Environmental Review Consultant

Terms of Reference (TOR) Consultancy Services

 Conduct Site Specific Environmental Review and update the Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan (EMMP)

General Information 

Services/Work Description:  Consultants to develop site specific environmental mitigation and monitoring reports for 6 projects sites. Each consultant will develop the reports for 2 locations as follows: 

• Hawassa and Sheshemene
• Adama and Bishoftu
• Dire Dawa and Harar

Duty Station: 50% regional travel and 50% LOE based in Addis Ababa. 

Duration: 10 total days of LOE. June 3, 2024-June 14, 2024.

Start Date: June 3, 2024 

Project Title:Urban WASH Activity

Project Background 

Urban WASH Activity is a five-year USAID-funded project implemented by Chemonics International and its partners. The goal of Urban WASH is to support accelerated access to safe, adequate, inclusive, and resilient WASH services targeting urban and peri-urban areas. Overall, the activity will complete work through four complementary objectives:

• Enable and professionalize WASH service providers
• Foster markets for pro-poor and inclusive WASH services
• Strengthen WASH planning, budgeting, and service delivery oversight
• Strengthen accountability among urban WASH sector actors

Urban WASH will provide technical assistance and advisory services and will construct ancillary infrastructure to tackle key constraints within the entire urban WASH system. Technical implementation will strengthen service providers, enabling them to expand and improve services. Market development and demand generation, particularly for sanitation services, will take place within each selected municipality. Robust support to strengthen available information on WASH services is needed to better inform operational and management decisions at the service provider level; planning and budgeting decisions at the municipal, regional, and national levels; policy implementation at the national level; performance reporting for increased transparency and accountability; and donor coordination at all levels. Complementary support will strengthen accountability mechanisms across the sector. 

Background For This Assignment

The main objective of this consultancy is to undertake an environmental review using a standard form specifically developed for the USAID-funded URBAN WASH Activity for data capture and assessment of site-specific activities. 

Specific Tasks 

• Undertake field visit for data collection and complete the environmental review form (to be made available to the consultant). 
• The consultant is expected to collect data on the following items:
• Brief description of the topography 
• Describe the activity location, siting, surroundings (include or annex a map or sketch map, GIS mapping and photos if available).  
• Natural Environment
• Describe the vegetation in/adjacent to the project area. Include photographs if available, any forested area.
• Human Environment, 
• Describe the population centers that will be served by the proposed scheme. Include population, gender disaggregation, clan make-up etc
• Current Water Sources
• Describe any groundwater sources (boreholes and hand dug wells) as well as surface water sources such as rivers etc
• The consultant is also expected to collect data on the following related to construction of WASH facilities:
• Brief Description of the anticipated construction activity
• Provide information on the type and size of the proposed system. Include or annex a map or schematic of the scheme. Also describe how the water scheme will operate, source of energy etc
• Surface Water Ecology
• Is there a possibility that, due to construction and operation of the activity, river and lake ecology will be adversely affected?
• Historical, archaeological or cultural heritage site  
• Based on available sources, consultation with local authorities, local knowledge and/or observations, could the sub-project alter any historical, archaeological, cultural heritage or sacred site or require excavation near same
• Resettlement and/or land Acquisition
• Will involuntary resettlement, land acquisition, relocation of property, or loss, denial or restriction of access to land and other economic resources be caused by sub-project implementation
• Blocking of access and routes or disruption of normal operations in the general area 
• Will the sub-project interfere or block access, routes etc (for people, livestock and wildlife) or traffic routing and flows, either during construction or operation
• Noise and Dust Pollution during Construction and Operations
• What is the distance from generator or other motorized project operational components from the nearest dwelling?
• Solid and Liquid Wastes
• Will the sub-project generate solid and/or liquid wastes?
• Public Consultation
• Based on community consultation and best judgment, does the project have the potential to change current land uses, either locally or migratory, over the long or short term
• Exclusion of population segments or migrants
• Based on community consultation and best judgment, does the project have the potential to exclude or disadvantage population segments?

Expected Outputs And Deliverables  

 Based on the above information, develop site-specific Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Reports (EMMRs) following the structure of the Environmental Review Form.  

Methodology 

The Consultant will support Urban WASH in the implementation of the tasks outlined in this TOR. Coordination with different partners and actors is of upmost importance to ensure smooth implementation of the project activities in the cities.

Duration Of The Assignment  

This is a 10-day consultancy assignment starting o/a June 3, 2024 to o/a June 14, 2024. The consultant will be paid for days worked and for outputs delivered. 

Qualifications Of The Successful Individual Consultant 

• M.Sc. or above in Environmental Studies
• At least 5 years in undertaking environmental impact assessments, environmental compliance reviews. 
• Understanding of the Ethiopian Government environmental regulations for environmental compliance.
• A good understanding of USAID environmental regulations for environmental compliance. Experience supporting project environmental compliance and/or developing country initial environmental evaluations and EMMPs highly desired.
• Professional fluency (writing and oral) in English,
• Strong communication skills and flexibility working with various stakeholders,

Logistics

• The consultant will use his own laptop/computer with required software, however he/she can use the workspace of the Chemonics International Ethiopia branch, which is at Urban WASH Activity, Hansem Office Park, Kirkos Sub City, Woreda 01, House No. 301, 9th floor, Addis Ababa to accomplish the assignment while he/she working in Addis Ababa. The consultant may use the printing facilities and Internet services of the Chemonics office. Chemonics will facilitate travel, accommodation, vehicles for field work to accomplish the assignment.

Required Docs From The Individual Consultant 

The following documents may be requested: 

•  Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability. 
• Personal CV indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references. 
• A brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and document that depicts daily rate. 

Application Instructions 

Please apply by using this link. The application will close on May 29, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. 

Eeo Statement 

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.