National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert

Background

BACKGROUND

UNDP Iraq seeks to implement a 3-year “Climate Action for Human Security in Iraqi Marshlands” project, jointly with the Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoEn) and the local government in Misan. The project strategy is a direct response to the current levels of severe environmental degradation in the Al Hawizeh marshes, amidst returning IDPs. The projected changes in marsh and upstream climate regimes may well reverse the pattern of return of IDPs to the marshes and induce a second wave of displacement over time due to the deterioration of marshland biodiversity and the ecosystem services on which the livelihoods of returning IDPs depend. This project is considered a pilot project within the Regional umbrella project (SDG Climate Facility project: Climate Action for Human Security) Funded by SIDA includes regional Arab-wide as well as national-level activities. UNDP will work in close coordination with the MoEn and with Misan Governor’s office, both of which will designate official focal points who will provide management support to UNDP for the implementation of project activities.

The Al Hawizeh Marshes are located in the Misan governorate in southeast Iraq just east of the Tigris River. Together with the adjacent Central and Al Hammar marshes within the Thi Qar and Basra governorates, respectively, they are at the southern tip of large alluvial plain fed by the flows of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and their distributaries. The three marsh areas consist of a set of interconnected, shallow, freshwater lakes, marshes and seasonally inundated large, flat floodplains.

Based on consultations with the government, local communities, and civil society stakeholders on climate risks in the marshlands and priority activities to reduce displacement pressure, the overall objective of the project is to enhance climate security among returning IDPs to the Al Hawizeh marshes.

Objectives

The objective of the consultancy is to support UNDP in implementing its project ‘Climate Action for Human Security in Iraqi Marshlands’ to achieve the following:

Develop the EIAs for selected sites that will be used as ecotourism sites, solar energy powered water purification system and wastewater treatment.
The EIA must be fulfilling the necessary national criteria’s set by the legislation and regulations of the Iraqi Government including the Ministry of Environment.
Work carried out by the consultants needs to be based on the recommendations of the Gender Gap Analysis/Gender Equality Action Plan prepared by the project in 2021, which will be provided to the consultant upon commencement of the assignment

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert will act as a national expert with the following responsibilities:

Collect necessary data for developing the EIA

The consultant shall conduct a literature, desk-top, review relating the biophysical, natural environment, socio-economic and heritage assets of the study area. This literature review shall cover bio-geographic zones, bio-climatic zones, metrology, hydrogeology and water resources, soil, ecosystems, key biological habitat, socio-economic, legal and regulatory framework and natural and cultural heritage environment.

Stakeholders Consultations

For the stakeholder's consultation/engagement purpose, the consultant shall ensure to involve the project female and male stakeholder throughout the project phases by the different activities (scoping session, meetings, interviews, etc.), taking into account conducting the approvals from the National Contractual Service adopted by the Government of Iraq (GoI), the National World Heritage committee and the Ministry of Environment. Documentation of the scoping session participants and discussions during the session shall be provided in a separate annex.

Baseline Documentation

Following the completion of the literature review and site investigations the consultant shall document, analyze and prepare report sections on the baseline conditions of the EIA. This reporting shall include qualitative and quantitative evaluation whenever applicable.

Assessment of the Anticipated Impacts

Once all baseline information and consultation are documented and well understood, the significant aspects shall be analyzed, expected impacts on the significant environmental aspects associated with the various phases of the project will be identified, and criteria for the evaluation of significance are developed.

Based on the criteria each impact shall be assessed for significance. Significant impacts shall be further studied, described and quantified where applicable, including positive and negative, direct, indirect and accumulative impacts. Related activities to be implemented under this task include:

Evaluation of the significance of impacts based on the magnitude of effects and the real or perceived values of the resource.
Revision of the environmental implications of the project and various alternatives on the study for minimizing and mitigating impacts.
Evaluation of the significance of impacts based on the magnitude of effects and the real or perceived values of the resource.
Identification of direct and indirect environmental impacts from establishment, operation and long-term use, including longevity of effects and cumulative effects

The impacts on the heritage environment shall be given a special attention and shall be discussed in a separate chapter/section.

Identify project alternatives

Under this task, the consultant shall identify alternatives for the proposed activities/technologies. Additionally, the consultant shall assess different project scenarios (no development scenario should be included).

Emergency planning

The selected site is considered a significant cultural heritage site, therefore, an emergency response plan/measures should be included in the EIA report. The consultant shall develop an emergency (environmental pollution and hazards) mitigation measures.

Environmental Management Plan

Part of the final EIA report shall include the preparation for a detailed management plan that cover the stages of the project and consist of the following two major parts.

Mitigation Measures

Where the impacts are significant, mitigation measures shall be developed. Such measures could include design alterations, recommendation for construction operations and techniques, and/or ongoing management requirements. The analysis of the impacts shall be taken further into the study of the available mitigation strategies. Various mitigation measures shall be analyzed and then proposed based on practical implications.

Environmental Monitoring and Management Framework

The final Environmental Impact assessment report shall include a Monitoring Plan, which shall be developed to ensure that the appropriate mitigation and control measures are taken into account during the project development. The plan shall be presented in tabular form for easy reference during the different phases of the project, and shall allow the easy identification and monitoring of mitigation measures to be undertaken.

As part of the Management and Monitoring Plan, significant parameters which need to be monitored shall be identified and steps for their monitoring shall be developed. If necessary, specific technical requirements with which the project should be designed to comply. Such steps may include location of parameter measurement, frequency, equipment to be used, and reporting requirements. Furthermore, the environmental management (mitigation, monitoring, supervision, rehabilitation, compensation, etc.) responsibilities shall be discussed and overall management structure shall be proposed.

Developing the EIA Report

The final EIA reports shall respond to any comments from the stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment and UNDP to finalize the EIA and should be submitted in both Arabic and English. Two separate EIA reports shall be submitted. Furthermore, the final EIA reports should be in line with international best practices and the Iraqi's instructions for EIA approvals for projects that could affect international heritage sites. As well as the Law for the Protection and Improvement of Environment No. 27, 2009. Additionally, the EIA shall be in line with the instruction of obtaining environmental permits for projects that could affects cultural heritage sites.

The consultancy will be for a period of 2 months. The assignment will be managed under the UNDP Project Manager and the overall EECC pillar head.

3. Scope of Work and Key Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and UNDP EECC pillar head, the National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert shall contribute to the provision of the following deliverables:

Scope of work

Key deliverables

Payment Percentage

Expected completion date

Inception Report which includes the plan for implementation of the consultancy: e.g. review of relevant policies, site visit schedule, meetings schedules, list of stakeholders to be consulted and schedule for stakeholder consultations etc.

Inception Report

20%

10 May 2022

1

Develop the draft EIA for the three selected sites that will be used for

Ecotourism site
Guest houses,
Market areas
Wildlife observation towers
Other necessary facilities

Off grid Solar energy water purification system
Wetlands for waste management

Draft EIA

40%

31 May 2022

2

Revise the draft EIA based on comments from stakeholders including UNDP and the Ministry of Environment. A report on stakeholder consultations shall be included with the Final deliverables

Final EIA

40%

15 June 2022

The consultant is also required to make him/herself available to attend remote/ virtual meetings / discussions via skype/ zoom or other relevant modality for planning meetings (in person)/ feedback meetings convened by Project Manager, head of the pillar, and the UNDP oversight team.

The National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert must be able and willing to collaborate and assist other team members.

5. Duration

The contract is effective from the date of signature by UNDP Iraq and the national consultant for over 2 months between 1 May 2022 – 30 June 2022.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Qualifications, skills, and professional experience of the National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert should include the following:

Hold a bachelor’s degree in fields related to environmental science
Minimum five (5) years of experience in developing EIAs required
Experience of developing at least two EIAs, which are also approved by the client/government
Demonstrated experience in applying UNESCO guidelines for EIA of heritage sites
Previous work experience with governmental institutes is an asset
Previous work experience with UN agencies is an asset
Excellent oral and written command of the English and Arabic languages required
Experience in the Iraqi marshlands is an asset

Competencies

Qualifications, skills, and professional experience of the National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert should include the following:

Hold a bachelor’s degree in fields related to environmental science
Minimum five (5) years of experience in developing EIAs required
Experience of developing at least two EIAs, which are also approved by the client/government
Demonstrated experience in applying UNESCO guidelines for EIA of heritage sites
Previous work experience with governmental institutes is an asset
Previous work experience with UN agencies is an asset
Excellent oral and written command of the English and Arabic languages required
Experience in the Iraqi marshlands is an asset

Competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Maturity combined with tact and diplomacy;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.