1. Capacity building in the importance, design, operationalization and maintenance of CWs
2. Training on utilization of plants from the wetland to enhance community livelihoods
3. An operational Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme
Home-Based
The entire tasks will be 71 working days spread within a period of 6 months.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP administers the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), under the Ecosystems Division. The Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
The Secretariat for the Nairobi Convention is implementing the project entitled; ‘Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the Western Indian Ocean from land-based sources and activities’ (WIOSAP) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The WIOSAP project is implementing interventions ‘to reduce impacts from land-based sources and activities and sustainably manage critical coastal and marine ecosystems through the implementation of the agreed WIO-SAP priorities with the support of partnerships at national and regional level. The project has presented an opportunity to the governments in the region and their conservation partners to jointly implement strategies of protecting coastal and marine ecosystems from land-based sources and activities to provide essential goods and services on a sustainable basis.
The First Vice President’s Office, Zanzibar in the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under WIOSAP project is implementing a project entitled “Upscaling and amplification of the Msingini wastewater Treatment facility model in Chake Chake town, Pemba”. The overall objective of the project is to reduce land-based sources of pollution to the Pemba Channel Conservation Area (PECCA) and associated coastal and marine ecosystems from Chake Chake municipality using Constructed Wetland Systems. The project seeks to utilize an existing under-performing Constructed Wetland System (CWS) on Pemba Island and significantly improve its long-term management, efficiency and its benefit to the surrounding community of more than 5,500 people, both in terms of capacity and productivity. Due to its location in a low-lying coastal area, its adaptive capacity to withstand effects of sea level rise and extreme climatic events is a central part of the redesign.
Increasing local capacity to operate and maintain the system is emphasized to ensure long-term sustainability and the introduction of a Payment for Ecosystems Services system will help to cover these costs. Collaboration between the regional consultant and the national expert will ensure this national capacity building and sustainability. Improved utilization of the wetland plants after harvesting will increase the community’s appreciation of the system and result in cost savings and/or income generation. One of the project activities involves a House Hold Survey to collect information about the existing situation and identify the number of households (HH) currently connected to the system and those which could potentially be added to the system given the projected enhanced capacity, but also to identify challenges and the needs for improvement.
Scope of the Consultancy
The national consultant will work closely with the regional expert and undertake complementary tasks for the successful redesign, expansion and operationalization of the Msingini Waste Water Treatment Plant System which serves four (4) Shehias. The consultant in collaboration with the regional expert will develop and execute a capacity building program on the design and operationalization of the system targeting the staff of the Department of Environment from FVPO, ZEMA, CCTC, ZAWA and other relevant stakeholders. The national consultant will also work with the regional expert in the latter’s tasks to ensure capacity strengthening and shared learning.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Head, Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention, and direct supervision of the WIOSAP Project Manager, the consultant is expected to undertake the following roles:
1. In collaboration with the regional wetlands expert, develop a training manual focusing on general and system specific training (in situ) for CWs inc. background, applications, design & construction and operation & maintenance (including sludge management)
2. Conduct two capacity building workshops based on the training manual above
3. Conduct plant utilization training - handicrafts, thatching and mulching among other uses to enhance community livelihoods
4. Work with the regional expert to develop a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme linked to the constructed wetland to enhance sustainability
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree is required in civil engineering, chemical engineering, hydrology, marine sciences, biological sciences or related sciences. A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree
Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience is required in developing a constructed wetland system. Experience in measuring flow of wastewater, system specific training for constructed wastewater system including background, application, design and construction, operation and maintenance (including sludge management) is desired. Experience in construction of holding / buffer storage (in line storage) and surveying of pipeline levels is desired. Demonstrated knowledge of the use of GIS in production of topographic maps of a constructed wetland system and environs is an added advantage.
Language: English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of Swahili is an advantage.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.