Consultancy Services for Enhancing BRCiS Integrated Adaptive Management and Monitoring Framework for BRCiS Ecosystem Services Restoration

BRCiS Consortium Enhancing BRCiS Integrated Adaptive Management and Monitoring Framework for BRCiS Ecosystem Services Restoration Terms of Reference Background and Context Information 1.1 BRCiS Consortium Overview Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) is a Consortium of national and international organizations – Action Against Hunger (ACF), Concern Worldwide (Concern), GREDO, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), KAALO, Save the Children, and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) as lead agency. BRCiS’ objective is to work across the humanitarian-development divide, supporting marginalized communities in disaster-prone in Somalia, to become more resilient to shocks and stressed, including as a result of climate change. BRCiS approach is contextually adaptive, focused on the specific shocks, needs, and priorities of individual communities. BRCiS was established in 2013 and is now implementing projects funded by multiple humanitarian and development donors in more than ten regions of Somalia [1] . 1.2 BRCiS Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration Progress Monitoring Over the past decade, BRCiS Consortium has worked alongside communities to enhance resilience and disaster adaptation. A key lesson from this engagement is that nature-based solutions (specifically, ecosystem services restoration applying the Resilience Design approach) are fundamental to sustaining both humanitarian and resilience outcomes. Recognizing this, BRCiS has made ecosystem restoration a cornerstone of its program strategy, partnering with nature both as a first responder to crisis and a foundational strategy for sustainable community adaptation. BRCiS currently employs fragmented processes to monitor its restoration work. While capable of tracking basic outputs like trees planted and hectares restored, along with mixed-method impact assessments, it lacks a unified and streamlined framework to measure critical outcomes including 1) immediate humanitarian benefits linking restoration and agro-ecology outcomes such as food security, climate resilient livelihoods, and disaster mitigation and 2) medium-to-long-term direct ecological health benefits (e.g., soil health, biodiversity, etc). This gap limits BRCiS capacity to robustly demonstrate the causal pathway between restoration/agroecology interventions and the well-being of the populations it serves. BRCiS seeks an expert consultant to develop an integrated monitoring framework that bridges this critical gap, linking ecological restoration benefits directly to humanitarian co-benefits . This framework will harmonize BRCiS’ existing processes by establishing clear logical pathways from ecological outputs to humanitarian outcomes and establishing relevant monitoring protocols. The core output will be a unified Results and Indicator Framework that logically maps a standardized set of strategically selected proxy indicators to BRCiS restoration interventions, creating clear pathways from action to outcome. To operationalize this, the consultant will provide a practical, replicable, and agile framework including monitoring protocols and tools, detailing data sources and methods to harmonize diverse data streams. Crucially, this will be paired with a strategic implementation roadmap containing forward-looking recommendations on value for money, community uptake, and sustainability to ensure the framework is cost-effective, locally owned, and capable of demonstrating impact that speaks to the needs of climate finance. Together, these deliverables will provide BRCiS with the robust evidence base needed for adaptive management and strategic leadership in the field. Ultimately, this framework will provide a scalable foundation for all BRCiS restoration efforts . It must integrate best practices from environmental peacebuilding, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation to effectively measure the full spectrum of benefits in dry and riverine landscapes. [2] Furthermore, it should be designed with principles of value for money, sustainability, human centered, and access to climate finance in mind. By definitively linking environmental recovery to enhanced humanitarian wellbeing and resilience, the framework will not only strengthen internal monitoring but also provide a replicable model for national-level adoption, affirming the critical role of nature-based solutions as both an immediate response to crisis and a foundational strategy for sustainable community adaptation. 2.Purpose and Specific Objectives 2.1 Purpose The purpose of this consultancy is to develop an integrated adaptive management and monitoring framework for BRCiS restoration efforts. This framework will define clear intervention result pathways, monitoring protocols, and learning processes. It is designed to rigorously measure the link between ecological restoration outcomes and human well-being, enabling data-driven decisions, enhancing accountability, and positioning BRCiS as a contributor to national and regional best practices in restoration and relevant humanitarian outcomes measurement. 2.2 Specific Objectives (Scope of Work) The consultant will be responsible for achieving the following specific objectives: 2.2.1. Conduct a comprehensive need assessment: Systematically review BRCiS's existing restoration services monitoring and adaptive management framework (see annex 1 for existing processes), data sources, and stakeholder reporting requirements. This will be benchmarked against sectoral best practices by analyzing comparable site-specific (<25 ha) restoration monitoring frameworks to identify scalable features, integration opportunities, and synergies within relevant communities of practice. 2.2.2. Development of BRCiS restoration services monitoring framework: Building upon the need assessment outcome and existing BRCiS restoration monitoring processes, the consultant will develop an integrated adaptive management and monitoring framework through the following comprehensive and sequential sub-steps: 2.2.2.1 Development of the Result Framework: The consultant will develop intervention typology and Theory of Change for BRCiS's ecosystem restoration work. This foundational element will explicitly articulate the causal pathways through which ecological recovery such as improved soil health and water availability translates into enhanced human well-being and reduced climate risks, such as increased food security and diminished resource-based conflicts. For each of the intervention types mentioned below, the consultant will define the specific purpose, objectives, causal logic, underlying assumptions, and the estimated timeline for achieving intended outcomes. This typology will form the basis for a robust results framework, outlining specific output, outcome, and impact indicators that capture both ecological and humanitarian progress. This integrated structure is designed to generate the evidence required for strategic adaptive management, directly informing decisions on intervention effectiveness, necessary adaptations, and the overall impact on community resilience. The framework will be grounded in BRCiS's core restoration objectives, which include: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR):Defining the logic for DRR interventions like drought buffering (e.g., sand dams) and flood mitigation, linking them to reduced climate hazards and protected community assets. Shock-Resilient Agropastoral Practices: Outlining the theory behind Rangeland restoration (e.g., managed natural regeneration) and agroecological improvements (e.g., agroforestry), connecting them to enhanced ecosystem productivity and livelihood resilience. Conflict risk reduction: Establishing the causal pathway through which restoration activities contribute to reduced competition over natural resources. This intervention typology will form the basis of a robust results framework, outlining specific output, outcome, and impact indicators for each activity. 2.2.2.2. Define the Phased Monitoring Protocol (indicators, data collection tools, data sources, timeline, etc.): Building on the established results framework, the consultant will define a rigorous monitoring protocol to operationalize the measurement of the restoration monitoring indicators. This involves two key deliverables: First, the consultant will create a master of strategically selected proxy Indicator Protocol Library for each intervention type. This library will standardize the measurement of each indicator by specifying the data source (e.g., sensor, satellite imagery, observation, community discussions, household survey), data collection tools , data collection frequency and data quality controls , with each indicator tagged to its relevant restoration purpose. Second, the consultant will design a tiered, phased monitoring protocol that aligns data collection frequency with the expected timeline of both immediate and medium-to-long-term change, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation: Short-Cycle Monitoring (e.g., 4-12 months): Employ rapid, field-based methods to verify interventions, capture immediate humanitarian and socio-economic outputs and outcomes, and track early ecological outcomes. Medium-to-Long-Term Monitoring (12+ months): Utilizing blended methodologies including remote sensing, sensor data, and in-depth surveys (household and community discussions) to assess sustained ecological recovery, socio-economic impacts, and interventions sustainability. 2.2.2.3 Establish Reporting and Communication Protocols: The consultant will develop standardized reporting protocols to translate monitoring data into actionable insights for the different BRCiS stakeholders. This includes defining reporting frequencies aligned with adaptive management cycles, creating tailored templates for internal management and donor reporting, and establishing a dissemination plan to ensure timely and consistent communication of results to guide programmatic decisions. 2.2.3.Technical Review and Recommendations for Existing BRCiS Restoration Monitoring Digital Platforms Based on the established restoration monitoring framework, the consultant will conduct a review of BRCiS's existing digital monitoring systems. The objective is to provide specific recommendations for enhancing these platforms to fully operationalize the framework. This includes guidance on streamlining the entire data lifecycle from indicator setup and data collection to quality control, analysis, reporting, and dissemination creating an integrated workflow that transforms raw data into actionable insights. 3. Proposed Methodology Employing a participatory, agile, and iterative methodology, the consultancy will co-design an Integrated Monitoring Framework that is human-centered, contextually grounded, technically sound, and practicable for seamless integration with BRCiS's strategic operations. 3.1. Inception, Scoping, and Foundational Analysis This inception phase establishes a shared understanding and a solid evidence base for the assignment. Comprehensive Desk Review : Review and analyse existing BRCiS systems and documentation (project reports, current restoration monitoring M&E frameworks and related M&E systems) and benchmark against global restoration standards and comparable platforms (e.g., CIFOR-ICRAF Regreening App [3] and Resilience Design toolkit [4] ) to identify best practices and potential synergies. Stakeholder Mapping and Governance Setup : Identify all relevant BRCiS strategic partners. Formally establish a Steering Committee with BRCiS CMU to provide strategic oversight and guidance throughout the consultancy. Inception Workshop: Conduct a virtual workshop to present the initial understanding of the project scope, validate the proposed methodology, and secure stakeholder alignment on objectives, timelines, and communication protocols 3.2. Participatory Need Analysis and Design This phase focuses on capturing detailed requirements from all stakeholders to inform the framework design Structured Stakeholder Engagement and Need Analysis: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Engage with BRCiS strategic stakeholders (donor, senior management, MEL, program, ICT, ecosystem advisors) and Steering Committee members to capture strategic objectives, operational challenges & needs, and existing institutional capacities. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): The consultancy will facilitate a structured process to capture ground-level realities by leading remote discussions with BRCiS field staff, who will subsequently conduct community-level FGDs with community representatives (i.e., 3 sampled locations including riverine, arid and semi-arid locations). This approach is designed to gather context-based insights about best practices, existing capacities, operational constraints, and context-specific needs. The consultant will be responsible for the entire technical scope of this activity, including developing discussion questions and guides, training field staff, analysing all data, and including the findings into a consolidated report and monitoring framework. Co-Design and Validation of BRCiS Restoration Services Monitoring System: Develop the Integrated Monitoring Framework: Based on existing BRCiS systems, desk review and stakeholder engagement findings, develop a unified Integrated Monitoring Framework that establishes clear logical pathways demonstrating how ecosystem recovery such as improved soil health and biodiversity translates into human well-being outcomes like enhanced food security and reduced climate risks. This will involve defining a complete set of impact, outcome, and output indicators, along with corresponding monitoring and data collection protocols and reporting guidelines, specifically tailored for each core restoration type: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), shock-resilient agropastoral practices, and natural resource-based conflict risk reduction. Technical Review of existing BRCiS restoration services monitoring digital system : Building upon the established restoration monitoring framework under this ToR, the consultant will conduct a technical review of BRCiS's existing digital monitoring platforms. The primary objective of this review is to produce specific, actionable recommendations for enhancing these systems to fully operationalize the framework. This will include providing detailed guidance on streamlining the entire data management lifecycle from indicator definition and data collection to quality assurance, analysis, reporting, and dissemination thereby creating an integrated workflow that efficiently transforms raw data into actionable insights for decision-making. Stakeholder Validation Workshops: Lead collaborative sessions to present, validate and refine the proposed monitoring framework and recommendations for enhancing existing restoration monitoring digital platform. This ensures the final deliverables are aligned with stakeholder needs, strategic goals, contex-specific and technical feasibility. 3.4. Co-creation of Operational Frameworks and Guidelines The consultant will be focusing on creating the necessary documentation for the framework operation in parallel to the framework development. Host virtual workshops with the Steering Committee to co-create: Indicator Protocol Library: A repository detailing the BRCiS intervention menu, relevant indicators for each type, each indicator's definition, measurement method (satellite, observation, surveys, discussions), frequency and data quality. Phased Monitoring Framework: Based on the expected timeline for observable change, a Phased Monitoring Framework will be established, clearly outlining short-cycle indicators for immediate results (e.g., 4-12 months) and long-term indicators for sustained impact (12+ months), along with their respective measurement methods and reporting schedules. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Step-by-step guides for all data-related processes, from collection to quality control and reporting. Draft Review and Finalization: Circulate all draft documents for consolidated feedback from the steering committee before finalizing. 3.5. Validation, Capacity Building, and Final Handover The consultant ensures stakeholder buy-in, sustainability, and a smooth transition to BRCiS. Final Validation Workshop : Present the final restoration monitoring frameworks and recommended digital platform design, and guidelines to BRCiS stakeholders for formal validation and sign-off. Training of Trainers (ToT): Develop comprehensive training materials and conduct a ToT session for designated BRCiS and partner staff to build internal capacity. Final Reporting and Handover : Submit a comprehensive final report documenting the entire process, decisions made, and recommendations for future scaling. 4. Deliverables and timelines Inception Report: A finalized work plan and methodology, confirmed through a kick-off meeting, including a comprehensive stakeholder analysis and timeline to ensure full alignment on project objectives and approach. Stakeholder Engagement and Need Analysis Report: A comprehensive report documenting the findings from all Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), summarizing identified needs, strategic objectives, operational challenges, best partices, ground-level realities, and stakeholder capacities. Integrated Restoration Monitoring Framework: Integrated monitoring framework that establishes clear logical pathways linking ecosystem recovery to human well-being. This deliverable will include strategically selected set of proxy impact, outcome, and output indicators (indicator library), tailored monitoring, data collection, and reporting protocols for each core restoration type (DRR, agropastoral practices, conflict risk reduction) Technical Review and Recommendations Report for Restoration Monitoring Digital Platforms: A report providing a comprehensive technical assessment of existing BRCiS digital monitoring systems, with specific, actionable recommendations to enhance the platform and streamline the entire data management lifecycle. Operational Framework and Guidelines. Final Validation Workshop Report and Sign-Off: A report confirming formal stakeholder validation and sign-off of the final monitoring framework, digital platform design, and operational guidelines. Training of Trainers (ToT) Package and Session: A complete set of training materials (e.g., slides, facilitator guides, exercises) and the delivery of a ToT session for designated BRCiS and partner staff to ensure internal capacity for framework rollout. Comprehensive Final Report and Handover Package: A master document detailing the entire consultancy process, methodologies, key decisions, final versions of all frameworks and guidelines, and strategic recommendations for future scaling and implementation. 5. Deliverables Tentative Timeline (5 Months) This timeline assumes an agile, iterative process with continuous stakeholder engagement. Month 1 (November 2025) Phase & Key Activities Phase 1: Inception & Stakeholder Mapping Kick-off meeting and finalization of work plan. Comprehensive desk review of existing frameworks and systems. Stakeholder mapping Primary Deliverables Detailed Inception Report Month 2 (December 2025) Phase & Key Activities Phase 2: Participatory Needs Assessment, and Stakeholder engagement including FGD/KIIs Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with BRCiS key stakeholders and analyse the findings. Primary Deliverables Stakeholder Engagement and Need Analysis Report Month 3(January 2026) Phase & Key Activities Phase 3: Drafting Monitoring Framework and Review Existing Digital Platforms Initiate drafting of the Integrated Monitoring Framework. Technical review of existing restoration monitoring digital platforms. Begin co-creating operational guidelines (SOPs, Indicator Library) Primary Deliverables Draft Integrated Restoration Monitoring Framework Technical Review & Recommendations Report for Digital Platforms Month 4 (February 2026) Phase & Key Activities Phase 4: Validation Workshops and Finalise Draft Framework, SOPs and Recommendations for the Digital Platform Conduct stakeholder validation workshops for the Draft Monitoring Framework and recommendations for the digital platform. Finalize all framework documents and operational guidelines based on validation. Develop the comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) package and curriculum. Primary Deliverables Final Validation Workshop Report and Sign-Off Finalization of all frameworks and guidelines including operational guidelines & SOPs, final monitoring framework Training of Trainers (ToT) Package Month 5 (March 2026) Phase & Key Activities Phase 5: Capacity Building & Final Handover Conduct the Training of Trainers (ToT) session for BRCiS staff. Finalize and submit all deliverables and and the comprehensive handover package. Primary Deliverables Training of Trainers (ToT) Session (Conducted) Comprehensive Final Report and Handover Package. N.B: This timeline is indicative and may be adjusted based on stakeholder availability and project complexities. However, the hard deadline to finalize the assessment is March 12, 2026. 6. Management Arrangements and Workplan Roles & Responsibilities Consultant: Complete all deliverables included under this ToR The selected consultant is required to travel to Somalia once To present final deliverables, facilitate final handovers, and ToT training in Mogadishu in early March 2026. Consultants must adhere to NRC’s Code of Conduct and data protection protocols. Consultants will sign these documents during the contracting process. The consultant's financial proposal must include all anticipated travel costs, including international flights, visas, accommodation, and meals. For international consultants only, NRC can provide logistical support in the form of in-country transportation between airport and hotel. The consultant retains full responsibility for their security, travel, and accommodation arrangements. NRC isn’t responsible for the consultant’s security and accommodation. However, NRC will provide security guidance and recommendations upon consultant request. NRC-BRCiS : Oversee contract deliverables, facilitate stakeholder access, logistics of final dissemination workshop, approve inception and final reports, and collect all field-based data collection (FGD/KII). The supervisor of the consultant is the BRCiS CMU MEL Manager with support from other CMU management teams and steering committee. 7. Estimated duration of the contract The engagement is projected to commence in early November 2025 and conclude on March 12, 2026. 8. Application Procedures and Requirements The interested consulting firms are expected to provide the following documentation: A cover letter introducing the consultants. The cover letter should introduce the team composition and specify the role to be played by each team member. Technical proposal , not exceeding 15 pages, must provide a comprehensive and convincing response to these ToR requirements. It should clearly demonstrate the bidder's understanding of the assignment, methodological approach, and relevant institutional capacity. The proposal must demonstrate a clear understanding of the ToR assignment including enhancing BRCiS's existing systems by developing an integrated monitoring framework that definitively links ecological recovery to humanitarian outcomes, rather than developing new framework from scratch. It should articulate a robust methodology centered on participatory co-design and agile development, complete with a detailed work plan, clear deliverables, and a strategy for continuous stakeholder engagement and capacity building.Furthermore, the proposal must provide compelling evidence of the bidder's capacity to deliver this task including a proven track record in developing nature and adaptation monitoring framework in hard-to-reach areas , experience in customizing similar assignments monitoring digital platforms, and demonstrated success operating within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. The proposed team's composition should be clearly outlined, showcasing a blend of expertise in nature-based solutions, adaptive management, M&E and digital system development. Evaluation will be based on the clarity, feasibility, and overall appropriateness of the proposed approach to meet the ToR's strategic goals Resume of each team member. Evidence of experience conducting similar assignments (Samples of similar work) is required. Proposed budget . A comprehensive budget breakdown in USD, itemizing all costs including professional fees, travel, accommodation, and any other auxiliary expenses. Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required from the team members and the firm Advanced degree (PhD/Master's) in environmental science, development studies, climate adaptation, Computer Science or related fields for consultants are required. At least 7-10 years of collective experience in developing nature-based solutions, climate adaptation and adaptive management of M&E frameworks and systems, within fragile context including hard-to-reach areas or post-conflict contexts is required. At least 7-10 years of collective experience in designing, integrating, and customizing digital monitoring platforms for humanitarian/developmental UN/INGOs is required. Proven ability to work effectively within complex, multi-stakeholder organizations , demonstrating skills in facilitation, negotiation, and collaborative design is an asset. Familiarity with experience applying global environmental and humanitarian standards is an asset. Previous experience in similar assignments in east Africa is an asset. Only consulting firms are eligible to apply; individual consultants will not be considered [1] https://www.nrc.no/brcis [2] For benefits that the consultant(s) assess as being potentially outside the scope of what can be developed, the consultant(s) may provide recommendations to exclude indicators on the basis of cost-benefit analysis. This discussion would take place during the consultancy with only the selected applicants. [3] https://worldagroforestry.org/output/regreening-africa-app [4] https://globalresiliencedesign.com/resources/resilience-design-toolkit/?page=0&per_page=100&order=position+asc&search=&href_query_params=category%3Dtoolkit&category=403%3A379

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