Namibia nationals: National consultant for a collective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for small-scale mining hotspots in Kunene Region

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would like to ensure that small-scale miners (SSMs) currently mining in small-scale mining hotspots comply with the requirements of the Environmental Management Act (EMA) No. 7 of 2007, along with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations No. 30 of 2012. These regulatory frameworks require EIAs to be conducted for mining and quarrying activities, given their potential negative environmental impacts. At the moment, there are four (4) small-scale mining sites in the Erongo Region, namely: Tubussis, Xoboxobos, Otjimbojo West, and Omapyu South, which are operating without Environmental Management Plans (EMPs).  However, as a requirement of the EMA, mining operators require Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECC) from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) in order to carry out their mining activities legally.

Each of the sites encompasses several mining claims, owned and operated by different individual persons. MME has recognized the need to enhance the quality of life for the artisanal and small-scale miners working outside of formal legal and economic systems, to help them transition to the formal system and to enhance the contribution of the mining sector to sustainable development. As such, the MME with funding from the UNDP-SEPA Environmental Governance for Natural Resources Management Programme will be facilitating the acquisition of ECCs for the four (4) sites.

Against the above background, MME requires the services of a consultant or consultants to conduct EIAs for the two of the four small-scale mining hotspots identified above.

Under the supervision of MME and UNDP, the consultant will be required to conduct two EIAs for two of the small-scale mining hotspots, out of the four: Tubussis, Xoboxobos, Otjimbojo West, and Omapyu West. The EIA will take into account all activities and the anticipated impacts from the various sites, and subsequently compile practical/implementable environmental management plans for each of the sites in order to support the issuance of ECCs for various small-scale mining sites.

To be specific, the consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks:

1.       Conduct a collective EIA for two of the four small-scale mining hotspots (Tubussis, Xoboxobos, Otjimojo West and Omapyu South);

2.        Conduct a scoping exercise that involves an engagement of relevant Interested and Affected Parties (I&AP), local authorities, government            ministries and specialists.

3.       Assess the bio-physical, socio-economic impacts of mining activities in all the sites, considering both current and future activities.

4.       Conduct public participation meetings in affected communities.

 5.      Compile two separate Scoping EIA Reports, with specialist studies findings appended to report

The consultant should demonstrate the following:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding the client needs;
• Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
• Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities;
• Understanding of UNDP;
• Competence in adaptive management, as applied to land degradation related activities;
• Ability to conduct Environmental Assessments.
• Understanding of issues related to environmental management and mining; 
• Excellent English communication skills

Education:

• At least an Honours University degree qualification in a relevant field (e.g. environmental sciences, environmental management, development studies, geology, mining etc.).

Experiences:

• Working experience in natural resources planning (minimum 3 years).
• Experience in developing, conducting, or training of EIAs and /or similar environmental assessment assignments; at least one of these assignments as a team leader
• Experience in environmental sector policies and regulations.
• Experience in environmental stakeholder consultations.
• At least 5 years’ experience in developing countries, preferably in Africa?

Languages:

• Strong analytical skills; exceptional ability in communication and writing in English

Recommended Presentation of Offer;

• Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or a P11 Personal History form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment (max 1 page).

Financial proposal:

Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (based on the number of working days mentioned ToR.

Note:

• Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows uploading maximum one document.
• Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.

To view the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and download letter of confirmation of interest and P11 form, please access the UNDP Procurement Notice site on the below link: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=66469