TERMS OF REFERENCE CAPACITY BUILDING IN STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (SESA)

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1 1 TERMS OF REFERENCE CAPACITY BUILDING IN STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL ASSESSMENT (SESA) Position: SESA trainer Duration: 50 working days over a period of four (4) months Period: September 2016 December 2016 : NIMOS, Paramaribo Suriname Supervisor: General Director NIMOS/Office of Environmental & Social Assessments Status: Temporary contract 1. Background Information The National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) was established on March 15 th, 1998 as an autonomous government foundation and working arm of the National Environment Council and it is positioned within the Office of the President. 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. The NIMOS, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Suriname (GoS) is tasked with Management and Supervision of the national REDD+ program. In 2012 Suriname re-engaged into a national REDD+ readiness process, after a first initiative in 2009/2010. It aims at getting ready to possibly enter a future international REDD+ mechanism that will compensate financially for national efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Suriname has formulated a five year plan (R-PP) to prepare the country for REDD+. In March 2013, Suriname presented its R-PP to the Forest Carbon and Partnership Facility (FCPF) and received approval for a US$ 3.8M grant to support some of the preparatory activities towards REDD+. These funds from the FCPF are being implemented by the UNDP, as delivery partner in Suriname, as core funding to the present Project Document. The REDD+ Project Document for the readiness phase includes activities related to strengthening the institutional framework, building human capacity and developing the REDD+ National Strategy. An expected result of the REDD+ project as stated in the Project Document is: Technical and human conditions to run REDD+ options analysis and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) are built (Output 2a). Secondly, it is expected that REDD+ options should integrate social and environmental risks and benefits (Output 2c.). Lastly, the completed SESA (Output 2d.) should be incorporated in the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) (Output 2e.). This ToR refers to Output 2a2: Developing human capacities for SESA 1

2 2 through group specific training programs. The indicators related to output 2a2, and which the consultant will be expected to report on, include: - Capacity of NIMOS to effectively coordinate REDD+ strategy design and SESA - Capacity of REDD+ stakeholders and right holders to engage in strategic options and impact assessment - Collective capacity to produce quality deliverables SESA and Safeguards also refer to processes or policies designed to mitigate risks. The seven safeguards associated with REDD+, as agreed under the UNFCCC, are broad aspirational principles that can help to ensure that REDD+ activities do no harm to people or the environment, as well as do good and enhance social and environmental benefits. The FCPF defines SESA as A number of analytical and participatory approaches in order to integrate environmental and social considerations into policies, plans and programs and evaluate their interactions with economic and institutional considerations. Basically SESA is the term used for SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) when linked to the REDD+ process. Within the REDD+ Project a SESA needs to be conducted. To achieve this target, the capacity of NIMOS and relevant stakeholders in the area of Strategic Environmental Assessment has to be upgraded. The capacity which NIMOS already has is on the level of Project Environmental and Social Assessments. Since 2004, the Office of Environmental and Social Assessments within NIMOS has reviewed more than 100 Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. This Office is in charge of administering the Environmental and Social Assessment process in Suriname and also for developing ESIA Guidelines for this process. The following Guidelines have already been developed: 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 Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume VI: Aquaculture Projects Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume VII: Agriculture Projects Environmental and Social Assessment Guidelines Volume VIII: Road Projects These guidelines have been published and are 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 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is not new to NIMOS, which has conducted two Strategic Environmental Assessments in 2003, namely: 2

3 3 - The Green Stone Belt Regional Environmental Assessment (GREA); - The Forest Sector Environmental Assessment (FSEA). 2. Objectives The objectives of this assignment, which is intended to be carried out by a consultant, are to strengthen: (a) NIMOS capacity to administer and conduct SESA, and (b) the capacity of the REDD+ stakeholders and right holders to engage in SESA processes. This training program will enable NIMOS to integrate social and environmental risks and benefits in REDD+ options, and to appropriately engage stakeholders and right holders. A part from conducting training sessions the assignment aims at sustainability of the investment via the development of national SESA training and procedural manuals. 3. Scope of Work of the Consultant The scope of work for the consultancy is divided in three (3) parts. 3.1 Development of a training manual The first task of the consultancy is to develop a national SESA training manual. A draft training manual needs to be produced before conducting the training programs. Implementation of the capacity building activities will enable the consultant to revise and finalize this training manual. 3.2 Capacity building of NIMOS and other stakeholders and right holders The consultant will implement, based on the draft training manual, SESA capacity building activities for both the NIMOS staff and other stakeholders and right holders. The capacity building exercises of the REDD+ stakeholders and right holders should at least include the following topics: 1. The added value of SESA to the REDD+ program, and its linkage to SEA; 2. The role and engagement of the different stakeholders and right holders in the SESA process; 3. The contribution of stakeholders and right holders to the quality of the SESA. For the capacity building within the NIMOS the consultant needs to train the NIMOS team how to conduct a SESA, taking into account, but not limited to, the following topics: 1. The scoping trajectory of the SESA, among others determining the appropriate level of detail; 2. Acquiring baseline information; 3. Analyzing the scope and nature of potential effects; 4. Addressing mitigation measures; 5. Analyzing the scope and nature of residual effects; 6. Dealing with Public and stakeholder concerns; 7. Reporting a SEA (SESA) including an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); 3

4 4 3.3 Development of a procedural manual The consultant is expected to develop a procedural manual in which steps, based on internationally accepted principles and best practices, are suggested which the NIMOS staff should take when conducting a SEA (SESA). This manual should also be applicable for the REDD+ process in Suriname. 4. Duration of the Assignment The assignment is expected to be conducted within a period of four (4) months starting from September 2016 until December Having considered the scope of work and the deliverables the assignment is estimated at 50 working days, of which the capacity building exercises be conducted in a maximum of 10 working days. 5. Deliverables The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables: Deliverable Due Payment Draft training manual for the capacity building session with Week 4 10% relevant stakeholders and the SESA training for NIMOS personnel The Capacity Building Session and SESA Training for Week 8 10% NIMOS Submission of the final draft training manual Week 9 30% Submission of the draft SESA procedural Manual Week 12 30% Final and approved manuals training and SESA Manual Week 16 20% 6. Qualifications and Competencies of the Consultant The consultant should have the following minimum qualifications and competencies: a. A MSc. or Ph.D. degree in environmental sciences or related discipline; b. At least (10) ten years of professional experience in strategic environmental assessment; c. Experience in REDD+ processes in countries similar to Suriname is an advantage; d. At least 3 successfully managed and conducted trainings in the field of SESA for national stakeholders and/or civil society organizations e. Excellent in written and verbal Dutch and English skills and in verbal Sranan Tongo is an advantage. A combination of all three above qualifications is favorable. The consultant can also pair with different experts in case he/she lacks the qualifications in c, d and e. Preferably, the consultant should demonstrate the following competencies: 4

5 5 - Strong inter-personal skills, in particular, demonstrated team leadership qualities, and excellent communication skills; - Thorough understanding of the context of REDD+ in countries similar to Suriname; - Ability to prevent or handle conflicts as they may arise; - Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing; - Ability to present information with skill and confidence; - Ability to implement and follow adaptive management; - Result oriented and flexible problem solving skills; - Strategic thinking. 7. Application Requirements Applicants for the consultancy are required to submit the following documents: - CV of the consultant(s) participating in the assignment. SEE ANNEX 1 for CV format; - A motivation letter; - A financial and technical proposal which describes how the consultant will implement the scope of work, the timetable and the deliverables. The proposal which applicants are required to submit must be divided in two (2) separate files, namely: 1. The technical proposal; 2. The financial proposal. 8. Evaluation The evaluation of bids provided by potential candidates should occur based on abovementioned qualifications and competence, specifically the following factors: Points I. Specific experience of consultant to the Assignment 20 II. Adequacy of the proposed work plan and methodology in responding to the ToR 35 III. Qualification of the key staff for the Assignment 45 Total 100 Above evaluation is based on the technical proposal. The financial proposal will only be considered if the outcome of the evaluation is above 75 points. 5

6 ANNEX 1 SESA TRAINING AND MANUAL CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) Proposed Position Name of Firm/consultant: Date of Birth: Nationality: Membership in Professional Societies: Key qualifications: Education: Institution Date Degree or Diploma obtained Institution Date Degree or Diploma obtained 6

7 ANNEX 1 SESA TRAINING AND MANUAL Employment Record: From (year): From (year): 7

8 ANNEX 1 SESA TRAINING AND MANUAL Languages (1-5, 1 being the highest): Language Reading Speaking Writing 8