Consultancy_Feasibility Assessment on Soil Stabilization and Erosion-Control Measures to Support Reforestation, Afforestation, and Buffer Zone Stabilization Within Kigali's Urban Landscape Restoration Framework

1. BACKGROUND

The Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SUNCASA) is a 3-year project aimed at enhancing climate resilience and promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and biodiversity protection across three cities: Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), Kigali (Rwanda) and Johannesburg (South Africa).

The SUNCASA project, led by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI), and local partner organizations, supported the implementation of NbS projects under the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) framework. The main activities include urban restoration initiatives such as reforestation, afforestation, and agroforestry programs aimed at enhancing ecosystem services, building climate resilience, and promoting environmental sustainability. During project implementation, the clearance of steep slopes ahead of unpredictable heavy rainfall events generated direct flood risks for downstream communities, while extensive zones characterized by shallow soils underlain by hard rock substrates rendered conventional large-block reforestation and afforestation survival rates highly unpredictable. These challenges were compounded by widespread landslide susceptibility, severe erosion hazards, stability concerns for adjacent settlements, and riparian degradation exacerbated by seasonal flooding, extreme hydrological fluctuations, and gully instability, all of which contributed to elevated seedling mortality. Consequently, standard tree-planting methodologies proved insufficient to meet restoration targets, underscoring the need for this feasibility assessment to identify technically viable soil stabilization and erosion-control measures tailored to Kigali's complex urban terrain.

IISD seeks consulting services to support an assessment of potential soil stabilization and erosion-control measures for selected sites in Kigali under the SUNCASA project. The study will evaluate technical options to reduce erosion risks, improve slope stability, and create conditions suitable for long-term reforestation and landscape restoration.

The assignment will build upon existing knowledge and engage relevant stakeholders, including the City of Kigali, to understand current priorities, preferred approaches, and any previous studies or interventions related to soil erosion and land stabilization. The study should provide evidence-based recommendations that can guide future investments in restoration activities and strengthen the long-term environmental resilience of Kigali's urban and peri-urban landscapes.

2. PURPOSE OF THE RFP

IISD invites qualified environmental engineering and consulting firms to submit proposals for conducting a Feasibility Study on Soil Stabilization and Erosion-Control Measures to Support landscape restoration in Kigali, Rwanda. The selected applicant will assess the technical feasibility, environmental suitability, implementation requirements, and indicative costs of potential stabilization measures that would enable restoration in erosion-prone areas, including riverbanks and areas with deep gullies.

The study is expected to identify practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions that align with local conditions and municipal priorities while contributing to broader restoration and climate resilience objectives in Kigali.

3. OBJECTIVES

3.1 General Objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to conduct a feasibility assessment for soil stabilization and erosion-control measures to support future urban and peri-urban reforestation efforts in Kigali, Rwanda.

3.2. Specific Objectives

1. Assess selected erosion-prone sites that have been identified as potential reforestation areas in Kigali.
2. Evaluate soil stabilization, erosion-control, and slope-management options appropriate to local biophysical conditions. 
3. Review existing information, studies, and municipal priorities related to erosion management and urban restoration.
4. Recommend technically feasible and economically viable interventions to support future urban landscape restoration efforts.
5. Provide an implementation roadmap, including indicative costs, risks, and considerations for long-term maintenance and sustainability.

4. SCOPE OF WORK

Task 1: Inception Phase

Conduct kickoff meetings with IISD, WRI, and relevant Kigali stakeholders; review project documentation and previous SUNCASA reports; confirm target catchments and assessment sites; identify data requirements and information gaps.

Task 2: Baseline Technical Assessment 

Carry out a literature review covering existing studies, Kigali city plans and regulations, along with previous restoration assessments and relevant erosion-control initiatives. Collect and review existing GIS, hydrological, soil, land-use, and any other relevant data. Conduct site visits to characterize the study area in terms of soil and erosion processes; landslide and slope stability risks; document existing vegetation and restoration status, and map drainage pathways and runoff hotspots.

Task 3: Stakeholder Engagement

Consult relevant officials, technical personnel from the City of Kigali, relevant technical agencies and government ministries, local SUNCASA implementing partners, and community representatives where relevant. Prepare presentation materials; facilitate validation workshops and present findings to IISD, WRI, City of Kigali, and partners. Document comments received during the validation exercise and revise the final report as needed.

Task 4: Options Assessment

Evaluate potential measures for soil stabilization, including nature-based measures (vegetative stabilization, bioengineering treatments and agroforestry options, etc.); structural measures (such as retaining structures, gabions, check dams, etc.); hybrid solutions, i.e., green-gray infrastructure combinations. The options should be evaluated on the basis of technical feasibility, cost, environmental benefits, maintenance requirements, scalability, and climate resilience.

Task 5: Feasibility Analysis and Recommendations

Prepare a report containing recommended intervention packages, conceptual layouts/designs, cost estimates, risk and implementation constraints, and expected environmental benefits.

Task 6: Reporting 

Consolidate findings from all previous tasks into a single structured final report containing key sections, i.e., executive summary, detailed study site description, methodology, findings, recommendations, and implications. The report should also highlight finalized preferred interventions and integrate stakeholder feedback.

5. Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Inception Report

The inception report shall clearly outline a detailed methodology, workplan, stakeholder engagement strategy and approach, confirmation and prioritization of target catchments/sites, and data requirements and assessment framework.

Deliverable 2: Baseline Technical Assessment Report

The technical assessment report shall contain information on existing site conditions (with photographs), erosion assessment, GIS maps, and site characterization, and all spatial and non-spatial files in a standardized format.

Deliverable 3: Options Assessment and Decision Matrix

This report shall contain intervention options, comparative analysis of NbS, structural, and hybrid solutions, and preliminary cost estimates. It should also include multi-criteria ranking, i.e., cost, effectiveness, maintenance, scalability, GESI considerations, and climate resilience. The consultant should also assess environmental and social impacts and develop a multi-criteria decision matrix.

Deliverable 4: Site-Specific Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Roadmap

This report should contain the selected preferred intervention packages, estimation of implementation costs and risks, identification of environmental and regulatory requirements, prioritization of sites for phased implementation, risk mitigation measures for each site, and monitoring considerations. The report should also define institutional roles and responsibilities, maintenance, and sustainability strategy.

Deliverable 5: Final Report on Feasibility Study

The final report shall consolidate findings from all previous tasks and integrate stakeholder feedback, finalize recommended interventions together with a phased implementation strategy, indicative budget, site-specific risk mitigation measures, and monitoring considerations.

 Deliverable 6: Stakeholder Validation and Presentation

The consultant will prepare a PowerPoint presentation of findings from the feasibility assessment to IISD, WRI, and representatives from the City of Kigali and other relevant SUNCASA stakeholders. The recommendations from the presentation should be included in the final report.

6. Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years of relevant experience in environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, erosion control, and ecological restoration.
• Demonstrated experience on similar projects.
• Experience in successfully implementing erosion-control, slope stabilization, watershed management, or ecological restoration projects.
• Experience working in East Africa or Rwanda preferred, and an understanding of local regulations, biophysical conditions, and stakeholder dynamics.
• Ability to mobilize field staff in Kigali.

 Key Personnel

• Team Leader/Environmental Engineer (minimum 10 years relevant experience).
• Geotechnical or Civil Engineer with expertise in slope stability.
• Restoration/Reforestation Specialist.
• GIS/Spatial Analysis Specialist.
• Socio-environmental or Stakeholder Engagement Specialist (optional but desirable).

Read the full Terms of Reference here for Delivery and payment schedule, Submission requirement and Evaluation Criteria.

Consultancy for Feasibility Assessment on Soil Stabilization and Erosion-Control Measures, Rwanda

Application Process

Application deadline: September 8, 2026

For any questions related to this RFP, please send an email to schasia@iisd.org

All applications must be submitted in English. 

To apply for this consultancy, please submit the following:

• Technical Proposal: Demonstrating an understanding of the assignment and outlining a clear methodology, work plan, proposed team composition, and relevant experience.
• Financial Proposal: Including a detailed budget, consultants’ daily rates, travel and field costs, applicable taxes, and any other relevant expenses. All costs should be clearly broken down and aligned with each deliverable and the key activities outlined in the Scope of Work.
• Company Profile: Including evidence of registration or a certificate of incorporation/registration issued by the relevant government authority.
• Updated CVs: Of all key personnel proposed for the assignment.
• References and Relevant Experience: At least two (2) references, along with examples of similar work completed for comparable projects.

NOTE: 

• Incomplete and late proposals will be automatically disqualified. 
• Only proposals scoring at least 70% of the technical score shall proceed to financial evaluation.