Environmental Sustainability for Shelter and NFI Response Consultant

Background

Shelter and settlement programming plays a crucial role in humanitarian response but must also uphold environmental sustainability. In Ethiopia, interventions within the Shelter and Non-Food sector have often contributed to deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and waste pollution. These environmental impacts hinder the resilience and recovery of affected communities. Over the past four years, a substantial volume of materials, including high-carbon footprint tarpaulins, has been distributed, underscoring the urgent need for more sustainable shelter practices.

To address this, the ESNFI Cluster plans to hire a consultant to develop environmentally friendly tools and practices that reduce the negative impacts of its interventions. The Consultant’s role will involve adapting training tools, checklists, and guidelines for the proper disposal and reuse of ESNFI items, fostering sustainable practices within the cluster. Additionally, the Consultant will support the cluster in raising awareness and advocating for the integration of environmental considerations in ESNFI program implementation and will collaborate with the Environmental Working Group to strengthen overall environmental sustainability efforts.

The Objective of the Consultancy

The main objective of this Consultancy is to assist the ESNFI Cluster in developing and implementing environmentally sustainable practices in shelter and settlement interventions. This includes minimizing the environmental impacts of shelter interventions, promoting the reuse, recycling, and proper disposal of materials, and building the capacity of ESNFI partners to adopt greener approaches.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Preparedness and Response Unit (PRU)

Category B Consultants: Tasks to be performed under this contract

1. The first installment will be paid upon completing the initial assessment of current practices and developing guidelines on sustainable material use and packaging reduction. First installment payment will be delivered by January 15, 2025.
2. Once all remaining tasks are completed, the final installment will be issued, including creating training materials, establishing monitoring mechanisms, and conducting capacity-building sessions with partners on sustainability practices. Final installment payment- Delivered by email by February 28, 2025.

The Consultant will be responsible for:

Assessment of Current Practices and Review of Existing Shelter Options

• Review and assess the environmental impact of current shelter interventions, focusing on material selection, design, and site planning to ensure they meet environmental standards and requirements.
• Identify gaps in current environmental assessment tools, such as the Nexus Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT+), and propose improvements to strengthen these tools for more comprehensive environmental impact evaluation.
• Assess existing shelter options and materials to determine sustainable practices and materials that minimize environmental impact across interventions.

Guidance on Sustainable Practices:

• Develop and promote guidelines to reduce the amount of packaging used in the distribution of shelter materials and encourage beneficiaries to reuse packaging where possible.
• Recommend the selection of locally sourced, sustainable materials that do not contribute to deforestation or environmental degradation, supporting local economies and reducing carbon footprint.
• Provide consolidated technical recommendations on shelter materials, designs, and options suitable for various operational contexts, considering factors such as location (weather, culture), type of crisis (conflict, climate, health outbreaks), and duration (temporary, transitional, or durable solutions).

Development of Training Tools and Materials:

• Create and adapt training materials, checklists, and guidance documents on minimizing the environmental impact of ESNFI interventions, ensuring these resources are accessible, actionable, and practical for partners.

• Develop strategies for the disposal, repurposing, and reuse of ESNFI items, including debris and packaging materials, to support a circular economy and reduce waste.

  Capacity Building for Partners:

• Train partners in selected sub-national locations on how to salvage, reuse, recycle, or repurpose materials emphasizing sustainable practices that enhance adaptability and waste reduction.

• Encourage the use of materials that facilitate reuse or repurposing in cases of relocation or other emergencies, building capacity for sustainable practices in varying crisis contexts.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance with newly developed environmental sustainability guidelines, recognizing that effective implementation and reporting require time. These activities may be coordinated by the National Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) on a regular or ad hoc basis.

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Comprehensive training tools and materials on environmental sustainability in shelter interventions.
• A detailed checklist and guidance document for the reuse, recycling, and disposal of ESNFI materials.
• A report outlining the environmental impacts of current practices and recommendations for minimizing these impacts.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Training sessions for ESNFI partners, with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
• Monitoring tools for assessing the implementation of environmentally friendly practices within the ESNFI Cluster.

Education, Experience and/or skills required

The Consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• A relevant degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in environmental impact assessments, especially in humanitarian or shelter contexts.
• Expertise in developing training materials and conducting capacity-building exercises.
• Knowledge of sustainable shelter materials and construction practices.
• Familiarity with the Nexus Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT+) and other environmental assessment frameworks.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

Travel required

• Frequent travel to the field

Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.