NABU invites proposals for a consultancy to implement the project component "Digital Biodiversity Learning and Training Solutions" under the global IKI project SYMBIOTIC - Systemic Learning and Mainstreaming of Biodiversity Targets for Innovative Transformation and Behavioral Change, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI.).
This project is supported by IKI of the Federal Government of Germany. Within the Federal Government, the IKI is anchored in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Selected individual projects are also the responsibility of the Federal Foreign Office.

The assignment responds to a set of persistent structural challenges: biodiversity remains insufficiently recognised and integrated into public discourse, governance, education systems, and economic decision making across sectors. At the same time, learning systems are often fragmented, insufficiently accessible, and disconnected from local contexts, while key actors - particularly women, youth and local communities - remain excluded from knowledge production and decision making processes.

Building on existing experiences and learning initiatives in SYMBIOTIC partner countries (Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Madagascar), the consultancy will support the development of a scalable, inclusive and gender responsive digital learning system. This includes the assessment of existing biodiversity education tools, the co development of country specific curricula, the establishment of an open access e learning platform (incl. a mobile application), and the development and delivery of online courses and training of trainers formats.

The assignment contributes to Output II (Education and Citizen Science) of the SYMBIOTIC project and aims to strengthen biodiversity knowledge, behavioural change and cross sectoral learning beyond the formal education sector. All activities must be grounded in human rights based, gender responsive and inclusive approaches and be implemented in close cooperation with national project partners. The overall objective is to ensure long term usability, replication and institutional uptake of biodiversity learning formats beyond the project duration.

For details see the attached Terms of Reference (ToR).

The bidder is legally authorised to pursue the required professional activities and, where required by law, is duly registered or licensed. It has the organisational and administrative capacity to provide the services requested in the tender.

The bidder possesses the necessary economic and financial capacity to perform the contract. It has adequate financial standing and the organisational and administrative capacity to manage a multi-year international assignment, including the financing and coordination of expert inputs, digital infrastructure, operating costs, and subcontracted services. The bidder is able to ensure sound financial management, cost control, and invoicing in accordance with the applicable tender.

The bidder possesses the necessary technical and professional capacity to deliver the services described in the Terms of Reference.
For the specific requirements for the personnel see Terms of Reference, "4. Personnel".

See Terms of Reference "5. Costing requirements":

Tenderers shall comply with the input specifications set out in these ToRs, including the number of experts, expert days and the budget indicated in the price schedule. These specifications form part of the competitive tender procedure and are intended to ensure the objective comparability of offers. Please note that only services commissioned by NABU and effectively delivered by the Contractor will be remunerated. NABU reserves the right not to utilise the full number of expert days foreseen in the tender.

For specifications concerning the number of expert days see Terms of Reference "5.1. Assignment of experts"; for more information on the travel expenses see "5.2. Travel expenses requirements".

The Tenderer may subcontract qualified entities to deliver specific parts of the assignment, provided that the Tenderer remains fully responsible for the overall performance and quality of all services under the contract. Any subcontracting arrangements shall be clearly described in the technical and financial offers.

For further information on the eligibility and treatment of costs related to subcontracting, see Section "5.3. Other Costs".

The bidder shall ensure high-quality technical, administrative and operational implementation of all services described in the Terms of Reference.

The bidder shall abide by the "Project and knowledge management requirements" laid out in the Terms of Reference (2.4.), e.g. the bidder shall:
- provide all necessary materials, equipment, consumables and operational resources;
- manage expenditures, accounting and invoicing in accordance with ZUG/IKI and NABU requirements;
- contribute to results-based monitoring and reporting in line with the project Results Framework, NABU monitoring requirements and IKI reporting obligations;
- All reports, including the quarterly technical and financial reports, shall be submitted in English.

The Contractor must comply with applicable data protection and information security legislation (see Terms of Reference, 2.5.) , including GDPR principles. Any use of AI tools must comply with confidentiality, data protection and information security requirements. The Contractor remains fully responsible for all AI-generated outputs and shall not input confidential or personal project data into AI systems.

Finally, the Contractor shall ensure gender-responsive implementation throughout the assignment, including gender-sensitive approaches to training, participation and monitoring (see 2.6. "Other requirements").
Furhermore, activities must be implemented in compliance with applicable environmental, social and safeguarding requirements, including the IKI Safeguards Policy and IKI Independent Complaint Mechanism. The Contractor shall identify and mitigate potential risks, support grievance handling mechanisms, and ensure compliance by subcontractors.