1. Background

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Liberia was created by an act of the Legislature on November 26, 2002, and published as a handbill on April 30, 2003, to ensure sound environmental management and sustainable use of natural resources. The EPA functions to ensure long-term economic prosperity through sustainable development and establish a legal framework for environmental management.

The EPA received funding from the Green Climate Fund to implement a five-year project called "Enhancing Climate Information Systems for Resilient Development in Liberia" (the Liberia CIS Project).

The Liberia CIS Project is a US$11,431,969 GCF, AFDB, and GOL-funded project that aims to increase the resilience of Liberia’s population and infrastructure to climate change. In particular, the project will strengthen the country’s adaptive capacities to integrate better long-term climate risk reduction and adaptation measures in national planning and development through the development of a well-functioning Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Forecasting and Early Warning System (MH-IBF-EWS).

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

To ensure effective stakeholder engagement, transparency, and accountability throughout the Climate Information System Project in Liberia, a comprehensive Communication Strategy is important. This strategy will outline clear channels for disseminating information to all stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and non-governmental organizations, thereby fostering active participation and awareness of project activities.

Additionally, a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will be established to provide stakeholders with a formal process for voicing concerns, complaints, or suggestions. This mechanism will be designed to address grievances in a timely and fair manner, ensuring that all voices are heard and that any issues are resolved satisfactorily. By implementing these two components, the project aims to build trust among stakeholders and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Climate Information System in improving climate resilience in Liberia.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultancy aims to:

• Design a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)to ensure accountability, address concerns, and resolve complaints from project-affected communities.
• Create a clear communication strategy that shares information, engages stakeholders, and raises awareness about the CIS Project.