Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) Specialist Consultant Services

Background

The PSL activity is a USAID-funded project implemented by RMF over the course of five (5) years, ending September 16, 2025 and aims to improve the livelihoods of residents of target municipalities through training, technical assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, and marketing, and improve and upgrade existing assets in their municipalities. The PSL goal is to sustain the livelihoods of 31,500 households across seven (7) clusters joining 105 municipalities in the North, Beqaa, South, and Mount Lebanon areas.  RMF is implementing PSL in partnerships with local and international organizations with diverse specialties including: 1. The Lebanese Maronite Order (OLM); 2. The Maronite Foundation of the World (MFW); 3. The Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC); 4. the Michel Daher Social Foundation (MDSF); 5. The Atayeb Al Rif (AAR) Cooperative; 6. NoGarlicNoOnions (NGNO); and, 7. Keylime.

Scope of Work

Under the PSL activity, it is expected that a technical assistance for the procurement or use, or both, of pesticides will be provided and therefore, the project is seeking to create a Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan in accordance with 22 CFR 216.3(b)(I). The main objective of this assignment is to review past and current PERSUAP documentation produced for other similar USAID/Lebanon development activities and develop the PSL-exclusive PERSUAP that shall serve as PSL’s Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan and therefore guide all activities that may entail use of, or training in the use of, pesticides. The PERSUAP Specialist will develop the PSL-specific PERSUAP and address the specific needs of the activity, including the economic, social and environmental risks and benefits of the planned pesticide use. The PERSUAP Specialist will liaise directly with PSL’s environmental officer, key stakeholders, USAID, and other project staff, to draft the PERSUAP and Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan for reducing pesticide risks.

The Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) Specialist / Consultant Scope of Work comprises mainly:

1. Perform a desk-based review of PSL Activity, related work planning materials, the PSL IEE, and other reports. Desk review c also review existing PERSUAPs for other USAID Activities such as: (LINQ), (LIVCD) and (ARE).
2. Review and update EPA registration status of all PERSUAP recommended pesticides by crop/ livestock/commodity. This includes pesticides within the current PERSUAP and any PSL proposed pesticides.
3. Work with the PSL team to review expectations, background documentation, including Activity’s work plan, scope of work, and deliverables
4. Work on behalf of RMF with the USAID/Lebanon MEO and BEO during the development of the PERSUAP.
5. Work with the PSL environmental officer and/or senior PSL team in the preparation of the PERSUAP.
6. List local restrictions on use of pesticides, and conditions required following an analysis of EPA registration of the same pesticides.
7. Acquire from PSL information on the extent to which pesticide use is and could be part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program; and Recommend mitigation measures for project activities (in addition to training), identified in concert with project personnel, which involve pesticide use. Mitigation measures should be described following USAID’s ERAC/EMMP table format.
8. Develop a pesticide database in Excel that includes registration by USEPA, EU and GOL, active ingredients, commercial names, major sources of origin, toxicity levels by organization.
9. Provide an annex with preliminary Pest Management Plans (PMPs) for each crop-pest combination, including extensive preventive tools/tactics that can be used, as well as recommended curative pesticides
10. Provide information on GOL’s obligations related to pesticides under the Stockholm Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Rotterdam Prior Informed Consent (PIC) conventions
11. Draft Programmatic IEE amendment to reflect the PERSUAP’s recommendations and respond to feedback from USAID on substantive technical material involving crop-pest-IPM-pesticide issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in one or several of the following areas: Agricultural Engineering, Environmental management or other degree relevant to the above SOW
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, especially on pesticides use and management
• Experience in agricultural donor-funded projects
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English, and in spoken Arabic

For more information, kindly refer to the attached TOR.