UNDP Jobs - 54297- National Consultant - Industrial Water Pollution i

National Consultant - Industrial Water Pollution in Kelani River

Location :

Colombo ( Home-based), SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Apr-2015

Application Deadline :

15-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Kalani River Basin in Sri Lanka is the home for about 25% of the population of Sri Lanka and the basin provides more than 80% of the drinking water requirement for the Greater Colombo. The Kalani Basin environment quality is threthened by pollution of water, air and soil as a result of uncontrolled industrial, agricultural and urban growth.

There is a need to improve understanding of stakeholder groups (Govt. Agencies, Local Authorities, Communities, Private Sector etc.) about impacts of human interventions on environment of Kelani River Basin and include environment conerns into local government service delivery programmes, industrial activities, urban development and agriculture in relvant local areas.

In this context UNDP Sri Lanka (Environment Sustainability and Disaster Resiliece Programme) along with Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and a number of other Ministries, Government agencies (Western Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Minor Irrigation, Industries & Environment), Local Authorities and Private Sector initiated an awareness and technology promotion project to improve environment best practices in the Kelani River Basin targeting “water” as the central theme under the name “Every Drop Matters.” The overaching objective of the project is to contribute to develop and implement startegies that will lead to improve quality of environment of the Kelani River Basin and ecosystem services. Expected improvements in environmement of the Kelani Basin would in turn help to improve health and quality of life of people who depend on Kelani river.

Contamination with industrial waste was identified as one amongst many sources of pollution river as a result of stakeholder consultaions to understand causes for water quality reduction of Kelani river. Further understanding of nature of pollution due to industrial externalities will help the project to develop appropriate startegies that contribute to address the problem.

Scope:

The Consultant will investigate and assess the environment problems caused by industrial pollution along the Kalani River Basin, with a special focus on Biyagama industrial Zone. The investigation will build on documented evidence and information by enaging with stakeholders including communities, local authrities and industries to get as much detailed and specific information on industrial pollution of Kelani river.

Objectives:

To identify evidence and significance of industrial water pollution with special emphasis on chemical pollutants in Kelani river and identify mitigatory strategies and actions

Duties and Responsibilities

Study available data and documented information

Engage with stakeholders (e.g. local government, private sector, industries, the public, civil society organizations and school children) and capture issues and concerns;

Collect and analyse data on ecological and socioeconomical conditions of the study area:

Catalog and review the number and type of pollution-related complaints from relavent Prashedhiya Sabhas received by CEA/ Local Authorities and Divisional Secretary;
Provide a listing, of the type of industry and the chemical pollutants being used/disposed;
Describe chemical disposal methods and their impacts on ecosystems and the surrounding community, focusing on at least 3 case studies providing details of environmental, social and health impacts to the community from water pollution (visible downstream impacts of water pollution, where possible documenting photographic evidence of degradation or helath impacts);
Identify environmental and social mitigation measures to address the impacts identified; Establish CBO network to promote champions to address, followup mitigation measures with other stakeholders;
Give recommendations of strategies to adopt to move towards minimising industrial pollution levels of Kelani river;
Create a database with baseline data on study statistics for knowlege sharing and future references and handover to Ministry of Enviornment.

Expected Deliverables:

Report on industrial water pollution of Kelani river with emphasis on chemical pollutants, that provides recommendations on pollution control;
Increased awareness, consenses and ownership of stakeholders towards mitigatory actions and network of CBOs is established to champion protecting the Kalani river;
Electronic database is created on baseline data of the industrial pollutants.

Competencies

Technical work

Strong expertise in environmental policy, and legal aspects of ecological aspects in Sri Lanka;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills, ability to manage technical team and long term strategic partnership;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners, people skill for conflict resolution and negotiation.

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the project proposal;
Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the national level consultants.

Results

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Basic Degree or equivalent in natural sciences, environmental management, law or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience and knowledge in the field of environment litigation, applied reasearch and ecology;
The prospective consultant should have solid experience on applied research on environmental rights of the people & environment and ecological sustainability;
Expierience on public debate on environmental good governance, Promoting ecologically sustainable development and environmentally responsible neighbourhoods, Safeguard nature and people from environmentally & socially irresponsible activities and human rights violations, database creation and chemical analysis;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

Langage:

Excellent English language skills, particularly in the preparation of written documents.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 2 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP;
Please duly fill the below financial proposal and attach to the last page of the CV along with all other required documentation above, or group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Financial Proposal

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Amount in words:(Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee/Daily Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, return travel from home to office, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. The UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above.

Payment for Services

The National Consultant shall receive payment in four installments from UNDP as follows:

50% on submission of Report on industrial water pollution of Kalani river with emphasis on chemical pollutants, that provides recommendations on pollution control;
30% on setting up of CBO network to champion water pollution control in Kalani river and creation of active dialogue among communities;
20% on setting up the e - database on baseline data of the industrial pollutants.