1. Background
The Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI) is an independent, non-profit think tank and consultancy firm established in 2006 to support the member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in particular and African Countries at large on policy research and institutional capacity building. HESPI provides high quality economic and social policy analysis and research on issues of national or regional interest. HESPI the formulation and implementation of sound economic and social policies, focuses on and provides advisory services to facilitate inclusive and sustainable economic governance and environmental management.
Some of the core research and thematic engagements of the Institute are, inter alia, agriculture and other productive sectors development, food security, Environmental Sustainability, and Climate Change (CC) Adaptation and Resilience Building. HESPI also engages in Public Finance Management (PFM), Financial Transparency, Accountability and Integrity, Regional Economic Integration, Trade development, and macroeconomic fundamentals management.
Recently, combined with the challenges of insecurity and turbulent political transitions, the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic, the soaring inflation and economic crisis, adverse CC is seriously affecting the lives and livelihoods in the HoA countries. HESPI therefore recognizes the fact that Environmental Sustainability and CC Adaptation require concerted efforts, innovative approaches for addressing these challenges at national and regional levels. Thus, it has the institutional commitment to pursue needs-based empirical studies and make policy influence on matters and ways of enhancing CC adaptation, resilience building, environmental sustainability & addressing climate injustice, adaptation, mitigation and enhancing resilience building.
HESPI has been taking the approach of (i) generating and disseminating knowledge to create understanding in the areas of adaption and resilience building to improve the customary practices and reduce vulnerability; (ii) advising in setting up functional institutional systems and regulatory frameworks for climate governance and Disaster Risk Management; (iii) advising the access to climate financing for adaption; (iv) advising to develop sustainable and gender- inclusive, participatory adaptation and resilience building national programs; (v) promoting regionally harmonized and sound CC strategies; (vi) building the capacities at different levels including communities, and governments; and (vii) addressing the impacts of renewable energies, water management, food security, health, agriculture, forestry. Under the Strategic Plan of 2024-28, CC Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability, are the main focuses of HESPI. However, recent organizational capacity needs assessment conducted under the Strengthening African Leadership for Climate Adaptation (SALCA)1 program coordinated by the African Capacity
The primary objective of the SALCA Program is to enhance the organizational performance of entities, such as HESPI, working on climate adaptation in agriculture sector in Africa through the provision of capacity building support.
Building Foundation (ACBF) disclosed that HESPI needs to strengthen its climate adaptation research and advocacy expertise. This TOR is for HESPI to procure climate adaptation senior research to augment and enhance the Institute’s skills and capacity for climate research. The TOR outlines the objective, scope of work, methodology, deliverables and engagement terms and conditions of the consultancy service.
2. Objectives
The primary objective of the assignment is to improve the CC adaptation research skill and knowledge of HESPI research and program team through:
Strengthen staff capacity through hands-on training on climate adaptation research tools and methodology and the science of CC. Conduct Climate Context Analysis (risks and opportunities) & Map of existing adaptation knowledge in the IGAD region to pursue evidence-based climate adaptation agenda and recommend appropriate climate actions.
Initiate and develop 3-4 high-quality Climate Adaptation research proposals for submission to funding agencies such as Green Climate Fund (GCF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), USAID and other funding agencies.
Develop CC adaptation research program strategy for HESPI (which covers context analysis/scoping of the IGAD region, adaptation research, dissemination and advocacy messaging)
Conduct research on ways of building of appropriate adaptation technologies and adoption of climate smart agriculture by communities/farmers to increase production, build resilience; reduce climate related risks; and improve disaster risk management.
3. Scope of Work
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing her/his support to the HESPI research team in four fronts (i) Technical Capacity Building (ii) strategizing the Institute’s climate
adaptation research portfolio, and (iii) Climate Finance Mobilization, and (iv) networking and partnership building. Under these subheads, the consultant will:
- Provide hands-on training for HESPI’s relevant research and program team on (sciences, tools and methodologies), conduct action-oriented Climate Adaptation Research, and familiarize the team on successful ways of disseminating policy recommendations.
- Conduct CC context analysis of the IGAD region, asses HESPI’s internal set up & institutional capacity (strengths & opportunities), and develop climate change adaptation policy research strategy/guideline for HESPI
- Under Climate Financing, Conduct mapping of the Climate Adaptation Research financiers; assess the Institute’s internal capacity, and develop at least 4 bankable climate adaptation projects to solicit funding.
- Under networking and partnership building, the consultant will scope and map out a network of funding partners on climate adaptation research and establish effective partnership.
4. Deliverables and delivery dates
Key deliverables of the consultancy service are:
- Submit inception report detailing the approach/methodology and work plan that the consultant will follow in conducting and building research capacity, soliciting climate finance, and building adaptation research strategy of the institute.
- Produce training curriculum on climate adaptation research standard tools and methodologies and provide hands-on training on climate adaptation research tools.
- CC context analysis summary report of the IGAD region.
- Asses HESPI’s institutional and the research team capacity to run full-cycle of climate
- adaptation research programs/projects, and produce a report.
- Do climate adaptation donor mapping for policy research and dissemination organizations, and generate a report.
- Develop and submit to funding agencies at least bankable climate adaptation projects, map climate adaptation agencies and establish effective partnerships.
| No | Deliverables | Tentative Timeline |
| 1. | Presentation of inception report | 1 September 2024 |
| 2. |
Produce training curriculum on climate adaptation research standard tools and methodologies, and provide hands-on training on climate adaptation research tools & methodologies |
20 September 2024 |
| 3. | Conduct a CC context analysis summary report of the IGAD region | 30 November 2024 |
| 4. | Asses HESPI’s institutional and the research team capacity to run full- cycle of climate adaptation research programs/projects, and produce a report | 30 October 2024 |
| 5. | Develop at least 4 bankable climate adaptation projects per year and Map climate adaptation agencies, liaise with functioning partnerships | 30 January 2025 |
| 6. | Conduct climate adaptation donor mapping for policy research organizations, and generate a report | 30 August 2026 |
| 7. | Conduct Climate Adaptation Research for 2 years | 1 September 2024-30 August 2026 |
5. Required Qualification, Experience and Competencies
5.1 Qualification
- A minimum of a Master’s degree and preferably a PhD in a field related to Climate Change adaptation and resilience, Environmental Sciences/studies, Development Economics, or other closely-related fields of study.
- A certified and verifiable on-the job training in climate adaptation research, climate research resources mobilization, climate adaptation research capacity building, climate research strategy developing, leading advocacy or related topics.
5.2. Experience
- At least 9 years of relevant experience in CC research (design and implementation), policy and strategy development.
- Familiarity with Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other international pioneer organizations in Climate Adaptation project implementation modalities, regulations/ rules.
- Work experience in an academic research or regional organization with GEF or other climate funding mechanisms and facilities will be an asset.
5.3. Competencies
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and ability to work independently.
- Strong interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with diverse stakeholders
- including government, CSOs and wider development partners.
- Commitment to team work and to working across disciplines.
- Strong analytical, writing, communication and advocacy skills.
- IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications.
- Result-oriented, exhibiting high level of enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy and integrity
6. Duration of the Assignment
The start date of the assignment is third quarter of 2024 and continues for 12 months.
7. Location and working/payment arrangement
The consultant will be based at HESPI Head Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The pay for this assignment will be competitive and made on delivery basis along the critical milestones or deliverables.
8. How to Apply
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and their technical and financial proposals to contacthespi@hespi.org copied to daniel.fantaye@hespi.org and fredu.nega@hespi.org in 15 days from the day of advertisement.
