About the Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization working at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests to make responsible business the new normal. We are building an alliance to protect forests, improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities, promote their human rights, and help them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. We envision a world where people and nature thrive in harmony.
The Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) Project, formally known as "Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Across Landscapes (SABAL)" (GEF ID 10204), is a global initiative implemented by UNEP in partnership with IUCN, with the Rainforest Alliance as the lead executing agency.1 In Karnataka, the project targets 0.901 million hectares within the Western Ghats, focusing on critical micro-landscapes in Kodagu, specifically Thithimathi and Sunticuppa.
To address the key drivers of degradation—including water erosion, soil organic carbon decline, and springshed vulnerability—the project employs a scientifically robust Localized Land Degradation Neutrality (LLDN) framework integrating 83 scientific and 40 community-derived indicators. The project seeks to restore 75,000 hectares of degraded land and protect 25,000 hectares of High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF). Collaborative frameworks have also been initiated with private sector partners like Nespresso and SUCDEN to transition coffee systems toward Regenerative Agriculture and restore riparian zones and Sacred Groves (Devara Kadu).
The primary objective of this senior consultancy is to serve as the Lead Architect for Proposal Development for landscape finance, convergence and private investment co-finance related Opportunity Scouting. The consultant will identify and secure financial resources from government schemes and private sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to scale the technical interventions identified in the project landscape. The consultant will scout for and secure high-value opportunities within government missions and private CSR to scale up Springshed Restoration and Regenerative Coffee interventions. Policy work is a supporting role (a "by-product") intended to provide the necessary briefs and alignment to ensure that technical proposals for beekeeping, agroforestry, and biodiversity are bankable and sustainable.
- Government Schemes: Identify and map eligibility for landscape bodies to access funding from the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) Mini Missions I and II, the Green India Mission (GIM), Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) and the National Bamboo Mission etc.
- Watershed & Springshed Finance: Scout for funding under NABARD’s watershed programs and the Jal Jeevan Mission to finance Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for springshed rejuvenation in the Kaveri catchment.
- Private Sector & CSR: Profile at least five high-value CSR opportunities within the Bangalore IT hub and the coffee export industry (e.g., Tata, Nestlé, Nespresso) specifically for funding HWC mitigation and Kaveri watershed restoration. Identify and profile at least five high-value CSR opportunities through the Karnataka Forest, Wildlife, and Climate Change Mitigation Foundation (KFWCCMF), specifically targeting the Bangalore tech hub for water-security investments.
- Carbon Markets: Scout for opportunities under Karnataka’s 2025 Carbon Credit Policy for agroforestry to monetize smallholder systems, ensuring equitable benefit-sharing for women.
- Springshed Restoration DPRs: Develop at least two bankable concept notes for "Hydrogeology-led Springshed Management" utilizing the technical cadre of Jal Mitras to map recharge zones and water quality.
- HWC Resilience Proposals: Develop bankable concept notes for the establishment of 'Wild-elephant Soft Release Centres' and drone-based early warning systems, building on the state’s increased ex-gratia budget of ₹20 lakh.
- Pollinator Corridors: Draft proposals for the National Bee Board to fund beekeeping hubs and Quality Control Labs in Kodagu and Hassan, linking FPOs to the Madhukranti Portal for traceability.
- Water & Soil Conservation: Create investment-ready proposals for NABKISAN and Samunnati to fund CLART-based soil and water conservation works for FPOs across the landscape.
- Biodiversity & Sacred Groves: Develop a "Bio-Shield" concept note for the restoration of ripative zones and Sacred Groves (HCVF 6) using community-driven spatial planning . Develop two full-size proposals focusing on the protection and conservation of Devara Kadus (Sacred Groves) and riparian zone restoration.
- SLMP Gender Budgeting: Design a formalized Gender Budgeting Framework for Sustainable Landscape Management Plans (SLMP), earmarking funds for women-led beekeeping units and agro-processing micro-enterprises.
- Circular Economy Integration: Scout for opportunities to link biomass waste from coffee processing into "Organic Carbon Enhancer" production under the 2025 Fertilizer Control Order and the SuBiCulP
- Convergence Briefs: As a by-product of intervention scouting, draft policy-level briefs for the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) and MoAFW to institutionalize LLDN spatial findings and ensure legal clearances for tree-based agriculture.10
- Labor Justice Mainstreaming: Advocate for the integration of the 2025 Labour Codes "Equal Work, Equal Pay" provisions into proposed value chain projects to protect female workers.
Intervention Scouting Portfolio
A map of 5 CSR and 3 government funding opportunities (NBHM, GIM, KFWCCMF) aligned with Karnataka technical works.
HWC & Beekeeping Concept Notes
Three bankable concept notes for HWC drones, Soft Release Centres, and pollinator hubs.
SLMP Gender Budgeting Model
A formalized fiscal framework for earmarking and tracking funds for women-led interventions within SLMPs.
FPO Business & Credit Roadmap
Business plans for 2 coffee/spice FPOs tailored for Samunnati/NABKISAN credit access and carbon market entry.
Donor Proposal Package & Terminal Report
Two donor-ready full-size proposals (GCF/GEF scale) and a summary of secured and scouted partnerships.
- Senior Expertise: 12+ years of experience in business development, private sector engagement, and programme management.
- Proposal Track Record: Proven track record in conceptualizing and drafting multi-million dollar donor-ready proposals for GEF, GCF, or similar bodies.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Karnataka Western Ghats, coffee/spice value chains, and the 2025–26 state budgetary landscape.
Proposal Process and Format
Technical Proposal must include:
- Detailed methodology and work plan
- Relevant experience and portfolio of similar assignments
- Updated CV
Financial Proposal:
- Daily or monthly rate
- Estimated total cost for the assignment
Submission Details:
- Proposals must be submitted via: Rainforest Alliance Portal under the Career section
