Technical Partner Consultancy Tender

Climate-Smart, Low-Carbon Cities – CityCluster Low Carbon Action Plan project

Terms of Reference

Overall Project Background

The Climate-Smart Low Carbon Cities (CSLCC) project is implemented by international organization Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) and funded by the US Government (USAID). The project will support four Chinese cities to implement local low-carbon development projects that reduce GHG emissions and serve as replicable examples for cities across China. For each city partner, ISC will partner with a local external organization to deliver a series capacity building activities, based on the specific scope and needs of the city’s project. The capacity building activities will consist of customized training, tailored technical assistance, workshops, coaching, and international study tours (“city exchanges”).

CityCluster Low Carbon Action Plan Project Description

The City Cluster Low Carbon Action Plan Project (“City Cluster Project”) will focus on developing alow carbon action plan for the city cluster (Changshao city, Zhuzhou city, Xiangtan city) located inHunan Province. The low carbon action plan will allow the city cluster to drastically reduce GHG emissions and conserve energy consumption by taking carbon-reducing actions in specific areas in coordination withkey stakeholders. ISC will provide hands-on support and technical assistance to the city cluster to develop the low carbon action plan.

By the completion of the project, ISC will have supported the city cluster to achieve the following:

Analyze the city cluster’sGHG emission characteristics and trends;

Analyze the city cluster’slow carbon development challenges and potentials

Develop strategies to promote low carbon developmentwithin the city cluster;

Formulate multi-stakeholder engagement strategiesfor taking low-carbon actions;

Develop a comprehensive and feasible city cluster low carbon action plan.

Technical Partner Scope of Work & Requirements

ISCis looking for a qualified technical partner to support the City Cluster Low-Carbon Action Plan project. The technical partner will assist ISC in the successful implementation of the project according to the project timeframe.  The technical partner will serve as the primary technical lead to support all aspects of project implementation, including facilitation of training, delivery of technical assistance, and coordination with ISC on international study tours.

Due to the specific objectives and scope of the project, ISC is looking for a local technical partner with the following expertise and capacity to serve as an effective coordinator and technical resource for the project:

More than five years of experience in city/district sustainable developmentstrategy/action planning

Familiar with GHG emission baseline calculations

Experienced in sustainable developmentcapacity building to Chinese cities

More than five years ofexperience indata analysis and research

More than five years of experience in multi-stakeholder engagement projects

Description of Technical Partner Responsibilities

The technical partner will serve as the primary coordinator for all project activities. The partner will coordinate closely with the ISC Urban Manager (based in Beijing) on an ongoing basis to ensure project activities and milestones are being achieved in a timely manner. Overall responsibilities of the technical partner include:

Identify key points of contact from the city

Conducting initial needs-wants assessment of the city partners

Recommend an approach to measuring the GHG emissions baseline and endline of this project

Develop a detailed capacity building plan for theproject

Support the city cluster to complete a baseline survey

Define GHG reduction targets (for the program period and five-year projections)

Lead the delivery of a package of coaching and implementation support to the city, including a) execution of exchanges with US cities, b) tender and supervise provision of consultants, c) develop and deploy training materials, as needed.

Support the city to provide agreed-upon end-line data inputs

Project Timeline

The following timeline is illustrative and subject to change based on the evolving needs of the project. The technical partner will be expected to develop and submit revised work plans and implementation timelines throughout the duration of the project to maintain coordination and timely delivery of project activities.

Consultancy Deliverables

The City Cluster Low Carbon Action Plan Project technical partner will be expected to provide/achieve the deliverables listed below. This list is not comprehensive and is subject to change based on the evolving support needs of the project and priorities of the ISC Urban Manager:

Monthly coordination calls

Submission of monthly progress updates

Documentation of project activities (trainings, coaching sessions, workshops) based on ISC requirements

Needs-wants assessment report

Written proposal for GHG emissions baseline methodology

Written capacity building plan

Terms of reference, scope of work, and bid analysis for procurement of all external contractors per ISC requirements

Original training materials on technical topics as needed

Detailed financial reporting on all direct event / activity / materials expenses

Others, as defined by ISC

Application Process

To apply for this consultancy, please submit a CV, statement of qualifications, and detailed proposal and budget to Geng Yu at ygeng@iscchina.org by May 23, 2016.