Request for Proposals - Environmental Compliance Support

Background 

FHI 360, an international non-profit organization, is implementing the Lebanon Civic Action Accelerator Program (LEB-CAAP), a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support civil society actors across Lebanon.  

Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), FHI 360 seeks an environmental compliance consultant to conduct the Environmental Review Assessment Checklists (ERAC) and develop Environmental Mitigation & Management Plans (EMMP) for our grants to local organizations in addition to monitoring the implementation of the plans. 

Our grants will range from $10,000 to $30,000 covering non-construction activities largely focused on strengthening Civil Society Organizations’ activities. The number of grantees is up to 15 for the ERAC/EMMP scope and up to 30 grantees for the monitoring phase. 

Scope of Work 

The consultant will assist FHI 360 by completing the required Environmental Review and Assessment Checklist (ERAC) in accordance with USAID rules and regulations. The ERAC aims to identify potential environmental and social effects caused by each grant project and, if required, the consultant will develop an Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan (EMMP) based on the findings of the ERAC and/or USAID requirements.  

Common environmental concerns under LEB-CAAP include safe food preparation and storage, water cleanliness, e-waste, and other solid waste. 

Detailed responsibilities include: 

The consultant will assume responsibility for accomplishing the following assignments associated with up to 15 grantees over the course of the next six weeks:  

Screen the activities using the environmental Review and Assessment Checklist (ERAC) methodology 

Assess whether each activity has a low or negative adverse environmental impact, a moderate potential adverse environmental impact or a high adverse environmental impact according to the ERAC. 

Conduct site visits, when necessary, with prior coordination with FHI 360 and provide a report with a summary of critical findings. 

Based on the ERAC findings, create an Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan for the activity.  

Submit the ERACs and EMMPs to FHI 360 for review and approval from USAID. 

Respond to comments from FHI 360 and USAID and revise ERAC and EMMPs accordingly. 

The consultant will be responsible for monitoring up to 30 grantees (first seven starting immediately with others added gradually) as follows:  

Monitor the implementation of the EMMPs and file site visits reports while working closely with grantees to ensure that environmental standards are met.  

Submit quarterly summary reports on our EMMPs. 

LEB-CAAP will provide all necessary program documents and information for the consultant and will facilitate introductory meetings with the funder and potential grantees if necessary. As required, the consultant will contribute to revising plans or documents in response to any questions received from the funder. 

Location of Work 

Lebanon. 

Travel 

In-person meetings with the LEB-CAAP team and its grantees might be required.   

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental engineering, civil engineering or related field from an accredited university required; master’s degree is a plus. 

Minimum 3 years of experience in environmental compliance. 

Experience in implementing a similar scope of work with USAID funded programs  

Proven knowledge of USAID CFR 216 regulations is a plus; and strong communication and reporting skills or ability to write clear and concise reports. 

Evaluation Criteria: The following criteria will be considered in the evaluation of the received proposals:  

Past performance 35% 

Turn-around time 30% 

Cost 35% 

Required Documentation: proposals must include the following components:  

CV and Cover Letter addressing the consultant’s number and types of experiences completing similar environmental compliance tasks with USAID-funded projects, and the methodology that will be followed for this work 

Relevant university degrees  

List of three professional references (name, position, organization, email, telephone number and affiliation/specific assignment implemented by the applicant)  

A detailed cost proposal as detailed in the attached RFP.