Expression of Interest for Technical Consultancy on the Development of the NDC Blue Carbon Ecosystems Implementation and Investment Plan (2025–2030 at Fauna & Flora International

Background and Context

Coastal habitats around the world including in Kenya are being lost at a rapid rate, largely due to coastal anthropogenic activities and impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures and sea level rise pose additional risks, as rapidly increasing inundation can drown these ecosystems. 

Blue carbon ecosystems mangroves, seagrass bed and salt marshes, also known as coastal wetlands provide significant climate mitigation and adaptation benefits. These ecosystems are the most efficient natural carbon sinks on Earth per unit area. They are crucial not only for reducing greenhouse gas concentrations and mitigating climate change but also for promoting biodiversity conservation, protecting coastlines, and supporting sustainable development. This is particularly relevant for Kenya’s coastal region, which hosts rich biodiversity and plays a vital role in sustaining local livelihoods and contributing to the national economy. However, these valuable ecosystems and resources face growing threats from the habitat degradation, unsustainable resource use, and climate change impacts.

Kenya has become recognized globally for its leadership in blue carbon ecosystem management. Since submitting its updated First Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2021 – 2030), which includes qualitative commitments to conduct a readiness assessment for mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, the Country has made significant progress in research, regulatory development, and civil society engagement related to blue carbon. The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry and Ministry of Mining Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs working with Fauna & Flora seeks to lead the development of the Kenya’s NDC Blue Carbon Ecosystems Implementation Plan and Investment, 2025–2030 (BCE_I&IP) through a Consultancy. The consultant to be recruited will be embedded within an established Technical Committee of Experts (CoE), drawn from representatives of key Blue Economy Ecosystem stakeholders, to drive hands on development of the BCE_I&IP and building of internal capacity on the Plan Development and implementation.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry and the Ministry of Mining Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs working with Fauna & Flora is are calling for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Technical Consultancy on Development of The NDC Blue Carbon Ecosystems Implementation and Investment Plan, 2025-2030 from eligible and interested consultants as Indicated below.

Purpose of consultancy

• Lead and support preparation of the zero draft, first draft, second draft and subsequent revised and final drafts of the BCE_I&IP during all drafting workshops with the Committee of Experts (CoE);
• Participate in and technically backstop data collection and verification workshops, consolidate primary and secondary data and information for the development of the BCE_I&IP;
• Prepare simple workplans and checklists for each workshop/phase to keep the CoE focused on outputs needed for each milestone in the BCE_I&IP development process; ​
• Provide technical facilitation during in-person drafting workshops, sub-sector stakeholder participation workshops, validation workshops and related technical sessions;
• Compile, clean and structure stakeholder comments from stakeholder workshops, county-level engagements and national validation into clear comment matrices.
• Synthesize discussions and translate them into concrete text revisions and structured matrices (issues, options, recommendations) in the draft BCE_I&IP;
• Propose technically sound responses and integration options (accept, modify, park for future work), for CoE review and 
• Track implementation of the roadmap activities related to drafting, data and consultations, flagging risks of slippage and proposing mitigation to the CoE chair/secretariat;
• Draft workshop concept notes, annotated agendas, templates and reporting outlines for technical sessions involving the CoE;
• Prepare reports of all key technical workshop outputs, including outputs from stakeholder engagements in liaison with the CoE’s Secretariat and synthesize notes for CoE validation and submission to the Oversight Committee (OC) and high-level forums;
• Provide technical inputs during the incorporation of validation comments and preparation of the final text submitted for ministerial/high level policy adoption and approval; and,
• Work with the CoE and editors on final checks of tables, figures, annexes and references to ensure the final draft’s integrity with approved content and that the document is print-ready.

Deliverables 

• Zero draft, first draft, second draft and subsequent revised and final drafts of the BCE_I&IP during all drafting workshops with the Committee of Experts.
• Key/Subsector Stakeholder Engagement Report outlining key issues raised and captured in subsequent drafts of the BCE_I&IP
• Policy & Legislative Review Report 
• Validation Workshop Report  and comments matrix

Methodology 

While the consultant/team is expected to provide the methodology design for this task, it should meet key planning components in addition to the following: 

• Desk-based review of documentation, existing data, reports and peer reviewed publication. 
• Virtual and face to face meetings with key stakeholders and Blue Carbon Ecosystem experts as may be necessary.
• Field visits to key areas/ projects for additional information/data gathering and collation.
• Presentation of draft and final action plan to stakeholders and taskforce for review and validation 
• Production of a strategy document for the implementation of the Action Plan, to be subjected to peer review. 

The Committee of Experts will oversee the process, guide and facilitate the consultant to acquire the necessary reference documents, and convene stakeholder meetings. The approach is expected to be participatory, consultative and constructive and ensure fair representation across the range of stakeholders involved.

Qualification and experience

• Lead consultant or team need to possess relevant academic qualifications to deliver the consultancy assignment;
• Minimum 6years of demonstrated experience in policy, strategic planning and development;
• An understanding of the policy and stakeholders environment on Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Kenya;
• Have legal permit to work in Kenya (if not Kenyan);
• Experience of working with teams and diverse stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience of working on similar assignments and delivering on time;
• Ability to responsibly collect, collate and analyse data; and,
• Ability to write publishable material in good English.