Request for Applications (RFA): Southern Africa: Transforming Community-Based Natural Resource Management
Date Issued: November 25, 2008
Deadline: January 26, 2009
HED expects to make one (1) award of up to $600,000 for a three-year higher education partnership. This partnership will enhance community-based natural resource management education in southern African higher education institutions in at least three southern Africa countries, potentially including but not limited to: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
For further information regarding this RFA, please contact Senior Program Associate Marilyn Crane (202) 243-7680; mcrane@hedprogram.org.
Background
Context
Partnership Description
Goals and Objectives
Eligibility
Monitoring and Evaluation
Application Review Guidelines
Application Format, Submission, and Review
Terms of the Solicitation
Background
U.S. Agency for International Development and Higher Education for Development
Higher Education for Development (HED) mobilizes the expertise and resources of the higher education community to address global development challenges. HED accomplishes this by administering a cooperative agreement (AEG-A-00-05-00007-00) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Under the Leader with Associate Cooperative Agreement, signed in September 2005, HED manages a competitive awards process to access expertise within the higher education community in coordination with the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).
Funding by USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade, Office of Education (EGAT/ED), as well as USAID’s functional and regional Bureaus and worldwide Missions, supports higher education partnerships to advance global development through economic growth, good governance, and healthy societies. These partnerships provide training, applied research, program evaluation, policy analysis, and program implementation, which are critical to promote USAID’s foreign assistance goals. More information on USAID and its role in economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide over the past 40 years is available online.
Context
USAID has made substantial investments in community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and biodiversity programming in southern Africa over the past two decades. A succession of programs in Bostwana, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere in southern Africa has built a body of knowledge, approaches and tools for effective CBNRM. These programs have generated income and employment for communities while expanding grassroots leadership, improved local governance and effective management of wildlife and other natural resources. Currently, there is a strong cadre of local experts, conservation organizations and NGOs promoting effective management of natural resources through platforms such as the Kavano-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area and CBNRM Capacity Building Project.
Within Southern Africa, there is a recognized need for regional stakeholders to consolidate and share the lessons and experience from CBNRM, to inform the next generation of community-based resource management programs. The aim is to secure a socially equitable and ecologically sound future for conservation in southern Africa. Read a description of USAID programs for CBNRM in Southern Africa.
To facilitate the consolidation, sharing and application of lessons learned on community-based natural research management, USAID will support creative partnerships and alliances between NGO’s, private sector partners and universities to accelerate success and secure sustainability for these programs. Important exchanges and collaborations between NGOs, community organizations, researchers, and the private sector are already underway in the region. As an example, USAID has a new Southern Africa Conservation Partnerships Program with the World Wildlife Fund, Namibia that looks to scale up adoption of CBNRM best practices through innovative private public partnerships across southern Africa. The program described in this RFA will complement the Southern Africa Conservation Program and other USAID environment programs in the region.
Partnership Description
USAID EGAT Bureau's Office of Natural Resource Management has requested that HED identify a higher education partnership or consortium that supports efforts of southern African academic institutions in developing a system of education and training that will provide the next generation of natural resource management experts and practitioners with the tools and knowledge for effective conservation and management.
The HED activity will strengthen the human and institutional capacity for CBNRM and biodiversity conservation in southern Africa and build capacity of higher education institutions in CBNRM in at least three or more African countries. Potential partner institutions include but are not limited to the University of Namibia, Copper Belt University in Zambia, University of Kwazulu Natal in Southern Africa, and the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka, Tanzania.
The higher education partnership should compliment USAID’s other CBNRM and conservation programs in the region including the Southern Africa Conservation Partnerships, a new program led by WWF Namibia that is working to identify innovative approaches and partnerships to scale-up the adoption of effective CBNRM in the region.
One half of USAID funds applied to this program must support activities that conserve biodiversity. Training and technical assistance using these funds must focus on creating educational curricula for CBNRM related to biodiversity conservation. Funded activities must meet USAID biodiversity attribution requirements: 1) have an explicit biodiversity conservation objective; 2) be based on analysis of threats to biodiversity; 3) monitor biodiversity conservation indicators; and 4) if site-based, must positively impact biologically significant sites. Find out more information on USAID’s biodiversity guidelines.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: A review of current CBNRM practice by university partners will identify curricula themes, potential delivery systems, and procedures required for improved CBNRM in up to five countries in Southern Africa.
Objective 1: Baseline research will establish current state-of-the-art practice in CBNRM training and delivery systems in Southern Africa for:
- the establishment of curricular elements and delivery systems of the CBNRM program; and
- identification of indicators of success to apply CBNRM training programs at various levels (in universities, vocational schools, NGOs, and communities).
Objective 2: Follow up research and/or impact assessment will determine the extent to which progress has been made toward improved CBNRM practice to increase community involvement to protect biodiversity.
Goal 2: CBNRM curricula will be reviewed and revised by U.S. and African university partners to provide universities and vocational schools with up-to-date and appropriate programs of study.
Objective 3: U.S. and Southern African higher education partners will develop detailed curriculum modules (components) and courses resulting in shared academic resources adaptable for universities and NGOs.
Objective 4: Existing approaches, tools, training materials, and curriculum (such as the Nature, Wealth & Power framework and the SCALE methodology) should be considered for incorporation into the new CBNRM curricula as appropriate for promoting social change.
Goal 3: Transnational network meetings and interactions will promote collaborative action, meaningful curriculum review, course delivery, and dissemination of results.
Objective 5: Convene a transnational workshop to validate the curriculum and finalize who will be implementing the various components.
Objective 6: Curricula will be broadened and made more relevant through enhanced communications among the partners, relevant stakeholders, and/or advisory groups.
Goal 4: Delivery systems for improved CBNRM practice will result in increased community engagement to protect biodiversity sites.
Objective 7: Develop a range of delivery mechanisms so that appropriate curriculum and its components can be delivered both in academic settings and in the practitioner community (i.e. courses, certificates, training programs, experiential learning, service learning).
Objective 8: University partners will collaborate with NGO’s to deliver CBNRM training, resulting in applied, experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty to integrate in the curriculum.
Partnership Activities
- Small grants for southern African university faculty to conduct applied research on collectively agreed stakeholder-defined problems.
- Conduct regional meetings to validate curriculum and disseminate results.
- Establish communities of practice or advisory groups for each curriculum component to facilitate scale up (replication) and relevance.
- Development of service learning opportunities such as student capstone courses for experiential learning in CBNRM practices and delivery.
- New curriculum and courses in CBNRM practices.
- Establish centers of excellence and/or advisory groups at participating southern African communities.
Eligibility
HED welcomes applications from the member institutions of ACE, AACC, AASCU, AAU, NAICU, and NASULGC, and from other regionally accredited, degree granting, U.S. higher education institutions. U.S. colleges and universities may apply individually, or in partnership with other institutions. HED encourages applications from or with the participation of minority-serving institutions.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
The application must describe a monitoring and reporting plan to address the partnership performance objectives including proposed activities and expected outcomes. The monitoring and reporting plan should demonstrate how progress towards objectives will be tracked, and how results of partnership activities will be summarized. The M&E plan must describe how results will be communicated and reported to USAID through HED.
Contact Information
The following USAID staff member may be contacted for further information on this collaborative partnership:
Roberta Hilbruner
Tel.: (202) 712-5688
E-mail: rhilbruner@usaid.gov
Implementing partners contact information:
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Lisa Steel, Lisa.Steel@wwfus.org, (202) 293-4800
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
Rick Bossi, rbossi@aed.org, 202-884-8898
Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI)
Andrew Watson, Andrew.Watson@dai.com, (301) 771-7600
ARD, Inc.
Lynette Wood, lwood@ardinc.com, (802) 658-3890
Nick Thomas, nthomas@ardinc.com, (802) 658-3890
Application Review Guidelines
Peer reviewers will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications:
I. Research and Data Gathering (20 points)
-
Feasibility of plan to establish a baseline and conduct follow-on research on CBNRM training and delivery systems in southern Africa.
-
Proposed plan for research will identify indicators of success in applying CBNRM best practices to a number of different sectors (including agriculture, democracy and governance, economic growth, natural resources management/biodiversity conservation, and poverty reduction).
II. Curriculum Development (30 points)
- Proposed plan for curriculum development demonstrates full participation of host country university partners.
- Proposed plan for curriculum development provides a balance between the major emphasis on biodiversity conservation and a sufficient range of subject matter relevant to current best practices in CBNRM.
- Proposed plan for curriculum development provides for feasible integration of appropriate approaches, tools and training materials.
III. Institutional Capacity Building (20 points)
-
Viability of plans to develop and sustain a transnational academic network for collaborative action, curriculum development, validation and revision.
-
Significant and appropriate roles in the transnational network will be provided for NGOs and other stakeholders.
-
Adequacy of plan to develop a network of trained course delivery partners.
-
Reasonable strategy to maintain the network of collaborators and trained course delivery partners.
IV. Expertise and Collaboration (15 points)
- Relevance of professional credentials and expertise of U.S. partner personnel.
- Evidence of substantive collaborative relationships with proposed host country institutions.
- Proposed host institutions possess relevant CBNRM expertise.
V. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing (10 points)
- Cost sharing, including expected cash and or in-kind contributions is reasonable and appropriate.
- Demonstrated cost effectiveness in the distribution of funds for activities and the equitable distribution of funds among U.S. and southern Africa partners.
VI. Monitoring and Evaluation (5 points)
- The application contains a clear and appropriate monitoring and reporting plan based on the indicators of success in applying CBNRM training programs defined during the baseline study.
Total Points = 100
Application Format, Submission and Review
Application Format
How to Submit an Application
Peer Review
Application Format
Please provide the contents of the application in the following order:
1. Title Page (Please complete HED form in full and obtain signatures of authorized officials.)
2. Table of Contents
3. Abstract (not to exceed 3 typed, double-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins). The abstract should contain a summary of the narrative, workplan and budget.
4. Narrative (not to exceed 20 typed, double-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) Address the criteria listed in Application Review Guidelines I-VI (see above).
5. The 20-page application must describe a monitoring and reporting plan for the partnership, including an initial baseline assessment, that shows how progress and results will be communicated and reported to USAID through HED.
6. Appendices (Attachments beyond the stated appendices will not be read nor taken into consideration):
* Annual workplan for the funding period (Use HED form).
* Budget forms (Use HED form. Complete all tabs).
* Résumés of the proposed U.S. institution director(s) and host institution personnel, not to exceed 2 one- sided pages per person.
* Signed letters of support from the presidents, chancellors, or other chief executive officers of the cooperating institution in the United States.
* Signed letters of support from appropriate university leaders of the overseas partner institution as well as partnership directors. University leaders from the overseas partner may include deans, rectors, or university presidents.
* Signed letter from appropriate official at applicant institution verifying that all costs cited conform to established institutional policies and practices.
How to Submit an Application
Applications must be received at HED by 5:00PM, Eastern Time (ET), January 26, 2009. Faxed or electronically transmitted applications will not be accepted. All elements of the application must be received by the deadline. HED recognizes that original, signed cover letters and letters of support from overseas partners may be subject to delays due to factors beyond the applicant’s control. Only in these exceptional cases, faxed or scanned copies of the application title page and letters that include all necessary signatures may be submitted in the application, provided signed originals are received at HED within seven (7) calendar days of the deadline.
Applicants should submit the original application plus seven (7) hard copies of the complete application package containing title page, table of contents, abstract, narrative, and appendices (all on loose-leaf paper, clipped together — no three-ring binders, staples, or plastic bindings), and a diskette or CD (with files saved as Microsoft Word/Excel for PC) containing the entire application, including all budget forms, budget narrative, and other appendices.
Applications should be sent to: (*NOTE: This is a NEW address.)
Partnership: Southern Africa CBNRM
Higher Education for Development
1 Dupont Circle NW, Room Suite 420
Washington, D.C. 20036-1193
Once an application has been received, there is to be no contact with the HED program office until the completion of the peer review process in order to ensure fairness to all parties concerned.
Peer Review
Applications will be reviewed by expert panelists, which include representatives from higher education, international development, and USAID. Awards will be made on the basis of reviewers’ recommendations of merit and USAID. Peer review of applications is slated for February/March 2009.
Letters of communication from members of the U.S. Congress in support of an application are discouraged as these may be thought to prejudice the peer-review process. Such letters will not be forwarded to peer reviewers.
Notification about awards is expected following the completion of peer review. Upon final announcement of awards, the person named in the application as partnership director may submit a written request for copies of the peer reviewers’ scores for the application. No personal reviews will be granted, and no comparative score tabulations will be shared.
Terms of the Solicitation
Cost Share
Execution of Awards
Post Award Briefings
TraiNet Requirements
Health and Accident Insurance
Reporting
Cost Share
The minimum suggested total cost share from all U.S. partners is 25 percent of the award amount. Reported cost share must be auditable. Non-auditable contributions may not be used to meet the minimum, but can be indicated separately and attached to the budget detail form.
Higher education institutions may leverage support from the private sector in addition to the cost sharing provided by their institutions. Applicants should itemize all cost sharing and in-kind contributions.
Cash and in-kind contributions will be accepted as part of the applicant’s cost sharing when such contributions are: (a) verifiable from the applicant’s records; (b) not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted program; (c) reasonable for the accomplishment of partnership objectives; and (d) not paid by the federal government under another grant.
In-kind contributions may include, but are not limited to: waivers of tuition and fees for students participating in academic exchanges; donation of library and classroom materials to the partner; ICT infrastructure and Internet Service Provider subscription subsidy for the partner and exchange students; faculty salaries; travel and/or per diem for faculty and administrators to participate in professional exchange and development programs; and indirect costs.
Execution of Awards
Awards will be executed as sub-agreements between the designated U.S. university, college, community college, or consortium, and the American Council on Education (ACE), through the Higher Education for Development (HED) office, under USAID Cooperative Agreement AEG-A-00-05-00007-00. The institution recommended for award will receive a draft version of the sub-agreements to review. The award recipient will be expected to submit a marking plan related to USAID branding as part of the sub-agreement that clearly indicates the support provided by USAID for activities conducted under the award.
Please note that no award or cost share funds may be expended prior to a fully executed (i.e., signed by both parties) sub-agreement between ACE and the designated U.S. institution unless pre-award expenses have been approved as a part of the negotiation of the sub-award. Activities are expected to commence immediately after the sub-agreement is executed.
Award funds will be disbursed to the designated U.S. university, college, community college, or consortium, based on the applicant’s implementation of the work plan, stated budget, and submission to HED of financial, tax, and narrative progress reports. It is the designated U.S. institution’s responsibility to provide disbursements (reimbursements) for its collaborating partner(s) in accordance with the agreed-upon activity schedule and budget.
Post Award Briefings
Partnership directors, and/or their designees, are required to participate in two post-award briefings. The first briefing, conducted in a virtual format, will review reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements. The second briefing via a conference call will address general requirements of the award.
TraiNet Requirements
To comply with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of State, and USAID regulations regarding tracking and monitoring of Exchange Visitors, foreign nationals whose costs are paid, fully or partially, directly or indirectly using USAID program funds for training, non-training, and invitational travel, must enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa (non-immigrant Exchange Visitor visa) processed under one of USAID’s two program numbers, unless otherwise waived according to the procedure in ADS 252.3. J-2 visa applications for family members are not supported per USAID policy.
USAID expects that all DS-2019 documents (paperwork needed for J visas) and in-country or third country training be processed through the USAID Training, Results and Information Network (TraiNet) system. Institutions may not directly access the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to issue DS-2019 documents internally. Information regarding USAID’s J-1 visa requirements may be found online at the Participant Training website. Administrators must adhere to the regulations detailed under TraiNet, Visa Compliance System (VCS), the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) 252-Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors, and 253-Training for Development. U.S. institutions should allow up to 12 weeks for the processing of visas when planning activities in the United States.
TraiNet management requires a significant commitment of staff time and applicants are encouraged to take this into consideration when developing the program budget.
USAID Health and Accident Coverage (HAC) Insurance Program
The U.S. institution is responsible for enrolling each participant traveling to the United States or a third country in the official USAID Health and Accident Coverage (HAC) insurance program. Participants entering the United States on J-1 visas are required to obtain HAC from the official USAID vendor. Institutions may not use award funds to cover their own institutional HAC insurance. Click here for information on the USAID HAC insurance program. The cost of HAC for participants must be included in the budget.
Reporting
Awardees will be required to submit to HED:
- Financial reports are due quarterly to record expenditures for the following periods: Jan. 1-March 31, April 1-June 30, July 1-Sept. 30, and Oct. 1-Dec. 31;
- Semi-annual narrative progress reports for the following reporting periods may be sent via e-mail: April 1-September 30 and Oct. 1-March 30;
- Both financial reports and semi-annual progress reports are due within one-month after the corresponding reporting period closes: Jan. 31, April 30, July 31, and Oct. 31;
- A final narrative report (due 30 days after the conclusion of program activities); and
- Final financial reports (due no later than 90 days after the sub-agreement closing date).