Request for proposal and Terms of Reference: Consultant to develop joint visioning plan and resource mobilization plan

1. Background: Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands are globally renowned for their high levels of biological diversity and endemism. However, this biodiversity is vulnerable to forest loss, with rates exceeding global levels. Loss of intact forest systems within Melanesian coastal watersheds is linked to adverse impacts to biodiversity, human well-being, as well as increased vulnerability to climate related disasters. Outbreaks of water-related diseases are common in these three countries, being amplified by environmental factors related to climate change and land use change. Additionally, Pacific Island countries have the poorest levels of potable drinking water and sanitation on the planet, with two-thirds of people relying on water sources for drinking and cooking that are affected by environmental contamination. This contaminated water and upstream activities can also adversely impact downstream marine resources. 

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with partners from the University of Sydney and University of Queensland, is implementing the Kiwa Watershed Interventions for Systems Health Plus (WISH+) project, a multi-country project funded by the Kiwa Initiative. The Kiwa Initiative is a multi-donor program that aims to strengthen the climate change resilience of Pacific Island ecosystems, communities and economies through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). The overall goal of the project is to successfully implement Integrated Water Management (IWM) for biodiversity, climate resilience and human health co-benefits, as well as provide a model for managing systems health for the Pacific that is upscaled through decision-support tools, long-term sustainable financing and effective public policy. WCS and its partners are implementing IWM at key sites in Fiji, Solomon Islands and PNG, while developing financing mechanisms to scale this work. The aim is to facilitate investment in natural and built infrastructure for safely managed drinking water, sanitation, and wastewater in high-risk watersheds, identified through innovative decision-support tools.

2. Project Objectives: WCS plans to undertake a feasibility study detailing opportunities for financing and investment in IWM activities in Solomon Islands and develop a business and resource mobilization plan for site-based finance mechanisms for Kolombangara Island.

3. Scope of Work: The purpose of this consultancy is to work with Kolombangara institutions to develop a joint visioning plan and resource mobilization plan for site-based finance mechanisms.

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Meet and consult Kolombangara stakeholders, including Kolombangara Landowners Trust Foundation (KLTF), Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association (KIBCA), Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL) and other relevant island institutions (e.g. the Dughore Women’s Association), to develop a joint visioning plan (i.e. a shared articulation of the island’s desired future state and pathways to achieve it).
• Identify the financial resources required to implement the visioning plan, potential funding sources and organizations or partners willing to support its implementation.
• Assess options for allocating a portion of Kolombangara forest lease revenues to support the financing of Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) and the management of protected areas on the island.

4. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate closely with the Kiwa WISH+ team, government officials, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders on Kolombangara during the consultancy.

5. Deliverables: The consultant will present the following deliverables in a report detailing:

• The list and detailed outcomes of the consultations held with Kolombangara stakeholders;
• The joint visioning plan and resource mobilization plan for site-based finance mechanisms for Kolombangara Island.

6. Timeline: The consultant will carry out the work on Kolombangara Island, Solomon Islands, although some of the background research can be conducted from outside. The consultancy work will start by early April 2026 and should be completed by the end of August 2026.

7. Requirements and Qualifications:

• The consultant will have demonstrated experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultation processes on Kolombangara Island, including work with customary landowners, community-based organizations, private sector actors, and government institutions.
• The consultant will have solid understanding of Kolombangara customary land tenure systems and Kolombangara local governance arrangements.
• The consultant will have strong understanding of conservation finance and site-based financing mechanisms, including experience with resource mobilization, trust funds, lease revenue mechanisms, or similar financing arrangements. 
• The consultant will have a degree in environmental management, natural resource management, conservation finance, sustainable development, or a related field.
• Fluency in both spoken and written English.

8. Supervision: The consultant will report directly to the WCS Fiji Country Director and WCS Kiwa WISH+ project coordinator.