Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) ( - Тендер #60887501)

NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

• Project ID

P171833

• Project Title

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC)

• Country

Caribbean

• Notice No

OP00334613

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

LC-OECS COMMISSION-470915-CS-INDV

• Procurement Method

Individual Consultant Selection

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

Feb 03, 2025 00:00

• Published Date

Jan 20, 2025

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission

• Name

Chamberlain Emmanuel

• Address

P.O. Box 179 Morne Fortune Castries Saint Lucia

• City

• Province/State

Caribbean

• Postal Code

• Country

Caribbean

• Phone

758-455 6387

• Email

cemmanuel@oecs.org

• Website

ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project

Grant No.: IDA – E0200

Assignment Title: Midterm Review of the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has received funding from the World Bank toward the cost of the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Midterm Review of Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project

The consulting services (“the Services”) responsibility is to assess the project implementation progress, progress towards achieving the project development objectives, key implementation challenges, performance, effectiveness and efficiency of implementation, achievements, and lessons learnt to date and to use these to ensure that the project is adjusted as and where necessary in order for it to have maximum relevance, impact and sustainability by the end of its lifespan and to achieve the project development objective. The assignment is expected to be undertaken over a period of three (3) months.

The OECS now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The minimum required qualifications and experience are listed in section 11 of the Terms of Reference (TOR) below. The details of the services required are available in the TOR which is available on the official website: www.oecs.org or can be obtained at the address given below.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.13, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Fourth Edition, September 2023 (‘Procurement Regulations’), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Individual Consultants wishing to signify their interest in undertaking the prescribed services are to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) providing information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services (Curriculum Vitae, description of similar assignments, etc)

Expressions of Interest can be submitted via email.

For more information or to submit Expressions of Interest, please contact:

Jossie Stephenson

Procurement Officer

OECS Commission Morne Fortuné

P.O. Box 1383

Castries

Saint Lucia

Telephone: 758-452-5895

Email: procurementbids@oecs.int

Copied to:

Ms. Susanna De Beauville-Scott, susanna.dscott@oecs.int

An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Fourth Edition, November 2020.

Expressions of Interest will be evaluated and the Individual Consultant with the most relevant experience and qualifications will be selected and requested to submit a proposal which will be the basis for negotiations leading to a contract.

An electronic copy of Expressions of Interest is to reach the OECS Commission by February 3, 2025 addressed to:

Ms. Jossie Stephenson, Procurement Officer

At the following email address:

procurementbids@oecs.int

copied to susanna.dscott@oecs.int

The email submissions should include the name and address of the Consultant and shall be clearly marked in the subject line as “Expression of Interest – Consulting Services for Midterm Review of the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project”.

The Terms of Reference for this consultancy is provided below.

Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC)

Terms of Reference

Midterm Review of UBEC Project

January 2025

1. Background

The Caribbean Sea, with its high level of biodiversity, covers less than one percent of the world"s ocean area (2.75 million sq km), nonetheless, it directly supports the economies of 34 coastal and small island countries and territories. It is a large marine ecosystem characterized by coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grasses as well as sandy beaches and rocky shores. These tropical ecosystems present high biodiversity associated with fauna and flora, and has resulted in high rates of national and regional endemism and contains the greatest concentration or rate and endemic marine species in the Western Hemisphere. Consequently, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) marine and coastal assets offer an unprecedented opportunity for strengthening the region’s economy and closing the gap on poverty and unemployment rates. However, these resources have long been undermined by unsustainable anthropogenic practices, including poorly planned coastal development, climate change, and ineffective management of marine resources. The economic impact of COVID-19 in the Eastern Caribbean has underscored the importance of building back safer, more sustainable and climate-resilient tourism, fisheries, and waste management sectors.

Given that the marine space of small island states is significantly larger than their land mass and clearly a substantial asset, transitioning to a Blue Economy is critical to ensuring continued economic growth for our islands. The OECS marine and coastal assets offer a unique opportunity for strengthening the region’s blue economy and recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through increased growth, jobs, and inclusion. With this in mind, the OECS embraces transition to a Blue Economy, enunciating that the region’s marine and coastal assets offer an unprecedented opportunity for strengthening the region’s economy, and closing the gap on poverty and unemployment rates. As one of the key Blue Economy frontrunners in the region, the OECS has taken a first step to enabling the transition to a Blue Economy through the adoption of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy (ECROP) and its associated strategic action plan (ECROP SAP). The ECROP provides an OECS-wide framework for regional coordination of sustainable development, management, and conservation of ocean resources and is being implemented through a number of projects and strategic partnerships.

The UBEC[1] is a World Bank-funded regional initiative that supports the implementation of ECROP and is designed to be implemented as a series of projects over a fifteen-year period. The series is segmented into three (3) phases with each phase lasting five (5) years. In the first Phase, the beneficiary countries (Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) are each implementing national UBEC Projects, while the OECS Commission is undertaking a Regional Project. This Phase focuses on three (3) interrelated blue economy sectors: tourism, fisheries and waste management. Its aim is to support interventions at the national and regional levels to leverage economies of scale and ensure a harmonized approach. Activities focus on strengthening regional and national policies, and institutions; building capacity; and fostering coordination.

Specifically for the regional level, there are 2 areas of focus:

• Strengthening Regional Policies, Institutions and Coordination. Harmonizing regulations and government procedures will allow for stronger economies of scale in the region. The regional approach is essential to address transboundary issues, such as shared fisheries resources and intra-regional tourism.

2) The Regional Marching Grants Program that aims to enhance the capabilities of micro, small and medium scale businesses within the blue economy sector and value chains (e.g., tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and waste management).

The UBEC is due to conclude in June 2028 and at this time the OECS seeks to engage an Individual Consultant to undertake the midterm evaluation and lessons learned activity under the Regional UBEC Project.

2. Aim and Objectives of the Mid-term Review

The aim of the mid-term review is to assess the project implementation progress, progress towards achieving the project development objectives, key implementation challenges, performance, effectiveness and efficiency of implementation, achievements, and lessons learnt to date and to use these to ensure that the project is adjusted as and where necessary in order for it to have maximum relevance, impact and sustainability by the end of its lifespan and to achieve the project development objective.

The consultant is expected to lead the preparation of the MTR report, working closely with the PIU and other key counterparts.

The overall purpose of the MTR is threefold:

• Accountability and identification of gaps in stipulated project Implementation Plans: The mid-term review is an accountability instrument for the project. Consequently, it will be used to assess whether or not project plans have been, or will be, fulfilled and also determine the extent to which the project’s resources have been used in a responsible and effective manner. It will also identify gaps to ensure that project implementation is in tandem with the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) which is the guidance document for the regional UBEC Project. Where there has been deviation from the PIM in project implementation, the MTR will identify these and recommend corrective measures.
• Learning and improvement as a building block for future work: It is intended that the outcomes of this mid-term review will provide useful and relevant information to the on-going work; explore why implemented actions and interventions have been successful, or not, and to provide guidance on how to better implement new work, possibly as a new or expanded project, after the current phase of the project has been completed;
• Assessment of sustainability: The outcomes of the mid-term review should assist in assessing the sustainability (or otherwise) of the activities, approaches, and structures initiated or supported by the project, and crucially, should also provide recommendations to strengthen sustainability and for the future.

The specific objectives of the mid-term review are as follows:

• Evaluate the outputs and any outcomes of the project already delivered and determine and assess their contribution to delivery of the overall project’s overall aims and objectives;
• Review the Theory of Change for the project: is the project still relevant and strategic and should any changes be considered in project implementation methodologies.
• Provide guidance on aspects or specific issues that will be useful in undertaking the planned project impact assessment through the use of scenario thinking to be done at the end of the project, i.e. how would the situation look like on the ground without this project;
• Assess the long-term sustainability of project interventions;
• Identify key ‘lessons learnt’ to date, particularly with regard to strategic processes and the mechanisms chosen to achieve the project’s objectives to date,
• Make clear, specific and implementable recommendations to improve the project performance in the remaining two years of implementation and provide guidance on the scope of future work, including for a future phase on the project; and
• Determine the extent to which the project and its associated actions are relevant to the existing and likely future needs of its stakeholders and the environment/s in which it is being implemented;
• Review the adequacy of project implementation and management arrangements in terms of staff, effectiveness in use of existing systems (fiduciary, safeguards, M&E), contract management capacity, reporting, etc.
• Assess extent of cooperation and synergy with other relevant donors, partners, institutions, and key frameworks within the sector as well as the clarity of roles and responsibilities, effectiveness of decision-making, etc.
• Assess adequacy of implementation support arrangements (approach, resources), usefulness to anticipate problems, and effectiveness of follow-up recommendations and actions.
• Assess the degree of compliance with the project"s fiduciary and safeguards aspects and with project legal covenants in the Grant Agreement
• Reassess project risks, identifying any new risks that need to be taken into consideration and make recommendations for mitigation.

3. Scope and Focus of this evaluation:

Within this framework, specific issues (and questions) to be assessed will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Relevance

• Establish whether or not the design and approach of the project are relevant in addressing the identified needs, issues and challenges as far as addressing blue economy objectives and principles.
• To what extent is the project contributing to the strategic policies and programmes of the OECS and that of the partners? How could relevance be improved in future?

Effectiveness

• Are the activities implemented in accordance with the project plans? If not, why?
• What outputs have been achieved? To what extent do they contribute to the objectives?
• How effective are the approaches and structures in delivering the desired outputs? How can they be improved?
• Do the partner organizations work together effectively? Is the partnership structure and the geographical focus effective in achieving the desired outputs? How can the partnership be improved?

Efficiency

• Are the available technical and financial resources adequate to fulfil the project plans?
• Are the funds being spent in accordance with project plans and using the right procedures?
• Have there been any unforeseen problems in terms of resources (technical and financial) allocation and utilization? How well were they dealt with?
• Are the capacities of the partners adequate?
• What have been the roles of the partners and staff and are they appropriate?
• Is there an effective process, built into the management structure for self-monitoring and assessment, reporting and reflection? How could it be made better?

Sustainability

• Is the approach used likely to ensure a continued benefit after the end of the project?
• Are all key stakeholders sufficiently and effectively involved? Are their expectations met and are they satisfied with their level of participation?
• Are alternative or additional measures needed and, if so, what is required to ensure continued sustainability and positive impact?

Impact

• Has the project achieved set goals with regard to strengthen the enabling environment for the blue economy, economic recovery, and resilience of selected coastal assets in participating countries and provide immediate and effective response to an eligible emergency?
• Has there been visible evidence in the development of an enabling environment for recovery of the Blue Economy?
• Is the project bringing about desired changes in the behavior of people and institutions?
• Have there been any unintended positive or negative impacts arising from particular outcomes/results?
• What could have been the likely situation (of the environment and its management?) without the project?

The midterm evaluation aims to determine if the regional UBEC Project supported activities are beginning to bring about the change anticipated at the outset of the project and assess the livelihood of the project achieving its project development objective within the current project timeframe. It also aims to examine which factors are proving critical in making change happen (or in hindering change) and which changes to the project design would be required to ensure achievement of the stated objectives.

• Methodology

The general methodology will comprise, inter alia:

• A desk review- of reports (narrative and financial), audit reports, review of key project documents including monitoring and evaluation frameworks. A desk review of all relevant documentation, including (but not limited to): The project documents, contracts and related agreements/Work-plans and budgets/ Progress Technical and Financial Reports
• Virtual and face-to-face interviews and discussions with all key stakeholders involved in the project to ensure that the review is carried out in a participatory manner. A list of key partners and stakeholders would be identified at an early stage and a consultation process developed. All stakeholders consulted should be in a position to present their views in confidence to the team and to identify issues, opportunities, constraints and options for the future.

• Final Output (Evaluation Report)

The main body of the report should not exceed 30 pages and should include an executive summary and recommendations. Technical details should be confined to appendices, which should also include a list of stakeholders interviewed. Background information should only be included when it is directly relevant to the report’s analysis and conclusions.

The consultant should support their analysis of regional UBEC Project achievements and failures with relevant data and state how this has been sourced. Recommendations should also include details as to how they might be implemented.

• Administrative Arrangements and Reporting

The Consultant for this assignment will report to the Programme Director, Sustainable Ocean Management Programme at the OECS Commission and will work closely with the PIU staff, especially the Project Manager, Grants Manager, M&E Officer and Social Safeguards Specialist.

The PIU team will facilitate all introductions required and will provide full access to the project documents, project reports, and any other relevant information required by the consultant for the assignment. The PIU will update the Results Framework in time for the MTR.

• Timing and Schedule

The consultant should develop and submit a detailed schedule for the review work, taking into account the following general guidance: the MTR mission is scheduled to take place in late April to early May 2025 and as such, the Consultant must be able to deliver a draft report by mid-April well prior to the MTR mission – preparation of the report is not expected to include in-country visits. The consultant is also expected to join the MTR mission, which is planned for late April to early May 2025. It is suggested that the tasks may be broken down as follows, but consultants must consider this and propose their own timeline and schedule:

a. Review of background documentation and preparation of the methodology

b. Discussion and agreement on proposed methodology with project partners

c. Assessment of project progress and performance – including field visits and interviews with project partners and key stakeholders

d. Analysis of findings and production of draft report

e. Debriefing - presentation and discussion of MTR report findings to the client and key partners

f. Participation in the MTR mission

g. Finalization/revisions of the report and submission

As a separate deliverable, the consultant will be expected to prepare a power point presentation on key MTR findings and present it to OECS management.

• Outputs

The following three (3) outputs will result from this consultancy:

• Output 1: Detailed schedule for the review work
• Output 2: Draft MTR report and power point presentation on key MTR findings
• Output 3: Final MTR report and updated presentation.

• Deliverables Time Table

Work under this assignment is anticipated to be done over 25 professional days and undertaken over a period of 3 months (February 17 to May 14, 2025) and the Consultant is expected to deliver the following within the stipulated timeframe:

• Indicative Payment Schedule

• Qualifications

The Individual Consultant is expected to have:

• Advanced qualifications in sustainable development/environmental management/economics with experience in project design and evaluation.
• A minimum of 5 years of overall consulting experience.
• Experience in evaluation projects with at least 2 previous similar assignments.
• Experience with OECS and/or World Bank-financed projects would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of ocean matters or environmental management in the Eastern Caribbean or similar SIDS and multi-country projects, would be an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Experience in the English-speaking Caribbean region would be an asset.

[1] Details can be viewed on the World Bank Project website https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P171833

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