of Rusizi 1 and 2 hydropower dams.
4. Establishment of formal partnership agreements with at least one university in each country of the Rusizi River Basin, focusing on research related to landscape restoration and sedimentation.
5. Report on the technical support offered for planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban climate resilience projects in the DRC, Congo, and Rusizi Basin cities:

Key Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience in program development and management, particularly in the areas of climate resilience, water resources management, and sustainable development.
• Proven track record in multi-stakeholder engagement, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
• Strong knowledge of the political, economic, and social contexts of the Rusizi Basin region and Central Africa.
• Expertise in urban climate resilience and the application of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Timing: 6 month (180 days) consultancy, starting upon the signature of the contract.

How to Apply : You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. By 29th April 2025, please submit:

1. Curriculum vitae

2. Concept note describing the proposed methodology and workplan of executing the assignment.

3. Sample of work and references for similar previous work.

4. A proposed budget with a breakdown of costs sufficient to assess reasonableness and compliance with our funder requirements.

Terms of payment: Compensation will be based on a fixed fee following the delivery of all required deliverables. If the Consultant sub-contracts other individuals or organizations to assist in the performance of the Services, the Consultant shall be responsible for any payments to such individuals or organizations. Each payment will be based on the receipt and acceptance by WRI of a product/deliverable and invoice.

Please note that WRI is an IRS-registered 501(c)3, tax-exempt organization. WRI is not VAT exempt. All prices or quotes should include VAT and tax, as applicable.

The bidder offering the best overall value will be selected. For this procurement, price and non-price aspects are considered to be of approximately equal importance with a weighting of 40% for price and 60% for non-price factors

Selection Process

The preselected consultants will be interviewed about the content of their proposal.

No proposal development costs shall be charged to WRI / all expenses are to be borne by the bidders. WRI may award to the bidder offering best value without discussion. However, WRI reserves the right to seek bidder clarifications and to negotiate with those bidders deemed to be within a competitive range.

WRI may, at its discretion and without explanation to the prospective consultant, choose to discontinue this RFP without obligation to the consultants, or make multiple awards under this RFP. Contracts will not be awarded to consultants debarred by the US government or named on restricted parties lists.