DRC: Consultancy, Environmental Study of NRC Shelter and EHA Projects
Dec 24, 2022
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Norwegian Refugee Council
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The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an international organization of Norwegian origin present in 31 countries around the world. It has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2001 under the framework agreement signed with the Government. NRC has its main office in DR Congo, in Goma, its coordination offices in Kalemie, Baraka, Uvira, Beni, Bunia and Goma and a liaison office in Kinshasa. The organization operates in six (06) main areas including protection, education, shelter assistance, water, hygiene and sanitation, information advice and legal assistance (ICLA), economic security and livelihood.
1. Background and Rationale
Since 2021, NRC has been implementing emergency responses and supporting the process of return and local integration of displaced people living in Kalembé, Kalonge, Ibuga, Kashuga and Bincha (in the province of North Kivu) through support for Shelter construction (local construction) including Land and Property Housing (LTP) assistance, emergency shelter construction, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) assistance and construction/rehabilitation of classrooms. In 2021, 800 transitional shelters and 632 emergency shelters have been built. In 2022, the process of building 180 transitional shelters, 153 emergency shelters and 5 classrooms out of 3 schools is underway. These interventions, although beneficial for the populations, certainly have an impact on natural resources. From January 2021 to July 2022, NRC's shelter assistance in DRC required the use of approximately 575,000 tree sticks and 510,000 rafters, 76,000 planks and 65,000 logs from the felling of thousands of trees. In addition, the development and exploitation of water resources for domestic and/or animal or agricultural purposes have undoubtedly impacted groundwater and reduced the supply of secular rivers used by populations downstream. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 people have access to drinking water in the localities of NRC intervention thanks to the construction of 58 water points, 48% of which are simple water sources and 52% standpipes, there are about 800 people per water point developed while the needs of the populations are estimated at about 13l/pers/day and an additional quantity of 15l/animal/day for those who raise livestock. Finally, the manual emptying of faecal sludge from latrines in IDP sites and disposal in undeveloped depots have an impact on the health of workers, surrounding populations and the contamination of soil, surface and ground water.
In its 2022-2025 strategic document in the DRC, NRC is committed to integrating environmental aspects into these Shelter and EHA programs in order to minimise/reduce the impact of its projects and actions on the environment. Minimum environmental standards were established in 2022, covering Shelter and WASH interventions and aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of NRC activities and programs. Also, in order to guide future assistance and integrate environmental considerations into its interventions, NRC intends to conduct an environmental study of its past projects in the provinces of Ituri and Tanganyika.
The NRC has also included the efforts undertaken to take into account the effects of climate change on displaced persons in its global strategy 2022 – 2025, including the promotion of environmental studies in order to take into account the risks on displaced persons and the capacities adaptation to these risks and impacts in NRC projects and programs.
2. Objective of the study
2.1 General objective
The study will make it possible to assess the impact of the construction, maintenance and deconstruction of Shelters, classrooms and water, sanitation and hygiene structures on natural resources, in particular the forest, water, soil, pollution. generated (solid waste, sludge from latrines, smoke, etc.) in order to identify mitigation measures and guide future interventions.
2.2 Specific objectives
- Identify the positive and negative impacts of previous and current projects on vegetation and in particular forest areas, wildlife, including protected species, surface and underground water resources, air, soils, and the health of populations;
- Propose measures to maximize positive impacts, and measures to be implemented to avoid, reduce, and if necessary compensate for the negative effects of activities and programs on the environment and populations, taking care not to exacerbate social tensions and inequalities between different social strata, displaced populations and host communities.
- Allow NRC to design projects that respect the environment and people, while defining all the activities and measures to be implemented to improve the environmental and social quality of the project;
3. Expected results
3.1 Participatory approach
The Service Provider will adopt, for its study, an approach aimed at getting closer to all the stakeholders in order to ensure their participation. This approach will be initiated from the start or the scoping of the study, and will consist of
- Identification of stakeholders (including provincial, territorial and local authorities), the modalities of their consultation and taking into account their observations and concerns.
- Literature review in DRC and others to consolidate past experiences, recommendations or better understand the context (geology, water basin, fauna and flora, policy (Environmental Impact Study and other relevant environmental studies carried out within the scope of study, international agreements, laws and decrees in force, national/regional policies, etc.), social, etc.
- Discussion with NRC teams including local, regional and global technical advisors.
- Discussion with other humanitarian actors (UN, clusters, international and local NGOs, ICRC, etc.)
- Discussions with populations benefiting from NRC assistance
3.2 Environmental study
On the basis of existing documentation, field visits and meetings with the main interlocutors concerned, the environmental impact study which should make it possible to:
- Establishment of an initial state of the environment serving as a Baseline for the study and as a reference for the NRC in the DRC, including a description of the major environmental weaknesses and sensitivities, including climatic, in the areas of operation of the NRC in the DRC.
- Identify the direct or indirect impacts of the activities within the scope of this study on social cohesion, the ecological balance of the project implementation area, the environment and the quality of life of the populations in the short and long term, then assess these impacts against the minimum environmental standards of the NRC (see appendix 1) ;
- Propose measures to maximize the positive effects of the projects;
- Propose measures (1) to avoid, (2) to reduce negative effects as well as, where applicable, measures to compensate for residual impacts after mitigation (ERC sequence (Avoid, Reduce, Compensate)) and the conditions for their implementation and monitoring;
4. Methodological approach
4.1 Delimitation of the study area
The study will be conducted in the provinces of Ituri and Tanganyika, in particular the territories, health areas and localities that have benefited from the various activities (see appendix 2).
The scope of the study will cover an extended perimeter including the areas used by the displaced and host communities for their domestic, social and economic activities, and not only limited to the settlement areas of the displaced.
4.2 Analysis of environmental risks and impacts:
4.2.1 Identification, characterization and assessment of impacts
The identification of the impacts of the project will be done on the basis of the analysis of the environment of the study. This will involve identifying, characterizing and evaluating the impacts (positive and negative) on the environment, emphasizing the environmental issues identified by the stakeholders and by the service provider. The service provider must pay particular attention to the activities carried out or to be carried out which are sources of impact, in particular during the works, during the operating phase and when the NRC's interventions are stopped.
In addition to the description of the main environmental characteristics, the initial environmental situation includes the presentation of demographic trends in a context of crisis and displacement, land use practices, use and consumption practices of natural resources based on the needs of populations (construction/rehabilitation of shelters, cooking, economic activities, development of water sources, construction of latrines and showers, construction of garbage pits, management of faecal sludge, etc.) as well as strategies and development plans for the project area (at local and national level).
The identification of impacts aims to determine how the construction, operation and maintenance activities in WASH, shelter and habitat the project have affected the elements of the environment. As an indication, the service provider must identify the elements affected, characterize the apprehended impact (high, low, medium) and determine the degree of environmental and technical sensitivity (constraint, very high, high or less).
4.3 Organization of surveys and consultations
The contractor will organize a series of surveys and consultations with stakeholders including national, provincial, territorial and local authorities, local communities affected by displacement and benefiting from the NRC response in the DRC, populations likely to be affected, etc.
4.4 Mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures
For significant impacts, the service provider will identify technically and economically feasible measures to prevent, correct, mitigate or compensate for them and improve them with regard to positive impacts. These may consist of direct measures of prevention, total or partial mitigation, restoration, rehabilitation or compensation. Impacts will be considered separately according to the different phases of NRC operations (strategic planning, project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
The measures contributing to the achievement of the minimum environmental standards of the NRC should in particular be underlined, as well as the level of standard targeted (red, orange or green). In the cases concerned, the service provider will identify the gaps between the environmental situation of the project perimeter, the capacities of the NRC in the DRC and the "green" level for the standards that cannot be achieved today, to establish these measures, as well as the risks of non-compliance with these standards.
Cost estimates for each measure must be proposed, as well as the resources necessary for their proper implementation (skills, monitoring tools, etc.).
5. Deliverables
Like the study, the service provider will provide an environmental assessment report which will include:
- The non-technical summary (presentation of significant results and proposed actions);
- Objectives and expected results
- A contextual analysis also including the legal framework
- The methodology for carrying out and organizing the environmental study
- The description of the activities carried out during the study
- Methods and techniques used in impact assessment and analysis;
- Identification and categorization of environmental impacts (significant/severe, medium, low, direct, indirect, temporary, long-term);
- Measures to reduce and/or avoid negative impacts, as well as support measures for positive impacts
- Conclusion and precise recommendations for the implementation of an environmental and social management plan;
- Bibliography including sources and references;
- Annexes including description of data collection including consultations with displaced and host communities, national, provincial, territorial and local authorities and other sources.
6. Duration of the mission
The service provider will present a detailed schedule specifying the different stages and a number of days per stage including transport times. It will be defined taking into account the following different phases:
- Consultation phase of the project's national and local partners and desk review: this phase will conclude with the presentation of an inception report and a discussion between the consultancy and the NRC steering committee.
- Report writing and submission phase: a report not exceeding 30 pages (without annexes) presenting the major findings and offering a concise analysis of the questions suggested. As well as a document of 3 pages maximum consolidating practical and realistic recommendations
- Communication phase on the results of the project: the consultant will have the mission during this phase to prepare and lead a workshop for the restitution of the results of the evaluation with the NRC DRC and global/Regional teams (and certain partners if applicable).
All in all, the duration of the assignment cannot exceed 45 days , including the period for reviewing and approving the reports. The desired start of the study is set for March 1, 2023.
7. Provider profile
The service provider must provide a service profile including a short description of the company/consultant and show recent experience on projects of a similar nature. The profile should also include references and any relevant information for the technical assessment of the service provider for its skills and abilities to provide the service.
The service provider must provide information on the qualifications of the employees who will be involved in the service. The CVs, including information on the diplomas obtained, must be attached to verify the experience, skills, knowledge and abilities of the people required to work on the service.
The following skills are in demand:
- Capacities for multi-sectoral and holistic analysis, and understanding of the environmental, climatic and socio-economic components of humanitarian contexts, including displacement contexts
- Skills in the analysis of environmental risks and impacts, to identify problems and propose mitigation, compensation and recovery measures.
- Working knowledge of DRC environmental policies
- Experience in consultation and participatory evaluation approaches
- Experience in connection with WASH and Shelter activities (shelters) carried out within the framework of humanitarian response
8. How to apply
All offers must be prepared in French and will include the following documents:
8.1 Technical proposal:
She should understand
- Availability commitment for the entire mission, declaration of ability to undertake the mission
- The proposed study methodology, clearly indicating the approach, the participatory approach and the methods of investigation in the field.
- The methodology for sampling the localities to be assessed. The service provider must integrate at least one per Health Area, this choice will take into account, among other things, the environmental sensitivity of the locality and the consistency of the interventions (for example a locality where the construction of shelters, WASH and class have been carried out should take priority). The validation of these localities will be done during a scoping workshop to be held at the beginning of the mission. (The list of localities of intervention of NRC is recorded in the document in appendix 3 )
- A detailed work schedule for the study indicating the schedule of activities and the duration of the study (see paragraph 6 "Duration of the mission")
- Updated curriculum vitae of the consultants who will undertake the work which clearly sets out the qualifications and experience including degrees. When more than one consultant is to be involved, clearly indicate the main consultant and the responsible persons. The team should have at least one engineer/specialist in environment and natural resource management. The CVs of all members of the service provider's team must be provided as part of the technical offer and the proposed interventions must be clearly stated in the methodological approach.
- Technical references” provide the list (complete the table in appendix 3 ) and the physical (or digital) copies of the three (03) best similar studies they have carried out as well as the name and contact details of reference persons.
- The date of availability to conduct the study. As a reminder The desired start of the study is set for March 1, 2023 (see paragraph 6 "duration of the study")
8.2 Financial Proposal
The service provider will present a realistic financial proposal for the study with regard to the deliverables to be achieved and its knowledge of the DRC context (geography, airport taxes, etc.). This proposal will be disaggregated (see Annex 4 ) and take into account:
- Consultant fees
- International flights if applicable
- Airport taxes, visa fees or other taxes required at national and international level)
- Accommodation and catering costs
- Local language translator fees
- Other costs (reproduction of training documents, communication, etc.).
The files of the financial proposal and the technical proposal must be separate (1 file for each of the financial and technical proposals) and sent by email to the following address: cd.tender@nrc,no
The title of the subject of the message must clearly reflect the description by "Technical Proposal" or "Financial Proposal".
Interested candidates must submit their proposals to provide the services described in this invitation to tender no later than January 15, 2023 by email to the following address : cd.tender@nrc,no
9. Evaluation of offers
The evaluation of offers will be made in accordance with the table below. A weighting of 80% will be made for the technical offer against 20% for the financial offer:
Technical offer: 80%
C 1 Qualification of the consultant: on a coefficient of 40%
- C 1.1 Academic qualifications and CV of the study team: on a coefficient of 20%
Proven experience in environmental assessments: on coefficient of 40%
Experience in the DRC (Project references): on a coefficient of 40%
C 2 Understanding of the terms of reference and the proposed approach: on a coefficient of 40%
- C 2.1 Understanding of the terms of reference of an environmental study: on a coefficient of 40%
- C 2.2 Proposed approach and acceptable methodologies used in environmental impact assessments: on 40% coefficient
- C 2.3 Identification of risks, constraints and opportunities and proposals for action to prevent them: on a 20% coefficient
C 3 Work organization: on a 20% coefficient
- C 3.1 Work plan and proposed activities: on a 50% coefficient
- C 3.2 Roles and responsibilities, collaboration with other stakeholders: on a 50% coefficient
Financial offer: 20%
An evaluation steering committee will be set up by NRC. Within this steering committee, the focal point for the consultant will be the Shelter/WASH specialist from NRC DRC. The steering committee composed of M&E, HoP, Global Lead Climate and Environment, Regional WASH and Shelter advisors will review all the deliverables provided by the consultant, as well as their validation.
Bi-weekly update meetings will be organized by the steering committee focal point in order to link the consultant and the relevant members of the steering committee or NRC in general.
Note : Consultants and / competent structures interested in responding to the call are requested to write to the address cd.tender@nrc.no to request additional documentation (Appendixes 1 to 4 ) no later than 5 days before the date . limit or either download them directly by clicking on this link :
NRC does not collect fees of any kind at any stage of the purchase process (deposit, file processing, etc.); We therefore recommend that you systematically refuse any request for money for your submission file.
FOR ANY COMPLAINT OR COMPLAINT, PLEASE CALL OUR FREE NUMBER 49 44 44
Done in Goma-DRC, on 21/12/2022
Caitlin BRADY
Country Director - NRC DR Congo