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)
- Indicator Framework Development
- Create a LandScale-aligned Micro-Landscape Indicator Framework
- Include:
- ≤10 Cross-cutting indicators
- Context-specific micro-landscape indicators
- Kodagu Baseline Assessment
- Collect and validate baseline data across all four LandScale pillars
- Upload and validate data on the LandScale platform
- 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:
- Remote Sensing & GIS
- Land use/cover mapping
- Ecosystem fragmentation
- GHG accounting
- Water resource analysis
- Household Surveys & FGDs
- Statistically valid sampling
- Minimum 3 FGDs (women, youth, mixed)
- Focus on vulnerable groups
- Key Informant Interviews (≥15)
- Government, NGOs, private sector
- Governance, production, land tenure
- 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
- Inception & planning
- Indicator development
- Field data collection
- Validation & platform input
- 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)
- Assessment Lead / Project Manager
- 4 Pillar Experts (≥7 years each):
- Ecosystems
- Governance
- Production
- Social (Human Well-being) – mandatory
- GIS Expert
- 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