Technical Guidelines for Integrating Environmental Determinants, Climate and Disaster Risk into Municipal Land-Use Planning in Cesar

Consultancy Level: 2 

Consultancy Type: Deliverable

Daily rate for the Level: 97.08 USD 

Application Deadline: 24 November 2026, 23:59PM (KST)

Project Background

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), with financial support from the Government of Canada, implements the AdaptaCesar project (CO036) to strengthen gender-responsive Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), climate resilience and inclusive sustainable livelihoods in the Department of Cesar. The project supports territorial institutions in mainstreaming climate adaptation into planning and investment decisions.

Municipal land-use plans (Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial, POT, and Planes Básicos de Ordenamiento Territorial, PBOT; and Esquemas de Ordenamiento Territorial, EOT, where applicable) are critical instruments for reducing exposure and vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. Their preparation and revision require consideration of environmental determinants established by the competent environmental authorities, disaster risk management requirements, and relevant climate change planning information.

Law 1523 of 2012 establishes the national disaster risk management framework; Law 1931 of 2018 establishes guidelines for climate change management. The Cesar Departmental Comprehensive Climate Change Management Plan (PIGCCT) and the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change for Colombia provide additional strategic and scientific inputs. Their applicability, currency, scale and legal status must be assessed separately. CORPOCESAR retains its statutory functions regarding environmental determinants and environmental review of land-use planning instruments.

Objectives of the assignment

GGGI seeks an individual consultant to support CORPOCESAR in the preparation of an operational technical guide that municipalities can use when developing, reviewing or updating land-use planning instruments. The guide shall support existing legal competencies and shall not create new binding environmental determinants or replace formal technical and administrative procedures, to contribute municipalities in Cesar in integrating applicable environmental determinants, disaster risk management, climate risk and climate change adaptation into POT, PBOT and, where relevant, EOT, consistent with Law 1523 of 2012, Law 1931 of 2018, the Cesar PIGCCT and the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change.

Specific Objectives 

Compile and Review the applicable regulatory and technical framework, including current CORPOCESAR environmental determinants and relevant land-use planning guidance, and prepare inputs for review by CORPOCESAR and GGGI.

Compile and analyze available information to Identify municipal information gaps and practical barriers to incorporating climate hazards, exposure, vulnerability, risk and adaptation into planning decisions for review by CORPOCESAR and GGGI.

Support the preparation of a methodology, including checklists, traceability matrices, cartographic guidance and illustrative planning provisions, based on technical guidance provided by CORPOCESAR and GGGI.

Deliverables and payment schedule

Prepare a draft inception plan, stakeholder engagement approach, document inventory, including proposed inputs to the methodology and quality assurance criteria in agreement with GGGI and CORPOCESAR.

Review applicable provisions of Laws 1523/2012 and 1931/2018; relevant national land-use planning regulations and official technical guidance; current CORPOCESAR environmental determinants; the Cesar PIGCCT; and the Fourth National Communication. Document sources, dates, territorial scale, limitations and the legal status of each input, based on guidance from GGGI and CORPOCESAR.

Prepare a draft regulatory and institutional traceability matrix linking planning requirements, competent authorities, required evidence, planning stage, recommended municipal actions and verification sources.

Compile and  conduct a preliminary analysis of available official hazard, exposure, vulnerability, climate projections, disaster risk, ecosystem and land-use data, following technical guidance from GGGI and CORPOCESAR. Document spatial and temporal limitations and avoid presenting climate scenarios as parcel-scale regulatory boundaries.

Support consultations with CORPOCESAR and a representative sample of municipal planning and disaster risk management teams, and document recurring bottlenecks, capacity needs and opportunities for EbA and gender-responsive adaptation.

Support the preparation of a practical workflow for incorporating relevant evidence into the diagnosis, formulation, cartography, program of implementation and follow-up of POT/PBOT/EOT, including inputs for differentiated guidance for municipalities with limited technical capacity.

Support the preparation of an accompanying toolkit, including data-source catalogue; review checklist; environmental determinant and risk integration matrix; recommended GIS layer inventory and metadata template; example adaptation measures and draft model planning language, subject to legal review.

Support the preparation and facilitation of at least one technical validation workshop with CORPOCESAR and municipal representatives, record comments and prepare a response-to-comments matrix for review by GGGI and CORPOCESAR.

Prepare and submit the final draft editable guide and toolkit, incorporating comments agreed with GGGI and CORPOCESAR, together with validation records and a concise training presentation, and support one knowledge-transfer session, for final approval by GGGI and CORPOCESAR..

Deliverables, timeline, and payments 

Cross-Cutting Activities

• Prepare PowerPoint presentations, concept notes, and briefing materials .
• Maintain coordination and communication with CORPOCESAR and external partners involved in project implementation.
• Support the preparation of communication, outreach, and knowledge products highlighting GGGI’s experience and results in promoting climate adaptation and green growth for GGGI and CORPOCESAR review
• Participate in project-related meetings and calls, and prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and supporting documentation.
• Support the organization and coordination of capacity-building activities, including workshops, webinars, and events (both virtual and in-person) with partners across Colombia.
• Provide technical information and supporting evidence for relevant project reporting by supporting the Sustainable Landscapes Officer in Colombia in compiling technical information, evidence, and documentation required for donor and GGGI reporting.
• Maintain the organization, consistency, and completeness of narrative and technical evidence used in donor reports and internal GGGI reporting processes.

Reporting Arrangements

The Consultancy reports to the Sustainable Landscapes Officer, under the technical guidance provided by GGGI and the CORPOCESAR team. The consultant's work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning and monthly  short face-to-face (or virtual) meetings for prioritizing activities, all of that previous consensus with the Contract Supervisor. In this review, meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details. 

All Deliverables will be produced in Spanish, by GGGI's and CORPOCESAR formatting requirements, and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g., .docx, .pptx) in the GGGI SharePoint system. Additionally, the consultant will deliver one monthly brief in English explaining the activities developed the month before and for any other deliverable, if so requested by the Project Manager. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide raw data sets, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective.

The Global Green Growth Institute ("GGGI") is committed to transparency, accountability, and openness in the organization. In case of any doubt, please refer to our Whistle Blower policy in the link: http://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf   

Suggested methodology and competence requirements.

• The consultant should follow the specific methods provided by the Contract Supervisor.
• The consultant will use both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.
• The consultant will be responsible for providing transparent financial information regarding expenses incurred for conducting field visits, orientation meetings, webinars, or workshops.

Expertise required

• (Mandatory) Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Geography, Geology, Urban or Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences or a related field.

• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in land-use planning, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, environmental management or geographic information systems.

• (Mandatory) At least four (4) years of relevant professional experience in territorial planning, environmental determinants, municipal POT/PBOT/EOT, disaster risk management or climate change adaptation.

• Demonstrable experience of at least one (1) year in activities such as: preparing technical guidelines, planning instruments, technical studies or methodological tools for public institutions.

• Experience working with Colombian regional environmental authorities, municipal governments and/or in the Caribbean region, particularly Cesar.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Laws 1523/2012 and 1931/2018, Colombian territorial planning processes, and climate risk assessment methods.

• Proficiency in GIS and interpretation of geospatial and climate datasets; strong technical writing and facilitation skills.

• Fluent Spanish required; working English desirable. Ability to travel within Cesar subject to security clearance.

Administrative information

• Selection method / process: Competitive.
• Timeline of the selection: 12 days
• Availability during the project period
• No conflict of interest arises while taking this assignment
• Application, Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English

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

Social and sustainability safeguards

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/  

ANTI-Fraud and Safeguard

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/