Terms of Reference (ToR)*
| Position Title | : | Institutional Strengthening on REDD+ Consultant |
| Program | : | GREEN for Riau Initiative – Jurisdictional REDD+ |
| Location | : | Riau Province, Indonesia (provincial and field-level coordination required) |
| Duration | : | 6 months |
| Reports To | : | GREEN for Riau Secretariat, Country Coordinator of UNEP UNREDD Programme in Indonesia, Project Coordinator from Yayasan PILI |
| Coordination | : | Bappeda Riau, DLHK Riau, Provincial REDD+ Working Groups (MRV, Safeguards, STRADA, Finance, BSM), and other related consultants under the GREEN for Riau Initiative |
1. Background
The GREEN for Riau Initiative supports the implementation of Jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD+) in Riau Province as a strategic pathway to achieve emissions reduction, sustainable land use, and inclusive green development. Effective implementation of REDD+ at the subnational level requires strong institutional arrangements, clear roles and responsibilities, coordinated multi-sectoral engagement, and enhanced capacity across government and non-government stakeholders.
While Riau has made significant progress in developing REDD+ technical components (including STRADA, MRV, safeguards, and financing mechanisms) institutional fragmentation, limited coordination across sectors, and uneven capacity at provincial and regional levels remain key challenges. These gaps may constrain the effectiveness, sustainability, and credibility of REDD+ implementation and readiness for result-based payments.
To address these challenges, the Institutional Strengthening on REDD+ Consultant will support the consolidation of institutional roles, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and build capacity across government institutions, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, communities, and the private sector. The assignment will focus on facilitating structured dialogue, strengthening cross-working group collaboration, and enhancing regional-level readiness to ensure inclusive, transparent, and effective REDD+ governance in Riau.
2. Objectives
The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen institutional capacity and coordination for effective Jurisdictional REDD+ implementation in Riau Province.
Specific objectives include:
- Strengthening institutional clarity, coordination, and collaboration among provincial agencies and REDD+ stakeholders.
- Enhancing the capacity of cross-sectoral REDD+ working groups to understand and operationalize REDD+ architecture (MRV, safeguards, STRADA, BSM, finance, and nesting).
- Building institutional and stakeholder capacity at the regional (district and community) level to support inclusive REDD+ implementation.
- Supporting alignment of REDD+ priorities with provincial and regional development policies and planning frameworks.
3. Scope of Work
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Institutional Coordination and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
- Design, prepare, and facilitate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with relevant provincial agencies related to REDD+, land use, forestry, planning, and finance.
- Support identification and clarification of institutional roles and responsibilities for REDD+ implementation in Riau.
- Facilitate dialogue to strengthen alignment between REDD+ priorities and provincial development policies.
- Consolidate multi-sectoral inputs to improve coordination mechanisms under the GREEN for Riau Initiative.
- Document agreed follow-up actions and coordination mechanisms to ensure sustainability beyond the FGDs.
2. Capacity Building for Cross-Working Groups on REDD+
- Design and deliver capacity-building activities for cross-sectoral REDD+ working groups.
- Develop and deliver training modules on REDD+ architecture, including MRV, safeguards, STRADA, BSM, finance, and nesting approaches.
- Facilitate joint discussions to enhance collaboration, coordination, and problem-solving across working groups.
- Support the development of a jointly agreed action plan to strengthen REDD+ governance and operational coordination at the working group level.
3. Regional-Level Capacity Building on REDD+
- Design and organize regional-level workshops involving district institutions, local governments, communities, and other stakeholders.
- Strengthen understanding of REDD+ architecture, monitoring, and reporting at the local level.
- Enhance institutional linkages between provincial and district actors for REDD+ implementation.
- Promote inclusive participation, including Indigenous Peoples, women, and local communities, in REDD+ initiatives.
4. Documentation and Knowledge Management
- Prepare technical documentation, reports, and training materials in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
- Consolidate lessons learned, institutional gaps, and recommendations to inform ongoing REDD+ governance strengthening in Riau.
4. Deliverables / Outputs
| No | Deliverable | Description | Timeline |
| 1 | Workplan | Submission of Detailed Work Plan and Inception Report outlining the methodology, timeline, and key activities to be undertaken | Month 1 |
| 2 | ToRs, Concepts, and Agendas for Provincial FGDs | Six (6) ToRs/concepts and agendas | Month 1 |
| 3 | Provincial FGDs Implementation Report | Documentation of FGDs, institutional role mapping, alignment with provincial policies, and agreed follow-up actions | Month 2 |
| 4 | ToRs, Concepts, and Agendas for Cross-Working Group Capacity Building | Four (4) ToRs/concepts and agendas | Month 2 |
| 5 | Cross-Working Group Capacity Building Report | Training materials, participant outcomes, and jointly developed REDD+ action plan | Month 3 |
| 6 | ToRs, Concepts, and Agendas for Regional Workshops | Four (4) ToRs/concepts and agendas | Month 3 |
| 7 | Regional-Level Capacity Building Report | Documentation of four regional workshops, improved understanding, and strengthened provincial–district linkages | Month 4 |
| 8 | Draft Institutional Strengthening Report | Consolidated findings, lessons learned, and preliminary recommendations | Month 5 |
| 9 | Final Institutional Strengthening Report | Final report incorporating feedback and policy-relevant recommendations | Month 6 |
Note: All Deliverables/outputs should be made in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
5. Expected Outcomes
- Strengthened institutional coordination and governance framework for REDD+ in Riau Province.
- Improved capacity and collaboration of cross-sectoral REDD+ working groups.
- Enhanced regional and community-level readiness and participation in REDD+ implementation.
- Clearer alignment between REDD+ priorities and provincial/regional development planning.
6. Qualifications
1. Education & Experience:
- Minimum Master’s degree in Environmental Policy, Development Studies, Public Administration, Forestry, Climate Change, or related fields.
- At least 5 years of professional experience in REDD+, climate governance, institutional strengthening, or related development programs.
- Demonstrated experience working with subnational governments, multi-stakeholder platforms, and capacity-building initiatives.
2. Technical Skills:
- Strong understanding of REDD+ architecture, including MRV, safeguards, STRADA, nesting, and financing mechanisms.
- Proven experience in facilitating FGDs, trainings, and multi-stakeholder coordination processes.
- Experience integrating social inclusion, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, gender equality, and safeguards into program implementation.
3. Other Requirements:
- Excellent facilitation, analytical, and report-writing skills.
- Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia (written and spoken).
- Familiarity with the Riau Province context is highly desirable.
*) This TOR may be adjusted if required during the recruitment process.