Consultant - Senior Advisor, Rusizi Basin

Rusizi Basin Senior Advisor, WRI Africa

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

About the World Resources Institute

Founded in 1982, The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.

Overview:

WRI intends to award a Fixed Price contract to an individual to support WRI Africa in the development and execution of an integrated, long-term program for the Rusizi Basin (the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Burundi). This will focus on water resources management, landscape restoration, food security, sustainable energy production and supply, resilient cities, research, partnerships, and institutional capacity building. The goal is to foster a resilient environment for people, nature, and the economy within the framework of WRI’s 30-year vision for the Rusizi Basin: “A Rusizi Basin with sufficient energy generation and supply, healthy landscapes that revitalize local and national economies, while creating communities and ecosystems resilient to climate change and associated disasters.” This vision aligns with WRI’s Global and Africa Strategies.

The Consultant will also support the establishment of effective partnerships and government engagement to promote the Community-Led Forest Economy (CLFE) initiative at the global level and within the Congo Basin. Additionally, this role will be crucial in leading urban climate resilience efforts in Central Africa, particularly in DRC, Congo, Burundi, and cities in the Rusizi Basin.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Coordination & Development:

• Lead the development and coordination of a long-term integrated program for the Rusizi Basin, addressing key challenges faced by people and nature across the region.
• Build and maintain multi-sector and multi-institutional partnerships to promote sustainable development, climate resilience, and ecosystem health in the region.
• Coordinate urban climate resilience initiatives in the Rusizi Basin, incorporating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) to enhance climate adaptation and disaster resilience.

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:

• Facilitate engagement with multi-stakeholder groups, including technical and financial partners, to ensure successful development and implementation of the Rusizi Basin Integrated Program.
• Support the promotion and implementation of the Community-Led Forest Economy (CLFE) initiative in Africa, Indonesia, and Latin America, particularly in Congo Basin countries, through partnerships with governments, COMIFAC, ECASS, and other strategic partners.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key influencers, government counterparts, and decision makers to increase WRI’s influence and impact across the region.

1. Project Implementation & Reporting:

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban climate resilience projects in the DRC, Congo, and Rusizi Basin cities.
• Ensure accurate and timely project reporting to regional leads and stakeholders.
• Coordinate data collection and analysis to evaluate the progress of projects and ensure alignment with the program’s goals.

1. Resource Mobilization & Fundraising:

• Support resource mobilization efforts, particularly for urban climate resilience projects in the Francophone countries of the Rusizi Basin.
• Engage with potential donors, governments, and institutional partners to secure funding and resources for long-term initiatives.

1. Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing:

• Foster research partnerships with local institutions such as universities, research organizations, and governmental bodies in the Rusizi Basin to promote collaborative research and knowledge-sharing.
• Lead capacity-building efforts to enhance local and regional expertise in sustainable development, cl