Environmental Engineer and Safeguards Analyst

The Energy and Environment Programme is one of the main areas of focus in UNDP Lebanon; currently implements numerous projects in Lebanon that range in thematic areas from climate change, biodiversity conservation, institutional support, industrial depollution, decentralized renewable energy projects, and solid waste management. The programme also works on the support of host communities in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and is the Social and Environmental Safeguards focal point for the office; therefore, the team also ensures the integration of environmental best practices into the overall implementation strategy of UNDP. 

The Port of Beirut (PoB) explosion on August 4, 2020 devastated Beirut city, killing at least 217 people, wounding more than 6,000 and displacing about 300,000 individuals. In addition to causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and disrupting city’s economic activity, the explosion created multiple environmental challenges. 

The project entitled Beirut Critical Environment Recovery, Restoration and Waste Management Programme, aims at responding to urgent and critical environmental issues arising out of the PoB explosion on August 4, 2020 and minimizing/mitigating public health and environmental risks. The interventions are more specifically designed towards the management and disposal of demolition waste generated from the damaged buildings and asbestos-contaminated waste; rehabilitation of damaged solid waste infrastructure and technical assistance measures for their sustainable operation. These interventions are identified based on the damages and needs identified by the RDNA[1] carried out (by WBG, EU, and UNDP Lebanon) immediately after the explosion, ‘Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan’ prepared by the European Union (EU)[2], ‘Demolition Waste Assessment’ carried out by United Nations Development Program (UNDP)[3] and waste categorization and assessment at POB carried out by the Recygroup (supported by the French Government).  

The project is also aligned with the priorities identified under “Focus Area 1. Socioeconomic and business recovery” of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) for Beirut, which aims to respond to the immediate needs identified under both the Port Sector and the Environment sector. The interventions identified by the project are considered as urgent, critical and no-regret measures, which will reduce and mitigate environment, health, and safety risks to the citizens of Beirut and especially those living in the area affected by the explosion. The project will also contribute to the planning for future support under “Focus Area 2. Preparing for reform and reconstruction” of 3RF and in adopting the principles of “Build back better, greener and smarter”.

The Environmental Engineer and Safeguards Analyst will be responsible for the oversight of works related to the project including contract management and the follow-up of all environmental and safety measures in line with the project document and safeguards policy.

[1] World Bank Group; European Union; United Nations. 2020. Beirut Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment. World Bank, Washington, DC. © World Bank. - https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/34401

[2]EU. October 2020. Beirut Explosion: Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Plan

[3] UNDP. October 2020. Demolition Waste Assessment Outside the Port of Beirut.

The Environmental Engineer and Safeguards Analyst will be responsible for supporting and supervising the works related to all the activities of the project as well as supporting on all issues related to environmental risk management as required in the financing agreement and the environmental and social framework (ESF), specifically the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).

The specific functions/responsibilities include:

1. Environmental Responsibilities:

• Develop an action plan for the completion of all commitments in the project ESCP and all other environmental requirements including national requirements of the Ministry of Environment
• Work closely with the social and gender associate to ensure the full integration and harmonization between the environmental requirements and the social aspects
• Ensure that all environmental recommendations and requirements are integrated into the terms of references and contracts issued by UNDP in relation to the project and follow-up on their implementation on the ground with contractors, consultants and all stakeholders
• Prepare the required environmental and health and safety reports to be submitted to the donor, the World Bank, and present all environmental progress and challenges to the Project Manager
• Ensure that all environmental commitments in the ESCP are being fulfilled in high quality and in timely manner
• Initiate and Prepare Terms of Reference for the different studies (e.g. ESIAs, ESMPs, SWMPs, Health and Safety manuals and procedures…etc.) and actions (including field measurements if needed) that need to be undertaken according to the ESCP or as requested by the Project Manager
• Follow-up closely on the selection and hiring process of environmental consultants (individuals and/or firms)
• Conduct and prepare for environmental training events and capacity strengthening for the contractors and NGOs and/or other stakeholders in the project.
• In coordination with the social specialist, follow up on environmental related complaints and ensure resolving relevant ones while properly documenting the process in line with the World Bank and UNDP requirements on the topic
• Maintain environmental records and information showing the compliance of the different project activities (including accidents and incident logs) to the national environmental legislations and World Bank standards.
• Ensure that all environmental and health and safety mitigation measures are being fully adhered to during the implementation of all components of the project and that effective environmental supervision and monitoring are in place.
• Report any non-compliances and ensure there are time-bound actions in place. Follow-up on implementing corrective actions will need to be properly documented and timely reported.

2. Site supervision, monitoring and reporting:

• Assist in reviewing the full technical design of all the project activities and provide information from the ground if needed in coordination with the Project Manager and the international backstopping firm;
• Review shop drawings, work schedules, and material specifications; and ensure conformity with the design specifications that are prepared by the consultants;
• Assist in preparation of tender documents for all project activities
• Review the environmental management plans and requirements within the scope of the environmental impact assessment for the landfill and other related infrastructure works;
• Prepare, in collaboration with the various contractors, the time schedules for the execution works and the arrangements regarding the proper delivery of equipment to the installation sites; and ensure information is communicated to the UNDP project team;
• Support in assessing financial cost estimates for the design works and the purchase of needed material and construction works;
• Support in the evaluation of the proposals received during the tendering process and write the evaluation reports accordingly.
• Provide technical supervision on contractual works on the ground, including: ensuring the provision of complete listings of installed equipment per site, as per design and specifications; the preparation of site logs, acceptance reports; change orders; snag lists, documentation of site condition; etc.
• Liaise with Contractor’s staff in all site matters and assist in finding practical solutions to daily site problems;
• Convey progress, comments, problems etc. to the project team regarding the works;
• Review and monitor planning schedules, analyzing potential or occurring constraints/delays, and overseeing the implementation of remedial measures, including extending assistance to the Contractor to reschedule priorities.
• Monitor and collect data from the various sites including data management and analysis;
• Prepare commissioning and progress reports as needed;
• Support in the training and capacity-building workshops that are organized by the project to transfer technology to beneficiaries and counterparts.