International Lead Social Impact Study Expert/Consultant for the Preparation of a Social Impact Study into the Potential of Colluli Potash Project for Social Impact and SDG Contribution Towards Creating Shared Value

Background

The UNDP Eritrea Country Office is seeking a qualified International Lead Social Impact Study expert/consultant for the preparation of a Social Impact Study into the Potential of Colluli Potash Project for Social Impact and SDG Contribution towards creating shared value that generates economic value in a way that also produces value for society by addressing its challenges.

Eritrea, a young nation in the Horn of Africa, is focused on the development of the Colluli Potash Project as it pursues its own model of development and vision of a nation. Colluli Potash Project is a Tier One Asset located in the Danakali region of Eritrea, East Africa and owned by the Colluli Mining Share Company (CMSC). CMSC (hereafter called the Colluli Potash Project) is a 50:50 Joint Venture, between Danakali, a junior exploration company and the Government-owned Eritrean National Mining Company (ENAMCO).

The Joint Venture partners Danakali Limited and ENAMCO wish to develop Colluli Potash Project as a model shared value mining project; delivering value to investors whilst providing farmers in Eritrea and Africa with enhanced food security and making a central contribution to economic opportunity and national development.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the largest UN development partners in Eritrea, working on capacity development, poverty reduction, environmental reduction, environmental protection and renewable energy programmes in partnership with the Eritrean Government.  UNDP has identified Colluli Potash Project as a strategic opportunity to enhance the delivery of the 2030 Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  UNDP has conducted a recent study entitled: “Mapping Mining to the Sustainable Development Goals – An Atlas” which charts ways in which mining project can contribute to delivering on SDGs.

Potash and particularly Sulphate of Potash is one of the key ingredients in soil fertility and both in Eritrea and Africa. In absence of potash soils are depleted.  This impinges on crop yield and quality, food security and incomes of smallholder farmers.  The operation of Africa’s first potash mine has potential for positive impact on food security and agriculture while also potentially supporting job creation, enterprise development as well as economic development at national level.  Its unique characteristics make Colluli Potash Project potentially as much a next-generation food security enterprise as a traditional mining project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Lead Consultant will coordinate the work of International extractive resources and Sustainable Development expert and National Agricultural development and soil expert and ensure quality and timely preparation of all reports and documentations.

More specifically, the consultant will complete the following tasks:

• Lead and manage the study;     
• Provide an overall orientation to the study team in relation to establishing the social impact credentials of Colluli Potash Project towards creating shared value;
• Provide methodological guidance for data collection related to the Social Impact Study;
• Assume overall leadership and responsibility for the analysis, quality and timely submission of the final report to the UNDP Country Office;     
• Conduct desk review of documents, and lead development of methodology, detailed work plan and study matrix/outline;
• Briefing with UNDP, agreement on the scope of the study, methodology and approach, including the methods for data collection and analysis; and outline of the study report;
• Prepare, finalize, and lead the presentation of the inception report;        
• Decide the work specification for members of the study team; ensure efficient division of tasks between the study team members;  
• Interviews with key stakeholders, relevant government bodies, colluli potash project personnel, experts, etc.;               
• Field visit to the project sites and conduct interviews with local communities, local stakeholders;              
• Elaboration of a summary key findings based on document review, interviews and site visits performed;
• Debriefing with UNDP, Colluli, project implementing partners etc.;          
• Conduct the study in accordance with the proposed objective and scope of the study;    
• Development and submission of the first study report draft. The draft will be shared with the UNDP CO office, Colluli and key project stakeholders for review and comment;   
• Present draft findings in the stakeholder workshop;       
• Finalization and submission of the final study report through incorporating suggestions received on the draft report;
• Responsible for and finalize the entire study report and lessons learned report in English and submit it to UNDP CO, Colluli project, ENAMCO Eritrea;      
• With inputs from each of the consultants, provide an analysis of the socio-economic context of Colluli Potash Project in Eritrea, with a focus on the current state of food security and economic opportunity for rural communities and youth;
• Analyse key development challenges and constraints and how these can be addressed within a social impact framework by the Colluli Project;            
• Develop a theory of change to establish the social impact credentials of Colluli Potash Project and map it’s potential to deliver on SDG 1 on Poverty, SDG 2 on Hunger, SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 on Infrastructure, Innovation and Industrialization and SDG 13 on climate action;          
• Based on the inputs from International and National experts, assess the potential contribution of the Colluli Potash project towards economic development by providing opportunities for decent employment, business development, increased fiscal revenues, and infrastructure linkages;
• Based on the inputs from International and National experts, assess the revenue benefits to the Eritrean Government through income from taxes, royalties and dividends likely to contribute to economic resilience and development in Eritrea;
• Based on the inputs from International and National experts, assess the contribution of such revenue streams in terms of fiscal stability and management of budgets and balance of payments including impact on Eritrean GDP;    
• Based on the inputs from International and National experts, Identify/envisage specific development projects and outcomes which may be funded from revenue streams emanating from the Colluli Project;
• Explore Eritrea’s macro-economic and fiscal context and assess how this impacts on economic development, private enterprise, balance of payment etc.;      
• Assess the potential benefits that would accrue to African farmers resulting from potash products distributed by the Colluli Potash Project under off-take agreements within Africa, particularly Eastern, Southern and Western Africa;
• Conduct a detailed assessment on how the Colluli Potash Project can deliver results to address constraints and deliver positive change in terms of agriculture productivity, macro-economic and fiscal situation, economic development and opportunity and climate change;        
• Carry out analysis of macro-economic context including fiscal;   
• Analyse potential financing sources which can support the social impact approach;          
• Design the in-country shared value in the framework of extractive projects/industries and SDGs;
• Based on the inputs from national and international experts and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders and the Colluli Potash Project, assess/examine how the Potash Project can, by implementing a shared value approach, deliver tangible social impact in terms of food security and poverty reduction;    
• Assess the potential benefits of international potash trade and spin-offs from enhanced
• Assess the potential reduction of irregular migration resulting from direct and indirect employment and livelihood opportunities;
• Explore the opportunity for enhanced opening of space for civil society and peace-building;
• Assess the potential benefits from enhanced international trade and cooperation;
• Assess the potential for enhanced political outcomes within the region;
• Based on the inputs from the International and National Experts, assess the risks and constraints associated with the Colluli Potash Project which may lead to negative impact on the local communities and the nation.  This will include an analysis of the Social and Environment Impact Assessment carried out by the Colluli Project and approved by the Eritrean Ministry of Energy and Mines;               
• Based on the inputs from the International and National experts, identify risks and mitigating actions which can ensure that the Colluli Potash Projects avoiding traditional pitfalls of the extractive industries in terms of negative impact at local and national level.

Competencies

• Good knowledge on policy and legislative framework and institutional mechanisms concerning mining sector;
• Good understanding of extractive sector,
• Strong analytical skills in economics and development studies;
• Solid understanding of MDGs and SDGs and the localization agenda;
• Ability to synthesize complex issues drawing synergies and linkages between development issues;
• Good understanding of shared value creation that generates economic value in a way that also produces value for society by addressing its challenges;
• Ability to carry out macroeconomic analysis and to analyse budgets and national planning documents;
• Extensive knowledge of methodological frameworks for impact studies including qualitative and quantitative study methods;
• Sound knowledge of results-based management systems, and monitoring and study methodologies; including experience in applying SMART indicators;
• Strong working knowledge of the UN and its mandate region, and more specifically the development practices within the programmes of UN and similar organisations

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• PhD or Masters in social sciences, economics, political sciences, sustainable development and social studies, public administration and/or international relations, in relevant natural sciences/Environmental Science or Natural Resource related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of demonstrable experience in formulating high quality project proposals related to the relevant subject if the consultancy;
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and writing high quality reports and analytical papers;
• Demonstrated experience in working and/or consulting on issues related to extractive industries and SDGs
• Sound understanding of the social and economic development context in the Horn Africa and or/Sub-Saharan Africa/African countries
• Hands-on experience working in a development setting of developing countries
• Hands-on work experience in in the Horn Africa and or/Sub-Saharan Africa/African countries preferred;
• Experience of private sector and shared value and contribution to SDGs
• Experience of large complex funding projects including UN and EU funding environments.

Language:

• Full command of and fluency in English, with a high degree of proficiency in writing in this language is a requirement.