REQUEST FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICE
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project
Implemented by / Woman's Affairs Center (WAC)
Funded by / DanChurchAid (DCA) & Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)Palestine Joint Country Program
Environment /Climate Change Expert
Background
Women Affairs Center (WAC) was established in August 1991 by a group of activist professional women to promote women's rights and gender equality within the Palestinian society via empowering and enhancing women's abilities in a range of non-traditional skills to address the problems and respond to the needs of women under the difficult political, socioeconomic, cultural and legal context in the Gaza Strip. It’s a women's knowledge-based centre playing an innovative and catalytic role in empowering women; and advocating women's rights and gender equality in the Palestinian sustainable development process. WAC is an independent and non-profit Palestinian NGO with the purpose of empowering women and advocating women’s rights and gender equality through capacity development, information, and innovative research and advocacy programs.
DCA/NCA and its implementing partner, Women Affairs Centre (WAC), propose a gender-responsive project to tackle plastic waste problems by empowering women against the negative effects of Climate while enhancing vulnerable women’s economic coping capacity via receiving cash from the recycling of plastic to cover their basic needs. Waste that is not properly managed – especially excreta and other liquid-solid waste from households and the community is a serious health hazard and leads to the spread of infectious diseases. For example, skin and blood infections result from direct contact with waste and from infected wounds; eye and respiratory infections result from exposure to infected dust, especially during landfill operations; different diseases result from the bites of animals feeding on waste; intestinal infections are transmitted by flies feeding on waste; and certain chemicals, if released untreated (e.g. cyanides, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls), are highly toxic and exposure to them can lead to disease or death. Waste management practices in Gaza pose serious threats to the environment and public health, such as the burning of waste in the containers that result in smoke emission, untreated health care waste mixed with the mainstream domestic solid waste, environmental contamination, etc. In addition, when it comes to implementing well-integrated solid waste management, Gaza encounters many challenges at the legislative, regulatory, technical, environmental, and financial levels. This is further complicated due to the lack of statistical data needed for decision-making, planning, and control process
The most critical challenges encountering this sector are:
- Gaza’s market for waste re-use and recycling of plastic is small, unregulated, and informal, which is done mainly by itinerant collection and often through multiple merchants from waste pickers to private facilities. The total amount of collected waste in Gaza is more than 2150 tons per day, with an average recycling rate that reaches 9 kg/day/ton.
- Each ton of solid waste produces approximately 250 liters of toxic leachate after complete decomposition, this leachate as toxic liquid pollution has complicated negative impacts on the environment and public health. Recent technical studies on the nature of solid waste in Gaza concluded that the plastic materials represent more than (17%) of the total solid waste produced in Gaza daily, it means that more than 360 tons of different types of plastic are generated daily in the Gaza Strip.
- The process of collection of solid waste at the household level is performed by placing the entire amount in one container, no sorting is performed, and once transferred to a landfill, the sorting process for recycling or reusing becomes impossible or very difficult and arduous to be conducted.
- Plastic pollution is generated when plastic waste is not reused or recycled or even disposed of in a controlled manner. Generally, people tend to burn the waste in the containers to make room for more space in the streets and between homes, combustion of solid waste produces huge amounts of ambulant air pollution gases that cause many environmental and public health problems. No clear approach and regulations that integrate or manage gender and climate change-related actions at the national, sectoral, and project/practical levels.
- Lack of community awareness and effective competition on climate change, and plastic waste management exacerbates the problem.
The project "2022 MFA WASH global" is 7 Month project implemented by WAC and funded by DCA/NCA. Solid WASTE Management (SWM) project disempowering women against the negative impact of climate change while enhancing vulnerable women’s economic coping capacity via receiving cash from the collecting of plastic to cover their basic needs. The Project will focus on testing different solutions for the management and treatment of solid waste management-related problems whilst meeting the basic humanitarian needs of GBV survivors and their families. In addition, supporting female entrepreneurs that are from a low socio-economic background by creating an income generation businesses opportunity in the plastic collection and decent jobs in sorting and processing and turning plastic waste as raw material that could be remanufactured in Gaza. This will be achieved by implementing main/effective activities and good/feasible practices of the plastic recycling industry based on a deep, comprehensive, and informative baseline study which is the purpose and expected outputs from this assignment.
Purpose and expected outputs of this assignment
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project aims to carry out a detailed baseline study (disc-study review and situational analysis study) on solid waste management (SWM) in terms of generated plastic waste quantities, types/characterization, and qualities; resources/production, collection and transportation and reusing and recycling options; challenges facing the plastic recycling process in Gaza and how to be handled/overcame, shredding and preparation of plastic waste (small scale and large scale levels) as raw material recovery processes to be ready/preferable for manufacturing, environmental adverse impacts of plastic as waste and benefits of recycling as needed approach (socioeconomic, environmental, health, etc..), local regulations and managerial norms toward adoption and mainstreaming of plastic recycling strategies and community awareness and cooperation conditions and obstacles. The study will map the current main actors involved in the formal and informal collection of plastic for recycling to avoid conflict with existing groups and see how the project fits into the collection system. The study will also look at the current value chain and possible income from different recycled materials in addition to the local manufacturing opportunities and the feasible ways to be adopted in order to achieve successful investments in the plastic recycling sector in Gaza. WAC will contract an external Technical Environmental Consultant/Specialist to conduct the baseline study that includes a graphic instruction Guideline for plastic classification and characterization, resources and production rates, collection and transportation, shredding and recycling mechanisms, types and quantities of recyclable plastics that will be used in a variety of awareness-raising, and orientation sessions will be conducted to the targeted women.
Objectives of this Assignment:
The overall objective of this assignment is to develop a Baseline Study covering the current context in detail and the key challenges encountering the plastic waste recycling industry sector as one of the main components of the green and circular economy in the Gaza Strip and to highlight the potential areas where interventions can be implemented, and how to empower the women in this field. Specific objectives of the assignment include:
- Gain a good understanding of the current solid waste management situation in the Gaza strip, when it comes to waste generation, composition, collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal practice and analysis of solid waste management in Gaza in terms of generated mainly plastic (Paper. metal and other materials) waste quantities, types, and qualities; collection and reuse.
- Develop a clear definition and framework for the plastic recycling industry as green/circular economy within the context of the Gaza Strip which will used to develop a value chain of existing business operating in the plastic sector.
- Based on the findings of goal 1 and 2, evaluate and recommend approaches for reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic wastes in the Gaza strip should be developed.
- According to the results of the above-mentioned survey, plastic waste value chain should be developed by the consultant to assess best appropriate technology/solutions of the plastic recycling industry in Gaza with emphasis on economic sustainability, and social and environmental impacts. The results also will be used to assess the acceptability of the proposed solutions, and review how this is in line with government regulations and strategic plans concerning solid waste management in general and plastic recycling in particular.
- Assessing the sustainability of the proposed solution i.e., ongoing waste supply, the potential market for finished products, and the availability of other revenue streams and highlighting expected challenges.
Drawing up the most feasible methodologies for the plastic recycling industry in the Gaza Strip.
Scope of Work
- Developing of disk review study: Review of relevant documents and studies in the field of solid waste management and plastic waste in particular as green/circular economy with main challenges and opportunities within the industrial sectors relevant for the Gaza context. The recent documents review (technical reports and academic researches) will assist to gain a good understanding of the current solid waste management situation in the Gaza strip, when it comes to waste generation, composition, collection, reuse, recycling and disposal practice and analysis of solid waste management in Gaza in terms of generated mainly plastic (Paper. metal and other materials) waste quantities, types, and qualities; collection and reuse.
- Data collection tools should be developed to evaluate the current situation of plastic recycling in Gaza, this step will include for example, but is not limited to:
- Stakeholders and main actors (of the plastic recycling sector) analysis and identification
- Preparation of data collection tools (questioners, key informants' interviews, field/factories visits, observation chicklets, ets…)
- Data entry and analysis
- Data discussion and conclusions preparation
- Recommendations formulation
- Plastic recycling value-chain analysis: Develop a study of the plastic value-chain which follows materials flow from production, consumption, and waste management. This helps to understand the quality of the material sorted, and whether the collection is done separately or co-mingled to be sorted at material recovery facilities:
- Identification of plastic production origins
- Stakeholder mapping of plastic value-chain and mapping of private sector actors, small-scale initiatives, and market landscape
- The inflow of produced plastic materials in the restricted areas of the Gaza Strip
- Consumption of plastic materials in the Gaza Strip and recycled flow after consumption
- Inflow to the plastic recycling facilities in the Gaza Strip and review of sorting process and collection system: where (at the source vs, in facilities), how, and who (actors involved formally and informally), and quality of the material sorted
- Review of production and quality standards for recycled plastics;
- Analysis of leakage points, quality of the sorted material, deficiencies in the collection system and/or lack of recycling, and sanitary disposal facilities;
- Review and analysis of jobs creation through plastics management (formal/informal and men/women);
- Assessing the market for recycled plastic and identifying possible measures to create market conditions favourable for local industries to produce and use recycled plastics;
- Review on the development of temporary storage facilities that would allow sale in the future depending on prices and improved border conditions and trade; and
- Feasibility analysis of recycling facilities, including financial feasibility.
Plastic 3R (reduce, recycle and reuse) strategy development:
- Develop a strategy and action plan for plastic 3R. Implement this task based on the findings of the plastic value chain analysis, as well as adapting the best practices in the world on recycling and reusing plastic waste.
- An analysis of the current National Solid Waste Management Strategy and plastic reduction, recycling, and reusing policy and strategies.
- Recommendations for policy and institutional reforms and for the development of new regulations and guidelines to encourage 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) of plastics. Such recommendations should include up-stream policy measures to reduce plastic use such as restricting the use of single-use and avoidable plastic products;
- Review of past pilot plastic recycling and sorting projects in Gaza;
- Review of international and regional best practices for plastic reusing and recycling and assessment of their applicability to Gaza;
- Review of health and safety standards of ongoing recycled plastics, including possible business opportunities, current barriers, and opportunities to reduce at source;
- Analysis of the benefit of plastic 3R strategy and the potential cost of inaction;
- Consultations with stakeholders (public, private, community, academia).
- Development of detailed action plans in response to plastic waste management vision, policies, and strategies.
Communication strategy and related awareness campaign:
- Develop a communication strategy to raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution in Gaza and what is the best practice in order to implement effective recycling investment (briefed manual for this regard will be suitable).
- Develop communication materials for different communication channels such as TV, radio programs, social media, signboards, and flyers;
- Identify local influencers and champions to deliver key messages
Initiate the implementation of the communication strategy to promote a circular plastic economy.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the consultant
- The successful Consultant will work to implement all of the aforementioned duties and tasks within the scope of work of the assignment closely and with full cooperation (provide updates about the process, discuss issues and arising obstacles) with the expert of the project, WAC and DCA\NCA focal point, country office staff and the projects partners.
- The geographical focus of the Project
- The geographical focus of the project is the whole Gaza strip.
- Timeline of the Assignment and level of efforts
- The expected working days for the Baseline is 30 WD’s during the period from (19 June to 29 July 2022).
This should include:
- Meeting with WAC and DCA\NCA, documents review and produce the inception report that includes method/plan and data collection tools (guiding questions, participatory exercises, etc.)
- Conducting the review including meeting with different stakeholders (Federation of Industries, private sectors, relevant institutions and main municipalities)
- Producing the first draft of the baseline report (including the value chain, the framework of plastic recycling in Gaza, challenges, feasibility study of plastic recycling, plastic 3R strategy, awareness campaign aspects and messages).
- Incorporation of comments of WAC and DCA and the expert of the project and finalization of the report
- Debriefing workshop/ session with WAC and DCA/NCA team to discuss the findings.
- The first draft of the report should be shared with WAC and DCA/NCA after three weeks of signing the contract at max, and the final draft is expected to be submitted after two weeks of reviewing the first draft.
- The report should include background, executive summary, study methodology, analysis of data and findings, discussion and interpretation, conclusions, and recommendations.
- The report will not be considered final until approved by WAC and DCA.
- The report and communications will be in English.
Required Qualifications and Experience of the Consultancy:
The suitable consultant should have at least 7 years of relevant experience. The consultant must have the following skills and competencies:
- Competitive experience in environmental and sustainable development fields.
- Must hold at least a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering/sciences or any other related field with a focus on climate change, sustainable development, green economy and circular investment, women empowerment, and innovation, sufficiently in-depth knowledge.
- Good knowledge and extensive experience in applying similar projects.
- Competitive experience in financial services for entrepreneurs.
- Experience in approaches related to private sector engagement.
- Experience in social enterprise development and approaches.
- Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
- Solid understanding and experience in facilitating meetings and workshops.
- Ability to communicate fluently and write efficient reports in both English and Arabic.
- Ability to work with a diverse team effectively and under pressure to produce agreed deliverables in a timely manner.
- The consultant must be cooperative, willing to share ideas and thoughts, and accept constructive criticism.
Application
Consultancy offers should contain the following:
- One copy of both Technical and Financial proposals in separate and sealed envelopes. (prices in Dollars).
- Profile / CV of the consultant with relevant experience in similar consultancies
The Evaluation Method
- A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the Proposals; a technical evaluation and a financial evaluation. Proposals will be ranked according to their combined technical and financial scores using the weights of 70% for the Technical Proposal; and 30% for the offered price.
Payment method
- The payments of the contract are planned on a deliverables basis. The payment should be supported with deliverables filled by the consultant; along with a payment request; both approved by the project coordinator.
Closing Date and Delivery
- The closing date for receiving consultancy offers is 22/06/2022. at 12:00 PM. Offers must be submitted by hand to WAC office.
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