In Iraq, the cost of environmental degradation is estimated between 4.9 to 8 per cent of the GDP[2]. Some of the major reasons for the environmental degradation in Iraq are2: 1. Diseases resulting from poor water quality; 2. Increased respiratory diseases due to air pollution; 3. Neglected and pressured agricultural lands; and 4. Unsustainable management wastes. Considering this, the National Environment Strategy and Action Plan identified improvement of the quality of water, soil and air as urgent priorities.

Improper waste management plays a major role in the pollution of water, soil, and air in Iraq. Since the establishment of the Ministry of Environment (now called the Ministry of Health and Environment), the Government of Iraq exerted considerable efforts to mitigate impacts of waste substances including chemicals and to join international conventions.

Iraq is now Party to Basel, Stockholm, and Rotterdam Conventions. It is also in the process of ratification of the Minamata convention. These conventions aim to protect human life and Environment from the hazardous chemicals and wastes.

While sectoral actions are necessary for controlling pollution from respective sectors, integrated planning will make the pollution control measures efficient and cost effective. It will also prevent unintended negative impacts of certain pollution control measures.

2-Project scope of work

UNDP in partnership with UNEP is implementing a project that aim to promote a holistic approach for combating pollution in Iraq through supporting the development of more integrated policies, plans, laws, and regulations. Ministry of Health and Environment is considered the main counterpart and will coordinate with Key stakeholders to support the two UN agencies in implementing the project through analyzing the current pollution situation and developing a strategy for combating pollution.

3-Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall coordination of UNDP- Iraq Environment Officer and UNEP- West Asia Programme Officer, the National Consultant will support the international consultant on the development of a strategy for combatting pollution in Iraq. The National consultant should have the relevant experience and knowledge about current state of all kind of environmental pollution and their impact on Environmental elements and human health, with experience on Iraqi’s related Environmental standards, laws and policies.

The consultant will work collaboratively with the Government stakeholders on development of pollution control strategy to ensure ownership of the Government in implementation of the plan thereafter.

More specifically, the national Consultant will carry out the following tasks:

1.Team up with the international consultant to identify and collect available data, literature, reports, plans and policies related to the Environmental pollution in Iraq.

2. Assess existing institutional and legislative policy frameworks in Iraq related to environmental pollution and identify the gaps and areas of improvements. This assessment will be integrated into the broader situation analysis report.

3. Support the international consultant in developing baseline assessment by facilitating access to the local data and by engaging with the Ministry of health and Environment Experts group in the development of the first draft of Pollution situation analysis in Iraq.

4.Coordinate with the national stakeholders in Iraq including KRG to join the 1st consultation workshop and support the international consultant in facilitation the workshop.

5. Collect all inputs and comments from all stakeholders on the 1st draft report on situation analysis of pollution in Iraq and ensure adequality and accuracy of the information needed for the situation analysis on pollution.

6. Support the international consultant on developing the final report on situation analysis of pollution in Iraq, highlighting the gaps and challenges raised by the stakeholders.

7. Work with the international consultant in drafting the pollution control strategy and action plan

8. Facilitate the engagement with the local stakeholders and organize 2nd consultation workshop with related stakeholders to review and discuss the draft strategy and action plan.

9. Provide support to the international consultant in finalizing the strategy and action plan based on the national stakeholders’ feedback including priority actions with attribution of responsibilities, timeframe and indicative costing.

[1] Landrigan, Philip J., and others (2017), The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32345-0.

[2] The National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan for Iraq (2013-2017)

Application Procedure:

The application should contain:

- Technical proposal (showing the candidate’s understanding of the assignment requirements, proposed approach, proposed analytical framework or analysis tools);

- Financial proposal; and,

- Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 2 professional referees who can certify the candidate’s competencies, professionalism, quality of presentation and overall suitability for this assignment.

Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application system only allows to upload maximum one document.

**Failure to submit the above-mentioned documents or Incomplete proposals shall result in disqualification

The short listed candidates may be contacted and the successful candidate will be notified.

ANNEXES:

Annex I - ToR:

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=245155

Annex II - General Terma and Conditions:

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=245156

Annex III - Letter of Interest and Financial Proposal

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=245157

Annex IV - P11

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=245158

Link to UNDP Procurement Notice:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=76076

All documents can also be be downloaded from the above link.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expected Outputs and timeline

Key outputs of the national Consultant will expect to provide the deliverables for this assignment as follows:

Deliverables

Estimated Duration to Complete

Estimated Target Due Dates in 2021

Review and Approvals Required

Payment Terms

Deliverable 1&2&3

20 working day

30 May

UNDP Country Office and UNEP West Asia Office

25%

Deliverable 4&5&6

20 working days

15 July

UNDP Country Office and UNEP West Asia Office

25%

Deliverable 7

10 working days

30 August

UNDP Country Office and UNEP West Asia Office

25%

Deliverable 8&9

20 working day

15 December

UNDP Country Office and UNEP West Asia Office

25%

6.Administration and reporting

The consultancy will be Home Based, with travel to conduct project workshops in KRG as needed with total 70 working days over a period of 9 Months to start by 1st April.

UNDP will provide administrative support to the national consultant throughout the implementation of this service. However, he/she should be proactive in making appointments, organizing discussions and consultation meetings with key stakeholders, as needed/appropriate.

The consultant will attend number of meetings in Ministry of Environment /Baghdad and (two visits, 5 days/each) in KRG, he /she needs Transport, DSA /Travel cost and communication fees of (mobile cards and internet rent ) to communicate with the project stakeholders.

Competencies

Please refer to Annx I for details

Required Skills and Experience

8.Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have a multi-disciplinary and professional background in natural sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, waste management, or economics, preferably related to environmental pollution with strong coordination skills with national institutions and strong communication skills.

The following attributes are essential:

Academic Qualifications

Undergraduate degree (BSc) in Environmental sciences or relevant fields. (15 points)

Years of Experience

More than 7 years of substantive professional experience on Environment, pollution, Environmental legislations and policies. (15 points)

Technical Experience

Technical Proposal / Proposed Methodology (10 points)
Experience or knowledge in environmental data analysis, environmental pollution and linkages to Environmental strategies. (15 points)
Experience in facilitating capacity building and workshops is an asset. (15points )
Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and liaison with stakeholders in different sectors. (10 points)
Previous experience in working with UN agencies or other international Agencies. (10 points)

Language and other skills: