TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTING SERVICES: PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROJECT NETWORKS4CONSERVATION: COMBATING DEFORESTATION THROUGH LOCAL NETWORKS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE CONSERVATION (CO-FUNDED BY IKI – INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE INITIATIVE)
1. Client
Caritas international (Ci) is the international division of Caritas Germany (DCV) - the coordinating body of social action provided by the Catholic Church and member of the global Caritas network. Climate change mitigation, adaptation and the protection of biodiversity are in the strategic focus of Ci. Ci’s work is based on respect for people in need, participation and clear needs and rights orientation.
The project “Networks4conservation: Combating deforestation through local networks for transformative conservation” aims at curbing deforestation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land-use, landuse change and forestry to support the implementation of Brazil’s Deforestation Prevention and Control Plans (PPCDs) in the Cerrado, Pantanal, Caatinga, Atlantic Forest and Pampa biomes. The project will be implemented by a consortium of Ci (consortium lead), Rede Cerrado, Articulação no Semiárido Brasileiro (ASA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in cooperation with further technical partners (e.g. Rede Ecovida), finance institutions and national and subnational political partners. For the latter, the Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima (MMA) serves as the focal point.
2. Context
Deforestation poses the biggest threat to the achievement of Brazil’s NDC targets and its 2030 zero deforestation goal. The project aims at curbing deforestation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land-use, land-use change and forestry to support the implementation of Brazil’s Deforestation Prevention and Control Plans (PPCDs). The effective implementation of PPCDs across all Brazilian biomes presents an opportunity to support the reduction of deforestation through public policies. This enforcement strategy needs to be coupled with innovative incentives to change the rationale for land use, including comprehensive socio-ecological transformations, innovative finance solutions and novel stakeholder partnerships. These solutions need to be locally rooted. Ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, as outlined in Brazil’s new Climate Plan and National Adaptation Strategy, are vital in this regard.
In particular, new socio-biodiversity product chains will create income opportunities, strengthen resilience and incentivize biodiversity conservation (work package 1). Consolidated and well managed protected areas will provide biodiversity resources (work package 3). Innovative financing instruments leveraging respective investments at scale will be developed together with governmental authorities and implemented by the project (work package 2). Close collaboration with the government, broad stakeholder participation, research, lobby and capacity development (work package 4) are further means for achieving sustained results.
Direct beneficiaries and main target groups are family farmers, indigenous peoples and traditional populations (such as quilombola communities, babassu coconut breakers, traditional herders, and caatinga inhabitants among many others), directly included in the proposal by their respective networks in the biomes: Rede Cerrado (Cerrado, Pantanal), ASA (Caatinga) and Rede Ecovida (Atlantic Forest, Pampa - Ecovida will be subcontracted). Another target group are medium-sized farmers, particularly in regions experiencing the highest deforestation rates.
In November 2024, the project's outline was selected, and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) invited the project consortium to submit a detailed proposal as part of the Country Call Brazil 20241 under the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The full project is currently being prepared for submission in August 2025 to IKI. Besides the consortium organizations, the elaboration process involves a substantial number of political partners (particularly from the MMA) and stakeholders at various levels.
3. Purpose and key activities of the consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to:
(i) support Ci, Rede Cerrado, ASA, and Rede Ecovida in the detailed elaboration of work packages 1, 3, and 4, while ensuring alignment of work package 2 with the specific consultant responsible for its development and ensure a coherent overall results logic and results framework;
(ii) verify the coherence and plausibility of the planned budget (Annex 3) in relation to the proposed intervention;
(iii) support Ci in aligning the project concept and project governance framework with political partners and key stakeholders in Brazil;
(iv) support the elaboration of a robust and compelling project proposal, including Annex 1 (Gantt chart), Annex 2 (project description), and Annex 5 (organization chart), in full compliance with all relevant IKI guidelines and templates2 .
The following key activities are essential to successfully achieving the aforementioned objectives:
• Facilitating work sessions and workshops (mainly digital) with consortium members
• Regular participation in (digital) meetings with the project’s steering committee and relevant working groups
• Supporting dialogue with relevant focal points within the MMA and other political partners
• Ongoing coordination with the project lead Ci and a specialized IKI consultant in Germany
4. Deliverables
Number, Description, Tentative deadlines
1 Draft results logic and framework, 09/06/2025
2 Initial draft of the full proposal (including Annexes 1, 2 and 5), 13/07/2025
3 Revised draft version(s) of the full proposal, Depending on workflow
4 Final version of the full proposal (including Annexes 1, 2 and 5), 18/08/2025
All deliverables must be written in English, with working versions also required in Portuguese.
5. Timeline
The consultant is expected to work up to 40 days between May and August 31st, 2025, although this time will not be distributed evenly and will need to be adapted according to deadlines and project activities.
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1 https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/find-funding/country-call/country-call-brazil/
2 https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/iki-documents-for-download/
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6. Required expertise
➢ Master's degree or PhD in environmental or other related areas
➢ At least 5 years of experience in project development, including logical frameworks and budgeting; prior experience with the International Climate Initiative (IKI) is considered an asset.
➢ At least 5 years of experience in bioeconomy, sustainable land use, forest management, and related fields, with in-depth knowledge of relevant Brazilian governmental programs/plans and policies
➢ Expertise in topics related to traditional communities, indigenous peoples, and smallholder farmers
➢ At least 5 years of experience facilitating dialogue between NGOs, donors, and government institutions (particularly the MMA) to support joint decision-making and consensus-building
➢ At least 5 years of professional experience in Brazil
➢ Fluency in Portuguese and English
➢ Being based in Brazil – ideally in Brasília – is considered an asset.
7. Requirements for submitting the proposal
• Cover letter
• Technical proposal
• Financial proposal
• Curriculum vitae
8. Schedule of payments
Payment will be made according to the number of days worked, with the contract for a maximum total of 40 days.
9. Deadline for submission of the tender
Submission of the proposal via e-mail by May 12 to
Manuel Brettschneider
Project Lead
Caritas Germany
Department Latin America
D-79104 Freiburg, Karlstraße 40
Manuel.Brettschneider@caritas.de