Develop training modules on biodiversity offsets and the national biodiversity o

1.                   Background Summary 

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, with financial support from the European Commission and the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders. This global initiative is envisioned to transform the way in which biodiversity finance is mobilized allowing for greater resources to be enacted as required within the Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan (2011 – 2020).

In South Africa, the BIOFIN project is implemented at a national level by the UNDP in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE). South Africa initiated its BIOFIN programme in 2015. As part of Phase II implementation, eight priority finance solutions have been identified for implementation, including one on Biodiversity Offsets (FS5).   

A key focus of the Finance Solution on Biodiversity Offsets is to improve the implementation and transparency of existing biodiversity offset processes in South Africa. Biodiversity offsets are a relatively niche tool in Environmental Impact Management in South Africa. As such, there is a great need to for capacity development among all stakeholders involved – the developer/applicant; the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP); the biodiversity specialist responsible for determining impact significance of a given application; the biodiversity offset specialist responsible for determining offset design and implementation requirements; the competent authority who needs to assess and monitor the development application; as well as parties that may be responsible for implementing the biodiversity offset.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute has developed a 3-day training programme on biodiversity offsets that it rolled out across the country between 2018-2020. This assignment will build on the work undertaken by SANBI; updating the training programme so that it is more in line with the National Biodiversity Offsets Guideline that was published in 2023;

2.                   Objectives of the work 

2.1         To review and update the 2020 SANBI training course on Biodiversity Offsets to align it with the 2023 National Biodiversity Offsets Guideline, as well as shifts in offsets practice that have occurred since 2020.

2.2         To organise and implement two rounds of in person training of the updated biodiversity offsets training course (Cape Town and Gauteng with approximately 40 people per session) + 1 webinar

 2.3        To conduct training evaluation and reflect lessons back to the BIOFIN Task Team, along with recommendation for further capacity development and support.

3.                   Scope

3.1   The service provider is expected to provide two trainers to execute this contract.

3.2   These trainers will work alongside a SANBI trainer to develop and finalise all training materials to SANBI’s specification. The service provider is expected to use SANBI’s past course material) and structure as a starting point. These materials are available on request from UNDP procurement team.

 3.3   The service provider is expected to.

–          critically review the past training course; propose and effect changes. This can amount to updating the existing SANBI training material or constructing new content completely.  

–          develop two new case studies for the Cape Lowlands and Highveld, to be used in each training session.

–          Organize both training sessions, including all logistics, and administration associated with the training, including catering, venue hire; course invitations, communications with participants, managing attendance. Two interns who can assist with logistics and administration at the venue will be provided. 

–          debrief with the BIOFIN Project Task Team; After both rounds of training are complete, the service provider must participate in a full day reflection session with the broader BIOFIN Project Management Team.

–          present monthly updates to the BIOFIN Task Team; and to produce two written reports: a) An overall evaluation on the training session using the template to developed as part of the review process; and b) on the reflection session with the BIOFIN Project Management Team, after completion of the training sessions.

3.4   The service provider is expected to cover all costs associated with implementation of this training. These costs have to be specified in the budget, including:

–          the time of the two trainers associated with the course development; organizing and delivering of the training; monthly progress meetings with the project team (2 hours, online); debriefs; course evaluation; participation in a full day post-implementation reflection session; and producing monthly progress reports (PowerPoint slides) and two written reports. Operational overheads must be included in the consultant’s daily rate.  

–          travel and accommodation costs of both trainers to the training sessions,

–          the costs of training materials (e.g. maps; workbooks) and stationary.

–          catering for all participants;

3.5   SANBI meeting venues at Kirstenbosch NBG and either Walter Sisulu NBG (Roodepoort) or Pretoria NBG may be used free of charge to save costs, although alternative venues are also acceptable. Alternative venues must be specified in the proposal and budget.

3.6   UNDP will cover the costs of creating a webinar which can be accessed by a broader audience.

Negotiation Document(s)
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