Vacancy ID: VAC-11153
Job Title: Environmental & Social Safeguards Expert
Location: Aden
Apply by: 11 March-2024
Start Date: 20 March 2024
Duration: 4 months
Number of Vacancies: 1
Qualification:
- Bachelor's in safeguarding & environmental or relevant field (essential).
Sector Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of demonstrable relevant safeguarding & environmental works related to seawater desalination projects & water supply & treatment in general experience (essential).
Geographical Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in the Middle East (essential).
Languages:
- Fluent in Arabic (essential).
- Fluent in English (essential).
Job Description
CTG Overview
CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
Overview of Position
Water scarcity in Yemen has been a long-lasting & ever-accelerating issue with many social & economic effects. 2/3rd of the country is classified as hyper-arid with less than 50 mm of rainfall per year & most of the rest is classified as arid with less than 200 mm rainfall. Due to historically limited investments in harvesting surface water & the destructive war, Yemen has overexploited its groundwater sources considerably over the last 50 years. Agriculture, as the main livelihood mode for more than 80% of Yemenis, uses 90% of overall water use. About 40% of which is sourced from groundwater, 50% is rainfed & 10% from surface sources. As a result, the deep non-renewable water resources created by nature over 10,000 years have been largely depleted affecting 20 - 25% of the arable land is in mountain terraces. Like many other parts of Yemen, Aden depends entirely on underground water from 3rd main water supply fields, Bir Nasser & Aimanasrah in Lahj & Bir Ahmed in Aden. In April 2021, due to the structural damage, frequent power outages & ballooning fuel prices, water pumps were only functioning every 3 days for 2 - 4 hours. So, accessible quantities of water cover only 50% of the total water demand. Prior to the 2015 crisis, there were at least 2 desalination stations in Yemen, 1 of which, Alhaswah electricity station in Aden, produces about 69,000 m3/day of fresh water. The water flows into the network of Aden’s water supply. A 2nd desalination station, located in the Almokha area, which had a similar nominal capacity, was destroyed by an airstrike in 2016. Yemen used to produce 25 million m3/y of desalinated water, approximately 2% of its water deficit (estimated at around 1,500 million m3/y). In theory, for Yemen to count on desalination to cover this gap, it would have to construct & maintain 50 large desalination plants. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Ministry of Water & Environment MoWE is currently drafting the national strategy for the exploitation of non-conventional water resources (seawater desalination & sewage treatment). In order to support the implementation of this strategy, desalination plant technology is considered as 1 of the means to provide non-traditional drinking water to meet the demands of local communities & contribute to their economic welfare.
The main objective of this consultancy is to conduct a scoping & prefeasibility study of large-scale desalination of sea/brackish water to provide potable water for domestic use in Aden. The scoping & prefeasibility study aims at defining project objectives & requirements & to establish the scope of the desalination plant project at a strategic level. This includes identifying the target capacity & the desired outcomes. The scoping & pre-feasibility study also involves conducting preliminary research & gathering information to determine the viability of the project. This involves conducting an initial analysis of the project's technical, financial & environmental aspects. It includes evaluating the available water resources, assessing the site conditions & considering the potential environmental impacts of the seawater/brackish water desalination plant. The scoping & pre-feasibility phase aims to help in identifying potential challenges & risks associated with the strategic desalination project & it will support the efforts led by the MoWE to draft the national strategy for the exploitation of non-conventional water resources (seawater desalination & sewage treatment). It will inform interested donors to fund new desalination projects or go for joint action to implement large-scale desalination facility.
Role Objectives
The CO seeks the services of an experienced & qualified Environmental & Social Safeguard Expert to conduct “scoping & prefeasibility study for large-scale desalination of sea/brackish water to provide portable water for domestic use in Aden governorate, Yemen. The overall scope of work is to:
Conduct field visit for visual inspection & data collection. Conduct scoping & prefeasibility study for large-scale sea/brackish water desalination in Aden. The Environmental & Social Safeguards Expert will conduct the following activities:
Conduct a thorough assessment of the environmental & social impacts associated with the establishment of a large-scale desalination plant in Aden. Analyze the existing environmental & social conditions in the project area & assess their compatibility with the proposed large-scale desalination plant. A detailed assessment of relevant environmental & social factors, potential mitigation measures & recommendations for further assessment. This includes air & water quality degradation, biodiversity loss & soil erosion due to the implementation of the desalination plant. In addition, the use of sustainable materials, energy efficiency & waste management must be considered. Identify & collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies (MoWE & LWSC Aden) & environmental organizations, to gather information & incorporate their inputs into the study. Assess the potential social impacts associated with the planned sea brackish water desalination plant implementation, including potential displacement of local communities, loss of livelihoods & impacts on cultural traditions. A social management plan should be developed to address identified social impacts, focusing on community consultation, capacity building & stakeholder engagement. Provide recommendation on pricing reforms considering the existing pricing system & the (willingness to pay) &/or any other relevant aspects. Prepare the guidelines for setting up a new large-scale desalination plant in Aden including environmental social impacts assessment, stakeholders engagement plan, mitigation & monitoring & compliance with legal & regulatory framework. Collaborate with the team to prepare a comprehensive scoping & prefeasibility report that outlines the key findings, potential impacts & proposed mitigation measures. Communicate project updates, technical findings & recommendations to stakeholders through reports & presentations. The Environmental & Social Safeguards Expert will deliver the following:
Deliverables
Field visit & Inception Report (IR): Summarizing the findings of the site visit, including environmental & social considerations as well as any constraints or limitations encountered during the site visits.
Due Date: Within 10 days from the commencement date.
Inception report
20%
Cleared by Team Lead, POS unit
Draft environmental & socioeconomic analysis: This includes but not limited to:
Assessment of the potential impacts of the desalination plant on the environment, including ecological impacts, water quality impacts & socioeconomic impacts & propose the optimum mitigation measures. An overview of the existing national regulatory frameworks for environmental & social consideration of implementing large-scale infrastructure, as well as recommendations for reforms/amendments. Analysis of the environmental & sustainability aspects of the project. Evaluation of the financial viability of the project, considering sustainable & environmentally friendly materials, existing pricing, willingness to pay & any relevant financial parameters. Proposal of brine disposal methods with compliance with the environmental considerations. Incorporating climate change parameters & GHE consideration in the design of the large-scale desalination plant. A draft plan for stakeholders & community engagement for the implementation of large-scale desalination plant in Aden. A draft plan for training & capacity building for government staff regarding the environmental & social aspects of implementing large-scale desalination plant.
Due Date: Within 25 days from the commencement date.
Draft environmental & socioeconomic analysis
40%
Cleared by Team Lead, POS unit
Final detailed environmental & socioeconomic analysis: The final report will integrate comments received from stakeholders & our client & will provide a comprehensive summary of findings & recommendations for environmental & social consideration of large-scale desalination plant based on a well-rounded analysis that will lead to a full-fledged detailed feasibility & design phase.
Due Date: Within 60 days from the commencement date.
Final environmental & socioeconomic analysis
40%
Cleared by Team Lead, POS unit
The draft & final detailed environmental & socio-economic analysis will be incorporated into the draft & final reports prepared by the Team Leader Desalination / Distillation Process Engineer.
Project Reporting
The Environmental & Social Safeguards Expert will work with the Desalination / Distillation Process Engineer (Team Leader) & the Hydraulics Engineer with support from the Heads of the Aden Sub Office, Amman liaison office & oversight & support team. The consultant will collaborate with the CO program, project & operations teams. Our client will provide the consultant with logistical support in conducting the assignment.
Key Competencies
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of safeguarding & environmental or relevant field.
- 7 years of relevant work experience & has strong knowledge in climate change protocols with regards to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Has at least 2 projects as safeguarding & environmental works related to seawater desalination projects & water supply & treatment in general.
- Knowledge of developing environmental & social guidelines for fragile & hazardous environment.
- Knowledge in using UNIDO’s COMFAR or related computer programs for feasibility analysis is a distinct asset.
- Fluent in Arabic & English.
Team Management
This role has no team management responsibility.
Further Information
The 60 working days will spread over a period of 4 months to provide for delays & the need for additional time that may be required to access stakeholders, incorporate feedback, finalize the study report & deliver the presentations.