REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Legal analysis of key restoration policies from an equity perspective in Malawi

SUMMARY OF PROCUREMENT

WRI intends to award a fixed price contract for the proposed equity legal analysis consultancy in Malawi, aimed at understanding how rights, responsibilities, benefits, and participation are defined and operationalized for diverse stakeholders. The expected outcomes of the analysis include an inception report and an equity analysis report providing findings and recommendations on how to integrate equity into restoration policies and programs in Malawi.

Legal and Policy Review of Forest Landscape Restoration in Malawi: A Focus on Rights, Responsibilities, and Participation

This consultancy aims to conduct a complete legal and policy review of Malawi’s forest and landscape restoration (FLR) frameworks. The core objective is to understand how rights, responsibilities, benefits, and participation are defined and operationalized for diverse stakeholders within these frameworks. the resulting evidence base will provide actionable insights for the government and partners to refine restoration strategies, strengthen safeguards, and prepare for more inclusive and effective Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)/Obligation-Based Finance (OBF) mechanisms and other emerging climate finance initiatives.

Specifically, the study will focus on three key areas:

1. Mapping the Legal and Policy architecture: This involves a detailed mapping of the legal and policy landscape governing FLR in Malawi, encompassing key laws, regulations, policies, and institutional frameworks.
2. Assessing Gender and Social Equity (GSE) Integration: The study will assess and synthesize evidence regarding the integration of GSE provisions,specifically examining access,control,and participation; benefit distribution; recognition of customary tenure and legal pluralism; and the existence of accountability and grievance mechanisms.
3. Examining Coherence and Enforceability: The review will analyze the coherence, alignment, and enforceability – as well as the practical request – of GSE-related provisions across relevant statutes, regulations, policies, and strategies.

World Resources Institute (WRI) expects the consultant to execute and complete a series of tasks and deliver specific outcomes to achieve these objectives.

Strengthening Equity in Malawi’s Restoration and Climate Legal Frameworks: A Stakeholder Validation Workshop & Actionable Recommendations

Introduction

Malawi faces significant environmental challenges, including land degradation, deforestation, and the escalating impacts of climate change. Addressing these issues requires robust legal and policy frameworks that guide restoration efforts and climate action. However, ensuring these frameworks are equitable – that they consider the needs and rights of all segments of the population, particularly vulnerable groups – is paramount. This document outlines a process for strengthening equity considerations within Malawi’s restoration and climate legal frameworks,centered around a stakeholder validation workshop and culminating in actionable recommendations.

Background & Rationale

Existing environmental laws and policies in Malawi, while aiming for sustainable progress, may not explicitly address equity concerns. This can lead to unintended consequences, where the benefits of restoration and climate initiatives are unevenly distributed, or where certain groups bear a disproportionate burden of environmental risks. A proactive approach to integrating equity into legal frameworks is crucial for achieving truly sustainable and just outcomes. This involves understanding existing gaps,identifying best practices,and tailoring solutions to the specific context of Malawi.

Objectives

The primary objective is to develop actionable recommendations for strengthening equity considerations within Malawi’s restoration and climate legal frameworks. This will be achieved through:

Comprehensive Legal & Policy Analysis: A thorough review of existing legislation, policies, and institutional arrangements related to restoration, climate change, land tenure, natural resource management, and relevant human rights frameworks.
Stakeholder Engagement: Conducting a validation workshop with national and institutional stakeholders in Malawi to gather insights on the practical application of equity principles and identify areas for improvement.
Identification of Equity Gaps: Pinpointing specific areas within the legal and policy landscape where equity considerations are lacking or inadequately addressed.
development of Actionable Recommendations: Formulating concrete, practical recommendations for revising existing laws and policies, or developing new ones, to promote equity in restoration and climate action.

Methodology

This initiative will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining desk research, legal analysis, and participatory stakeholder engagement.

1. inception Phase (Weeks 1-2): Development of a detailed inception report outlining the methodology, workplan, analytical framework, and stakeholder mapping.
2. Legal & Policy Analysis (Weeks 3-8): A comprehensive review of relevant legal and policy documents, utilizing an equity lens to assess thier provisions and potential impacts. This will include analysis of:

National Climate Change Policy and Strategy
National Forestry Policy and Strategy
Land Act and related legislation
Environmental Management Act
Relevant sectoral policies (agriculture, water, energy)
International commitments and obligations (e.g., UNFCCC, SDGs)

1. Stakeholder Validation workshop (Week 9-10): A one-day workshop will be convened in Malawi, bringing together representatives from:

Government ministries (Surroundings, Agriculture, Lands, Justice)
Civil society organizations (environmental NGOs, human rights groups)
Academic institutions and research organizations
Community representatives (including women, youth, and marginalized groups)
Traditional leaders
International development partners
The workshop will utilize participatory methods (e.g., group discussions, brainstorming sessions, case studies) to:
Present preliminary findings from the legal and policy analysis.
Gather feedback on the relevance and practicality of proposed equity principles.
Identify specific challenges and opportunities for integrating equity into restoration and climate action.
Prioritize key areas for legal and policy reform.

1. Report Development & Dissemination (Weeks 11-12): Based on the legal analysis and stakeholder feedback, a comprehensive report will be developed, outlining key findings, equity gaps, and actionable recommendations.

Deliverables

The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

Inception Report (5 pages Max): Outlining methodology, workplan, and analytical framework.
Comprehensive Legal and policy Analysis Report (approx. 25 pages): Covering the areas outlined in the scope of work, with an equity lens.
Synthesis Brief (8-10 pages): Summarizing key findings and recommendations in an accessible format for internal WRI reference, other policymakers and practitioners.
Slide Deck: Highlighting findings and recommendations for internal and external presentations.

Expected Outcomes & Impact

This initiative is expected to contribute to:

Enhanced equity considerations within malawi’s restoration and climate legal frameworks.
Improved access to benefits from restoration and climate initiatives for vulnerable groups.
reduced environmental risks and burdens for marginalized communities.
Strengthened governance and accountability in the environmental sector.
Increased alignment of Malawi’s environmental policies with international commitments on equity and sustainable development.

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Guidelines for proposal Submission

Requirements

The selected vendor will be able to demonstrate capacity in similar work, particularly:

Payment & Expenses

Once the budget has been validated, the payment of the service will be conditional on the delivery of the deliverables and not on the number of days worked. All expenses (equipment, vehicles, materials, supplies, consumables, means of communication, insurance, travel expenses, etc.) necessary for the performance of the service, including travel expenses, mission expenses, etc., are the sole responsibility of the vendor and must be quantified in the budget proposal.

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

Expression of Interest: Consultancy Services – Development of a national Adaptation Plan (NAP) Roadmap for [Country Name]

Background

[Organization Name] is seeking to engage a qualified consultancy team to support the development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Roadmap for [Country Name]. This roadmap will serve as a strategic framework to guide the country’s long-term adaptation planning processes, aligning with the objectives of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. The NAP Roadmap will build upon existing climate change policies and strategies, identifying priority adaptation actions across key sectors, and outlining a clear pathway for mobilizing resources and building institutional capacity.

Scope of Work

The consultancy team will be responsible for the following key tasks:

Inception Report: Develop a detailed inception report outlining the proposed methodology, workplan, and team composition.
Situation Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing climate change policies, vulnerability assessments, and adaptation initiatives in [Country Name].
Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate a series of consultations with key stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organizations, the private sector, and vulnerable communities.
Prioritization of Adaptation Actions: Identify and prioritize adaptation actions across key sectors (e.g., agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure) based on vulnerability assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and stakeholder consultations.
Development of the NAP Roadmap: Develop a comprehensive NAP Roadmap outlining the strategic objectives, priority actions, timelines, resource requirements, and monitoring & evaluation framework for adaptation planning in [Country Name].
Capacity Building: Provide capacity building support to national stakeholders on NAP development and implementation. Final Report: Prepare a final report documenting the entire process, findings, and recommendations.

Company Profile: A brief overview of the consultancy firm, including its experience in climate change adaptation, NAP development, and related fields.
Team Composition: Details of the proposed team, including the roles and responsibilities of each member, and their relevant qualifications and experience. Please include CVs and how each meets the above requirements.
Examples of and references for similar previous work.
A technical proposal outlining methodology and workplan and general understanding of the assignment.
A proposed budget with a breakdown of costs sufficient to assess reasonableness and compliance with our funder requirements. Please also include a competitive payment schedule associating amounts with work milestones.

Expression of Interest, Deadline for Questions, and Proposal

Please submit your EOI electronically to [email address] by [date – e.g., November 17, 2024]. Questions regarding this Expression of Interest should be submitted to the same email address by [Date – e.g., November 10, 2024]. We anticipate selecting a consultancy team by [Date – e.g., November 24, 2024].

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Evaluation Criteria

The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this RFP:

Technical Approach (40%): This includes the clarity,completeness,and feasibility of the proposed solution. Evaluators will assess the understanding of the project requirements, the appropriateness of the methodology, and the innovative aspects of the approach.
Management Plan (20%): This assesses the proposed project management structure,including roles and responsibilities,communication plans,risk management strategies,and the overall ability to deliver the project on time and within budget.
Personnel Qualifications (20%): the experience,qualifications,and expertise of the proposed project team will be evaluated. This includes relevant certifications, demonstrated experience on similar projects, and the overall team composition.
Cost (20%): The reasonableness and competitiveness of the proposed cost will be assessed. This includes a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with the project, including labor, materials, and any other expenses.

Selection Process

1. Proposal review: All submitted proposals will be reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum requirements outlined in this RFP.
2. Evaluation: Proposals that meet the minimum requirements will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined above. A scoring system will be used to objectively assess each proposal.
3. Shortlisting: The proposals with the highest scores will be shortlisted for further consideration.
4. Interviews/presentations (if required): Shortlisted vendors may be invited to participate in interviews or presentations to clarify their proposals and answer questions from the evaluation committee.
5. Final Selection: The evaluation committee will make a final recommendation based on the overall evaluation of the proposals, interviews/presentations (if applicable), and any other relevant factors.
6. Notification: All vendors will be notified of the outcome of the selection process.

Please direct any questions regarding this evaluation process to Mercy Mulanga (email protected), with a copy to Spencer Ng’oma (email protected) and Edwin Mkabane (email protected).

World Resources Institute Procurement Notice

The World Resources Institute (WRI) seeks proposals for a project focused on sustainability and equity. WRI prioritizes proposals demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices and inclusive partnerships.

Evaluation Criteria

• Technical Approach: Proposals will be evaluated on the clarity, feasibility, and innovation of the proposed technical approach.
• Organizational Capacity: WRI will assess the bidder’s organizational capacity, including relevant experience and qualified personnel.
• Sustainability: All other factors being equal,WRI will favor a proposal to more sustainably perform the work.
• Equity and Inclusion: At WRI, we strive for an inclusive delivery chain. We believe the environmental and international development communities are strengthened by providing equality of opportunity to businesses owned by LGBTQ+ communities, women, indigenous peoples, racialized groups, and people with disabilities – and it is indeed significant to WRI that we partner with organizations that share these values. Please describe how your organization would take an equity-centered approach to the need you are proposing to help us fill and how you incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion into your staffing, board leadership, and programs.

The bidder offering the best overall value will be selected. However, for this procurement, non-price aspects (technical competence and experience to deliver on this assignment) will be heavily weighted.