GEF IW:LEARN Activity B1.1 is planned as a case study, to test cross focal area networking within a defined region, based on concern that as the GEF portfolio grows, projects may overlap, opportunities for synergies maybe lost, even antagonistic linkages may develop, and that major gaps may still exist, notwithstanding the many projects. In addressing integration and the "joining of forces" of GEF focal areas around regions and environmental issues, it would make sense to actually check what is happening in the field, in one of the most "crowded" regions. The Wider Caribbean is targeted as a region with an impressive (and mostly uncoordinated) concentration of GEF efforts in all focal areas.  

The approach that GEF IW:LEARN  will test is a regional consultative process, including support for networking and knowledge-sharing, leading to a face to face meeting, and producing a series of experience notes, recommendations and conclusions to be disseminated within the GEF and beyond. 

The main objective is to test the effectiveness of cross focal area networking in defined geographic contexts (a basin, an LME, a whole development region etc.) in promoting integration of efforts, capture of synergies, identification of gaps, conflicts and missed opportunities and the sharing of positive experiences. 

The results will be a UNEP-IW LEARN contribution to GEF's effort towards integration.  Cross focal area networking has become even more critical within the new GEF allocation framework. 

This initiative will be carried out with guidance from the GEF International Waters Task Force (IWTF) and will seek to involve task force members in other GEF focal areas. It supports the mandate of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention) and in particular the Protocol to the Convention Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol).  The Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit of UNEP (UNEP-CAR/RCU) is the Secretariat for the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. This activity also supports the recommendations of the Report of the Regional Consultative Meeting on the GPA Programme of Work in the Wider Caribbean. 

This TOR is concluded as part of the UNEP-CAR/RCU Assessment and Management of Environmental Pollution (AMEP), which is one of the sub-programmes of the Caribbean Environmental Programme (CEP). The AMEP sub-programme focuses on activities required for the establishment of measures necessary to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution and to assist countries in the development of integrated environmental planning and management practices in coastal and marine areas within the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR).  Three projects funded by the GEF on Reducing Pesticide Contamination of the Caribbean Sea in Central America, on Integrating Watershed and Coastal Area Management in Caribbean SIDS and Demonstration of Innovative  Approaches to the Rehabilitation of Contaminated Bays in the Wider Caribbean Region are being executed by UNEP CAR/RCU within the framework of the AMEP sub-programme.   Additional support by UNEP CAR/RCU is also being provided Regional GEF Projects in the Wider Caribbean on the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem, Invasive Species and Ballast Water. 

The study also supports the further development and implementation of UNEP CAR/RCU’s proposed Communications and Outreach Strategy and the increased focus on data and information management. 

The purpose of this TOR is to carry out activities to implement GEF IW:LEARN Activity B1.1, namely a regional consultative process, the main objective of which is to test the effectiveness of cross focal area networking among a ‘regional cluster’ of ongoing and pipeline GEF projects in the Wider Caribbean. All activities will aim to promote integration of efforts, capture of synergies, identification of gaps, conflicts and missed opportunities and sharing of positive experiences. This consultative process will foster networking and knowledge-sharing by promoting dialogue among interested partners within the regional cluster including the production of experience notes, and broadly aims to encourage GEF focal areas to join forces in some way. The desired result should be more than the sum of the parts; this experimental activity will seek to ascertain whether coordination among countries and development assistance partners can be effectively encouraged through support for networking and facilitated consultative processes to leverage synergies and enhance results and returns on GEF investments.  

To achieve this purpose, under this TOR, UNEP/DEWA requests UNEP CAR/RCU to carry out the following: 

1. Develop a website: as a regional ‘module’ within the GEF-IW:LEARN information system developed by UNEP/DEWA with inputs from UNEP CAR/RCU,  and hosted as a sub-website of the www.iwlearn.net.  The module will offer supporting information resources to facilitate networking, knowledge-sharing and facilitated dialogue among the regional cluster of GEF projects identified in the Wider Caribbean and will be provided primarily by UNEP CAR/RCU as the process develops.
2. Conduct outreach: identify, inform and invite the participation of GEF Implementing Agencies, initially  to assist in developing an inventory of GEF projects and their partners in the wider Caribbean region, and to support their projects’ participation; contact GEF project executing agencies and their partners to inform them of the purpose and aims of the regional interfocal consultative process and invite their participation; gain an understanding of issues and needs in the region from which synergies may be identified and from which the structure of the face-to-face meeting may be focussed.
3. Prepare a background paper: to be used as basis for consultative dialogue.
4. Facilitate  a moderated e-dialogue: among projects in the regional cluster
5. Organize a face-to-face event: plan and conduct a regional cluster consultative workshop (or workshops).
6. Document and report outcomes: to GEF projects, agencies and partners within the regional cluster, to GEF-IW:LEARN , and the GEF IW Task Force.

In order to fulfil the objectives outlined above, UNEP requests UNEP CAR/RCU to conduct the tasks described below. 
 

Working in close collaboration with UNEP and the GEF UNDP/IW:LEARN PCU, which will be responsible for oversight of all tasks and materials for dissemination (subject to GEF IWTF review) to participants in this initiative, it is hereby agreed that UNEP CAR/RCU will carry out the following tasks: 

1. 1. Establish, maintain and promote a web site to facilitate networking and dialogue among a regional cluster of GEF Implementing Agencies, Executing Agencies, projects and their stakeholders in the Wider Caribbean .
1. 2. Create an online inventory of GEF projects in all focal areas in the Wider Caribbean and update this information maintained in the GEF IWLEARN project database.
1. 3. Develop an online inventory of GEF project websites within the Wider Caribbean Inter-focal ‘cluster’ and update this profile in the GEF IWLEARN project database
1. 4. Operate a collaborative online tool or space (such as a ‘wiki’, list server, etc) where each project could briefly introduce itself to the cluster.

2. 1. With guidance and support of the GEF IWTF, conduct outreach to GEF Implementing Agencies and key partners in the Wider Caribbean to inform them of the aims and engage their support for the inter-focal consultative process, 2. Prepare an inventory of GEF initiatives in the Wider Caribbean region to be included in the network and consultative process; identify project manager and other contacts as relevant.

5. 2. In close cooperation with UNEP CAR/RCU, UNEP/IWLEARN and UNDP/IW:LEARN  PCU, organize and plan workshop location/s, logistics, and budgeting identify and coordinate with partners as relevant.

5. 3. Fulfil the role of facilitator at the regional consultative workshop/s including evaluation and preparation of workshop report/s.

Sean Khan, sean.khan@unep.org, the UNEP Task manager for this GEF IWLEARN Activity will serve as liaisons with UNEP CAR/RCU with oversight for this activity. Oversight will include assistance in solicitation and selection of the consultant (TOR to include tasks B-E as detailed in this TOR, selection of candidate subject to GEF IWTF approval), assistance in planning e-dialogue and face-to-face workshop/s, preparation of an information note to be used for initial outreach to participants, and ensuring GEF IWTF review and approval prior to dissemination  of all outreach and information materials, including the background document to be prepared by the consultant. 
 

This Memorandum is effective from the date of signature until 30 April 2009. 
 

For carrying out the activities described in this document, UNEP shall pay UNEP CAR/RCU a sum not exceeding US$100,000 (US Dollar one hundred thousand).  

The disbursement of funds by UNEP will be as follows: 

UNEP will send a financial authorization to UNEP CAR/RCU. 

UNEP CAR/RCU shall submit to UNEP on or before 28 February 2009 detailed breakdowns of expenditures incurred duly certified by an authorized official of UNEP CAR/RCU. The expenditures will be reported by object of expenditure as per the attached budget (Annex II) of this TOR.  Any portion of cash advances remaining unspent or uncommitted by UNEP CAR/RCU on completion of the activities under this TOR will be reimbursed to UNEP within one month of the presentation of the expenditure report.  In the event of any delay in such reimbursement, UNEP CAR/RCU will be financially responsible for any adverse movement in exchange rates. 

ANNEX I – Budget 
 

ANNEX II – Workplan and Timetable 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

GEF Inter-focal Regional Consultative Process with existing and pipeline GEF Projects in the Wider Caribbean Region.

1. Background 

This GEF IW:LEARN Activity is planned as a case study, to test cross focal area networking within the Wider Caribbean Region, based on concern that as the GEF portfolio grows, projects may overlap, opportunities for synergies maybe lost, even antagonistic linkages may develop, and that major gaps may still exist, notwithstanding the many projects.  

The approach that GEF IW:LEARN  will test is a regional consultative process, including support for networking and knowledge-sharing, leading to a face to face meeting, and producing a series of at least ten experience notes, recommendations and conclusions to be disseminated within the GEF and beyond. 

The results will be a UNEP-IW LEARN contribution to GEF's effort towards integration.  Cross focal area networking has become even more critical within the new GEF allocation framework. 

This initiative will be carried out with guidance from the GEF International Waters Task Force (IWTF) and will seek to involve task force members in other GEF focal areas. It supports the mandate of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention) and in particular the Protocol to the Convention Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol).  The Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit of UNEP (UNEP-CAR/RCU) is the Secretariat for the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. This activity also supports the recommendations of the Report of the Regional Consultative Meeting on the GPA Programme of Work in the Wider Caribbean. 

2. Purpose 

The main objective is to test the effectiveness of cross focal area networking among a ‘regional cluster’ of ongoing and pipeline GEF projects in the Wider Caribbean Region.  This is expected to promote integration of efforts, capture of synergies, identification of gaps, conflicts and missed opportunities and the sharing of positive experiences. 

This consultative process will foster networking and knowledge-sharing by promoting dialogue among interested partners within the regional cluster including the production of experience notes, and broadly aims to encourage GEF focal areas to join forces in some way.  

This experimental activity will seek to ascertain whether coordination among countries and development assistance partners can be effectively encouraged through support for networking and facilitated consultative processes to leverage synergies and enhance results and returns on GEF investments.  

3. Task Methodology 

The consultant will conduct the following tasks to achieve the major objectives of the assignment which are to: 

The Specific tasks are: 

1. With guidance from the GEF IWTF (through the IW:LEARN project manager), conduct outreach to GEF Implementing Agencies and key GEF affiliated partners in the Wider Caribbean to inform them of the aims and engage their support for an inter-focal consultative process.

2. Prepare an online inventory of GEF initiatives in the Wider Caribbean region to be included in a regional network and consultative process; and identify project managers and other contacts as relevant.

3. Based on 2 above, prepare and amend as required, a list of participants for the virtual consultative dialogue.

4. Conduct outreach to operational and pipeline GEF projects identified in the Wider Caribbean regional cluster: disseminate an information note provided by GEF-IW:LEARN, with invitation to participate in the regional consultative process; identify issues of concern, and areas for synergy.

5. Draft background document summarizing overall development assistance in the region, including that beyond the GEF, and the strategies and trends of the various countries, agencies and donors.

6. Stimulate and moderate an E-forum discussion focussed initially around the input gained through the outreach activity: disseminate background document to explore integration of efforts, capture of synergies, identification of gaps, conflicts and missed opportunities.

7. Convene planning team meeting with guidance from GEF IWTF, including but not limited to UNEP CAR/RCU, UNEP/IWLEARN, GEF IA regional reps, selected GEF project managers and partners in the regional cluster, to identify key issues and speakers and plan structure and agenda for at least one Regional Consultative Workshop to:
8. • share experiences,
   • analyse the results of the regional e-Dialogue and explore concrete opportunities for synergies including the development of experience notes,
   • contribute to the generation and/or adaptation of tools to support intra-regional networking and coordination, and
   • draft conclusions and recommendations, such as potential areas for synergistic collaboration, and guidelines for GEF project design and implementation.

8. In close cooperation with UNEP CAR/RCU, UNEP/IWLEARN, organize and plan workshop location/s, logistics, and budgeting and to identify and coordinate with partners as relevant.

9. Fulfil the role of facilitator at the regional consultative workshop/s including evaluation and preparation of workshop report/s.

10. Prepare and finalise a guidance document capturing outcomes of the regional consultative process including an implementation plan for leveraging synergies identified among GEF projects in the Wider Caribbean and compilation of Experience Notes.

11. Produce promotional materials for this initiative to showcase the regional cluster website at key regional and sub-regional events.

4. Project Execution and Administration 

UNEP-CAR/RCU in collaboration with UNEP IW-LEARN and with guidance from the GEF IWTF will support the consultant with background information on the elements to be included in the draft Guidance Document and any other relevant documentation on the GEF activities in the Wider Caribbean Region. UNEP-CAR/RCU will assist in facilitating contact with project focal points and will also provide additional support to facilitate the convening of the Regional Consultative Workshop and dissemination of promotional materials produced.   

5. Qualifications and Experience of Consultant(s) 

The Consultant(s) is expected to make available knowledge, skills and at least five (5) years experience in the area of facilitation and report writing.  Consultant(s) should be fully bilingual to enable effective dialogue in both English and Spanish Speaking countries.   

Familiarity with GEF Projects in the Wider Caribbean will be an asset. 

6. Reporting 

All interim or draft reports shall be prepared and submitted in Word Format in the form of two electronic copies (one on Compact Disk and one by electronic mail).  The final report(s) of the consultancy shall be in three (3) hard copies and one electronic copy on Compact Disk. 

7. Timing and Budget 

Work under this contract is to begin no later than 1^st September 2008 and be completed no later than 31^st March 2009. 

This is a fixed price contract valued at US$20,000.00 

It is agreed that the disbursement schedule will be as follows upon satisfactory completion as determined by UNEP/IWLEARN in consultation with UNEP-CAR/RCU. 

25% upon delivery of project inventory and participants list for the consultative dialogue and summary report of initial outreach conducted per task 1-3 above. 

25% upon satisfactory delivery of tasks 4-6 above 

25% upon satisfactory delivery of Draft Workshop report 

25% upon satisfactory delivery of tasks 7-11 above 
 

INDICATIONS OF INTEREST 

Consultant(s) that wish to signify their interest in undertaking the prescribed work are to email: 

To: 

Mr. Nelson-Andrade Colmenares

Coordinator

UNEP CAR/RCU

14-20 Port Royal Street

Kingston

JAMAICA

Fax # 1 876 922 9292;   Phone: 1 876 922 9267-9 

At the following e mail addresses rcu@cep.unep.org with copies to cjc@cep.unep.org and hss@cep.unep.org