Back Consultant - Carbon Storage Estimation

Terms of Reference for a Consultant to Estimate Carbon Storage in the Urban Forests of Brazzaville

May 2025

I. Context and Justification

The forests of Brazzaville, encompassing parks, gardens, and trees planted along streets and in residential plots, have been steadily declining over the past fifty decades. Despite efforts by municipal and national authorities, the city has lost more than 80% of its forests in just 70 years. At a time when the effects of climate change are increasingly evident, the central role of forests as a barrier against environmental risks—such as flooding and water erosion—has become a major concern.

Indeed, urban development has continuously undermined this protective role, resulting in the loss of Brazzaville’s vegetation cover, which directly impacts the lives of its inhabitants (e.g., erosion, flooding, heatwaves). Consequently, there is a clear need to revitalize urban forestry to make Brazzaville’s forests resilient to extreme weather events. Specifically, this involves increasing carbon storage capacity through enhanced urban biomass and positioning Brazzaville’s forests as natural solutions to combat the effects of climate change.

Recognizing these challenges, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Municipality of Brazzaville have entered into a collaboration agreement that has facilitated the joint development of an urban forestry strategy called \"Brazza la verte\" (Green Brazzaville). As part of implementing this strategy, digitization sessions known as \"Mapathons\" have been organized to estimate the current area of Brazzaville’s forests. It is within this context that WRI is seeking a consultant to conduct a study on estimating the amount of carbon stored in Brazzaville’s urban forests, utilizing data from the Mapathons.

II. Description of the Consultancy

The primary objective of this consultancy is to complete the digitization (Mapathon) of Brazzaville’s urban forests and estimate the amount of carbon stored within them. To achieve this, the selected consultant will be required to:

• Develop an operational plan and methodological approach for the study and submit it to WRI for approval.
• Complete the digitization (Mapathon) of Brazzaville’s urban forests.
• Conduct a literature review of studies on Brazzaville’s urban forests, similar studies in other countries, and any additional research related to forest carbon estimation.
• Based on this literature review, develop a scientific method for estimating forest carbon using available digitized data, potentially supplemented by field surveys on a sample and meetings with municipal authorities responsible for implementing the \"Brazza la verte\" strategy.
• Perform the assessment of carbon stored in Brazzaville’s forests.
• Facilitate a workshop to present preliminary study results to Brazzaville municipal staff and various stakeholders (e.g., academics and other researchers).

  III. Consultant’s Tasks

  In line with the expected outcomes of the Cities program for Brazzaville, the selected consultant will be responsible for:

  • Conducting an inventory of Brazzaville’s urban forests.
  • Producing a comprehensive digital database of Brazzaville’s urban forests.
  • Proposing a scientific and tailored methodology for evaluating the amount of carbon in Brazzaville’s urban forests.
  • Assessing the amount of carbon sequestered in Brazzaville’s urban forests.

    IV. Contract Duration

    The consultancy will last for 6 months from the date of contract signature between WRI and the consultant.

    V. Deliverables

    The selected consultant will be required to produce the following deliverables:

    • An operational start-up plan including the work methodology.
    • A comprehensive digital database of Brazzaville’s urban forests.
    • A report on the literature review and field surveys conducted, including the methodology for estimating forest carbon.
    • A study report on the estimation of carbon stored in Brazzaville’s urban forests.

      VI. Supervision and Reporting

      The selected consultant will work closely with WRI representatives in the Republic of Congo. All deliverables will be produced in French and submitted to WRI for review and approval.

      VII. Technical and Functional Competencies

      The candidate must demonstrate technical competencies in the following areas:

      • Forest cover monitoring.
      • Mapping, forestry, and remote sensing.
      • Ecology or botany.
      • Thorough knowledge of Congo’s forests in general and Brazzaville’s urban forests in particular.
      • Ability to adapt current climate change issues to Brazzaville’s urban forests.
      • Skills in facilitating discussions and interactions among stakeholders.
      • Competence in collecting relevant information about Brazzaville’s forests.
      • Strong analytical, data synthesis, and written and oral communication skills.

        VIII. Consultant Profile

        The consultant should have the following qualifications:

        Education:

        • A Master’s degree (Bac +5) in geography, ecosystem management, forestry management, remote sensing and mapping, or any other third-cycle degree specializing in forest monitoring themes.

          Experience:

          • At least 5 years of general experience in forest cover monitoring studies, ecosystem management, mapping, and remote sensing.
          • Proven experience in formulating environmental monitoring projects, preferably according to the standards of international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
          • Strong knowledge of methods and techniques for estimating forest carbon rates, adapted to the effects of climate change in urban settings.

            IX. Information to be Provided by Candidates

            Candidates must submit the following:

            • Technical Proposal: The technical proposal should demonstrate an understanding of the project, provide evidence of similar assignments, outline clear methodologies for each component described in the Terms of Reference (TDRs), include a proposed work plan, and provide the applicant’s details and CV.
            • Financial Proposal: The financial proposal must specify a total lump sum amount in US dollars, encompassing consultancy fees and all associated costs (e.g., travel expenses, meals, taxes). Note that the cost of preparing a proposal and negotiating the contract, including any related travel, is not reimbursable as a direct cost of the assignment.

              X. Evaluation for Candidate Selection

              Applications will be evaluated based on their compliance with the Terms of Reference (TDRs) according to the following criteria:

              Criteria

              Points (Max.)

              Technical Proposal

              Demonstrated understanding of the assignment with clear methodologies for all relevant aspects of the TDRs.

              📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

              ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

              25

              Work experience and knowledge of the local context of Brazzaville. Previous collaboration with Brazzaville municipality is an asset.

              20

              Proven relevant expertise and experience in the required fields for this work.

              15

              Work plan - schedule of activities.

              15

              Financial Proposal

              Clarity of the cost structure (personnel, equipment, travel, and other expenses).

              15

              Clear allocation of financial resources to the various activities.

              10

              Total

              100

              XI. Currency of Rates and Proposed Prices

              All rates and prices submitted by the applicant must be in US dollars.

              XII. Post-Selection Process

              To ensure overall consistency of the process and deliverables:

              • WRI will organize a working session to provide the consultant with necessary information about the assignment, enabling a better understanding of WRI’s expectations and the quality criteria applied to the consultancy outcomes.
              • The consultant will then work autonomously.
              • A second mid-term working session will be held for framing and information exchange.
              • After receiving WRI’s comments, the consultant will finalize the deliverable in the form of a study implementation report.

                XIII. Submission of Applications

                Applications must be submitted to Isère Ormille Mafodjui ([email protected]) and Joseph Mangouende ([email protected]), with a copy to Jean Bakouma ([email protected]), before [date], 5:00 PM Brazzaville time.

                XIII. Reference Documents

                • Urban forestry strategy for Brazzaville.

                  XIV. About WRI

                  Founded in 1982, the World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, non-profit global research organization that transforms big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI employs over 1,800 staff across 60 countries, with offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States, and a growing presence elsewhere.

                  Our work is grounded in delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environmental and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We collaborate with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create tangible change. Equally important, we unite partners to develop innovative ideas and scale solutions for lasting impact.

                  Our Mission and Values: WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Our shared values are Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, and Respect.

                  Our Culture: WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being, applying this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We embrace diversity, encourage applications from women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people, and hold EDGE certification for gender equality.

                  WRI RoC: Since 2006, WRI’s multidisciplinary team in the Republic of Congo (RoC) has worked to ensure that safeguarding forests and restoring degraded lands yield multiple benefits: economic growth, jobs, food security, poverty reduction (especially for vulnerable groups and women), biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable wood-energy supply, cultural benefits, and environmental gains like carbon sequestration and disaster control (e.g., erosion, floods, landslides). This is achieved through law enforcement, developing the Forest Atlas with forest administrations, providing GIS training, promoting community forest concessions, improving wood-energy governance, and fostering urban resilience through nature-based solutions.

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