Safe Water Project Environmental Impact Assessment

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Adeso is currently implementing WASH project for vulnerable communities in Lower Juba. The overall objective (Goal) of the project is to improve quality of health among children and women by building community resilience to cope with the effects of drought through increasing access to safe water supply and sanitation services, and improving hygiene behaviors for vulnerable populations.

The Safe water project is a 5- month project sponsored by Muslim Charity UK. To be implemented in Dhobley, Lower Juba Region. The project aims to reduce the negative effects of drought on pastoral lives and livelihoods are reduced through the timely delivery of water for human and animal consumption and Sustain livelihoods through provision of water for both people and livestock. Adeso has been implementing safe water project in both Afamadow and Dhobley and with funding from Muslim Charity Adeso will implement the second phase of the project began in January 2015.

CONSULTANCY BACKGROUND

Adeso is seeking a qualified individual or firm to undertake an Environmental impact assessment for Safe Water Project being implemented in Lower Juba South Somalia. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will help document the potential effects of the Project and recommend measures to manage (maximize positive and minimize negative) and monitor those effects. Based in Dhobley Lower Juba, the consultant will functionally report to the Deputy program Manager CARSP but technically to M&E Manager and will play a crucial role in providing a reliable, permanent source of fresh, safe water for household among pastoralists in Degelima village.

SCOPE OF WORK

The purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment is required to identify and analyze the potential environmental impacts of proposed borehole drilling and piping activities. The EIA to be prepared for the safe water project will;

· Identify and analyze environmental impacts in all Project phases from before the drilling to after hand over to the community,

· Conduct a vulnerability assessment and beneficiary profiling as part of the project baseline assessment.

· Develop measures to address and mitigate adverse environmental impacts,

· Preserve environmental values, and help to realize sustainable development opportunities,

In accordance with the EIA guidelines the following areas will be covered in the EIA:

· An extended, non-technical summary

· An introduction which describes the borehole drilling project, its background and objectives

· A thorough description vulnerability assessments, and of the environment before borehole drilling commences,

· A description of the water drilling project with all phases from hydrological survey to hand over and beyond;

· An assessment of environmental impacts of the project with an evaluation of alternatives compared to the preferred option

· An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which describes how the identified impacts are dealt with

· An Environmental Monitoring Plan with a description of e.g. species, stations and parameters to be monitored

· Public consultations

· Conclusions

· References used in the EIA process and Glossary of terms and abbreviations.

The EIA will cover only the safe water project intervention region that might be affected by the project. If the Project includes use of areas outside the borehole drilling area for e.g. roads, airstrips, grazing lands and farms; effects of these will also be covered.

SURVEY APPROACHES AND DELIVERABLES

1. Literature review: Review of existing data, topographical maps, satellite images, existing studies and borehole site investigations in the area, geological reports and maps (if available), borehole and surface water records, etc.

The desk review should also establish existing micro financial mechanism available for WASH service delivery; this should include both ongoing practice and what microfinance institutions are rolling out in the market.

1. EIA report with vulnerability assessment section incorporated.
2. Environmental assessment and modelling to Identify social economic opportunities that exist in the identified project locations and how they can be applied
3. Establish existing boundaries and targeted population to be positively by the project.
4. Scoping workshop to involve the public throughout the EIA process and informing them continuously as the Project moves through one phase into another i.e. stakeholders to be consulted as part of the scoping phase.
5. Establish challenges in water resource management that the available structures present in governance of the borehole to be drilled and possible recommendations on how to mitigate the challenges.
6. Identify proven and tested best practices and approaches that can be replicated in the project implementation.
7. Compilation, analysis, and evaluation of the gathered data and information.
8. Site recommendations.
9. Presentation of the final report to the project teams in Adeso.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

· 5 years and above experience in undertaking environmental impact assessment for WASH projects in South Somalia.

· Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental planning and management, Environmental health, Water Engineering, Environmental & bio-systems engineering, Water engineering and or related field.

· At least 3 years of experience in conducting EIA for borehole works in rural contexts, including construction of shallow wells and sand wells.

· Working experience in the project areas with agro pastoral communities is mandatory.

· Experience working in a humanitarian or other international NGO.

· Strong cross-cultural skills and experience.

· A team player (If individual) with good organizational and interpersonal skills.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applications should be sent to consultancy@adesoafrica.org by the13thFebruary 2015, with “Safe Water Project Environmental Impact Assessment” on the subject line. The selection panel will review all applications as they arrive. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

Each application package should include the following:

· An application letter addressing the selection criteria including how the consultant’s previous experience matches the consultancy objectives as well as the interest for the position. It should also indicate the candidate’s availability and consultancy rates. The letter should be no longer than two pages;

· A sample of recent work;

· Updated CV including relevant work experience and qualifications;

· Contact details of 3 references.

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.

Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.