Background

The coastal zone of Sierra Leone is highly vulnerable to the increased frequency and severity

of coastal erosion, flooding and storm surges which severely impact social wellbeing (health), livelihood security (and water resources) and major economic sectors such as fishing, tourism, water resources and agriculture. Coastal communities are already experiencing considerable repercussions of these impacts, notably on their livelihoods with reduced fishing productivity, ecosystem degradation and low farming outputs. The limited accessibility of climate-related data limits the ability of decision-makers to make informed planning and policy decisions for the coast (in particular marine and sea parameters databases such as wave height, wave period, wind speed and direction), and to take any clear strategic actions to remedy these negative effects. This lack of adequate knowledge is contributing towards undermining social and economic development, particularly under a changing climate. In addition, weak institutional regulatory capacity coupled with the absence of a national “coastal specific” community-based information system that focuses on supporting the management of climate-related risks continue to hamper long-term coastal planning, management and early warning activities. The GEF-funded project is designed to address these problems. The intended outcome of the project is to help the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to become more climate resilient while contributing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project focuses on three thematic components;

Component 1: Generating sound scientific knowledge and access to information;

Component 2: Climate information internalized into coastal development policy and plans;

Component 3: Awareness and alternative, innovative activities to support adaptation in the coastal zone. Through these components, the project will work towards the removal of those policies and any informational barriers that are preventing Sierra Leone, as a nation, to systematically manage coastal risks. This will contribute to the vulnerability reduction of both coastal communities and ecosystems and strengthen institutional capacity and adaptation planning.

UNDP is about to construct innovative fish processing infrastructural facilities to reduce post-harvest losses in the five project locations indicated above. The impact of such infrastructural work if not carefully assessed may result to unintended negative consequences on the environment. Therefore, UNDP is recruiting an individual consultant to undertake an Environmental Health and Social Impact Assessment (EHSIA) at the various project sites to provide an understanding of any negative environmental impacts on the infrastructural work and social effects with proffered mitigations measures. The successful candidate is expected to conduct this assessment by strictly following Environment Protection Agency guidelines on EIA.

Duty Station: Project locations in Goderich, Tombo, Conakrydee, Shenge and Turtle Island including mile 6 in Koya Rural District.

The objective of this assignment is to undertake an EHSIA studies at construction sites in the five project Locations (Goderich, Tombo, Conakry Dee, Shenge and Turtle Island) and one location in Koya Rural District (mile 6). The consultant shall carry out the assignment in accordance with the functions outlined below.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The individual consultant shall work under the supervision of the UNDP Team Leader – Sustainability and Local Economic Development (SLED) and in close collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) including Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and National Tourist Board (NTB).

Note:

The individual consultant must be registered with EPA and ensure that reports match the category of the project.

Overall responsibilities:

The consultant shall be responsible to carry out a detailed studies and assessment of the infrastructural works to be carried out, identifying the potential environmental and social impacts, both negative and positive that may result from the construction work to be implemented in the selected locations. The identified impacts if negative must be profiled to provide guidance on possible mitigation measures and assess the magnitude and importance of other possible impacts. The impact must take in account the number and magnitude of mitigation strategies which need to be employed to reduce the risk(s) introduced to the environment. Where possible, assess the significance and magnitude of negative impacts of a project and the impacts must be quantified.

Specific tasks will include but not limited to:

The impact of physical activities and elements on the environment to be addressed:

·       Impacts of the construction activities such as site clearance and earthworks

·       Impacts of operation and maintenance

·       Impacts of the supporting infrastructure on the mainland and land scape

The impact of the Human/Social activities to be addressed:

·       Effects on socio-economic status such as changes to public access and recreational use

·       Impacts on existing and potential economic activities, contribution of development to national economy and development of surrounding communities.

·       Safety and security arrangement.

·       Support staff needs

·       Perform any other tasks as may be requested by the SLED Cluster Team Leader and EPA

Recommended Mitigation

·       Mitigation and abatement measures shall be formulated for each potential negative impact identified.

Residual Impacts

·       Identify any residual negative impacts for which no solution for mitigation can be proposed

·       Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.

·       Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.

·       Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modelling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards.

·       Respect the diversity and treats everyone fairly.

·       Strong communication, team building, interpersonal and analysis skills.

Functional

·       Informed, sound, and transparent decision-making skills

·       Ability to work under pressure and according to tight deadlines

·       Essential computer skills in particular competency in the use of Windows MS Office programs (Word, Excel, Power Point etc.)

·       Excellent analytical skills

·       Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

·       Strong communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products in English

Professionalism

·       Effective oral and written communication skills.

·       Problem solving skills.

·       Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment.

·       Shows pride in work and in achievements.

·       Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

·       Superior leadership and strategic management skills with an excellent understanding of international development issues and knowledge of the UN system.

·       Good understanding of gender and human right based approach, and skills, experience and commitment to gender issues.

·       Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse.

Planning & Organizing

·       Ability to plan and organize work and establish priorities. Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources, and multiple reporting relationships.

·       Plan, coordinate and organize workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and meeting deadlines.

·       Experience working collaboratively in small teams with tight deadlines.

This assignment requires the services of an individual consultancy that can demonstrate adequate analytical capacity and expertise with the following minimum qualifications:

Education:

·       Must have at least Advanced University degree (Masters’) in Environmental Studies, Development studies, Natural Resource management or related field of study

Experience:             

·       Minimum 5 years professional experiences and familiarity with coastal climate change impacts and adaptation measures and other climate issues.

·       Demonstrate understanding of sustainable development issues and challenges in the natural resource and environment sector.

·       Experience in environmental safeguards instruments like EIAs

·       Previous experience on EIAs in developing country would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

·       Fluency in spoken and written English required.

How to Apply

Qualified consultants are hereby requested to apply with the following required information:

·       Brief letter of application.

·       Personal CV indicating relevant professional experience.

·       Brief description (max. 2 pages) of the proposed methodology and approach on how they intend to carry out the assignment.

·       Financial proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (including professional fee and specified other costs if applicable including travel costs and DSA).

Note:

·       The information in the breakdown of the offered lump sum amount provided by the offer or will be used as the basis for determining best value for money, and as a reference for any amendments of the contract.

·       The agreed contract amount will remain fixed regardless of any factors causing an increase in the cost of any of the components in the breakdown that are not directly attributable to UNDP.

·       The breakdown of budget shall include local travel related to this assignment.

Please note that applications will only be considered if they include ALL of the items listed above. Also note that UNDP job portal website only allows for one document to be uploaded, so please combine all the above-mentioned items into one single Word or PDF document before uploading.

Evaluation criteria

The award of the contract will be made to the consultant that obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method”.

Technical Competence (based on CV and technical proposal)           Weight 70%              Max. Point 700

Academic qualification:                                                                                 10%                             100                                                     

Advanced University degree (Masters’) in Environmental                               10%                              100

Studies, Development Studies, Development Management,

or related field of study.

Methodology                                                                                                    40%                         400                                                                     

A well develop approach to the assignment detailing                                       30%                          300

among other things methodology and approach

to the assignment suitable to the required ToRs.

A well develop work plan relating to the scope of                                            10%                           100

the ToRs included as per the technical proposal.

Experience relevant to the assignment                                                       20%                           200

Previous working experience indicating similar                                              10%                            100

assignment with updated CV submitted

as an attachment to the technical proposal.

Previous experience on EIA                                                                          10%                             100

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 Points)                                                        30%                            300

Financial proposal in spreadsheet indicating all costs related to the proposal     30%          300

Total Score                Technical Score *70% + Financial Score *30%