Development of an Environmental Manual for Environmental and Social Assessment, Management and Monitoring for the Road Sector in Suriname

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1 Development of an Environmental Manual for Environmental and Social Assessment, Management and Monitoring for the Road Sector in Suriname 1. Background Information Terms of Reference Currently, the implementation of the project for the rehabilitation of the Meerzorg Albina takes place. The Meerzorg Albina road, with a length of kilometres, has been identified as a critical section of the planned Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America (IIRSA). The Rehabilitation project is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Commission (EC). The loan contract for the Road Project Meerzorg Albina Corridor Rehabilitation project in Suriname has an institutional strengthening component which is mentioned as follows: The project will provide support to the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS), through a technical consultancy for the development of an Environmental and Social Management System for the Transport Sector, including: a) specific and detailed guidelines and TORs for environmental assessment of road projects, and b) technical and socio-environmental specifications for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance works and operation. NIMOS was established on March 15 th, 1998 as a autonomous Government Foundation and working arm of the NMR and since 2002 reports its activities to the Minister of Labour, Technological Development and Environment (ATM) whose Ministry coordinates the formulation of the environmental policy for Suriname. The statutory goals of NIMOS are: to realize national environmental legislation to prepare and realize measures with regard to the protection of the environment to coordinate and control the fulfillment of these measures NIMOS has developed 5 environmental assessment guidelines namely: Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume I: Generic Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume II: Mining Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume III: Forestry Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume IV: Social Impact Assessment Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume V: Power Generation and Transmission Projects These guidelines have been published and are currently being used in the ESIA process. These guidelines were formulated through a participatory approach with numerous discussions and workshops with relevant stakeholders in the various sectors. 1

2 2. Objective The Objectives of this assignment, which is intended to be carried out by an individual consultant, are to develop: (a) specific and detailed guidelines and TORs for environmental and social assessment, management and monitoring of road projects; (b) technical and socioenvironmental specifications for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance works and operations. Both tasks under (a) and (b) will provide the necessary inputs for the development of an Environmental Manual for the Road sector in Suriname; (c) identification of the present and future needs to strengthen institutional capacity for environmental management within the road sector in Suriname, with emphasis on the capacity in NIMOS, The Road Authority, The Ministry of Public Works and other relevant institutions; and (d) train NIMOS and other relevant institutions in implementing Environmental and Social Assessment, Management and Monitoring for the Road Sector in Suriname. 3. Activities NIMOS, with its in-house experts in law, environmental monitoring and impact assessment, will have the technical coordination of this assignment. In close collaboration with a consultant, this team of in-house experts will carry out the following activities. Task 1 - Identification (and evaluation) of existing applicable legislation, policy and the institutional framework The Office of Legal Services (LEG) within NIMOS will carry out the following activities: (i) a study of relevant legislation (which considers both social and environmental issues), Policy documents and ratified Multilateral Environmental Agreements, (ii) interviews with relevant Ministries/institutions, (iii) inventory of applicable legislation, policy and ratified MEA s, and (iv) inventory of relevant Ministries and Institutions. The results of these activities will be an integral part of the Guidelines mentioned under Task 4. Further, NIMOS staff and the consultant will assess the applicable legislation, policy and the institutional framework and propose the necessary considerations for environmental and social issues. Task 2 An Environmental Baseline of the Road Sector in Suriname Together with NIMOS in-house experts on environmental monitoring and impact assessment, the consultant will visit and screen a selected group of proposed road projects and existing roads and: (i) identify major environmental and social issues along the selected roads, (ii) propose strategies for their assessment, management, mitigation, monitoring, and control, and (iii) include the information into case studies of the selected roads. Task 3 Identification, evaluation and improvement of institutional capacity and needs Both NIMOS staff and the consultant shall identify those institutions which have environmental management responsibility within the road sector, assess their institutional management capacity. After the identification, the consultant will both develop training materials for NIMOS and conduct environmental management training for key persons in the identified institutions. 2

3 Apart from the training the consultant should also propose further institutional strengthening activities to improve environmental management in this sector. This includes organizational, training, staffing, equipment recommendations and costs. Task 4 - Development of Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines for the Road Sector in Suriname Together with in-house experts on impact assessment in the Office of Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA), the consultant will use information gathered under tasks 1 and 2 to develop the Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines for the Road Sector in Suriname. Under this task the consultant needs to understand the current EIA system in Suriname, and identify its gaps regarding the road sector. Also, the consultant needs to assess the ESIAs and relevant management of impacts of past road projects in Suriname. The development of these Guidelines will be done through a participatory approach, which will enable relevant stakeholders, both public and private, to provide feedback during workshops. Task 5 Development of Environmental Management and Monitoring Guidelines for the Road Sector in Suriname This task will be conducted in close collaboration with the Office of Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement (EME) within NIMOS. The consultant needs to identify the environmental issues in each phase (design, construction, operational and closure phase) of road projects, focusing on soil, water, air and noise, and describe the actions to manage these issues. The monitoring requirements have to be identified and described in a detailed monitoring mechanism as an element of the Environmental Management and Monitoring Guidelines. The monitoring mechanism should include the identified parameters, monitoring frequency and responsible organizations. The necessary monitoring equipment and training requirements should also be identified. Task 6 Development of technical and socio-environmental specifications Under this task the consultant needs to understand the road system in Suriname and how it is classified and maintained for e.g primary, secondary and tertiary roads. To understand the importance of the uses of the roads, NIMOS and the Consultant as part of this assignment should undertake public consultation activities. The consultant needs to look at international best practices and identify if they are applicable for Suriname or need some adaptation. The consultant will use the gathered information to develop technical and socio-environmental specifications for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance works and operation. Task 7 Finalization of the Environmental Manual for the Road Sector in Suriname NIMOS together with the consultant will organize a workshop for key stakeholders to discuss the Draft Environmental Manual. Key stakeholders will be provided considerable time to give comments and the necessary input to finalize the Manual. This finalization of the Environmental Manuel will be done by the consultant. Workshop logistics and preparation will be the responsibility of NIMOS. 4. Expected Outputs a. Final Environmental Manual for the Road Sector in Suriname, including: 3

4 i. Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines for the Road Sector in Suriname ii. Case Studies of the Road Sector in Suriname iii. Environmental Management and Monitoring Guidelines for the Road Sector in Suriname iv. Technical and socio-environmental specifications for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance works and operation b. A study of existing applicable legislation, policy and the institutional framework for the Road Sector in Suriname c. Proposed program for further institutional strengthening of the environmental management capacity in the sector d. Environmental Training Materials related to the Road sector in Suriname 5. Qualifications and Competence The individual consultant required for this assignment should have the following minimum qualifications: A Msc. or Ph.D. degree in environmental sciences or related discipline. At least ten years of professional experience in environmental assessment, management and monitoring of the road sector Prior experience in designing environmental regulations and national environmental assessment systems and procedures, with particular emphasis on the road sector Previous experience in or countries with similar circumstances as Suriname is a great asset Language capability: speak, read, write English. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset. The evaluation of bids provided by potential candidates will occur based on abovementioned qualifications and competence, specifically the following factors: Points (I) (II) (III) Education/Professional Qualifications Bachelor Degree 5 Master or PhD degree Prior demonstrated experience in environment assignments in the transport sector General experience 10 Specific experience Experience in countries with similar conditions and economic background as Suriname 15 (IV) Language Capability 10 Total 100 4

5 6. Duration It is expected that this assignment will conclude in 8 months. The period for the consultant to provide the necessary expertise is 3 months (equivalent to 90 days). Two fieldvisits will be conducted with the duration of 2-3 days the first time around and the second visit for a duration of 2 days. During the first fieldvisit the consultant will be required to submit an Inception Report and detailed Work Plan. During the second fieldvisit the Draft Final Report will be submitted to NIMOS. The Consultant is expected to carry out the consultancy both in Suriname and at his/her home office. 7. Payment Schedule The payment schedule for this task is as follows: 20% will be paid upon signature of the Contract 10% upon submission by the Consultant of and after approval by NIMOS of Inception Report and Work Plan within 10 days of commencement of the Consultancy 20% upon submission by the Consultant of and approval by NIMOS of Mid-Assignment Report (related to certain tasks mentioned in the Work Plan) 30% upon submission of Draft Final Report (one month will be given to NIMOS, IADB & PEU for comments) 20% after approval of Final Report by NIMOS, IADB & PEU 8. Services to be Provided In order to fulfill the tasks related to the short-term consultancy, NIMOS will provide to the consultant for and during his/her assignment in Suriname the following: Office space, logistic support (including transportation) for fieldvisits, and administrative support for meetings and workshops. 5