Development of Integrated Green Growth and Climate Resilience Plans

for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)

 1.     Introduction of PPAF:

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (hereinafter referred to as “PPAF”) is the lead and apex institution set up by the Government of Pakistan as an autonomous not-for-profit organisation focused on eliminating poverty in Pakistan having its registered office at Plot 14, I&T Road, Mauve Area G-8/1, Islamabad. PPAF was registered in February 1997 under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 (now Companies Act 2017). PPAF’s mission is to transform the lives of the poor to create a more equitable and prosperous Pakistan. PPAF aims to ensure that its core values of social inclusion, participation, accountability, transparency, and stewardship are built into all processes and programmes.

Since its inception and operationalization in 2000, PPAF has established its footprints in 147 districts in 4 provinces, regions, and territories, supporting social, economic, and ecological development in Pakistan. More specifically, PPAF has been supporting communities to access improved infrastructure, energy, health, education, livelihoods, finance, and develop resilience to disasters. It serves the poorest and most marginalised rural households and communities across the country providing them with an array of financial and non-financial services.

PPAF aims to promote a holistic approach to poverty alleviation, which is aligned closely with Pakistan’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its national, provincial, and regional policy frameworks. PPAF emphasis is on multi-sector programmes that generate broad, deep lasting and positive impacts at the community level. A key aspect of PPAF’s work is to support community institutions and partner organisations (POs), which work directly with communities and their institutional building.

2.     The Context: Need for Integrated Development Programmes for AJK and GB:

The PPAF Board of Directors (BoD) has approved financial grants from its own resources for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) regions to extend coverage of PPAF interventions to these areas by identifying key partner organizations and to undertake, within a structured medium to long-term development framework, its various poverty alleviation, green growth, green technologies, climate change resilience and community development interventions and services to the communities in need, especially those being affected by the negative impacts of environmental disasters.

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has requested PPAF to extend its services to the people of GB. Although, the PPAF has been supporting the GB modestly through few project interventions, like: Soni Jawari Policy Centre and by partnering on several initiatives with AKDN, etc. Recently, the PPAF BoD has formally resolved to extend its support to Gilgit-Baltistan though approving initial grants for GB and firming up its partnership with GB Rural Support Programme (GBRSP). Similarly, the PPAF Board has also approved seed funding as a grant for formulation of similar initiatives in the AJK. 

The initial support to these regions is for evolving a programme framework, and future working modalities, provision of matching grants, joint innovative programme financing, and to harness mutual fund-raising opportunities, and more synergistic implementation mechanism for improved results and support to the regional development agenda.

Through its green growth and climate change resilience programmes for the special and unique cultural, ecological and economic zones of GB and AJK in the future, PPAF is embarking towards contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy and plans through its four thematic goals, i.e.: (a) Fostering institutions through promotion of inclusive governance and development, (b) Poverty graduation, (c) Community well-being through sustainably addressing critical community physical infrastructure constraint, and (d) Capacity enhancement of people and their institutions through partnerships. The GB and AJK regions have not received a holistic, integrated, and strategic level programme support by the PPAF so far; therefore, regional programmes are being developed to support the communities through partnering with GBRSP (and/or any other suitable partner), the Government of GB, and with AJKRSP (or any other suitable organisation/s), the Government of AJK, respectively, in these regions.

3.     Scope of Work:

Keeping in view, the special geopolitical situation of the AJK and GB regions, a Senior Individual Consultant would be required, having in-depth insights into the demographic, socioeconomic, ongoing/upcoming development interventions, ecological, cultural, and political situation of GB and AJK.

The Consultant will provide support to PPAF to formulate separate integrated Green Growth and Climate Resilience Plans for AJK and GB regions and assist with forging formal partnerships with the partners and the respective governments, and other potential stakeholders. The following is a list of key tasks, the consultant is required to perform within the stipulated time-frame of this consultancy assignment:

3.1 For the Gilgit-Baltistan:

1. Conduct a strategy and policy level desk review of all existing GB green growth, environment and climate change related policies, laws, frameworks, stakeholders’ analysis, and listing of on-going and upcoming initiatives, identify sectoral stakeholders and partners, potential donors and financial resources available or in the pipeline to propose a way forward with achievable recommendations for the PPAF;
2. Undertake a systemic assessment of the proposal presented by GBRSP for mutual collaboration and partnership with PPAF;
3. In consultation with the PPAF and GBRSP management, draft an MoU(s) for the proposed partnership between GBRSP, GoGB and the PPAF and other prospective partners with concrete time-bound actions;
4. Develop for PPAF and GBRSP a comprehensive and integrated development strategy and framework, road map, and interventions under the umbrella of “green-growth, climate change resilience and economic development for GB”, identifying potential donors and innovative funding opportunities for this programme and its implementation plan;
5. Organise and conduct a consultation and endorsement workshop with selected partners to seek final endorsement of the key stakeholder (including PPAF, GoGB, GBRSP) for the integrated development strategic plan and interventions under the umbrella of “green-growth, climate change resilience and economic development for GB” and incorporate all feedback into the draft plan before final submission to the PPAF;
6. The Consultant shall peruse various proposals from prospective partners (from GB) and provide technical input(s) for improvement in light of the above-mentioned GB integrated GG and CC strategy;
7. Provide technical and expert opinion and suggestions about various thematic areas about the tailor-made interventions by PPAF. Suggest collaborative models with potential organisations requesting for collaboration/partnership with the PPAF;
8. The consultant will facilitate PPAF collaboration and partnership with the green-sector departments in GoGB, (i.e.: Agriculture, Irrigation, Forest, Parks and Wildlife Department, and also with the Planning and Development Department (as nodal Department), other social sector/development departments: Social Welfare, Water, Power and Energy, Health and Education, Tourism Department, Mineral Department and Youth and Women related departments and any special GoGB programmes/projects and initiatives;
9. The Consultant will facilitate notification of focal person/s (preferably by designation) from the respective GoGB Department/s for collaboration and working with the PPAF and GBRSP in the future;
10. In light of the GoGB’s Planning and Development Department special request to PPAF for supporting its Social Sector Development, the consultant will in consultation with P&DD, GoGB assess their Annual Development Plan and make recommendations for a realistic and viable collaboration between PPAF and the GoGB in the future; and
11. Perform any other tasks which may be required or assigned for achieving the above.

3.2 For the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region:

1. Conduct a strategy and policy level desk review of all existing AJK green growth, environment and climate change related policies, laws, frameworks, stakeholders’ analysis, and listing of on-going and upcoming initiatives, identify sectoral stakeholders and partners, potential donors and financial resources available or in the pipeline to propose a way forward with achievable recommendations for the PPAF;
2. Undertake a systemic assessment and formulate a proposal for mutual collaboration and partnership between GoAJK (and/or any other suitable organisation/s) with PPAF;
3. In consultation with the PPAF, GoAJK and AJKRSP management (or any other suitable organisation/s), draft an MoU(s) for the proposed partnership between AJKRSP (or any other suitable organisation/s), GoAJK and the PPAF and other prospective partners with concrete time-bound actions;
4. Develop for PPAF and AJKRSP (or any other suitable organisation/s) and GoAJK a comprehensive and integrated development strategy and framework, road map, and interventions under the umbrella of “green-growth, climate change resilience and economic development for AJK”, identifying potential donors and innovative funding opportunities for this programme and its implementation plan;
5. Organise and conduct a consultation and endorsement workshop with selected partners to seek final endorsement of the key stakeholder, including PPAF, GoAJK, AJKRSP (or any other suitable organisation/s) for the integrated development strategic plan and interventions under the umbrella of “green-growth, climate change resilience and economic development for AJK” and incorporate all feedback into the draft plan before final submission to the PPAF;
6. The Consultant shall peruse various proposals from prospective partners (from AJK) and provide technical input(s) for improvement in light of the above-mentioned AJK integrated GG and CC strategy;
7. Provide technical and expert opinion and suggestions about various thematic areas about the tailor-made interventions by PPAF. Suggest collaborative models with potential organisation/s requesting for collaboration/partnership with the PPAF;
8. The consultant will facilitate PPAF collaboration and partnership with the green-sector departments in GoAJK, (i.e.: Agriculture, Irrigation, Forest, Parks and Wildlife Department, and also with the Planning and Development Department (as nodal Department), other social sector/development departments: Social Welfare, Water, Power and Energy, Health and Education, Tourism Department, Mineral Department and Youth and Women related departments and any special GoAJK programmes/projects and initiatives;
9. The Consultant will facilitate notification of focal person/s (preferably by designation) from the respective GoAJK Department/s for collaboration and working with the PPAF and AJKRSP (or any other partner organisation/s) in the future;
10. Solicit from GoAJK’s Planning and Development Department special request to PPAF for supporting its Social Sector Development, the consultant will in consultation with P&DD, GoAJK assess their Annual Development Plan and make recommendations for a realistic and viable collaboration between PPAF and the GoAJK in the future; and
11. Perform any other tasks which may be required or assigned for achieving the above.

4.     Supervision and Reporting: The reporting line of the Consultant will be to Chief of Programmes at PPAF and for day-to-day coordination and work closely with Specialist, Green Growth and Climate Change, the Contract Coordinator. The consultant may liaison with other technical programme and administrative staff, as may be required subject to prior consent of the Contract Coordinator.

 5.     Duration of the Contract: The duration of this consultancy is envisaged to be six months period, starting from the date of award of the consulting contract.

6.     Termination of the contract (notice period): The contract can be terminated by any party with a 10-working days written notice.

7.     Eligibility and skills of the Individual Consultant required: PPAF invites proposals from Senior Individual Consultants with the following proven experience and expertise:

(a)  M. Phil/Master’s degree in environment or natural sciences, social sciences, development studies, programme management, or any other relevant disciplines;

(b)  Minimum of 20 years of relevant professional experience in environmental and development policy and management, including at least 10 years of experience serving at senior/managerial level position(s), preferably in GB and/or AJK.

(c)  Excellent report writing skills and extensive research experience. The consultant shall also share independent writing samples/or their products with the PPAF.

(d)  Strong understanding of climate change, green-growth, environmental management, and climate financing in context to Pakistan, preferably in GB or AJK.

(e)  Strong track record in policy formulation and coordination with international donor agencies, INGOs/CSOs and government departments.

(f)   Proven track record of coordination and working with the Federal or Provincial Government/s, preferably in GB or AJK.

(g)  Successful experience of similar strategic planning, programme development and financing.

(h)  Excellent teamwork, written and oral communications and networking skill, including the ability to build relationships internally and externally.

(i)   Ability to prioritize, plan and organize workflow to tight time frames, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.

(j)   Excellent skills for policy advocacy and policy influencing on environmental and climate change issues.

(k)  Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy.

(l)   Computer literate and experience using MS Office packages; and

(m)Cross-cultural sensitivity and experience.

 8.     Key deliverables and the payment schedule:

8.1  Consulting Fee: The Consultancy Contract for this assignment will be a Global Price contract, and the lump sum amount will include all costs related to this assignment.

            The payment will be made as per submission and approval of following deliverables:

 9.     Selection Method: The individual consultant will be selected in accordance with PPAF Procurement Manual.

 10.  Ethical Considerations: The consultant will make clear to all partners and stakeholders that there is no obligation to participate in the process. All participants will be assured that there will be no negative consequences if they choose not to participate. The consultant will obtain informed opt-in consent from the participants. Interviewees will not be quoted in the reports without their permission. In case, if the consultant does not understand participants’ first language, s/he will be taking interpreter/s along. S/he will have to receive prior permission for taking and use of visual still/moving images for specific purposes, i.e., for report and presentations. The consultant will also assure the participants’ anonymity and confidentiality and will ensure the visual data is protected and used for agreed purpose only. The consultant will hand over all the database/list of key informants/reports/documents/interviews data to PPAF along with the draft report. PPAF will hold the ownership of all data collected under this assignment and the consultant will have no right to use or quote data/information from the survey without prior written permission from senior management of PPAF. The consultant will be required not to disclose outside PPAF any information they might have learned in the frame of the activities implemented under this assignment. The consultant shall inform PPAF without delays should any potential conflict of interest arise during the assignment in relation to the tasks assigned.