Consultant to provide training on climate change resilient practices to recycling cooperatives and government stakeholders

Project Context and Scope: 

Scope of work

Lesotho is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters. In recent years, the country has witnessed changes in its climate, with an observed increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events such as droughts, floods, and prolonged dry periods and heavy snowfall. Furthermore, the interlinkage between these events and migration were confirmed by a rapid assessment conducted by IOM in 2021 which indicated ways climate change has impacted human mobility patterns in Lesotho. Recent evidence in some communities revealed that some smallholder farmers had abandoned their farms and relocated to South Africa due to climate change impacts, particularly the lack of rain. In dry places across the Southern districts of Lesotho, many families have left their farmlands and relocated to peri-urban areas in pursuit of alternative livelihood opportunities. Given the long history of Basotho labour migration to South Africa and neighbouring countries, it is also observed many of them are returning to communities of origin and peri-urban in the face of economic reforms, job losses and economic hardship due to COVID-19 impact on the national economies across these destination countries. In effect, the sustainable reintegration of returnees has remained a key challenge to facilitating climate adaptation, resilience and inclusive growth in the country.

To address these challenges, the project on ‘Supporting climate Adaptive Solutions in Lesotho through Policy and Community Based Green Economy’ aims to contribute to reducing the climate change impact on human mobility and promoting the green economy through sustainable livelihood opportunities. In order to achieve this objective, two overarching aims are envisaged: i) the Government of Lesotho (GoL) develops and commits to implementing climate adaptive solutions, guided by a national Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Strategy and Action Plan, and ii) communities adopt climate resilient practices, while also contributing to sustainable livelihood opportunities through the recycling cooperatives.

The draft MECC Strategy and Action Plan was developed on the basis of a participatory and inclusive consultation with various migration, environment and climate change-related multi-level partners and stakeholders. The strategy development process was informed by the assessment report profiling environmental migration and its impacts across Lesotho, including its analysis, key findings, and recommendations. This draft strategy was validated by stakeholders from key ministries, UN agencies and the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) comprising of government and non-government officials, Private Sector, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). 

To pilot the MECC Strategy, fifteen community cooperatives in migration-affected communities within five identified districts will be empowered with climate change resilient practices to promote green job opportunities. These cooperatives, engaged in recycling activities, will include migrants , returnees and vulnerable youth previously trained by IOM in solid waste recycling. The training will encompass information on using waste materials for agricultural production, such as composting and waste separation, and understanding the relationship between the environment and migration. This initiative is part of a pilot project aligned with the new Lesotho MECC strategy, aimed at enhancing the participation and contribution of vulnerable communities towards the green transition in Lesotho. The intervention supports the shift to a green economy and the creation of green jobs, contributing to SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 13 (climate action). In light of this, IOM seeks to engage a consultant to develop training materials and conduct training sessions on climate resilience practices, ensuring a gender-sensitive approach and availability in the local language (Sesotho).

In order to pilot the MECC Strategy and Action Plan, IOM has pre-selected 15 groups of cooperatives ( including returnees, vulnerable youth, and environment degradation induced rural-urban migrants) engaged in recycling activities  in five migration affected communities of Leribe, Mafeteng, Mohale’s-hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s-nek to be trained on theoretical background of the nexus of migration, environment and climate change, overview of the circular economy as well as practical methods related to recycling, importance of waste separation, and methods for sustainable agriculture through compost making, which can be integrated into their small businesses. The training will also target government officials, Non-Governmental Organisations as well as private sector within the same districts to strengthen their capacities to implement climate change resilient practices in order to support recycling initiatives. The training package for cooperatives should include skills that will enable cooperative members to cascade the training to community members.Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: 

The project is contributing to Supporting climate Adaptive Solutions in Lesotho Through Policy and Community Based Green Economy.

Tangible and measurable outputs of the consultancy 

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office and direct supervision of the project manager with support from regional office thematic specialists, the consultant is expected to fulfil the following outputs;

Deliverables

*The receipt and approval of each deliverable is subject to approval from IOM. 

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

The following will form the basis of review of the consultant’s performance:

Education, Experience and/or skills required

The successful consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

a. Advanced university degree in environmental studies or a related field.

b. Experience working in the area of training or capacity building for community members

c. Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience working for Government or International Organization, NGOs or Civil society in a related area of environment. 

d. Excellent written and spoken Sesotho and English is required.

e. Good report writing in English is highly desirable.

Travel required

The consultant is expected to travel to conduct trainings in 5 districts ( Qacha’s-nek, Quthing, Mohale’s-hoek, Mafeteng, and Leribe)