Request for Proposals (RfP) Integrated Climate–Conflict–Ecosystem Baseline Assessment and Spatial Prioritization for the Mandera Triangle At International Union for Conservation of Nature

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Request for Proposals (RfP) Integrated Climate–Conflict–Ecosystem Baseline Assessment and Spatial Prioritization for the Mandera Triangle.

IUCN-ESARO, Land Systems Programme.
RfP Reference: IUCN-26-04- P05170-1

Welcome to this Procurement by IUCN. You are hereby invited to submit a Proposal. Please read the information and instructions carefully because non compliance with the instructions may result in disqualification of your Proposal from this Procurement.

1. REQUIREMENTS
1.1. A detailed description of the services and/or goods to be provided can be found in Attachment 1.

2. CONTACT DETAILS
2.1. During the course of this procurement, i.e. from the publication of this RfP to the award of a contract, you may not discuss this procurement with any IUCN employee or representative other than the following contact. You must address all correspondence and questions to the contact, including your proposal.
IUCN Contact: daniel.lekuroito@iucn.org

3. PROCUREMENT TIMETABLE
3.1. This timetable is indicative and may be changed by IUCN at any time. If IUCN decides that changes to any of the deadlines are necessary, we will= contact you.
DATE – ACTIVITY
30th April 2026 – Publication of the Request for Proposals
4th May 2026 – Deadline for confirmation of intention to bid
6th May 2026 – Deadline for submission of questions
8th May 2026 – Planned publication of responses to questions
13th May 2026 – Deadline for submission of proposals to IUCN (“Submission
Deadline”)
20th May 2026 – Clarification of proposals
25th May 2026 – Planned date for contract award
27th May 2026 – Expected contract start date
3.2. Please email the IUCN contact to confirm whether or not you are intending to submit a proposal by the deadline stated above.

4. COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
4.1. Your Proposal must consist of the following three documents:
 Signed Declaration of Undertaking (see Attachment 2)
 Technical Proposal (see Section 4.4 below)
 Financial Proposal (see Section 4.5 below)
Proposals must be prepared in English.
4.2. Your Proposal must be submitted by email to the IUCN Contact (see Section 2). The subject heading of the email shall be [RfP Reference – bidder name]. The bidder name is the name of the company/organisation on whose behalf you are submitting the proposal, or your own surname if you are bidding as a self-employed consultant. Your proposal must be submitted in PDF format. You may submit multiple emails suitably annotated, e.g. Email 1 of 3, if attached files are too large to suit a single email transmission. You may not submit your Proposal by uploading it to a file-sharing tool.
IMPORTANT: Submitted documents must be password-protected so that they cannot be opened and read before the submission deadline. Please use the same password for all submitted documents. After the deadline has passed and within 12 hours, please send the password to the IUCN Contact. This will ensure a secure bid submission and opening process.
Please DO NOT email the password before the deadline for Proposal submission.

4.3. Eligibility
Eligible bidders shall be legally registered consulting firms or individual consultants with demonstrated technical capacity and proven experience in conducting scientifically rigorous baseline studies on land and ecosystem health and socio-economic assessments, fully compliant with IUCN procurement rules and all applicable donor (in this case IKI) eligibility requirements.
4.4. Technical Proposal
The technical proposal must address each of the criteria stated below explicitly and separately, quoting the relevant criteria reference number (left-hand column).
Proposals in any other format will significantly increase the time it takes to evaluate, and such Proposals may therefore be rejected at IUCN’s discretion. Where CVs are requested, these must be of the individuals who will actually carry out the work specified. The individuals you put forward may only be substituted with IUCN’s approval.
IUCN will evaluate technical proposals with regards to each of the following criteria and their relative importance:

Criteria – Sub-criteria – Weight
1. Technical Proposal
a. Understanding, methodology and approach Demonstrated understanding of the assignment and context (Mandera Triangle, climate–conflict–ecosystem nexus) – 10%
b. Soundness and appropriateness of the proposed methodology, including PGIS mapping, multi-criteria analysis, ecosystem services mapping and spatial modelling, and mapping of degradation hotspots, restoration opportunities and interventions using ROAM – 15%
c. Integration of NbS and EbA frameworks (IUCN Global Standard and FEBA) and conflict-sensitive approaches – 10%
2. Relevant Experience
a. Proven experience in similar multi-country or cross-border baseline assessments focusing on rangelands/drylands and conflict-prone zones in the Horn of Africa. – 10%
b. Proven experience in developing ecosystem NbS-compliant EbA interventions. – 15%
c. Proven experience in the use of ROAM, IBAT, InVEST, IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, multi-criteria analysis, participatory GIS, CVCA and restoration stocktake tools. – 10%
d. Proven experience in integrating climate, socio-economic and conflict dimensions in assessments. – 10%
3. Qualifications and Composition of Team
a. Academic and professional qualifications of the team leader – 5%
b. Complementarity and adequacy of the multidisciplinary team (GIS, hydrology, rangelands, social/conflict, etc.) – 5%
4. Work Plan and Implementation Strategy
a. Clarity and coherence of work plan and task sequencing – 4%
b. Realistic timeline and deliverables aligned with the ToR – 3%
c. Risk management and quality assurance mechanisms – 3%
Total – 100%

4.5. Financial Proposal
4.5.1. The financial proposal must be a fixed and firm price for the provision of the goods/services stated in the RfP in their entirety.
4.5.2. Prices include all costs
Submitted rates and prices are deemed to include all costs, insurances, taxes (except VAT, see below), fees, expenses, liabilities, obligations, risk and other things necessary for the performance of the Terms of Reference or Specification of Requirements. IUCN will not accept charges beyond those clearly stated in the Financial Proposal. This includes applicable withholding taxes and similar. It is your responsibility to determine whether such taxes apply to your organisation and to include them in your financial offer.
4.5.3. Applicable Goods and Services Taxes
Proposal rates and prices shall be exclusive of Value Added Tax.
4.5.4. Currency of proposed rates and prices
All rates and prices submitted by Proposers shall be in [USD].
4.5.5. Breakdown of rates and prices
For information only, the price needs to be broken down as follows:
Description – Quantity – Unit Price – Total Price
1
2
3
4
5
6
TOTAL
4.6. Additional information not requested by IUCN should not be included in your Proposal and will not be taken into account in the evaluation.
4.7. Your proposal must remain valid and capable of acceptance by IUCN for a period of 90 calendar days following the submission deadline.
4.8. Withdrawals and Changes
You may freely withdraw or change your proposal at any time prior to the submission deadline by written notice to the IUCN Contact. However, in order to reduce the risk of fraud, no changes or withdrawals will be accepted after the submission deadline.

5. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
5.1. Completeness
IUCN will firstly check your proposal for completeness. Incomplete proposals will not be considered further.
5.2. Technical Evaluation
5.2.1. Scoring Method
Your proposal will be assigned a score from between 0 to 10 for each of the technical evaluation criteria, such that ‘0’ is low and ‘10’ is high.
5.2.2. Minimum Quality Thresholds
Proposals that receive a score of ‘0’ for any of the criteria will not be considered further.
5.2.3. Technical Score
Your score for each technical evaluation criterion will be multiplied with the respective relative weight (see Section 4.4) and these weighted scores added together to give your proposal’s overall technical score.
5.3. Financial Evaluation and Financial Scores
The financial evaluation will be based upon the full total price you submit. Your financial proposal will receive a score calculated by dividing the lowest financial proposal that has passed the minimum quality thresholds (see Section 5.2.2) by the total price of your financial proposal.
Thus, for example, if your financial proposal is for a total of CHF 100 and the lowest financial proposal is CHF 80, you will receive a financial score of 80/100 = 80%
5.4. Total Score
Your proposal’s total score will be calculated as the weighted sum of your technical score and your financial score.
The relative weights will be:
Technical: 70%
Financial: 30%
Thus, for example, if your technical score is 83% and your financial score is 77%, you will receive a total score of 83 * 70% + 77 * 30% = 58.1% + 23.1% = 81.2%.
Subject to the requirements in Sections 4 and 7, IUCN will award the contract to the bidder whose proposal achieves the highest total score.

6. EXPLANATION OF PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE
6.1. IUCN is using the Invitation Procedure for this procurement. This means that only invited bidders may submit a proposal. IUCN typically invites from four to six bidders to submit a proposal.
6.2. You are welcome to ask questions or seek clarification regarding this procurement. Please email the IUCN Contact (see Section 2), taking note of the deadline for submission of questions in Section 3.1.
6.3. All proposals must be received by the submission deadline in Section 3.1 above. Late proposals will not be considered. All proposals received by the submission deadline will be evaluated by a team of two or more evaluators in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in in this RfP. No other criteria will be used to evaluate proposals. The contract will be awarded to the bidder whose proposal received the highest Total Score. IUCN does, however, reserve the right to cancel the procurement and not award a contract at all.
6.4. IUCN will contact the bidder with the highest-scoring proposal to finalise the contract. We will contact unsuccessful bidders after the contract has been awarded and provide detailed feedback. The timetable in Section 3.1 gives an estimate of when we expect to have completed the contract award, but this date may change depending on how long the evaluation of proposals takes.

7. CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROCUREMENT
7.1. To participate in this procurement, you are required to submit a proposal, which fully complies with the instructions in this RfP and the Attachments.
7.1.1. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted a complete and fully compliant proposal.
7.1.2. Any incomplete or incorrectly completed proposal submission may be deemed noncompliant, and as a result you may be unable to proceed further in the procurement process.
7.1.3. IUCN will query any obvious clerical errors in your proposal and may, at IUCN’s sole discretion, allow you to correct these, but only if doing so could not be perceived as giving you an unfair advantage.
7.2. In order to participate in this procurement, you must meet the following conditions:
 Free of conflicts of interest
 Registered on the relevant professional or trade register of the country in which you are established (or resident, if self-employed)
 In full compliance with your obligations relating to payment of social security contributions and of all applicable taxes
 Not been convicted of failing to comply with environmental regulatory requirements or other legal requirements relating to sustainability and environmental protection
 Not bankrupt or being wound up
 Never been guilty of an offence concerning your professional conduct
 Not involved in fraud, corruption, a criminal organisation, money laundering, terrorism, or any other illegal activity.
7.3. You must complete and sign the Declaration of Undertaking (see Attachment 2)
7.4. If you are participating in this procurement as a member of a joint venture, or are using subcontractors, submit a separate Declaration of Undertaking for each member of the joint venture and sub-contractor, and be clear in your proposal which parts of the goods/services are provided by each partner or sub-contractor.
7.5. Each bidder shall submit only one proposal, either individually or as a partner in a joint venture. In case of joint venture, one company shall not be allowed to participate in two different joint ventures in the same procurement nor shall a company be allowed to submit a proposal both on its behalf and as part of a joint venture for the same procurement. A bidder who submits or participates in more than one proposal (other than as a subcontractor or in cases of alternatives that have been permitted or requested) shall cause all the proposals with the bidder’s participation to be disqualified.
7.6. By taking part in this procurement, you accept the conditions set out in this RfP, including the following:
 It is unacceptable to give or offer any gift or consideration to an employee or other representative of IUCN as a reward or inducement in relation to the awarding of a contract.
Such action will give IUCN the right to exclude you from this and any future procurements, and to terminate any contract that may have been signed with you.
 Any attempt to obtain information from an employee or other representative of IUCN concerning another bidder will result in disqualification.
 Any price fixing or collusion with other bidders in relation to this procurement shall give IUCN the right to exclude you and any other involved bidder(s) from this and any future procurements and may constitute a criminal offence.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION
8.1. IUCN follows the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The information you submit to IUCN as part of this procurement will be treated as confidential and shared only as required to evaluate your proposal in line with the procedure explained in this RfP, and for the maintenance of a clear audit trail. For audit purposes, IUCN is required to retain your proposal in its entirety for 10 years after the end of the resulting contract and make this available to internal and external auditors and donors as and when requested.
8.2. In the Declaration of Undertaking (Attachment 2) you need to give IUCN express permission to use the information you submit in this way, including personal data that forms part of your proposal. Where you include personal data of your employees (e.g. CVs) in your proposal, you need to have written permission from those individuals to share this information with IUCN, and for IUCN to use this information as indicated in 8.1. Without these permissions, IUCN will not be able to consider your proposal.

9. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If you have a complaint or concern regarding the propriety of how a competitive process is or has been executed, then please contact procurement@iucn.org. Such complaints or concerns will be treated as confidential and are not considered in breach of the above restrictions on communication (Section 2.1).

10. CONTRACT
The contract will be based on IUCN’s template in Attachment 3, the terms of which are not negotiable. They may, however, be amended by IUCN to reflect particular requirements from the donor funding this particular procurement.

11. ABOUT IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Headquartered in Switzerland, IUCN Secretariat comprises around 1,000 staff with offices in more than 50 countries.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN/

12. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Specification of Requirements / Terms of Reference
Attachment 2 Declaration of Undertaking (select 2a for companies or 2b for self-employed as applicable to you)
Attachment 3 Contract Template

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Integrated Climate–Conflict–Ecosystem Baseline Assessment

and Spatial Prioritization for the Mandera Triangle

(Kenya – Ethiopia – Somalia)

  1. Background

CARE, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (IUCN ESARO), the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), Network for Peace Cohesion and Heritage Trust (NEPCOH), Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (bicc), and BBC Media Action, is leading the design of Peace-RISE (Nageeye): Advancing Conflict-Sensitive Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to Sustain Peace and Strengthen Resilience, supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO). The programme focuses on the Mandera Triangle, a fragile and climate-vulnerable cross-border landscape spanning Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

The region is characterized by a complex interplay of climate stress, ecosystem degradation and conflict dynamics. Recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall and increasing temperatures have significantly affected water availability and degraded rangelands, undermining pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. These environmental pressures intersect with fragile governance systems, cross-border natural resource competition and deeply rooted clan dynamics, resulting in recurring conflicts and chronic insecurity.

Recognizing that climate change acts as a risk multiplier in such fragile contexts, the Peace-Rise project adopts an integrated approach that combines ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), peacebuilding and climate governance. The project seeks to enhance socio-ecological resilience by strengthening institutions, promoting sustainable resource management, improving early warning systems and supporting diversified livelihoods.

A critical foundation for this programme is the development of a robust, science-based and spatially explicit baseline assessment that will guide both the design of the Peace-Rise project and broader investments in the Mandera Triangle**.**

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The Peace-Rise project outline was approved by IKI in late 2025. The consortium is now advancing the development of the full project proposal. As part of this preparation phase, IUCN ESARO is leading the “Integrated Climate–Conflict–Ecosystem Baseline Assessment and Spatial Prioritization” pillar. The purpose of this consultancy is to deliver a comprehensive, integrated and investment-grade assessment that will:

  • Assess socio-economic and biophysical trends and future projections in the Mandera Triangle.
  • Identify and map; degradation hotspots, restoration opportunities and EbA interventions to clearly delineate the project geoscope for Peace-Rise Project.
  • Provide a detailed understanding of the climate–ecosystem–conflict nexus in the Mandera Triangle explicitly stating how the assessment will inform key project decisions, particularly: spatial target of EbA interventions, identification of conflict prone zones, CVC strata and key natural resource corridors, among others
  • Support evidence-based prioritization of landscapes and intervention sites
  • Inform the design and targeting of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) interventions
  • Serve as a reference document for actors beyond Peace-Rise consortium to guide future investments in the region
  • Beyond informing the Peace-Rise project, this assessment is expected to support and inform broader interventions by a wide range of actors working on climate resilience, peacebuilding, and ecosystem restoration in the Mandera Triangle.

3. About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

www.iucn.org

4. Role of IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), will serve as the technical lead for this assignment, providing strategic oversight, methodological guidance and quality assurance.

IUCN brings globally recognized expertise in ecosystem assessment, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), supported by tested tools and frameworks including ROAM, the FEBA EbA framework, the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, InVEST for ecosystem services modelling and participatory GIS approaches. Through this assignment, IUCN-ESARO will ensure that the assessment is not only scientifically robust but also action-oriented, policy-relevant, investment-ready, and locally grounded, reflecting local community needs.

  1. Assess socio-economic and biophysical trends and future projections in the Mandera Triangle.
  2. Identify and map degradation hotspots, restoration opportunities and EbA interventions to clearly delineate the Peace‑Rise project geoscope.
  3. Provide a detailed understanding of the climate–ecosystem–conflict nexus, including how the assessment will inform project decisions such as spatial targeting of EbA interventions, identification of conflict-prone zones, CVC strata and key natural resource corridors.
  4. Support evidence-based prioritization of landscapes and intervention sites.
  5. Inform the design and targeting of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) interventions.
  6. Serve as a reference document for actors beyond the Peace-RISE consortium to guide future investments in the region.

7. Beyond informing Peace-Rise, the assessment is expected to support broader interventions by actors working on climate resilience, peacebuilding and ecosystem restoration in the Mandera Triangle.

5. Description of the Assignment

Overall, this consultancy will adopt a landscape and systems-based analytical approach, integrating geospatial analysis, field validation and participatory processes to develop a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and biophysical dynamics of the Mandera Triangle, including climate variability and mobility patterns.

The assessment will begin with a land use and land cover (LULC) change analysis to examine historical trends in vegetation cover, land productivity, rangeland degradation and land transformation over the past three decades, including linkages to climate-driven mobility patterns. This will be complemented by a climate analysis focusing on rainfall variability, drought frequency and extreme events, including flooding, and linking these to vulnerability profiles derived from Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA), to be led by consortium partner CARE.

The socio-economic analysis will cover gender, population and demographics, livelihoods, food security, cultural dynamics, market access, information flows, land tenure systems, pastoral mobility and existing or potential EbA financing mechanisms. The biophysical assessment will examine land use and land cover dynamics, ecosystem health and distribution, climate trends and projections, topography, hydrology, ecosystem services and cross-border ecological systems, with particular attention to both surface water and groundwater systems.

The consultancy will also assess biodiversity and ecosystem integrity using the STAR framework, including habitat distribution, species richness, ecosystem fragmentation and vegetation productivity. Rangeland condition will be evaluated through grazing pressure, regeneration capacity and pastoral mobility patterns.

The assessment will establish strong linkages with the CVCA and climate–conflict analyses led by CARE, NEPCOH and bicc through spatial integration of environmental stressors, conflict hotspots and resource competition zones. This will enable identification of areas where ecosystem degradation and climate variability are most strongly associated with conflict risks, thereby informing targeted and conflict-sensitive EbA interventions.

Furthermore, the consultant will undertake the following tasks.

  • ROAM and FEBA-EbA-Based Restoration Prioritization

Building on the above analyses, the consultancy will apply the FEBA EbA Principles and the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) as the core analytical frameworks for identifying and prioritizing restoration and adaptation opportunities.

Using degradation as the primary entry point, the consultancy will identify and map degradation drivers, delineate hotspots and opportunity areas, and assess biophysical suitability and socio-economic feasibility of restoration.

Through ROAM-based geospatial protocols, including Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), the consultant will integrate ecological, climatic, socio-economic and conflict layers to identify priority landscapes and sites, define feasible restoration pathways and evaluate trade-offs and synergies across land uses and stakeholder needs.

  • Participatory GIS (PGIS)

Participatory GIS (PGIS) will be a central component of the methodology, enabling communities and stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to different stages of the assessment. While PGIS will be a key tool for project geoscoping, the consultancy will also leverage it to translate socio-economic assessment processes and findings from other consortium partners into spatially explicit insights. Specifically, this will be supported by various tools as part of the Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA), including Hazard Mapping. Technical consultation with partners from CARE, BICC, IGAD, and NAPCOH will be critical to ensure alignment and integration of expertise across the consortium.

  • Ecosystem Services and Cost–Benefit Analysis

To support investment-oriented decision-making, the consultancy will conduct ecosystem services scoping and modelling, including with InVEST where appropriate, to quantify key benefits associated with restoration and EbA interventions, including annual and seasonal water yield and soil erosion control.

Where feasible, the analysis will also include indicative cost–benefit considerations to compare restoration options and support prioritization of economically viable and scalable interventions.

  • Socio-economic and Governance Analysis

Working closely with consortium partners, the consultant will undertake targeted socio-economic analysis on livelihood systems and resource dependency, food security and market access, gender and culture, governance structures and institutional arrangements, and vulnerability dynamics within pastoral and agro-pastoral systems.

The analysis will explicitly examine how resource use, mobility patterns, and competition contribute to land degradation, ecosystem stress, and conflict, while also identifying the enabling conditions necessary to support restoration, including policy and institutional frameworks, community governance systems, and market and livelihood incentives. In this context, the consultant will also need to connect with the IGAD-led assessment on livelihoods, value chains, and governance systems to ensure alignment and integration of key insights.

  • Development of NbS-compliant EbA Intervention Packages

Building on the integrated analyses, the consultancy will develop NbS-compliant EbA intervention packages such as rangeland management and restoration, agroforestry systems, water harvesting and watershed management, and soil and water conservation measures.

All interventions must be screened and aligned with the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, designed to deliver ecological, social and economic benefits, and tailored to local context, conflict sensitivity and climate resilience needs.

  • Restoration Diagnostics and Enabling Conditions Analysis

The consultancy will undertake a restoration diagnostics analysis to identify the key enablers and barriers influencing the feasibility and scalability of restoration and EbA interventions across the Mandera Triangle.

The analysis will examine policy and institutional frameworks, land tenure and resource rights, financial and economic factors, technical capacity and knowledge systems, social and conflict dynamics, and market and value chain opportunities.

This diagnostic will support the development of context-specific restoration packages, highlight priority enabling actions and strengthen the investment-readiness of the final recommendations.

  • Site Selection and Investment Framework

The final output will present a clear and defensible site selection framework identifying priority landscapes, target intervention sites, restoration pathways and packages, and key restoration enablers. It will also outline potential financing mechanisms for scaling up climate-sensitive EbA beyond the project timeframe, with a strong emphasis on community-led actions and locally anchored, innovative financing models. This will include forward-looking scenarios that consider evolving ODA landscapes and pathways toward sustainable, long-term financing.

Site selection will be based on ecological suitability, socio-economic feasibility, conflict sensitivity, and restoration potential and expected benefits, providing a robust evidence base for investment planning.

  • Key Guiding Principles

The assessment will be guided by principles of scientific rigor, contextual relevance and practical applicability. It will adopt an integrated systems perspective that recognizes the interlinkages between climate variability, ecosystem degradation and conflict dynamics in the Mandera Triangle.

The approach will be anchored on three pillars: Nature-based Solutions and Ecosystem-based Adaptation; conflict sensitivity and gender responsiveness; and participatory and inclusive processes that build on local knowledge and priorities.

Methodologically, the study will combine advanced geospatial analysis with field-based validation and stakeholder engagement, using remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess land use change, climate variability, ecosystem condition and hydrological dynamics. These insights will be integrated with socio-economic and conflict data to identify vulnerabilities and opportunities, applying a ROAM-based multi-criteria approach and ecosystem services modelling to prioritize restoration areas and shape investment-ready intervention packages.

6. Duration of the Assignment

From Upon signature by both Parties to 11th September 2026

7. Deliverables and Activities

The consultancy will commence with an inception and planning phase in late May to early June, followed by data collection and preliminary analysis throughout June. Detailed analysis and modelling will take place from late June through July, with synthesis and drafting of the integrated assessment carried out during July and August. Validation and refinement are scheduled for late August to early September, leading to the delivery of final outputs and knowledge products in September. The consultant will be expected to produce the following outputs, ensuring high technical quality, clarity, and usability for both project design and broader investment planning, while maintaining strong alignment and integration with assessments undertaken by consortium partners. In addition, the consultant will participate in consortium technical meetings to ensure effective linkage with partner-led assessments and emerging concepts.

Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs and undertaking the corresponding activities:

Phase – Key Deliverables – Description – Timeline 2026

Phase 1: Inception & Planning – May 2026

Inception report including data collection & analytical framework

Refine methodology, tools, workplan and stakeholder engagement strategy; compile datasets and establish a consortium-level engagement framework for the assessment; assess risks and define mitigation measures.

Phase 2: Data Collection and Preliminary Landscape Analysis – June 2026

Enhanced assessment database; PGIS report; Stakeholder mapping and engagement; Project geoscope

Develop the assessment database (LULC, hydrology, soils, biodiversity, conflict layers etc.); conduct participatory mapping and stakeholder analysis to inform the assessment geoscope and overall analytical direction.

Phase 3: Analysis & Modelling – July 2026

Degradation & ROAM maps and analytics; Ecosystem services modelling; Diagnostics

Generate degradation and restoration maps; run InVEST models (water, soil); assess enabling conditions including policy, tenure, finance and capacity.

Phase 4: Synthesis & Drafting – August 2026

Draft report including situation analysis, challenges, trends and projections, NbS/EbA packages and site prioritization

Produce the draft integrated report; design NbS/EbA interventions with costs and benefits; develop criteria-based prioritization of sites.

Phase 5: Validation & Refinement – September 2026

Validation workshop reports

Conduct stakeholder validation workshops and ground-truthing, and integrate feedback into the analysis and recommendations.

Phase 6: Final Outputs & Knowledge Products – September 2026

Final report; Policy brief; Presentation; Data handover

Deliver the final report, policy/investment brief, presentation materials and full data package with a knowledge transfer plan.

8. Payment Schedule

The Timetable below summarises the chronological order of deliverables and indicates milestones at which IUCN will pay the Consultant.

Deliverable – Milestone payment

  • Inception report including data collection & analytical framework – 30%
  • Draft report including situation analysis, challenges, trends and projections, NbS-compliant EbA packages and site prioritization – 40%
  • Final report including Policy brief; Presentation; Data handover – 30%

9. Skills and Experience

  1. Lead Consultant
  • Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in environmental science, ecology, forestry, climate science, geography/GIS, hydrology or related fields.
  • At least 10–15 years of demonstrated experience in ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation (EbA), Nature-based Solutions (NbS), land degradation assessment or environmental management in dryland or fragile contexts.
  • Proven experience in conducting integrated baseline assessments, preferably in multi-country or cross-border settings.
  • Strong expertise in GIS and remote sensing, including land use/land cover analysis, spatial modelling and geospatial decision-support systems.
  • Demonstrated experience in applying tools such as ROAM, InVEST, IBAT, multi-criteria analysis, participatory GIS, CVCA and restoration stock-take approaches.
  • Proven ability to integrate climate–conflict dynamics, vulnerability assessments or resilience analysis into environmental or development studies.
  • Familiarity with IUCN frameworks and standards, including the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, IUCN-ESMS, FEBA EbA Criteria and Principles, Ecosystem-based Adaptation Guidelines, IUCN Red List of Ecosystems and the Restoration Barometer stocktake tool.
  • Demonstrated experience in the Horn of Africa rangelands or similar drylands, conflict-affected contexts will be a strong advantage.2. Support team composition

The firm, team leader or lead consultant should demonstrate the capacity to mobilize a multidisciplinary team covering the following expertise:

  • Ecosystem Restoration / EbA Specialist (Team Leader)
  • GIS and Ecosystem Services / Natural Capital Modelling Expert (e.g., InVEST)
  • Hydrologist / Water Resources Specialist
  • Social Scientist / Conflict and Gender Specialist (with PGIS experience)

10. Supervision and coordination

The consultant will report directly to the Peace-Rise Project Manager and the Regional GIS and ROAM Officer at IUCN ESARO, who will provide overall technical oversight and quality assurance. The assignment will require close coordination with CARE (consortium lead), IGAD (climate systems), BICC and NAPCOH (conflict analysis), as well as other consortium partners, to ensure alignment and coherence across all assessment components.

DECLARATION OF UNDERTAKING

Declaration of Undertaking in Relation to Request for Proposals (RfP) Integrated Climate– Conflict–Ecosystem Baseline Assessment and Spatial Prioritization for the Mandera Triangle
I, the undersigned, hereby confirm that I am an authorized representative of the following organization:
Registered Name of Organization (the “Organization”):
Registered Address (incl. country):
Year of Registration: ________________________________________
I hereby authorize IUCN to store and use the information included in the attached Proposal for the purpose of evaluating Proposals and selecting the Proposal IUCN deems the most favorable. I acknowledge that IUCN is required to retain the Proposal in its entirety for 10 years after then the end of the resulting contract and make this available to internal and external auditors and donors as and when reasonably requested.
Where the Proposal includes Personal Data as defined by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I confirm that the Organization has been authorized by each Data Subject to share this Data with IUCN for the purposes stated above.
I further confirm that the following statements are correct:
1. The Organisation is duly registered in accordance with all applicable laws.
2. The Organisation is fully compliant with all its tax and social security obligations.
3. The Organisation and its staff and representatives are free of any real or perceived conflicts of interest with regards to IUCN and its Mission.
4. The Organisation agrees to declare to IUCN any real or perceived emerging conflicts of interests it or any of its staff and representatives may have concerning IUCN. The Organisation acknowledges that IUCN may terminate any contracts with the Organisation that would, in IUCN sole discretion, be negatively affected by such conflicts of interests.
5. None of the Organisation’s staff has ever been convicted of grave professional misconduct or any other offence concerning their professional conduct.
6. Neither the Organisation nor any of its staff and representatives have ever been convicted of fraud, corruption, money laundering, supporting terrorism or involvement in a criminal organisation.
7. The Organisation acknowledges that engagement by itself or any of its staff in fraud, corruption, money laundering, supporting terrorism or involvement in a criminal organisation will entitle IUCN to terminate any and all contracts with the Organisation with immediate effect.
8. The Organisation is a going concern and is not bankrupt or being wound up, is not having its affairs administered by the courts, has not suspended business activities, is not the subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations.
9. The Organisation complies with all applicable environmental regulatory requirements or other legal requirements relating to sustainability and environmental protection.
10. The Organisation is not included in the UN Security Council Sanctions List, EU Sanctions Map, US Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions List, or the World Bank listing of ineligible firms and individuals. The Organisation agrees that it will not provide direct or indirect support to firms and individuals included in these lists.
11. The Organisation has not been, is not, and will not be involved or implicated in any violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, or injustice or abuse of human rights related to other groups or individuals, including forced evictions, violation of fundamental rights of workers as defined by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, child labour, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment.

< Name and position of authorised representative of the Proposer>

Declaration of Undertaking in Relation to Request for Proposals (RfP) Integrated Climate– Conflict–Ecosystem Baseline Assessment and Spatial Prioritization for the Mandera Triangle

I, the undersigned, hereby confirm that I am self-employed and able to provide the service independent of any organisation or other legal entity.
Full name (as in passport):
Home or Office (please delete as appropriate) Address (incl. country):
I hereby authorise IUCN to store and use the information included in the attached Proposal for the purpose of evaluating Proposals and selecting the Proposal IUCN deems the most favorable, including Personal Data as defined by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I acknowledge that IUCN is required to retain my Proposal in its entirety 10 years after the end of the resulting contract and make this available to internal and external auditors and donors as and when reasonably requested.
I further confirm that the following statements are correct:
1. I am legally registered as self-employed in accordance with all applicable laws.
2. I am fully compliant with all my tax and social security obligations.
3. I am free of any real or perceived conflicts of interest with regards to IUCN and its Mission.
4. I agree to declare to IUCN any real or perceived emerging conflicts of interests I may have concerned IUCN. I acknowledge that IUCN may terminate any contracts with me that would, in IUCN sole discretion, be negatively affected by such conflicts of interests.
5. I have never been convicted of grave professional misconduct or any other offence concerning my professional conduct.
6. I have never been convicted of fraud, corruption, money laundering, supporting terrorism or involvement in a criminal organisation.
7. I acknowledge that engagement in fraud, corruption, money laundering, supporting terrorism or involvement in a criminal organisation will entitle IUCN to terminate any and all contracts with me with immediate effect.
8. I am not included in the UN Security Council Sanctions List, EU Sanctions Map, US Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions List, or the World Bank listing of ineligible firms and individuals. I agree that I will not provide direct or indirect support to firms and individuals included in these lists.
9. I have not been, am not, and will not be involved or implicated in any violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, or injustice or abuse of human rights related to other groups or individuals, including forced evictions, violation of fundamental rights of workers as defined by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, child labour, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment.

How to apply

Step 1: Acquire Tender Documents
Obtain the relevant tender documents.

Step 2: Review Requirements
Thoroughly read the tender specifications, terms, and conditions.

Step 3: Prepare Proposal
Prepare your proposal as guided, ensuring all the required information is included.

Step 4: Submission
Submit your completed proposal by the submission deadline via the email address daniel.lekuroito@iucn.org

N.B: Please note that the email to be used exclusively for this consultancy is daniel.lekuroito@iucn.org