Consultant - Environmental Sustainability and Management and Climate Action Review

Terms of Reference for

Environmental Sustainability and Management and Climate Action Review

1. Organisational
context

ChildFund Australia is an independent international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in developing communities. We partner to create community and systems change which enables children and young people in vulnerable situations, to assert and realise their rights. At ChildFund Australia, we want every child and young person to be able to say: “I am safe. I am educated. I contribute. I have a future.” At ChildFund Australia we directly manage and implement programs with a range of local partners in Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and other countries in the Pacific. We also manage projects delivered by partner organisations throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. ChildFund Australia is a member of the ChildFund Alliance - a global network of 11 organisations which assists almost 36 million children and their families in 70 countries. ChildFund Australia is a registered charity, a member of the Australian Council for International Development, and fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which manages the Australian Government’s overseas aid program.

2. Background

ChildFund Australia is committed to embedding environmental sustainability and climate action across its organisational operations and development programs. Recognising the urgent, global need for responsible environmental management, ChildFund aims to ensure its policies and practices align with international best practices and contribute to improved environmental outcomes.

To ensure ongoing alignment with emerging practice and in compliance with standards set by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), ChildFund Australia is undertaking a comprehensive review of its environmental management practices at both the organisational and programmatic levels.

This review will assess compliance with the following DFAT accreditation standards:

- A1.6 - Demonstrating an organisational commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action, and improved environmental outcomes.
- B2.3 - Integrating environmental sustainability, climate action, and improved environmental outcomes into program design and implementation.
B2.5 - Conducting periodic reviews of environmental sustainability policies and practices to ensure continuous improvement.
- The review also coincides with the development of the next ChildFund Australia Strategic Plan, and findings will inform how we prioritise and address climate action and environmental protection in this next phase.

3. Purpose

The primary objective of this review is to assess, strengthen, and enhance ChildFund Australia’s

approach to environmental sustainability and climate action. Specifically, this assessment aims to:

- Evaluate the effectiveness of ChildFund Australia’s existing environmental and climate change policies, strategies, and practices.
- Assess the implementation of environmental and climate change policies and procedures across organisational and programmatic operations.
- Identify gaps and areas for improvement to enhance environmental sustainability and climate action efforts.
- Analyse the impact of environmental sustainability and climate action measures within ChildFund’s development programs.
- Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen environmental sustainability and climate action integration at all levels, with consideration for strategic entry points for climate action within ChildFund’s core programming and advocacy.

The findings will inform strategic improvements, ensuring that ChildFund Australia continues to uphold sector standards, enhance environmental performance, and drive positive environmental outcomes into the next phase of organisational strategy.

4. Scope of the Review
This review will encompass three key areas:
1. Organisational Environmental and Climate Action Practices
- Assessment of ChildFund Australia’s environmental and climate change policies, strategies, and leadership commitment.
- Evaluation of workplace culture, operational sustainability initiatives, and internal capacity for climate action.

2. Programmatic Environmental and Climate Change Integration
- Review of how environmental sustainability and climate action are embedded in

ChildFund’s development programs.
- Examination of program design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms.
- Analysis of how ChildFund collaborates with local communities, government bodies, and other organisations on climate and sustainability initiatives, including advocacy activities.

5. Methodology

The consultant is expected to adopt a comprehensive, mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative analysis to ensure a robust assessment. Proposed methodologies include:

- Desk review of organisational pol