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TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs)

Consultancy for Development of Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs)

Project: Enhancing Climate Resilience and Sustainable Ecosystems

Funded by: Global EbA Fund (IUCN)

Lead Agency: International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Partner:  Yes

Locations: Swat & Buner Districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Date:  May 2026

Consultancy Type: Individual

Duration:  Approx. 10–12 weeks

1. Introduction and Project Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with local partner and with technical oversight from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is implementing the 18-month project “Enhancing Climate Resilience and Sustainable Ecosystems” in Swat and Buner districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project is funded by the Global EbA Fund and focuses on three interconnected pillars: strengthening ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), developing district-level Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs) and promoting inclusive climate-resilient livelihoods.

Swat and Buner are highly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards including floods, erratic rainfall, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), land degradation and ecosystem decline. These risks disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, forest-dependent households, women, girls and youth. The project is aligned with Pakistan’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Sendai Framework, SDGs 1, 8, 13, and 15 and provincial Climate Change Action Plans.

The LAPAs to be developed under this consultancy will serve as the cornerstone of the project’s Output 1: “Local Adaptation Plans of Action Developed and Implemented.” They will directly inform district Annual Development Plans (ADPs) and guide climate stewardship at the district level.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to lead the participatory development of two district-level Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs), one for Swat and one for Buner district that are evidence-based, community-owned, gender-responsive and ready for institutional adoption. The LAPAs will translate national and provincial climate commitments into actionable, district-level adaptation frameworks while integrating EbA principles, nature based solutions and climate-resilient livelihood pathways.

The LAPAs will directly support the project’s overarching outcome: Communities adopt local adaptation action plans and have access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.

3. Specific Objectives

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review and climate risk and vulnerability assessment for Swat and Buner drawing on existing district development plans, climate risk indices and hazard mapping.
• Facilitate inclusive, participatory processes including KIIs, FGDs and multi-stakeholder workshops  ensuring meaningful engagement of women, girls, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
• Integrate EbA principles, nature-based solutions and ecosystem service considerations into district adaptation planning frameworks.
• Align LAPAs with Pakistan’s NAP, NDCs, SDGs (especially SDG 8, 13, 15), provincial climate action plans and district ADPs.
• Identify actionable climate-resilient livelihood recommendations that complement the project’s value chain analysis (Output 2) and green entrepreneurship activities.
• Support formal adoption of LAPAs by district authorities, embedding them into ADP processes under the oversight of the District Coordination Committee (DCC) chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.
• Ensure ESMS compliance, applying the do-no-harm principle and adhering to IRC’s environmental and social safeguard standards throughout the assignment.

4. Scope of Work

4.1 Inception and Desk Review

• Develop a detailed inception report including methodology, analytical framework, data collection tools and workplan aligned with the DIP.
• Review national and provincial policies: NAP, NDCs, KP Climate Change Policy, NCAP, Sendai Framework and district ADPs.
• Analyze existing climate risk assessments, vulnerability studies (including IRC’s DFAT-funded WASH project baseline data) and natural resource assessments available in Swat and Buner.
• Review completed stakeholder mapping and resource assessment reports prepared by local partner to avoid duplication and build on existing data.
• Identify gaps in current adaptation planning and entry points for EbA integration.

4.2 Stakeholder Engagement and Analysis

• Develop a comprehensive stakeholder map covering district line departments (Agriculture, Forestry, Wildlife, Livestock, PHED, DDMA, Social Welfare, Education), local government, CSOs, community-based groups, Women Enterprise Groups (WEGs), Farmer Enterprise Groups (FEGs), Inclusive WASH Jirgas (IWJs) and private sector actors.
• Conduct at least 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) per district with institutional and community representatives.
• Facilitate at least 4 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) per district, ensuring at least 50% female participation and separate sessions for youth and persons with disabilities where feasible.
• Coordinate closely with local partner’s field teams throughout data collection, leveraging their existing community relationships and local government access.
• Coordinate with the established District Coordination Committee (DCC) per district as the institutional anchoring mechanism for LAPA oversight.

4.3 Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

• Conduct a district-level climate risk assessment covering floods, droughts, GLOFs, landslides, erratic rainfall and heatwaves.
• Evaluate sectoral climate impacts across agriculture, forests, livestock, water/WASH, health and livelihoods.
• Document disproportionate risks for women, girls, smallholder farmers, forest-dependent households, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Incorporate ecosystem service valuation to demonstrate the adaptation value of forests, wetlands, rivers and agricultural landscapes.
• Map district natural and financial resources available for adaptation (including ADP allocations), drawing on the local partner resource assessment report.

4.4 Solution Prioritization and Action Planning

• Facilitate participatory prioritization workshops with communities and line departments to identify the most feasible and high-impact adaptation measures.
• Develop clear action pathways integrating EbA solutions (reforestation, sustainable agriculture, watershed management, green infrastructure) and disaster risk reduction measures.
• Link LAPA adaptation priorities explicitly with the project’s value chain findings (Output 2) to ensure livelihood and market coherence.
• Define roles and responsibilities for each prioritized action, specifying lead departments, community institutions and budget requirements.
• Identify green financing mechanisms and private sector co-investment opportunities to support LAPA implementation beyond the project period.

4.5 LAPA Drafting

• Prepare separate, comprehensive LAPAs for Swat and Buner districts.
• Each LAPA must include: district climate risk profile, adaptation vision, priority adaptation actions (short-, medium and long-term), implementation matrix (who, what, when, budget), monitoring framework, gender and inclusion analysis, EbA opportunity map and policy alignment section.
• Circulate draft LAPAs to IRC and Local Partner for review before validation.

4.6 Validation and Finalization

• Conduct at least one multi-stakeholder validation workshop per district with line departments, the DCC, community representatives and civil society.
• Incorporate feedback and revise LAPAs accordingly.
• Support IRC and Local Partner in facilitating formal endorsement of LAPAs by the District Coordination Committee and Deputy Commissioner.
• Support integration of LAPA priorities into formal ADP planning and budgeting cycles.

5. Methodological Requirements

The consultancy will apply a mixed-methods approach:

• Desk-based literature and policy review
• Qualitative tools: KIIs, FGDs, participatory workshops
• Quantitative analysis: climate risk indices, sectoral vulnerability data, resource mapping
• Field validation: direct observation visits in selected target communities

The methodology must explicitly demonstrate:

• Participatory engagement: Community ownership from assessment to validation
• Analytical rigour: Systematic evaluation of climate risks, sectors and actors
• Gender and social inclusion: Disaggregated data collection and gender-responsive LAPA content
• Policy coherence: Direct alignment with NAP, NDCs, KP Climate Policy, Climate Prosperity Plan and ADPs
• EbA integration: Nature-based solutions and ecosystem services embedded throughout
• ESMS compliance: Do-no-harm principles and environmental safeguard adherence

6. Expected Deliverables

#

Deliverable

Timing

D1

Inception Report: methodology, analytical framework, data collection tools, sampling approach, workplan aligned with DIP

Week 2–3

D2

Interim Progress Report: preliminary climate risk and vulnerability assessment; stakeholder mapping findings; emerging adaptation priorities

Week 6–7

D3a

Draft LAPA – Swat District (shared with IRC and Local Partner for review)

Week 8–9

D3b

Draft LAPA – Buner District (shared with IRC and Local Partner for review)

Week 8–9

D4

Validation Workshop Facilitation (1 per district): facilitation plan, presentation, attendance records, summary of inputs received

Week 10–11

D5a

Final LAPA – Swat (incorporating validation feedback; print-ready and soft copy)

Week 12

D5b

Final LAPA – Buner (incorporating validation feedback; print-ready and soft copy)

Week 12

D6

Policy Integration Support Note: guidance memo for IRC/Local Partner to facilitate LAPA embedding into ADP cycles and government notification

Week 12

D7

Final Assignment Completion Report: summary of process, key lessons, and recommendations for LAPA implementation and upscaling

Week 12

All deliverables require IRC approval before payment release. Final LAPAs must be submitted in both Word and PDF formats.

7. Timeline and Level of Effort

The consultancy is expected to run for approximately 10–12 weeks, starting from date of contract signing. Indicative level of effort is 40–55 person-days. The following timeline applies:

Phase

Key Activities

Duration

Phase 1: Inception

Contract signing, desk review, tool development, workplan submission

Weeks 1–2

Phase 2: Data Collection

KIIs, FGDs, field visits, stakeholder workshops, resource mapping

Weeks 3–7

Phase 3: Analysis & Drafting

Data analysis, risk assessment, LAPA drafting for both districts

Weeks 7–9

Phase 4: Validation

Validation workshops (2 per district), feedback incorporation

Weeks 10–11

Phase 5: Finalization

Final LAPA submission, policy integration note, completion report

Week 12

8. Reporting Line and Coordination

• The consultant will report directly to the IRC Climate Resilience Team Lead with technical review from the IRC Livelihoods/EbA focal point.
• The consultant will coordinate with Local Partner field teams, who will provide logistical support, community access and government liaison throughout field activities.
• The consultant will present progress updates to IRC and Local partner at the end of each phase.
• The consultant will participate in relevant DCC meetings when required.
• The consultant must integrate ESMS safeguard clauses as per the DIP requirement under “Integrate ESMS clauses into consultant ToRs.”

9. Consultant Qualifications

9.1 Essential Requirements – Lead Consultant

Requirement

Specification

Education

Postgraduate degree in Climate Change, Environmental Sciences, Disaster Risk Reduction, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, or related field

Experience (minimum)

10 years of professional experience in climate resilience, EbA, climate risk assessment, or adaptation planning

LAPA/Adaptation Planning

Proven track record in developing Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs) or equivalent district-level adaptation frameworks (at least 2 completed LAPAs required)

Institutional engagement

Demonstrated experience working with district government departments, DDMAs, and multi-stakeholder coordination bodies in Pakistan

Policy knowledge

Strong command of Pakistan’s NAP, NDCs, KP Climate Change Policy, NCAP, Climate Prosperity Plan, Sendai Framework and SDGs

EbA expertise

Understanding of ecosystem-based adaptation, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem service valuation

Gender & inclusion

Experience conducting gender-responsive assessments and ensuring meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups

Research methods

Proficiency in mixed-methods research (KIIs, FGDs, participatory tools, quantitative data analysis)

Communication

Excellent English report writing and Pashto/Urdu communication skills for community and government engagement

9.2 Highly Desirable

• Prior LAPA development experience in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specifically Swat or Buner districts.
• Familiarity with IRC, IUCN, or Global EbA Fund project frameworks and reporting requirements.
• Experience integrating LAPA priorities into government Annual Development Plans (ADPs).
• Understanding of value chain development and livelihoods programming to link LAPA recommendations with Output 2 of this project.
• Knowledge of green financing mechanisms, private sector co-investment models, and climate finance options.
• Experience applying ESMS / environmental and social safeguard standards in development projects.

9.3 Team Composition (if submitting as a firm/team)

• Lead Consultant: Overall responsibility for LAPA development, stakeholder engagement, and report writing.
• Climate Risk Specialist (optional): Technical support for climate risk and vulnerability assessment.
• Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist (recommended): Ensuring gender-responsive data collection and analysis.
• Field Facilitators (at least 2, one per district): Coordination with Local Partner, community mobilization, and FGD facilitation.

10. Evaluation Criteria

Criteria

Weight

Notes

Technical Proposal & Methodology

40%

Must reflect phased approach

Relevant LAPA / Adaptation Planning Experience

25%

Min. 2 LAPA examples required

Team Capacity and Gender/EbA Expertise

15%

CVs required

Financial Proposal (value for money)

10%

Budget breakdown required

Interview / Presentation

10%

Shortlisted candidates only

11. Payment Schedule

Milestone

Deliverable(s)

Payment %

Contract signing and submission of Inception Report (D1)

D1 approved by IRC

20%

Submission of Interim Progress Report (D2)

D2 approved by IRC

20%

Completion of validation workshops and submission of draft LAPAs (D3a, D3b, D4)

Validation completed; draft LAPAs reviewed by IRC

30%

Submission of final deliverables (D5a, D5b, D6, D7)

All final deliverables approved by IRC

30%

12. Safeguarding, Ethics, and Intellectual Property

• The consultant must adhere to IRC’s Safeguarding Policy, IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct (Integrity, Service, and Accountability), and Child Safeguarding Policy.
• All fieldwork must apply do-no-harm principles, FPIC for community consultations, gender-sensitive data collection practices, and informed consent procedures.
• ESMS compliance is mandatory throughout the assignment. The consultant must integrate ESMS requirements as embedded and flagged by IRC during contract signing.
• All deliverables, data, tools, and intellectual products arising from this assignment are the exclusive property of IRC. The consultant may not publish or present findings without prior written authorization from IRC.
• Confidentiality of community data, especially disaggregated gender and vulnerability data, must be maintained at all times.
• IRC is committed to gender equality. Women consultants and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

13. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants should submit the following to IRC by the stated deadline:

• Technical Proposal: Understanding of assignment, proposed methodology, workplan, tools and sampling approach.
• Financial Proposal: Detailed budget breakdown in PKR/USD, including daily rates, field costs, and any team composition costs.
• CV(s): Lead consultant and all proposed team members.
• Work Samples: At least two completed LAPA or equivalent district-level adaptation planning documents.
• References: Contact details of at least two supervisors or project managers from recent, relevant assignments.
• Declaration: Signed statement of availability, conflict of interest disclosure, and commitment to IRC’s safeguarding standards.

14. Submission Details

Submission Deadline

29 May 2026

Submission Mode

hr.pakistan@rescue.org

Queries

minar.saeed@rescue.org

Reference

Please reference: “LAPA Consultant – IUCN-EbA Project – Swat & Buner”

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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