Term of Reference

A Consultancy Work for Development and Preparation of Project Proposal for EU-Funded

Project: Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solutions Program in Tanzania

Supervised by:  Energy and Climate Change Program Coordinator

Work location:  Dar es Salaam Application Deadline:  12th April, 2023 Duration:                  Twenty-Five Days (25 days)

INTRODUCTION

The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment. The mission of WWF is to stop degradation of the planet’s natural environment by conserving biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption, through cooperation with local communities to secure sustainable and resilient rural livelihoods as a key conservation approach with energy and climate change adaptation and mitigation as a cross cutting approach in all programs.

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1.            Background 

Tanzania has rich and diverse spectacular Fauna and Flora in both aquatic and terrestrial environments which include wide varieties of endemic, threatened, endangered, umbrella or flagship species. Tanzania possesses a good network of Protected Areas which include National Parks, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves and Game Controlled Areas including community managed wildlife management areas and village land forest reserves. These natural resources areas managed under both Central and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) are ecologically significant to both sustain a healthy environment, and contribute to the national economy. According to the National Forest Resources Monitoring and Assessment (NAFROMA) report of 2015, Tanzania’s forest resources cover 48 million hectares. Forest land area ownership data shows that 45% of the total forest is managed under Village land; 7% is under District Councils, 7% is forest under private ownership, 35% of forests are owned by the Central Government, 5% is general land and 1% is sacred areas owned by communities. Based on the above information 65% of the total forest land area in Tanzania occurs in Local Government Authorities. This is where most unsustainable human activities are taking place and contributing to deforestation and forest degradation in Tanzania.

Challenges and Barriers for Transformational Changes in the Biomass Energy Sector

Deforestation and forest degradation are major environmental problems facing forests in Tanzania with an annual deforestation rate of 469,420 ha/year (URT 2017). This rate is about twice the world rate of 0.5% per year (FAO, 2011). Between 1961 and 1998, Tanzania lost more than 10.5 million ha of forest cover, estimated to emit about 43,673,924 tCO2e/ year (URT, 2017). Charcoal production for urban energy consumption is one of main drivers of forest degradation, where over 90% of Tanzania’s energy needs are met through the use of wood fuels. The proportion of Tanzania’s deforestation that is directly related to charcoal and firewood (Biomass energy) use alone is estimated at 70%, while more than 40% of the forest loss is attributed to charcoal production alone (Msuya et al., 2011). The latter is contributing to over 9 million tons of CO2 per year (National Forestry Program, 2010).

Tanzania is among the World’s top ten charcoal producing countries, seating seventh in 2015 countries. Production of charcoal has remarkably become one of the main drivers of deforestation in most parts of the Coast regions, contributing to about 75% of the deforestation. It is estimated that Tanzania’s forests contain 2,019 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass (FAO, 2011). Dar es Salaam city alone consumes over 70% of all the charcoal produced in the country, about 700,000 tons per year. This suggests that over 2.8 million ha of forest will be destroyed from 2010 to 2030 to fulfill the demand of charcoal for Dar es Salaam alone, which is equivalent to 8.5% of the total forest cover of the country (Msuya et al., 2011).

Despite the economic importance of charcoal in Tanzania, currently there are no strategic policy guidelines giving specific directions on sustainable charcoal production. Currently, most charcoal consumed in Tanzania is produced informally and in the absence of sustainable production plans. Most tree harvesting for charcoal production is not planned and controlled, often from open areas at no cost to the producers, which makes charcoal reliable and affordable to the majority of the people. However, the price paid does not reflect the real cost of charcoal and an important and irreplaceable role for carbon sequestration, habitat to wildlife, soil and water conservation, regulating climate, conservation of water sources and biodiversity. Charcoal is largely produced locally using poor and traditional methods. In total, Tanzanians consume more than 2,650 metric tons of charcoal each day or roughly 1 million tons per year. To produce that quantity using traditional methods, the daily wood requirement would be equivalent to that contained in 342.5 hectares of forest.

Some of the key barriers to sustainable charcoal production in Tanzania include: Weak governance, low regulatory capacity and law enforcement, limited access to finance for adopting sustainable/ efficient fuel technologies, and poor charcoal production methods (most kilns have efficiencies ranging from 11% - 12%). Due to these challenges, the sector is undermining the government's potential to collect tax revenue estimated at about US$ 100 million annually (WB, 2009). It is however, important to note that this sector is a major employer and contributes over US$ 650 million annually to the national economy. 

Overview of Cooking Energy in Tanzania

Traditional biomass which comprises firewood and charcoal is a major source of cooking and heating energy in Tanzania. More than 90% of the approximately 61 million people in Tanzania relies on firewood and charcoal as their primary fuel for cooking. Currently, 63.5% of Tanzania’s households use firewood as the main source of cooking energy while 26.2% use charcoal. The remaining share, 5.1% use liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and 3% use electricity. The remaining 2.2% of households use energy sources that are classified as others, which also include kerosine and crop residues. Most rural households use a three-stone fireplace, whereas low-quality charcoal cookstoves are used by urban and peri-urban households. Only a small portion of the rural population consumes LPG or electricity for household cooking or heating. Charcoal demand has nearly doubled over the past ten years, driven by rapid urbanization and high relative prices or scarcity of energy substitutes, particularly kerosene, electricity and LPG. 

Tanzania is one of the lowest in the world in terms of clean energy use with 5% in 2020 data, that does not have health effects. Studies indicate that about 72% of all energy consumption in Tanzania is used in homes for cooking and heating. The use of biomass fuels for cooking is a triggering factor for acute health problems including respiratory infections, chronic pulmonary diseases, and infant mortality. Nearly 33,024 people die prematurely annually in Tanzania from illnesses that are attributable to indoor air pollution. Women and children are the most affected groups as they spend many hours a day in the kitchen. Black carbon has nearly a thousand times the warming impact of carbon dioxide per unit of mass. 

EU has invited for an open call for proposals under the Budget line(s) 11th European Development Fund in Tanzania. The deadline for submission of application is on 21st June, 2023 Tanzania local time (EAT). WWF Tanzania therefore, has set a limited funds and would like to use the resources to engage consultant with a good experience and a track record in the development of successful EU-Funded Project Proposals in the sustainable forest management and wood-fuel value chain in developing countries. The consultant will be responsible for the designing and leading the preparation process for the project concept note and full project proposal documents in alignment with the EU call for proposal guidelines, templates and format. 

The team will work very closely with the WWF Energy and Climate Change Program. WWF TCO through the Energy Program will be responsible for coordination and quality assurance of the entire project proposal development process under the guidance of Conservation Manager and together with prospective project partners. The assignment will start with an inception meeting with WWF Tanzania and project partners, which will be organized and facilitated by WWF Tanzania.

2.            Objective of the Consultancy Work

The main objective of the consultancy work is to develop a Standard full Qualified EU-Funded Project Proposal on sustainable forest management and wood-fuel production in rural areas in Tanzania. The project is intended to increase capacities and commitments by local communities (including wood-fuel producers) to engage in sustainable forest management practices along the wood-fuel value chain Coastal region. 

The expected contribution of the intervention to the call’s objectives for transformational change/ formalization of the subsector and any of the following priority areas should be clearly demonstrated in the proposals- Sustainable Forest management, Protection of village forest land and land use planning and Formalization of the charcoal value chain.

3.            Scope of the Project  Location

1.            Major Responsibility and Scope of Work

The main activities to be undertaken under this assignment include and not limited to:

i.              Familiarization with all the EU-Tanzania Call for Proposal guidelines and assessment criteria and understand all package documents, and annexes included under the call,

ii.             Undertake literature review on the National biomass energy and charcoal value chain, national energy policy and regulatory frameworks, masterplans/strategies and programs,

iii.            Undertake thorough assessment of the biomass energy/charcoal supply (production to supply) chain side to identify key challenges and barriers that hinder transformational shift to sustainable forest management/charcoal production in Tanzania,

iv.           Prepare an inception report and make presentation to WWF and prospective project partners’ team,

v.            Undertake stakeholders’ consultations with key partners in the biomass energy/ charcoal value (producer, suppliers, consumers and technology providers) to assess/determine their challenges, and potential roles in the sustainable biomass energy production framework,

vi.           Establish project baseline on the status of forest management, production, supply and technologies in the wood-fuel/charcoal value chain,

vii.          Design and develop project proposal with all sections as per the call for proposal including concept note and full project proposal: background, situation/stakeholders’ analysis, Theory of Change (ToC) and results chain, strategic goal, objective, outcomes and outputs, log-frame, and implementation arrangement, as per EU call for proposal guidelines, templates and format,

viii.         Design and develop project actions/ activities that are socioeconomic and gender inclusive to promote active engagement of youth and women in the value chain, 

ix.           Design innovative marketing activities that will promote rapid/fast community adoption and use of sustainable alternative charcoal (pellets),

x.            Propose key appropriate technologies to be implemented by the project to utilize the readily available forest biomass residuals in the WWF landscapes (Ruvuma and Water Tower) for alternative charcoal production (Pellets),

xi.           Design and propose sustainable models for biomass/charcoal production and supply technologies, labeling, and capacity building for key actors in the value chain to be developed and tested/piloted by the project, 

xii.          Design and propose project private sector engagement model in the wood-fuel/charcoal value chain in Tanzania, 

xiii.         Design and propose governance structures/model for actors (associations) including producers in the value chain,

xiv.         Design and propose project business models and financing mechanism in the biomass/charcoal value chain in Tanzania as part of project strategic actions (to be piloted by the project),

xv.          Determine the role of each project partner, and develop partnership values and its governance framework of the proposed project,

xvi.         Assess and establish project risks and assumptions and mitigation/ reduction measures,

xvii.        Design and develop project sustainability and phase out strategy,

xviii.       Prepare and develop related project Annex documents as per the EU call for proposal guidelines, templates and format including project work plan, M&E framework, risk register, stakeholder engagement plan, etc.,

xix.         Prepare project multiyear budget with support from WWF finance and conservation team,

xx.          Prepare and present the full project proposal in the project partners workshop to be organized by WWF. 

The actions must be designed to take place in the following areas of WWF priority landscape: 

• Tanga (covering Handeni, Kilindi, Mkinga and Pangani districts).

4.            Methodology

The consultant(s) shall design and prepare a tailored methodology approach for the execution of the assignment. The expectation for consultation is to employ instruments or tools such as open-ended questionnaires, group discussions, focused groups and interviews. The desk review and analysis of existing documentation and collection of new information through consultation of relevant stakeholders. The assignment will start with a brief online inception meeting with the WWF and project partners team, where the consultant(s) will present the methodology for common agreement and alignment. 

Documents for review: Sector policy and strategic documents including forest, energy (national charcoal guidelines, charcoal task force report, rural energy master plan, national rural energy access program, Energy Efficiency Action Plan, National Natural Gas Utilization Master Plan (NGUMP)), National Development Plans, National climate change policy, and other strategic documents relevant to biomass energy/charcoal. 

1.            Expected Outputs

i.              Detailed and comprehensive inception report, indicating clearly the understanding of the assignment, methodology and the schedule of work to execute the work to obtain the intended results. 

ii.             A comprehensive context/ situation/stakeholder’s analysis and main challenges of the biomass energy/ charcoal value chain sub sector in Tanzania. 

iii.            A strong case and comprehensive analysis of central barriers, which are preventing a transformation/formalization of the wood-fuel value chain (economic, financial, technical, charcoal production, transport, marketing and supply chain) and the potential for sustainable transformational changes at scale.

iv.           Well designed and articulated ToC and results chain that provide clear direction for achieving the project goal.

v.            A well-defined and aligned gender inclusive private sector engagement model with a clear role of different actors/producers in the value chain. 

vi.           A comprehensive, well-defined and developed project Business models and Financing Ambition Mechanism for the sub-sector. 

vii.          Well-designed role and responsibilities of each partner, including implementation arrangement, partnership values and governance structure in the project.

viii.         Any other proposed models and frameworks as per the requirement of call for proposal standards and guidelines.

ix.           Comprehensive Concept Note and Full Project Proposal and the associated documents as per EU call for proposal guidelines, templates and format including all the Annex documents (Project budget, Log frame, M&E framework, Risk register). 

2.            Deliverables

Deliverables to be submitted by consultant team will include the following:

i.              Inception report: The consultant team will produce an inception report within one week after contract signing, including but not limited to:

• Clear understanding of the Call for proposal requirements, process and necessary documentation.
• Methodology, Work plan and implementation schedule of the assignment.

ii.             1st Draft Project Proposal Documents: First draft of the project documents as per call for proposal templates to be discussed in the partners meeting. 

iii.            Final Concept Note and Full Project Proposal Documents: Project Proposal document with all sections and associated Annexes according to the EU call for project proposal guidelines, templates and format. 

3.            Timeframe

A schedule of specific tasks and timelines of delivery will be determined and agreed upon at the inception stage. The consultant team will be required to develop a work plan and appropriate work schedule for this assignment. Under this assignment the consultant(s) team will be contracted for 25 working days. 

The expected start date is 18th April, 2023. The consultant team will be expected to respond to other related requirements within the process of the work, which may arise within reasonable scale and consistent with the objective. This assignment will be spread over a period of not more than 40 days from the date of the contract and final deliverable should be received by 9th June, 2023.

4.            Required Profile of the Consultant(s)

• The consultant (lead) shall be a holder of at least Masters in Project Management, Energy Engineering/Development, Natural Resources Management, or related studies with at least 15 years working in project/program management.
• Extensive experience in sustainable forest and wood-fuel/charcoal project designing, development and preparation, including designing of ToC and results chain, and a good track record/evidence in the designing and preparation of successful EU-Funded Projects.
• Well conversant with designing and development of project business models and financing mechanisms in the biomass energy sector.
• Broad experience in the energy development sector including sustainable forest management/ biomass and sustainable energy technologies.
• Broader understanding and demonstrated ability in development transformational policy measures and implementation plans.
• Strong understanding of methodologies for private sector engagement and gender inclusion in energy designing and implementation.
• Language requirements: fluent in English a must, Kiswahili will be an added advantage, but not a must.

5.            Responsibilities and Logistics WWF Support

WWF will be responsible for technical oversight of this assignment including consolidation of applications, evaluation, and contracting. WWF will provide logistical and operational support throughout the assignment process. WWF Energy and Climate Change Coordinator will be responsible for consolidating and providing necessary information to the consultant(s). 

                i.              Access to office premises and use of WWF materials

WWF materials available for the assignment will be provided to the consultant through the Energy Program Coordinator.  ii. Field visits

Field work: The consultant(s) is expected to undertake stakeholders’ consultation in order to collect appropriate data and information, evidence and discussion with actors in the sector.

6.            Budget, Funding, and Payment Terms 

WWF will provide the funds for this assessment and will be responsible for financial oversight. The consultant will enter into a contract for this assignment with WWF-Tanzania who will manage the contract. The rate per day will be subject to the consultant’s qualifications and experience. The costs for traveling, accommodation and per Diem will be covered by WWF when the consultant delivers the work. The consultant will be paid in three installments as follows: 1st installment 30% paid after presentation and approval of the Inception/Work plan; 2nd installment 40% paid upon submission of the draft evaluation outputs and 3rd Installment 30% will be paid after submission and approval of the final evaluation outputs as described in the table below. 

Payment Arrangement

Guidelines for submission

Interested applicants are required to submit the following:

Technical proposal comprising the following:

• Personal CV(s) and three professional references and/or evidence of relevant experience and mentioned competencies
• Brief description (Half a page) of why you consider yourself as the most suitable for the assignment
• The proposal containing the methodology basing on the indication provided by this ToR (5 page max)
• Work plan/activity plan and foreseen timetable
• Team composition, if required
• Information on any representative of your team, or any member of your team that may give rise to a direct or indirect conflict of interest including identifying other current contractual works being conducted for WWF and affiliations with WWF Staff.

Financial proposal indicating the all-inclusive contract value in currency (quotes should be in TZS for local applicants), supported by the respective cost’s breakdown.

The candidate is required to indicate in the financial offer any variation of the daily rate based on the service provided.

Foreseen Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are to be listed separately. These will be reimbursed upon presentation of the respective invoices and proof of payment.

Complete proposal (including all the above documents) should be submitted to the following email address tz.procurement@wwf.panda.org, with the subject “Development and Preparation of Project Proposal for EU-Funded Project”. For any question with regard to this assignment you can write to lmbwambo@wwftz.org. 

Deadline for submission is 15th March, 2023 at 1700 hrs. Any late submission will not be considered for further process. The result of the selection will be notified at the earliest April, 2023.

IMPORTANT!

a)            WWF reserves the right to accept any proposal or reject all proposals. 

b)            Technical evaluation will precede financial considerations. 

c)            Any forms of canvassing will lead to automatic cancellation of the bid in question. 

d)            This is a call for proposal WWF may cancel the process without notice and shall accept no liability whatsoever, arising out of such action. 

e)            WWF is also under no obligation whatsoever to award the contract to the lowest or any bidder; the decision of the Procurement Committee shall be final.  

13 Evaluation Criteria

The proposal with the highest total score will be considered as the winner and recommended for award of contract.