REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD AND PARTNERSHIP INSTRUMENT EAST COUNTRIES FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNANCE II PROGRAM" (ENPI EAST COUNTRIES FLEG II PROGRAM) Grant No.: PO1158

 Assignment Title:  ENPI FLEG II Consultant firm for organizing FLEG Roadshows on forestry issues in forest dependent communities in Armenia.

Reference No.: ADAARM-C-CQS-1

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of implementing the EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD AND PARTNERSHIP INSTRUMENT EAST COUNTRIES FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOVERNANCE II PROGRAM" and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include organizing FLEG Roadshows in forest dependent communities in Armenia and specifically:

• Study knowledge gaps of population of forest adjacent communities on legal, social, economic and environmental aspects of forest management in cooperation with FLEG experts;
• Identify locations, plan timetable and develop agenda;
• Develop presentations and materials for dissemination among adult population and schoolchildren of communities;
• Recruit speakers, including forest specialists and environmentalists, representing state structures and NGOs;
• Cooperate with local authorities and local «Hayantar» SNCO enterprises;
• Organize travel and accommodation for speakers/presenters on a FLEG Roadshow vehicle;
• Use ENPI FLEG 2 Program disclaimer information to ensure branding visibility of the FLEG vehicle
• Arrange Roadshow venues and equipment (projector, laptop, internet, photocopier);
• Collect a package of community appeals to communicate to the government
• Information support to help mobilize local media;
• Work with the Country Program Coordinator to clearly communicate results, success stories and key messages from project;

The assignment shall be fulfilled within a 3-months period starting March 25, 2015.

The IUCN now invites eligible Consultant firms (“Consultants”) registered in Armenia to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

Legal independent organizations registered in Armenia with proven experience in environmental advocacy activities (at least 5 years). The following specific qualifications must be met by the key personnel of the applicant organization:

• Masters degree in Environmental Policy or a discipline relevant to forest or natural resource management and governance issues;
• Knowledge and understanding of the current forest management and governance issues in Armenia;
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to gender issues.
• Prior involvement (at least 5 years) in environmental advocacy at community level and work strengthening the role of community in the protection of their natural resources;
• Rich institutional and human capacities for coordinating Roadshows;
• Fluency in spoken and written Armenian and English, Knowledge of Russian is an asset;
• Computer literacy, including the use of MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word or similar office applications.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 and 1.11 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011) ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and eligibility.

Consultants may submit their EOIs (Expressions of Interest) accompanied with extended CVs and supporting materials.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selections Based on the Consultants' Qualifications (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. The best qualified and experienced firm shall be selected and only this one selected firm shall be asked to submit a combined technical and financial proposal.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in the written form to the email address below by February 23rd, 2015. Please provide reference No: ADAARM-C-CQS-1 in all your email.

Further information can be obtained at the address below:
Luba Balyan, IUCN Armenia ENPI FLEG 2 Coordinator,
Email: luba.balyan@enpi-fleg.org