Comprehensive LandScale Baseline Assessment & Micro-Landscape Profiling

Comprehensive LandScale Baseline Assessment & Micro-Landscape Profiling
GEF–UNEP Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) India Project
Issued by Rainforest Alliance (RA)
Deadline: 7 May 2026 (23:55 IST)

1. Project Overview & Objective

The Rainforest Alliance, on behalf of GEF–UNEP, seeks a specialized consultancy to implement a LandScale-based baseline assessment and micro-landscape profiling in Kodagu District, Karnataka (India).

The project aims to:

• Achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
• Strengthen biodiversity conservation
• Improve rural livelihoods
• Establish Sustainable Landscape Management Plans (SLMPs)

Core Deliverables (3 Objectives)

1. Indicator Framework Development
   • Create a LandScale-aligned Micro-Landscape Indicator Framework
   • Include:
     • ≤10 Cross-cutting indicators
     • Context-specific micro-landscape indicators
2. Kodagu Baseline Assessment
   • Collect and validate baseline data across all four LandScale pillars
   • Upload and validate data on the LandScale platform
3. Thithimathi–Deverapura Micro-Profile
   • Analyze:
     • Productivity systems
     • Ecosystem services
     • Human well-being
   • Integrate findings into district-level baseline

2. LandScale Framework Requirements

All work must follow LandScale (2025 version) aligned with global standards (SDGs, Bonn Challenge, etc.).

Four Pillars

• Ecosystems: biodiversity, land use, water, GHG
• Human Well-being: poverty, rights, health, education
• Governance: land tenure, participation, transparency
• Production: agriculture, efficiency, sustainability

Indicator Taxonomy

• Core Indicators (mandatory)
• Additional Indicators (context-based)
• Metrics:
  • Essential (required)
  • Complementary (optional)

Cross-Cutting Themes

Must be integrated across all pillars:

• Climate change
• Gender equity
• Human rights
• Economic sustainability

3. Scope of Work & Methodology

A. Data Collection

A hybrid methodology is required:

1. Remote Sensing & GIS
   • Land use/cover mapping
   • Ecosystem fragmentation
   • GHG accounting
   • Water resource analysis
2. Household Surveys & FGDs
   • Statistically valid sampling
   • Minimum 3 FGDs (women, youth, mixed)
   • Focus on vulnerable groups
3. Key Informant Interviews (≥15)
   • Government, NGOs, private sector
   • Governance, production, land tenure
4. Secondary Data Review
   • Policy, academic, and project documents

B. Validation Requirements

Mandatory multi-level validation:

• Internal expert QA
• Independent local expert validation
• GIS verification
• LandScale platform validation
• Discrepancy log (required annex)

C. Reporting Outputs

Final Report must include:

• Executive Summary (2–3 pages)
• Indicator Framework
• Baseline Results (Kodagu)
• Micro-profile (Thithimathi–Deverapura)
• Case studies (narrative + visuals)
• Methodological annex
• Strategic recommendations

4. Project Timeline & Effort

• Duration: 90 days
• Total effort: 144 person-days

Phases

1. Inception & planning
2. Indicator development
3. Field data collection
4. Validation & platform input
5. Reporting & dissemination

5. Deliverables & Payment Milestones

9 milestone-based deliverables (D1–D9), including:

• Workplan & methodology
• Indicator framework (draft & final)
• Baseline assessment
• LandScale validation
• Final report
• Stakeholder presentation

Payment tied strictly to milestone approval.

6. Team Composition (Mandatory)

Core Team (6–8 members)

1. Assessment Lead / Project Manager
2. 4 Pillar Experts (≥7 years each):
   • Ecosystems
   • Governance
   • Production
   • Social (Human Well-being) – mandatory
3. GIS Expert
4. Operational / Local Support (1–2)

Key Requirements

• Strong experience in:
  • Sustainability assessments
  • Human rights
  • GIS & spatial analysis
• Proven multi-stakeholder engagement
• Strong English reporting skills

7. Financial Proposal

Must include:

• Team fees (by role & daily rate)
• Data & licensing costs
• Local reviewer stipends
• Fieldwork & logistics
• Case study production

All costs in USD, fully itemized.

8. Evaluation Criteria

Stage 1 (Technical – 100 points)

• LandScale / similar experience
• Regional expertise (Western Ghats)
• Stakeholder engagement
• Research & impact evaluation
• Team qualifications

Stage 2 (Weighted)

• Technical proposal: 40%
• Financial proposal: 30%
• Team strength: 15%
• Timeline feasibility: 15%

9. Proposal Submission Requirements

Required Documents (Single PDF)

• Letter of Interest
• Technical Proposal & Methodology
• Team composition & CVs
• Reference projects (≥3)
• Financial proposal

Submission Rules

• Submit via RA portal
• No subcontracting allowed
• Deadline: 7 May 2026

10. General Conditions

• Incomplete or late submissions may be rejected
• RA may request clarification
• RA reserves full discretion in selection
• Costs are borne by applicants

Bottom Line for Candidates

To be competitive, proposals must clearly demonstrate:

• Strong LandScale or equivalent framework expertise
• Ability to deliver rigorous, validated baseline data
• Deep human rights and social assessment capability
• Integrated GIS + field methodology
• Clear execution plan within 90 days / 144 PD