Project Context
The Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) Project, commonly referred to as SABAL (Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Across Landscapes), is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded initiative implemented by UNEP and IUCN. At the national level, it is being implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW), the National Nodal Agency, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) as the UNCCD focal point and GEF focal ministry. On the ground, the project is executed by Rainforest Alliance in partnership with Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS).The project seeks to transform agricultural systems and strengthen local economies through sustainable landscape management, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and innovative public-private financing mechanisms. The project operates across two globally significant landscapes: the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh and the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
The Eastern Ghats landscape, covering approximately 3.7 million hectares, represents one of India's most significant biodiversity landscapes and supports diverse ecosystems, tribal communities, agriculture-based livelihoods, forest-dependent communities, and critical ecosystem services. The project supports interventions related to Natural Farming, Localized Land Degradation Neutrality (LLDN), High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity stewardship, community-based natural resource management, and sustainable livelihoods.
Under SABAL, considerable investments have been made in developing scientific and community-based approaches for landscape planning, governance, restoration, and sustainable land management. As the project advances towards its concluding phase, there is an opportunity to build on these achievements and position the Eastern Ghats landscape as a model for long-term sustainable development supported through diversified financing and strategic partnerships. Particular emphasis will be placed on institutionalizing landscape governance through the emerging Multi-Stakeholder Landscape Management Bodies (MSLMBs) and strengthening their role as enduring landscape platforms. The consultant will support the identification and development of financing and partnership opportunities through two complementary pathways: (a) integrating landscape-based approaches into broader development, climate, agriculture, biodiversity, and rural development proposals; and (b) designing dedicated landscape-scale programmes and investment propositions that leverage and scale the successful models, institutional arrangements, and lessons generated under SABAL. MSLMBs should be positioned as key mechanisms for coordinating stakeholders, mobilizing resources, driving convergence, and sustaining long-term landscape outcomes beyond the project lifecycle.
Objective of the Assignment
The primary objective of this consultancy is to identify, develop, and advance strategic funding opportunities that support the scaling and institutionalization of Landscape-Based Approaches (LBA) in the Eastern Ghats. Building on the evidence, partnerships, governance mechanisms, and implementation experience generated through SABAL, the consultant will develop a pipeline of donor and investment proposals through two complementary pathways:
(i) Mainstreaming Landscape-Based Approaches as a component within broader development, climate, agriculture, biodiversity, natural resource management, and rural livelihood programmes; and
(ii) Designing dedicated landscape-scale programmes and investment initiatives that position landscape management as a core thematic area for investment and scaling beyond SABAL.
The assignment is expected to develop a strategic financing and partnership architecture that enables the scaling of Natural Farming, climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity conservation, watershed restoration, ecosystem restoration, tribal livelihoods, green enterprises, and landscape governance systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening the role of MSLMBs as long-term landscape institutions capable of attracting investments, convening stakeholders, facilitating convergence, and supporting implementation of Sustainable Landscape Management Plans (SLMPs).
The assignment shall contribute to creating a robust pipeline of investable opportunities and strategic partnerships that support both current landscape priorities and future programme development beyond the SABAL project cycle.
Scope of Work
The consultant will serve as the principal advisor on landscape finance, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization for the Eastern Ghats landscape, and work closely with RySS.
The consultant shall identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities from bilateral agencies, multilateral institutions, climate finance facilities, philanthropic organizations, CSR platforms, development finance institutions, and impact investors that align with the vision and priorities of the Eastern Ghats landscape.
The consultant shall develop proposals under the following two tracks:
Track 1: Mainstreaming Landscape-Based Approaches
Support the design and preparation of proposals in which landscape-based approaches are incorporated as a strategic component within broader programmes.
Track 2: Dedicated Landscape-Based Initiatives
Support the design and preparation of landscape-focused programmes that build upon SABAL's experiences, tools, governance structures, and evidence base to scale integrated landscape management at district, state, or regional levels.
The consultant shall work to transform identified opportunities into donor-ready concept notes, full proposals, and investment propositions.
Building on RySS achievements through APCNF, Academy and SABAL project, and lessons, the consultant will develop a pipeline of funding opportunities and proposals through two pathways: (i) integrating landscape-based approaches into broader deepening, saturating and scaling NF; and (ii) designing dedicated landscape-scale initiatives that scale integrated landscape management beyond the project period. The consultant will also provide strategic inputs to position the Eastern Ghats as a model landscape for future investments and programme development.
Deliverables
Proposal Development Package
Development of a minimum of six donor-ready proposals/concept notes, including three (3) proposals that integrate Landscape-Based Approaches within broader development programmes and three (3) proposals that position Landscape-Based Approaches as a dedicated programme or investment area for scaling the lessons, models, and outcomes of SABAL.
Deliverable: Minimum 6 donor-ready proposals/concept notes (3+3).
Investment and Partnership Engagement Package
Preparation of investment briefs, partnership notes, donor engagement materials, and funding pitches to support resource mobilization and strategic engagement with priority partners to sustain and scale landscape initiatives beyond the SABAL project lifecycle, in addition to a consolidated note with strategic framework.
Required Qualifications
The consultant should possess a postgraduate degree in Development Finance, Economics, Environmental Economics, Climate Finance, Public Policy, Natural Resource Management, Business Administration, Sustainable Development, Rural Development, or a related discipline.
The consultant should have a minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate finance, conservation finance, development finance, landscape finance, strategic partnerships, investment facilitation, resource mobilization, or programme development.
Demonstrated experience in developing successful proposals and securing funding from bilateral agencies, multilateral institutions, climate funds, international foundations, impact investors, and private sector platforms is essential.
Experience working with institutions such as GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund, World Bank, IFAD, ADB, UN agencies, bilateral development agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private sector sustainability initiatives will be highly desirable.
The consultant should possess a strong understanding of integrated landscape approaches, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, community-based natural resource management, and landscape governance systems.
Familiarity with Natural Farming initiatives, state government programmes, public-private partnerships, and multi-stakeholder institutional platforms will be considered an added advantage.
The consultant should demonstrate excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with proven ability to interact effectively with senior government officials, financial institutions, donors, investors, corporate leaders, civil society organizations, and community institutions.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested consultants shall submit:
- A technical proposal outlining the proposed methodology, approach, and workplan.
- A statement of relevant experience highlighting similar assignments completed in the areas of landscape finance, climate finance, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
- An updated curriculum vitae.
- A financial proposal indicating professional fees and associated costs (Daily or monthly rate) for the duration of the assignment.
Submission Details:
- Proposals must be submitted via: Rainforest Alliance Portal under the Career section
