UNDP Jobs - 111743- Compost Expert

Compost Expert

Location :

LEBANON

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

17-Mar-2023

Application Deadline :

30-Mar-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

61 working days for a duration of 6 months from Contract signature

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months from Contract signature

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

National or International consultant: National or International Consultant

Title of consultancy: Compost Expert

Project Title: Upgrade of Zahle Composting Facility to Support its Capacity in Response to the Port of Beirut Explosion

Period of assignment/services: 61 working days for a duration of 6 months from Contract signature

Is this a LTA (yes/no): No

Proposals should be submitted online through the UNDP Procurement platform Quantum no later than; 30 March 2023 at 11:59 PM Beirut Local Time. Proposals will not be received through email.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging functionality in the portal. UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.

Please indicate whether you intend to submit a bid by creating a draft response without submitting directly in the system. This will enable the system to send notifications in case of amendments of the tender requirements. Should you require further clarifications, kindly communicate using the messaging functionality in the system. Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link: http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders. Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work

It is proposed to upgrade the composting facility and enhance the composting operation by providing the technical and operational support to the composting of the wheat as a means to dispose of the remains from the port of Beirut explosion in an environmentally sound manner. The project will consider any additional support for the composting facility such as leachate management (part of the composting process). This will include:

Rehabilitation and/or cleaning of the existing leachate channel.
Construction of a collection tank and pump, after a detailed technical analysis is conducted in terms of design, need, viability and cost. The leachate has a high value of humic acid and therefore will be re-circulated to moisture the compost and accelerate the composting process.
Procurement of a pelletizing machine and bagging machine that will help in packaging the good quality compost that will be sold to farmers at fair prices (the income generated from selling the compost will be re-invested to maintain the sustainability of the facility).
Training of the operation team on methods to improve the composting process and on the cleanliness and management of the composting site. The capacity building component for improved composting process will be implemented with the support of an international consultant and will also include the testing of the compost product to ensure it is up to standard and safe to use. UNDP will consult with the KfW expert in this field as well to ensure approaches are aligned.
A quick cost-benefit analysis including financial assessment will be conducted for the solid waste management facility of Zahle to identify means to improve financial sustainability.
An Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the solid waste facility of Zahle will also be conducted, including the landfill and composting facility, and measures integrated during UNDP’s implementation of the project.

The Consultant is mainly responsible to implement activity c, d, and e above

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Project Manager, the Consultant will be responsible to prepare the outputs mentioned below.

Assessment of Current Compost Practices and Environmental Impact Assessment

Assess the current compost production practices and uses currently being used by the private contractor affiliated with the Municipality of Zahle
Identify the available resources including, but not limited to manpower and equipment used in the composting process
Review the current practices and compare to international best practices and market quality of the compost, and the pre-requisite conditions and knowledge
Determine the compost production gap in terms of quality (if any) and potential to fill this gap and improve the quality by enhancing the methods of production
Analyse the possible adverse environmental impacts from the current composting practices especially on soils and crops

Compost Improvement Plan

Prepare a detailed action plan for the improvement of the compost process, including needed equipment and resources, along with their respective detailed specifications and cost estimates. The Compost Improvement Plan should include but not be limited to the below components:

Market potential: based on international best practice, consider the current use of the compost within the Zahle context and analyse ways to improve the utilization of the compost
Expansion potential:

Explore the potential of expanding composting from agricultural material to include animal manure, crop residues and/or others
Determine the needed equipment and upgrades to improve the composting practices in the facility
Provide detailed specifications and designs, costs and procurement plan for the needed equipment including market analysis and availability.
Consider the various aspects of the compost storage and packaging and recommend changes/upgrades as needed
Provide detailed specifications/BoQ for a pelletizing machine and bagging machine that will help in packaging the good quality compost that will be sold to farmers at fair prices

Quality and environmental improvements:

Design and develop the mix design of the compost to be produced based on the best marketable standards
Identify practices for mitigation measures to protect the environment
Ensuring standards of quality assurance in implementing the activities in accordance with the most appropriate international and professional relevant practices

Mixing compost from the SWM facilities with sludge from the nearby wastewater treatment plant and other sources to assess if this will improve the quality of compost:

Study the different environmental and economic performances of sludge composting alternatives (feasibility and viability)
Study the utilization of the sludge essential nutrients taking into consideration the potential presence of pollutants
Undertake an analysis of risks and opportunities
Consider a cost-benefit analysis of sludge management options that would consider co-composting versus biogas production or other options.

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Zahle Solid Waste Management Facility

Undertake a quick cost-benefit analysis including financial assessment for the solid waste management facility of Zahle
Identify means to improve financial sustainability
Develop measurable financial metrics such as revenue earned, or costs saved

Compost Operations Manual

Prepare a detailed operations manual or standard operating procedure (SOP) to guide the composting process and to help improve the quality of the compost output material. The manual should be comprehensive but at the minimum should including:

Process for preliminary preparation of raw material (intake, unloading, shredding where needed, etc.)
Mixing the raw materials in optimum C/N rations and windrow construction
keeping the manure windrow at optimum moisture content
Monitoring the decomposition of manure waste
Turning of windrows process and timing
Monitoring and record keeping
Testing and quality control analyses and frequency/schedule that should be conducted throughout the composting process in line with international best practices (cost of the tests for the duration of this assessment will be covered from other resources/outside the scope of these ToRs)

Capacity Building Plan, Supervision and Training

Develop a capacity building programme and plan for the operator in line with the above two tasks
Organize a 3-day workshop for the operator to implement the capacity building plan
Undertake 5 on the job trainings at the composting plant in Zahle during the pilot phase
Provide feedback on the results of the composting process or any other aspects as relayed by the UNDP Project Manager.

Provide insight on the operation and management of the open aerobic windrow

Competencies

Proficiency in the English language.

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree in solid waste management, agriculture engineer, environmental sciences or closely related fields.

II. Years of experience:

Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience.

III. Technical experience:

At least 6 projects related to composting/municipal solid waste management within past 10 years
At least 3 years of experience in provision of trainings