Background

This assignment will support the implementation of the GEF funded “Promoting Carbon Reduction Through Energy Efficiency (EE) Techniques in Iraq” project. The main objective of the project is to promote low carbon development in Iraq through supporting the design of a regulatory framework for enhancing Energy Efficiency (EE) in buildings and the creation of an enabling environment for its operationalization. The development challenge which the project aims to address is the need for rapid expansion in the buildings sector, as part of the post-war reconstruction effort, while minimizing the load on the readily strained fuel-based electricity network. The business as usual scenario is that the development in the buildings sector will lead to higher GHG emissions.

The project’s theory of change relies on the assumption that the essential ingredients for enhancing EE in buildings are present in Iraq, but require (1) proper integration in the procedure followed by public partners due to lack of streamlined intra-government collaboration on EE and limited technical and administrative capacity; (2) a focal point with a trained team dedicated to promoting EE in buildings; (3) standards and guidelines for the interventions promoted and the ways to assess them; and (4) effective communication with private partners and end-users on EE practices and benefits. Hence, the project builds upon existing work and develops a national framework within which past, present and future EE-related policies become aligned, complementing Iraq’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions and bringing maximum benefit to the people of Iraq.

One of the main activities of the project is to retrofit two buildings in Baghdad to make them energy efficient and to serve as showcases for capacity building activities and awareness campaigns. The first building is located within the facilities of Baghdad University (Al Jadriya site) with a total area of between 500 - 1000 m2. This site is planned to accommodate the first ever Energy Efficiency Center (EEC) in Iraq. The second building is the Directorate of Training under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education were at least 500 m2 will be retrofitted.

Objectives

The objective of the consultancy is to support UNDP in implementing its project “Promoting Carbon Reduction Through Energy Efficiency (EE) Techniques in Iraq” to achieve the following:

• Develop the ESIAs for the selected buildings
• The ESIA must be fulfilling the necessary national criteria’s set by the legislation and regulations of the Iraqi Government including the Ministry of Environment as well as UNDP.
• Develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan to manage identified potential environmental and social impacts during the retrofitting prior to commencement of the works.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Expert will act as a national expert with the following responsibilities:

1. Collect necessary data for developing the ESIA

The consultant shall conduct a literature, desk-top, review to the study area. This literature review shall cover at least metrology, socio-economic as well as legal and regulatory framework.

2. Stakeholders Consultations

For the stakeholder's consultation/engagement purpose, the consultant shall ensure to involve the project female and male stakeholder throughout the project phases by the different activities (scoping session, meetings, interviews, etc.), taking into account conducting the approvals from the Ministry of Environment, Baghdad University and the Directorate of Training under the umbrella of Ministry of Education. Documentation of participants and discussions during the sessions shall be provided in a separate annex.

3. Baseline Documentation

Following the completion of the literature review and site investigations the consultant shall document, analyze and prepare report sections on the baseline conditions of the ESIA. This reporting shall include qualitative and quantitative evaluation whenever applicable.

4. Assessment of the Anticipated Impacts

Once all baseline information and consultation are documented and well understood, the significant aspects shall be analyzed, expected impacts on the significant environmental aspects associated with the various phases of the project will be identified, and criteria for the evaluation of significance are developed. Significant impacts shall be further studied, described and quantified where applicable, including positive and negative, direct, indirect and accumulative impacts. Related activities to be implemented under this task include:

• Evaluation of the significance of impacts based on the magnitude of effects and the real or perceived values of the resource. 
• Revision of the environmental implications of the project and various alternatives on the study for minimizing and mitigating impacts.
• Identification of direct and indirect environmental impacts from establishment, operation and long-term use, including longevity of effects and cumulative effects

5. Identify project alternatives

Under this task, the consultant shall identify alternatives for the proposed activities/technologies. Additionally, the consultant shall assess different project scenarios (no development scenario should be included).

6. Environmental and Social Management Plan

Part of the final ESIA report shall include the preparation for a detailed management plan that cover the stages of the project and consist of the following two major parts.

7. Mitigation Measures

Where the impacts are significant, mitigation measures shall be developed. Such measures could include design alterations, recommendation for retrofitting operations and techniques, and/or ongoing management requirements. The analysis of the impacts shall be taken further into the study of the available mitigation strategies. Various mitigation measures shall be analyzed and then proposed based on practical implications.

8. Environmental Monitoring and Management Framework

The final ESIA report shall include a Monitoring Plan, which shall be developed to ensure that the appropriate mitigation and control measures are taken into account during the retrofitting activities. The plan shall be presented in tabular form for easy reference and shall allow easy identification and monitoring of mitigation measures to be undertaken.

As part of the Management and Monitoring Plan, significant parameters which need to be monitored shall be identified and steps for their monitoring shall be developed. If necessary, specific technical requirements with which the project should be designed to comply. Such steps may include location of parameter measurement, frequency, equipment to be used, and reporting requirements. Furthermore, the environmental management (mitigation, monitoring, supervision, rehabilitation, compensation, etc.) responsibilities shall be discussed and overall management structure shall be proposed.

9. Developing the ESIA Report

The final ESIA reports shall respond to any comments from the stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, Baghdad University and the Directorate of Training under the Ministry of Education as well as UNDP to finalize the ESIA and should be submitted in both Arabic and English. Two separate ESIA reports shall be submitted. Furthermore, the final ESIA reports should be in line with international best practices and the Iraqi's instructions for ESIA approvals including Law for the Protection and Improvement of Environment No. 27, 2009.

The consultancy will be for a period of 5 months. The assignment will be managed under the UNDP Project Manager and the overall oversight of EECC pillar head.

Scope of Work and Key Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and UNDP EECC pillar head, the National Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Expert shall contribute to the provision of the following deliverables:

Competencies

The consultant is also required to make him/herself available to attend remote/ virtual meetings / discussions via skype/ zoom or other relevant modality for planning meetings (in person)/ feedback meetings convened by Project Manager, head of the pillar, and the UNDP oversight team.

The National Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Expert must be able and willing to collaborate and assist other team members.

Duration

The contract is effective from the date of signature by UNDP Iraq and the national consultant. Estimated number of working days is 20 extended over 5 months between 2 Jan 2023 – 31 May 2023.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications, skills, and professional experience of the National Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Expert should include the following:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in fields related to environmental science
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in developing ESIAs required
• Experience of developing at least two ESIAs, which are also approved by the client/government
• Demonstrated experience in applying for ESIAs for the building sector
• Previous work experience with governmental institutes is an asset
• Previous work experience with UN agencies is an asset
• Excellent oral and written command of the English and Arabic languages required

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

UNDP reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 70%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% of the total technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%)

Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (100 marks):

Financial Evaluation (30%):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Technical Proposal (can be attached with CV or response can be provided to mandatory question on jobs site):
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.
• Financial Proposal shall be submitted with a price proposal
  • Lumpsum Fee – The contractor shall propose an all-inclusive lumpsum fee followed by a cost breakdown, which should be inclusive of his professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical health insurance and evacuation).
  • Living Allowance – The Consultant shall be separately paid the Living allowance as per applicable UNDP rate. Deductions shall be made as per applicable UNDP policy when accommodation and other facilities are provided by UNDP. An estimated provision in this regard shall be included in the contract.
  • The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables and at the end of assignment.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

• Annex 1 - IC Contract Template (for information);
• Annex 2 – IC General Terms and Conditions (for information);
• Annex 3 – RLA Template (if consultant wishes to be recruited through an employer) - (for information);
• Annex 4 - Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (to be completed at later stage upon request by UNDP).

Note: Incomplete application will result in automatic disqualification of candidate.  

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNDP Iraq.  UNDP Iraq will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.