Development of a project level Equity and Inclusivity (E&I) Framework

The C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) is looking for consultancy support (consortia or organisation) to help build a cross-cutting Equity and Inclusivity (E&I) Framework.

The E&I Framework should provide overarching guidance to the CFF team (and later on to CFF cities) on how to consider E&I throughout the process of developing infrastructure projects which contribute to climate change mitigation or resilience. This guidance should be used to influence and develop equitable, fair and accessible climate projects. The ultimate aim of this is to ensure that the vulnerable groups that are particularly exposed to climate change are being involved in the project development, that negative impacts to these groups are minimised and those wider benefits of these projects are distributed fairly across the city inhabitants.

This work includes four tasks:

1. Inception
Confirm the objectives of the assignment and agree on the approach with key staff from the consultancy and the CFF. The inception meeting should be used as an opportunity for a broad discussion with CFF staff on the assignment.

• Kick-off meeting and follow-ups (at least x2)

• Concept note with key agreements and timeline for execution (3 pages)

2. Scoping /Literature review

Undertake a targeted literature review of existing equity and inclusion (E&I) frameworks, within the context of urban infrastructure implementation including C40’s own resources. C40 will be able to provide an existing database of relevant literature on the topic and this is to be complemented by the selected consultant.

This review should include C40 ICA resources (Annex 1), CFF’s existing step-by-step process (Annex 2), lessons learned from gender mainstreaming in CFF previous phase and other relevant organisations’ E&I frameworks.

• Review of Inclusive Climate Action tools and resources

• Literature review of E&I frameworks from other organisations (annotated bibliography)

• Summary of key findings (10 pages)

3. Equity and Inclusion Framework development

Develop the E&I framework that will guide CFF operations in cities in the next phase.

The framework development should: 1) provide a clear pathway to apply the E&I lens into every stage of the project development, from project design to project implementation. This should be deeply rooted in an understanding of city processes, capacities and needs; 2) be developed in close collaboration and communication with the E&I working group within CFF.

Task 3 should draw on activities and outputs undertaken as part of Task 1 and 2.

Note: The E&I framework development should be the result of uniting two existing approaches: the ICA work already developed by C40 and the CFF framework for operations.

• Proposed structure and design of E&I framework (5-10 pages)

• CFF E&I Framework and guidance document (20 pages)

• Revised and final CFF E&I Framework C40 Cities Finance Facility developed by C40 and the CFF framework for operations.
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4.** ICA tools and resources gap analysis

After having reviewed and aligned existing ICA materials and developed the E&I framework for the CFF, analyse which tools and resources might need adjustment to support E&I in project development and implementation.

This new review should identify broadly the main adjustments that would need to be made in a later stage.

• Review tools and resources developed by C40’s ICA programme in light of the newly developed E&I CFF framework.

• Provide a high-level summary of the Identified gaps that need to be bridged in order for these resources to be useful for E&I work that will be done by CFF.

• Report with main recommendations for adjustment (10 pages document)

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Final Deadline -** 17 December 2021: Final handover of all project documents.

Person Specification
We are open to receiving proposals from individual organisations and consortia. As the key objective of the assignment is to develop an Equity and Inclusivity Framework, the ideal service provider will have good knowledge of the nexus of equity, inclusivity and climate change in cities; experience working in infrastructure project development and good knowledge and understanding of the role of cities in the climate and inequality agenda.

We are looking for a team of experts who can approach this assignment with rigor and creativity.

The following qualifications must be met:

Demonstrable experience in:

• Producing frameworks to guide project development and further implementation in a standardised, accessible and visually attractive way;
• Working on infrastructure projects in cities across different
• Developing countries and emerging economies (ideally in Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Southeast Asia), together with local governments, public agencies, the private sector and civil society;
• Experience in working on or developing resources related with equity, inclusivity in cities;
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of cities in the climate agenda.

Excellent graphical skills (in-house or within the consortia).

Excellent English, written and spoken.