Request for Applications: Forest Carbon Project – Investment Readiness Development in Uganda

The goal of the 5-year (2020-2025) USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience (B4R) Activity, implemented by RTI International, is to assist communities, the Government of Uganda (GOU), and the private sector to conserve and manage biodiversity in target ecosystems for lasting environmental and economic sustainability and increased community and household resilience.

Additional cross-cutting activities include promotion of resiliency strategies; inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalized people; private sector engagement; capacity building; and deliberate use of collaborating, learning, and adapting techniques.

B4R Activity provides direct financial support in the form of sub-awards from its Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) to private sector and other community-based enterprises towards achieving biodiversity conservation objectives in Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, and Budongo Forest landscapes. The B4R SIF aims to stimulate investment in nature-based economies in target landscapes.

Objectives of Project

• The purpose of this assignment is to lead and complete tasks to make this carbon finance project investment ready, including taking comprehensive steps to proceed with the project development, implementation, and verification phases. Specifically, the assignment is expected to refine and improve investment ready carbon estimates, set up the project governance and implementation structures, finalize the project’s financing/investment model, and prepare necessary workplan and monitoring plans and systems. This work is expected to be confirmed by executing the relevant agreements for project implementation.
• Geographic scope is to focus specifically on this one region: Kidepo Valley Greater Landscape – primarily the areas around the forming KKAKKA Community Wildlife Association coverage area in the districts of Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Kitgum, Abim, and Agago, including about 14 Central Forest Reserves in the landscape.

Duration

• The period of performance is about 6-12 months. The period of performance is flexible.

Activities

• The implementing firm is expected to fully develop and implement all planned projects and activities as follows:
  • Develop investment ready carbon estimates.
  • Develop and agree on the implementation structure of the project as for the governance, project management, and implementing partner roles.
  • Develop the financing/investment model for the project development comprising both private climate finance and donor funds (blended finance).
  • Prepare long-term project implementation workplan & budget.
  • Develop detailed project Benefit Allocation Plan or Benefit Sharing Principles based on stakeholders’ input.

Required Experience

• The firm is expected to have primarily long-term implementation experience in forest carbon development in Sub-Saharan Africa, with specifics as follows:
  • Expertise in land-use and/or forest carbon projects design, development, and verification (including compliance and application of the best verification standards).
  • Successful track record in commercialization, project monitoring, and implementation of land-use and/or forest carbon projects, including sales and marketing of verified carbon offsets.
  • Practical knowledge and experience in conservation management with an integrated land-use carbon component.
  • Experience in conservation finance, such as financing conservation initiatives through private sector initiatives.
  • Experience in benefit-sharing mechanisms related to carbon finance and conservation, including negotiations with the communities and government.

For more information, visit RTI International.