REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) For Consultancy Services

National Environment & Planning Agency 10 & 11 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica W.I. Tel: (876) 754-7540 Fax: (876) 754-7595-6, toll free help-line: 1-888-991-5005 Website: http://www.nepa.gov.jm REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) For Consultancy Services Date: October 28, 2011 Subject: RE: GIS Information Management Specialist 1. You are invited to submit proposal for consultancy services in accordance with the requirements laid down in Attachment 1/ Terms of Reference. 2. Kindly submit - A copy of a valid Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC). 3. The deadline for receipt of your quotation is Monday, November 14, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Submission received after this deadline will not be accepted 4. Quotations are acceptable in hard copy to: RFP- GIS Information Management Specialist ATTN: Procurement Officer The National Environment & Planning Agency 11 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5 Reference# 2011-10-FOM-12 5. Your quotation should be submitted as per the following instructions: (i) Validity of the Offer: Your quotation should be valid for a period of 45 days from the date of submission of quotations as indicated in Paragraph 6 of this Invitation to Quote. (ii). Delivery Schedule: as per expected output (TOR 5.) (iii). Payment Schedule: Payment will be made upon submission and acceptance of deliverable iv). Selection Method: The fixed budget selection method is being used, the available budget is United States Thirty Two Thousand Dollars (USD$32,000.00) inclusive of reimbursable cost. The consultant with the highest ranked technical proposal will be selected. 1

6. Further information can be obtained from the undersigned: Procurement Officer The National Environment & Planning Agency Tel: 754-7540 Fax: 754-7596 Email: Procurement@nepa.gov.jm 2

National Environment and Planning Agency ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT TERMS OF REFERENCE GIS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has received funds from the European Union (EU) under the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) for the Implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Project. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is implementing a component of this project with expected critical success factor to; increase the resilience of selected coastal areas against potential climate change impacts. The project s objective is to assist with the adaptation to climate change and to contribute to the sustainable development of Jamaica by increasing the resilience of vulnerable areas and reducing the risks that are associated with natural hazards, particularly in vulnerable communities 1.0 BACKGROUND Jamaica s natural resources have suffered a decline in quantity and quality over time, due primarily to a heavy dependence on these resources, cultural/traditional unsustainable practices, and the many natural hazards which have affected the island. The coastal zone contains an estimated 75% of industries and service sectors and is responsible for generating approximately 90% of the island s GDP. The island s two international airports are also located along the coast. In addition, more than 60% of Jamaica s population resides within 2 km of the coast, with the majority either reliant on, or affected by coastal activities. In 2007, a total of about 71% of the poor lived in rural areas and the livelihoods of a large proportion of households in these areas depend on natural resources. Over the last 25-30 years, Jamaica has experienced an increase in the frequency of natural events, primarily floods related to inclement weather, tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, and droughts and landslides. The adverse impacts of hurricanes included a decline in the health of coral reefs; loss of seagrass beds; severe beach erosion and loss of forested areas. The island has, and will continue to be affected by increased frequency and intensity of tropical weather systems, which can partly be attributed to climate change. Between 2004 and 2008, five major storm events caused damage and losses estimated at US$1.2 billion. These have had significant impact on the national economy; the quality of the country s natural environment and the livelihoods of thousands of people, particularly in rural areas. In addition, the country has experienced loss of lives and property; damage to infrastructure; periodic isolation of communities; and disruption to the school system and health services. Jamaica s wetlands were thought to have covered approximately 2% of the islands total surface, but have declined. They have been impacted severely by the passage of several tropical cyclones and frontal systems over the years. Mangrove forests occur along much of Jamaica s south coast and in isolated strands along the north coast. These mangrove ecosystems are the breeding habitats for many marine species, including shrimp, molluscs, mussels, clams, oysters and some fish, which are very important food resources for the country. Mangroves assist in improving 3

coastal water quality; in addition, they protect shorelines from erosion and other harmful effects of strong winds and waves. Environmental degradation affects all levels local and national. At the local level, the coastal communities who depend on these ecosystems are disadvantaged; residents often rely primarily on agriculture and/or tourism. Housing is often compromised, particularly with the onset of tropical systems. At the national level, the economy is likely to be affected as agriculture and tourism are critical to sustaining it. It is therefore critical that action is taken at all levels, particularly through collaborative efforts, to reduce further degradation and to restore terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems and ensuring greater resilience to climate change impacts. Jamaica, is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, and faces direct threats from climate change because of its geographic location. Detailed climate modeling has not yet been possible for Jamaica, but preliminary research suggests that the region is likely to see increases in extreme weather events such as flood rains and droughts, and an increase in the intensity of hurricanes. Coastal areas in Jamaica are at the forefront of climate change impacts as they are directly affected by storm surges, physical development and sea level rise. With sea levels projected to rise by an average of 2-3mm per year during the first half of this century, the effects on the coastal areas will be severe, and include erosion and coastal land subsidence. Coastal areas are already affected by saline intrusion which is likely to be exacerbated by climate change. These issues highlight the importance of this project which seeks to reduce risks and assist with adaptation to climate change. The project targets various groups these include; CBOs, NGOs, students, teachers, farmers, fisherfolk, Private Sector groups, media groups, Local Authorities, and communities. Many of the activities within the project will use lessons learnt from other projects, and may also act as a tool for other projects or programmes. Additionally, it is expected to have a multiplier effect on the local and national levels. Communities and other local groups stand to benefit from improved resilience of natural ecosystems such that there will be less damage and losses from weather systems. On a macro-economic scale, however, the benefits may be seen in reduced damage and loss due to storm events, and the protection of those sectors which play a key part in sustaining the economy including agriculture and tourism. The project will build on scientific knowledge through data collection. In Jamaica, farming and fishing is mainly done by males, therefore they will be targeted specifically through public education programmes, in order to overcome some destructive traditions and practices. The project is expected to improve the country s adaptation efforts and will complement work currently being supported by other International Development Partners, for example, the Caribbean Development Bank, Inter- American Development Bank, USAID, UNEP, UNDP and the World Bank. 2.0 OBJECTIVES The project s objective is to assist with the adaptation to climate change and to contribute to the sustainable development of Jamaica by increasing the resilience of vulnerable areas and reducing the risks that are associated with natural hazards, particularly in vulnerable communities. The project specifically aims to reduce downstream run-off and associated negative environmental and human impacts through rehabilitation and improved management of selected watersheds; to increase resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate change impacts through restoration and protection of selected ecosystems; and to enhance institutional and local level capacity from climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction through increasing capabilities and raising awareness. 3.0 CHARACTERISTICS Type of Consultancy: Individual Consultant DURATION: MONTHS (12) MONTHS 4

Level of effort: 150 days Budget: US$32,000.00 (inclusive of reimbursable cost) 4.0 SCOPE OF WORK The GIS/Information Management Specialist will be required to review documents including existing reports, plans and policies related to Coastal Zone Management, review and streamline information to NEPA s existing information management database, consult with internal and external stakeholders, and lead the process of linking the database with existing geospatial data. Specifically, the GIS/Information Management Specialist will carry out the following tasks: 1. The development of a GIS decision-making tool for defining coastal development setback lines. The product must include but not be limited to: a. The creation and/or revision of the existing coastal setback lines to ensure the following: i. Protection of coastal public and private properties and public safety. ii. Preservation of the aesthetic values of the coastal zone. iii. Prohibition and/or restrictions for building, erecting, alteration or extension of structures that are wholly or partially seaward of the recommended coastal setback line. iv. Anticipated sea-level rise from global models and predictions are also considered in the establishment of setbacks. b. The creation of site specific setback line maps that can be made available to the public 2. The development of a GIS decision-making tool set for the pre-screening of development applications especially within the coastal zone to assist the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. This tool should be guided by existing forms and written guidelines as dictated by the EIA committee. The product must include but not be limited to : a. An EIA pre-screening GIS tool. b. A coastal development site suitability analysis tool. c. A site selection tool for coastal restoration of mangrove and seagrass beds. 3. The development of an environmental sensitivity map to address issues related to coastal vulnerabilities related to climate change. The product should include be not be limited to analysis of : a. Change in coastal wetland cover and distribution. b. Change is seagrass bed distribution. c. Change in coral reef health. d. Areas vulnerable to sea level rise. 4. The development of project outcome maps with specific themes and or layers based on restoration initiatives completed in the selected Marine Protected Areas, including mangrove & restoration activities, artificial reef and mooring buoy placement etc.. The GIS/Information Management Specialist will also be required to: i. Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to identify GIS needs and develop appropriate dataset management system/gis software pertaining to the defined tasks. ii. Coordinate the development of task related GIS Maps for the Climate Change Project. iii. Develop data and mapping standards. iv. Maintain the data repository related to the Climate Change Project. v. Create the associated metadata for all outputs created during the consultancy. 5

vi. Work with data to create themes and layers for use in GIS. vii. Conduct analysis and relate separate datasets to create analytical products. viii. Develop and deliver a short training and skills development programme to officers currently within NEPA and other government agencies/departments including but not limited to use of created decision making tools, map creation and metadata. 5. EXPECTED OUTPUTS (Deliverables) Deliverables Approximate Due Date 1. A decision-making tool for defining coastal development setback lines. May 2012 2. A decision-making tool set for the prescreening of development applications July 2012 especially within the coastal zone to assist the EIA process. 3. Delivery of designed short GIS training and skills development Programme, and December 2011 corresponding training report. 4. An environmental sensitivity map to address coastal vulnerabilities issues related to October 2012 climate change. 5. Project outcome maps with specific themes and/or layers based on restoration initiatives November 2012 completed in the selected Marine Protected Areas. 6. QUALIFICATIONS: a. First degree in Database Development/Computer Sciences/GIS or a related field (Masters Degree preferred); b. At least 4 years of demonstrated experience in Information Management with GIS; c. Successful training/experience in database management and programming; d. Knowledge of environmental management is an asset e. Ability to work with images and use of remote sensing; f. Proficiency in ERDAS software; g. Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English; h. Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks; i. Demonstrate ability to work within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural group; and 6

j. Highly motivated and capable of working independently. Ability to work with a wide variety of people from governments, agencies, NGOs, and research institutions is essential. 7.0 REPORTING RELATIONSHIP The GIS/Information Management Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator Adaptation to Climate Change Increasing Resilience of Coastal Ecosystems, with technical oversight provided by the Manager IT Branch of NEPA, Manager Ecosystems Management Branch of NEPA and the GIS Coordinator Map Registry of NEPA. 7