About World Resources Institute (WRI)
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global non-profit research organization founded in 1982 with funding from the MacArthur Foundation, under the leadership of James Gustave Speth. WRI focuses on translating innovative ideas into practical solutions at the intersection of environmental sustainability, economic development, and human well-being. The organization’s mission is to guide society toward sustainable living practices that protect the Earth’s natural systems while ensuring they can meet the present and future needs of humanity.
Consultant – Sub-Landscape Situational Analysis
Job Type: Contract
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Experience: Not specified
Location: Nairobi
Job Field: Consultancy, Project Management
Scope of Work and Expected Deliverables
A comprehensive situational analysis report, including stakeholder mapping and a social landscape assessment, will be developed for four sub-landscapes. Key aspects include:
- Analyzing natural resources within each sub-landscape, focusing on food, water, and biodiversity. The report should identify areas where these resources are either thriving or experiencing degradation.
- Pinpointing major challenges and opportunities, including historical context, current conditions, and key trends influencing land degradation. This assessment will examine issues such as land use changes (agriculture, urban expansion, land tenure), socio-economic patterns (income sources, indigenous communities), and demographic factors (migration, population growth).
- Assessing interactions between different parts of the sub-landscape, such as how forest and soil management in highland areas influence downstream water flow, food production, and biodiversity conservation.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of national and county-level policies, including laws, guidelines, and incentive mechanisms related to forest landscape restoration. The analysis should also cover local land tenure systems and traditional governance structures.
- Conducting a stakeholder analysis and social landscape mapping to understand institutional roles, responsibilities, and influence. This will include identifying key actors in food, water, and biodiversity sectors, mapping existing multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs), and developing a power map to analyze decision-making structures, governance systems, and social hierarchies affecting resource management.
- Locating areas of significant land degradation across different ecological zones, such as riparian areas, intensive farming regions, agro-pastoralist zones, and wetlands. The report should recommend suitable, context-specific restoration strategies, supported by maps and detailed lists of priority areas for intervention.
Methodology
The study will be conducted using a combination of desktop research, stakeholder consultations, and structured interviews with key players in the landscape. Information sources may include government reports, research papers, NGO studies, participatory assessments with local communities, and focus group discussions. Workshops will be organized to collect insights from experienced individuals with in-depth knowledge of the four sub-landscapes.
Timeline
The consultancy will span two months (60 days), commencing upon contract signing.
Budget
Payment will be a fixed total fee covering all deliverables. WRI will not provide additional reimbursements for incidental costs such as travel and office supplies; these should be factored into the total contract value. If the consultant subcontracts work to other individuals or organizations, they will be responsible for all associated payments. Compensation will be tied to the submission and approval of deliverables and invoices.
WRI, as a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, is not VAT-exempt. Pricing proposals should account for VAT and applicable taxes.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Required Qualifications
The ideal consultant must demonstrate expertise in similar work, particularly:
- In-depth knowledge of the Greater Rift Valley Landscape.
- Experience in researching drivers and impacts of land degradation, particularly in relation to food, land, water, and biodiversity.
- Strong background in socioeconomic research in Kenya, including gender, social equity, intersectionality, and community livelihoods within the Greater Rift Valley sub-landscapes.
- Proficiency in GIS and statistical analysis tools.
- A track record of publishing research in academic journals and technical reports.