Iraq: Environmental Expert to Conduct Environmental Analysis

Jul 25, 2021 | Adyan Foundation
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Adyan, Foundation for Diversity, Solidarity and Human Dignity, works locally, regionally and internationally for pluralism, inclusive citizenship, community resilience, and spiritual solidarity, through homegrown solutions in Education, Media, Policymaking, and intercultural and interreligious relations.

Adyan is registered in Lebanon as a non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO), under registration number 1103 by a ministerial decree dated 18 September 2008.

Background

Adyan has been working on several initiatives to enhance Inclusive Citizenship in Iraq. Based on recommendations of partners and external evaluations done previously to assess these projects, a new strategy is currently being developed to determine the organization’s future involvement in Iraq.

Brief about the Project

The Adyan Iraqi Strategy (AIS) is a short-term preparatory project that leads to increased understanding by Adyan’s team about issues related to gender inclusion, education on inclusive citizenship and conflict and environmental analysis in Iraq. The project also allows for the Adyan team and partners in Iraq to have a clear roadmap for the best way to develop Adyan’s presence in Iraq, including comprehensive awareness of stakeholders and how to support existing structures, and how to ensure long-term sustainability of Adyan’s work in Iraq.

Consultancy Overview

Adyan Foundation requests applications from Consultants to perform environmental analysis of Iraq that will allow for increased awareness on the matter for Adyan and its partners. The overall aim of the analysis is for Adyan to:

  • Identify and act upon environmental problems and risks that may have negative consequences on programs and projects.
  • Take responsibility for the environment in our own operations and find opportunities for positive contributions.
  • The assignment requires the preparation and completion of the following tasks:
  • Prepare and develop an assessment roadmap (inception report) in collaboration with Adyan’s Development and International Relations (DIR) unit and the project management
  • Conduct the environmental analysis of Iraq, and produce a comprehensive report about the current situation with deeper analysis on the threats and opportunities around Adyan’s activities. A simple checklist will be provided, and the analysis will consist of three steps:
    • Screening the environmental context (involving identifying current environmental problems, climate trends and risk of natural hazards in the context, and assessing the the impact of those identified issues on development and human rights).
    • Analyzing the potential environment’s impact on Adyan’s planned projects in Iraq (including assessing what actions could be taken to avoid negative impacts on project results).
    • Analyzing the potential impact of Adyan’s planned projects on the environment (including how could negative impacts be managed, and what are the opportunities to maximize positive impacts).

The analysis must take into account gender dynamics and other demographic/socio-economic factors.

  • Prepare and implement a one-day presentation and training workshop for Adyan’s team and its partners about the analysis methods and report’s findings.

The consultancy will consist of approximately 8-12 days of work spread over August – October 2021. It is possible for all work to be carried out remotely, using available technology.

Methodology

I. Data Collection:

The assessment should adopt a participatory approach with mixed methods to ensure a range of inputs. The data collection will likely consist of:

a. Secondary data:

  • Desk review, including of relevant publications, reports produced by international or local institutions, media coverage, etc.

b. Primary data:

  • Key informant interviews, and focus-group discussions with beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders

II. Inputs:

It is necessary to note that desk review materials, focus-group discussions, survey and workshops will be in Arabic and/or English depending on the participants, while the reporting language will be in English.

III. First Output: Inception Report

A brief report that follows the initial meeting with the DIR and the project management. This report ensures mutual understanding of the Consultant's methodology, work plan and timeline for conducting the assessment. It also provides additional guarantee of adherence to, and interpretation of, the consultancy contract.

IV. Second Output: Comprehensive Report

A report that includes key findings from the desk review, interviews and focus-group discussions. The report will be written in English, to a professional standard. As needed, references to materials used during the consultancy and other external materials will be included as footnotes or as an appendix. The report’s draft must be shared with Adyan Team for review, and then the amended version will be used by the Consultant to prepare for Adyan Team’s workshop.**

V. Presentation and Workshop

The Consultant will conduct a one-day workshop with Adyan staff and/or partners to present the findings of the report. This will also give an opportunity for the Adyan/partner team to provide feedback on the report. In addition, the workshop should build the audience’s understanding of how to conduct environmental analysis, to allow for ongoing assessment of the environmental context in Iraq, and how this may affect project and strategic planning in the future. This workshop can be conducted remotely, and can be either one full day or the equivalent hours spread over two/more days.

VI. Report finalization

The Consultant will make any necessary amendments based on the workshop to update the report. Adyan will make any necessary comments and send them back to the Consultant. The latter will make final amendments and send back the final version of the report.**

Timeline

Tasks

Approximate Due Date

  • Meeting with Adyan to Finalize the Consultancy Work plan and Sign Agreement: 16 August 2021
  • First Output: Inception Report: 20 August 2021
  • Desk Review: 20 to 31 August 2021
  • Interviews and Focus-Group Discussions:1 to 14 September 2021
  • Second Output: Draft Environmental Analysis Report: 20 September 2021
  • Workshop – preparation and facilitation: Between 21 and 29 September 2021
  • Final Environmental Analysis Report: 6 October 2021

Budget

The allocated budget for this entire consultancy is between USD $5,000 and USD $6,000.

  • No additional expenses other than this lump sum will be paid by Adyan.
  • Bank charges and due taxes are to be covered by the Consultant, or deducted from the payment. If relevant, this will include the 7.5% taxes for non-resident consultants and any other taxes that are the Consultant’s responsibility.
  • If needed and outlined in the work plan, and agreed in the contract, Adyan can cover travel and accommodation expenses for the Consultant.
  • The Consultant can have support from local/field assistants if needed, however their fees must also be included in the total budget presented by the Consultant.

Consultant Profile

The Consultant must:

  • Be able to fluently understand written and spoken Arabic and English, personally or with the support of an assistant engaged by him/her in the consultancy, with professional standard in producing the reports in English.
  • Be independent from Adyan, CoS and the AIS project.
  • Have a proven track record in delivering high quality and complex assessment reports, and up-to-date knowledge of assessment tools, techniques and best practices. Experience in the field of environmental awareness and sensitivity is a must.
  • Have knowledge and awareness of the nuances of the social and political contexts of Iraq.
  • Be sensitive to and respectful of religious, social and cultural differences and comfortable with working and communicating across difference, including able to communicate complex ideas in accessible ways and gather data from and with partners across society.
  • Be skilled and experienced in offline and online workshop facilitation.
  • Have access to their own computer. To note: no hardware/software or IT support will be provided by Adyan.
  • Have access to fast, stable internet connection and a webcam. Even if the selected Consultant is based in Lebanon, a work station at Adyan’s office in Lebanon will not be provided.

How to apply

Submission of Applications

Applicants for this activity should submit:

  1. An updated CV
  2. Short outline of relevant experience
  3. Full proposal for the requested consultancy with a suggested methodology, work plan and timeline
  4. A budget, based on their day rate and that of any other support personnel required

Please submit applications via e-mail to: rashadcenter@adyanfoundation.org

Deadline for receipt of applications: 5:00pm Beirut time on Monday 2 August 2021

If applicants have any questions, please contact: abdo@adyanfoundation.org

Adyan Foundation will request a video interview with the shortlisted candidates, to be scheduled on 5 August 2021, with a view to appointing a Consultant during the week commencing 9 August 2021