Article 6 - Restoration Permanence Analysis Consultant

The aim of the assignment is to provide technical support to IDEAM to strengthen forest restoration monitoring in Colombia through:

(i) the systematization and analysis of existing information on restoration initiatives/projects;

(ii) the identification and analysis of key determinants of permanence of carbon stocks and forest cover in restored areas; and

(iii) the development of technical guidelines, including a chronosequence-based methodological approach, to serve as inputs for enhancing the SMByC Restoration Monitoring Protocol and for structuring the Restoration Program under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Under supervision of the GGGI Colombia Senior Officer – Policy Coordinator & SPAR6C Colombia Coordinator, the consultant will support the following activities:

Activities

1. Prepare and validate a detailed work plan aligned with the objectives of the SPAR6C program, including the definition of technical criteria and analytical variables, in close coordination with GGGI and IDEAM.

2. Consolidate and clean secondary information available from IDEAM, the Forest and Carbon Monitoring System (SMByC), and other official sources for prioritized restoration initiatives/projects, to structure an operational forest restoration database classified according to evidence of permanence and non-permanence, ensuring full traceability of sources and applied criteria.

3. Consolidate spatial and alphanumeric technical criteria to support the classification of evidence of permanence, as well as to guide the technical prioritization of selected restoration initiatives/projects for further analysis.

4. Design an analytical methodology to identify factors associated with evidence of permanence, taking into account factors related to the technical design of restoration interventions, socioeconomic conditions, governance, and territorial context, integrating both secondary and primary information. The analysis will combine secondary and primary data sources. Initiatives/projects showing evidence of permanence will be assessed through the collection of both types of information, using indirect methods (e.g. surveys) and selected field visits.

5. Design technical instruments for the collection of primary and secondary information, including technical visit formats and interview guides, as well as define the minimum variables and guidelines for the capture of georeferenced information.

6. Apply the methodology through the implementation of three (3) technical field visits in three regions agreed with IDEAM and the SPAR6C Program. Each visit will include meetings with relevant institutions and stakeholders, as well as site visits to at least three previously prioritized forest restoration initiatives/projects, in coordination with IDEAM and the SPAR6C program. The objective is to verify, in situ, the evidence of permanence initially identified through secondary analysis and to collect primary data by applying the designed methodology and instruments, to strengthen the analysis of factors associated with permanence.

7. Conduct an integrated analysis of primary and secondary information to identify factors associated with the permanence of forest restoration.

8. Conduct an analysis of a limited sample of projects, agreed upon with SPAR6C and IDEAM, that show evidence of reversal (loss of forest cover and carbon stocks in restored areas), identifying: (i) average duration of forest cover permanence; (ii) restoration typology; (iii) socioeconomic conditions; and (iv) overall territorial context, based on officially available secondary cartographic information defined at the outset of the consultancy.

9. Develop a chronosequence-based methodological proposal as a technical input to strengthen IDEAM’s Restoration Monitoring Protocol, specifying spatial requirements, analysis scales, and data structure needed for its integration into the national MRV system (SMByC), in alignment with the Restoration Program under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

10. Participate in technical discussion spaces on MRV and Article 6 guidelines, as well as in discussions related to standards and methodologies and their alignment with Article 6 requirements, as required, providing technical input derived from the results of the consultancy.

DELIVERABLES

1. Workplan

One (1) document containing the detailed work plan (in English and Spanish), including at least the following aspects: management approach, activities, methodologies to be applied, deliverables, implementation timeline, delivery schedule, responsibilities, and the definition of the technical framework for classifying forest restoration initiatives/projects based on evidence of permanence, including the corresponding criteria and analytical variables, developed in close coordination with GGGI and IDEAM.

2. Consolidated database classified according to evidence of permanence, with full methodological traceability for the prioritized areas.

One (1) document detailing the review of IDEAM–SMByC databases for the prioritized areas, including the standardization and definition of technical variables, the establishment of criteria for evidence of permanence, the application of classification criteria to the initiatives/projects within the consolidated database, and the systematic documentation of assumptions, information gaps, and limitations.

3. Prioritization of initiatives/projects and analytical methodology for assessing factors associated with evidence of permanence

One (1) document on the prioritization of initiatives/projects and the methodology for analyzing factors associated with evidence of permanence, including the planning of technical field visits, and analytical methodology for assessing technical, socioeconomic, and territorial factors associated with evidence of permanence. It also includes a group of initiatives/projects with evidence of non-permanence for further analysis.

4. Data collection instruments and validated technical guidelines

One (1) document detailing the design of technical instruments for primary and secondary data collection, including technical visit formats, interview and survey guides, and guidelines for georeferenced data capture.

5. Technical progress report on data collection (version 1)

One (1) document detailing the application of the methodology and technical instruments for data collection (Part 1), including the implementation of data collection instruments, the execution of the technical field visits, interviews with project developers/implementers, and the collection of georeferenced information.

6. Progress report with the chronosequence-based carbon estimation methodological proposal and technical guidelines for its integration into the SMByC

One (1) document presenting a desk-based review of existing methodologies for chronosequence analysis for carbon estimation, identifying the most suitable methodological approach for application in forest restoration initiatives/projects within the SMByC, including the definition of minimum spatial variables, analysis periodicity and scales, and requirements for georeferencing and data structure for integration into the national MRV system.

7. Technical progress report on data collection (version 2)

One (1) document detailing the application of the methodology and technical instruments for data collection (Part 2), including the implementation of data collection instruments, the execution of the remaining technical field visits, interviews with project developers/implementers, and the collection of georeferenced information.

8. Technical report consolidating information and analysis of initiatives/projects with evidence of permanence (version 1)

One (1) document presenting the consolidation of collected information into an analytical matrix, including the organization of the final georeferenced database, identification and analysis of factors associated with evidence of permanence based on primary and secondary information, and the identification of relevant territorial, technical, and governance stakeholders.

9. Reversal analysis of selected restoration projects

One (1) document presenting the analysis of a limited sample of projects showing evidence of reversals, including the estimation of average forest cover permanence duration, characterization of restoration typologies, assessment of socioeconomic conditions, and analysis of territorial context based on officially available secondary cartographic information, as agreed with SPAR6C and IDEAM.

10. Final report consolidating the results of the consultancy, including the final methodological proposal for carbon estimation based on chronosequences and technical guidelines for its integration into the SMByC.

One (1) document consolidating the technical results of the consultancy and formulating guidelines to strengthen forest restoration monitoring in articulation with the national MRV system. This includes the integration of the classified database, field results, and their respective analysis; the final methodological proposal for carbon estimation based on chronosequences and technical guidelines for its integration into the SMByC; the formulation of technical recommendations; and the socialization of results. This final deliverable includes an executive summary (2-3 pages a word document and 5-slides PowerPoint document).

DELIVERABLES, TIMELINES AND PAYMENTS

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The consultancy will be supervised by the GGGI Colombia Senior Officer – Policy Coordinator & SPAR6C Colombia Coordinator and receive technical orientation from the Specialized professional in charge of restoration monitoring at the SMByC (Forest and Carbon Monitoring System) of IDEAM (Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies), to ensure the timely and quality delivery of the products described in the contractual objectives. A follow-up to activities will be done taking as reference the agreed working plan and further amendments as agreed.

• The consultant's work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning, and biweekly meetings for prioritizing activities, changing in priorities and scope of deliverables. These review meetings will tackle subjects such as overview of contractual objectives, development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially settled, and any other relevant progress details. IDEAM is expected to validate all products but formal approval is carried out by GGGI.

• The consultant will carry out the foreseen activities virtually, and a minimum 40% time-dedication in person attendance (2 days per week) at the IDEAM offices and potentially in-person meetings with GGGI and other counterpart institutions.

• All products (documents with their annexes and infographics, diagrams, tables, and any graphic developed to facilitate understanding of technical contents) will be delivered in digital media, in open files that allow their edition.

• In terms of language, all reports and deliverables will be delivered in Spanish. The first deliverable (work plan) and an executive summary (2-3 pages a word document and 5-slides PowerPoint document) at the end of the consultancy must be presented in both languages Spanish and English.

• The consultant must submit monthly progress reports in GGGI's standard template.

• All relevant technical documents, reports and other documents prepared from the beginning to the end of the consultancy will be attached to the Final Report.

SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY

The consultant is expected to have biweekly interactions with the GGGI Colombia Senior Officer- Policy Coordinator & SPAR6C Colombia Coordinator and the Specialized professional in charge of restoration monitoring at the SMByC (Forest and Carbon Monitoring System) of IDEAM (Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies). The consultant will be asked to report progress in relation to contractual objectives, activities, and milestones during the meeting. The consultant shall support the GGGI team in internal and donor reports with respect to the topics of the consultancy. The consultant shall communicate any proposed deviation from the Workplan to the GGGI supervisor.

The consultant is expected to use their own equipment for most work, though partial access to an IDEAM workstation will be available for specific tasks requiring access to imagery or particular processing workflows.

GGGI will cover the costs of the field visits mentioned in Activity 6.

Before submitting each deliverable, the consultant will be expected to share and circulate a draft version of the document with the GGGI Colombia Senior Officer – Policy Coordinator & SPAR6C Colombia Coordinator, allowing at least two weeks to receive comments and feedback. Submission of final deliverables must include a clean version as well as a tracked changes version (for MS Word documents) which includes responses to comments received.

The description of the required expert is as follows:

• Must be a Colombian citizen or have permission to work legally in Colombia.

• The candidate must demonstrate expertise in Colombia’s  environmental sector.

• (REQUIRED) Professional degree in forestry, environmental sciences, ecology, geography, or related fields.

• (REQUIRED) Postgraduate studies (Master’s Degree) in forestry, environmental sciences, ecology, geography, or related fields.

• (REQUIRED) At least 5 years of experience in forest restoration, land-use analysis, or climate change mitigation.

• (REQUIRED) At least 2 years of experience in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, preferably in the context of agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU),  forest restoration or carbon accounting methodologies.

• (REQUIRED) Experience in the analysis and management of geospatial data (GIS), including handling spatial and alphanumeric datasets.

• (DESIRABLE) Familiarity with Colombia’s environmental information systems (e.g., SMByC, IDEAM datasets)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills; capacity for synthesis, presentation, and communication; and strategic thinking skills.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing field data collection methodologies, including surveys, interviews, and technical field visits.

• Organized with excellent time management and attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work with teams.

• Ability to work collaboratively with government institutions and multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong command of spoken and written English and Spanish.

• Selection method / process: Competitive (Submission of Applications)

• Required documentation: CV (must be sent in English)

• Timeline of selection: 14 days

• Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.

GGGI as an institution abides by its project-level Sustainability and Safeguards Rules (SSR) for all projects aligned with international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards. The SSR is aligned with commonly recognized international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), i.e., the WB Performance Standard, that ensure project level safeguarding of communities and people impacted by GGGI activities. GGGI has integrated project level Environmental and Social Safeguards into its Project Cycle Management (PCM) with mandatory Preliminary Gender and Social Assessments and ESS Screening of all projects to identify and manage risks.

In addition, GGGI’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy 2021-2025 provides a framework toward achieving the principle of “Leaving No One Behind” in the transformation towards green growth, guiding GGGI's approaches to the mainstreaming of gender equality and poverty reduction in GGGI Colombia´s Program. This also includes the implementation of the GGGI Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction Policy Markers on all projects. GGGI’s Corporate Results Framework requires gender disaggregated indicators for participation in GGGI Capacity Building events.

GGGI’s Child Protection Rules and GGGI Rules on Sexual Exploitation ensure safeguarding of children impacted by GGGI activities or in contact with GGGI contracted personnel, with GGGI taking a zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation. GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. All procedures mentioned above are accompanied by guidelines and capacity building efforts. GGGI also provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. GGGI promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

All GGGI´s policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/

GGGI is committed to apply transparency and accountability in its decisions and actions, and to practice integrity in all aspects of its operations. GGGI's anti-corruption policy establishes zero tolerance for corruption and fraudulent, coercive, and collusive practices in GGGI's operations. The whistleblowing policy is available at the following link https://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/ 2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

In addition, all GGGI's policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/