Promoting resilience in land-water-food systems in blue economy sectors in Benin
Description of project
The objective of this assignment is to prepare project documents to enable implementation of the GEF-LDCF financed project. The firm will assist the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Sustainable Development (MAESD), and the Coordination Unit of the AfDB, in the consultative preparation of the project and the formulation of (i) a project design report (ii) GEF-CEO Endorsement document (iii) an AfDB Project Preparation Report (PPR) and (iv) an AfDB Project Appraisal Report (PAR), to be drafted building on the PPR with support from the Bank team. The documents shall be developed in line with the AfDB’s and GEF’s guidelines and formats, in consultation with national stakeholders. The project documents shall pass through the endorsement processes of the Government of Benin, AfDB and the GEF.
Services provided
The tasks of the consulting firm include the following: review AfDB and GEF guidelines, the GEF PIF, and related documents to ensure the project components, results, and implementation align with established objectives.
The firm will assess institutional capacity at national and local levels, identify roles of stakeholders, and recommend capacity-building measures. They will facilitate workshops, including inception and stakeholder validation sessions, and conduct consultations throughout the preparatory phase. A comprehensive literature review will be conducted to gather information on policies, governance systems, and natural resource management, identifying gaps and informing project design.
The team will analyze institutional frameworks and coordination mechanisms for watershed and fisheries management, consulting stakeholders to select priority catchments for interventions. They will assess environmental and social impacts, conduct risk analyses, and establish baseline reviews. A stakeholder analysis will ensure inclusivity, while a gender action plan will address disparities and promote equitable benefits.
Private sector engagement will focus on fisheries value chains and SME development. Technical options for sustainable watershed and fisheries management will be explored, ensuring climate resilience. An M&E framework will be developed to monitor progress, incorporating gender and environmental indicators. The firm will define implementation methodologies, risk mitigation measures, and results frameworks, ensuring sustainability.
Climate change adaptation will be integrated into fisheries policies through feasibility studies on climate-smart technologies. Water resources monitoring systems will be designed to improve resilience to hydrometeorological disasters. Environmental and social safeguards will be ensured, and project costs and benefits assessed for cost-effectiveness.
Finally, the firm will prepare appraisal reports, budgets, and recommendations, including knowledge management systems to ensure capacity building and information sharing. The deliverables will meet AfDB and GEF requirements, aligning with sustainability and replicability goals.
