Rainwater Harvesting Engineering Consultant

Result of Service To conduct a detailed assessment and develop a proposal for the installation of an integrated rainwater harvesting system into the plumbing (flushing and washing) at 2 Health Care facilities under the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund (UNHSTF) Programme in Jamaica.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration One and a half month (1.5 months)

Duties and Responsibilities Organisational Setting:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of global consensus on environmental issues by keeping the environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The Caribbean Regional Co-ordinating Unit (CAR/RCU) was established in 1986 in Kingston, Jamaica and is the Secretariat for the Cartagena Convention and the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP). The Cartagena Convention promotes the protection and development of the marine environment of the Wider Caribbean and is supported by three Protocols on Oil Spills, Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) and Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS).

The Strengthening Human Resilience in Northern Clarendon and West Kingston Programme is a joint UN programme which is being implemented by five (5) UN Agencies in partnership with the Government of Jamaica and select community-based organisations. The three-year programme will contribute toward the accomplishment of the broader Vision 2030 Jamaica framework by emphasising the “Delivering as One” approach.

The programme is aimed at enhancing resilience and human security of communities within Jamaica and support improvement in the policy and regulatory framework for water management as well as mainstream the human security approach in development strategies. It will also facilitate the mainstreaming of the human security approach in national development strategies and the policy and planning frameworks of the UN agencies.

This short-term consultancy position will be hosted by the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager with responsibility for the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund (UNHSTF) programme.

The consultant is expected to provide an assessment of the works and estimation of costs required to install a hybrid rainwater harvesting system at the Comprehensive and Maxfield Park Health Care facilities in Kingston, Jamaica.

The Tasks and Responsibilities.

The tasks and responsibilities are as follows:

1. Conduct a leak detection assessment of the existing plumbing system to ensure harvested rainwater will not be lost. 2. Assess PVC and other works required to separate plumbing system for toilet flushing by harvested rainwater, including emergency bypass valves, installation of First Flush Diverter, Installation of replaceable mosquito proofing on all water tanks and installation of solar pumps and solar panels to pump the water from the low-level tanks to the upper-level tanks. All water entering buildings should be gravity fed. 3. Assess reliability of drinking water supply including existing guttering system and identification of appropriate location for rainwater storage tanks at lower level. 4. Assess best location to install high-level tanks for drinking water and rainwater storage, high-level tank to be located on elevated trestle structure or roof (approx. 13’ high). 5. Assess minimum rainwater storage capacity based on three-day water use of the 2 Health Care Facilities. 6. Assess volume of rainwater harvesting tanks required 7. Estimate cost associated with the construction of low-level rainwater storage tanks at 18” elevation including installation of: i. adequate drainage for rainwater overflow from ground-based tanks (to prevent erosion) ii. base taps in each tank for emergency use and cleansing of tank iii. adequate drainage of spill water from taps

8. Assess toilet flush volumes including cost for using high efficiency toilets (1.3-1.5 GPF) to replace toilets with higher than 1.5 GPF. 9. Assess the cost of replacing the faucets in the doctor’s offices with pedal operated faucets. 10. Prepare a final comprehensive report based on technical assessments and costings.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Management, Water Resource Management - Formal training or certification in developing and/or installation of rainwater harvesting systems will be an asset Experience: - Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the design and implementation of water works, plumbing, mechanical, Industrial, Energy, or solar energy solutions. - Experience in the design of integrated water resources management proposals will be an asset. - Experience working with the Health Sector in Jamaica and/or the Wider Caribbean Region would be an asset. Language: - English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, proficiency in oral and written English is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.