Terms of References (TORs)
International waste management & migratory bird consultancy
Mainstreaming Conservation of Migratory Soaring Birds into Key Productive Sectors along the Rift
Valley/Red Sea Flyway
Regional component (00051312)
Under the auspices of the UNDP/GEF Migratory Soaring Birds project, BirdLife International seeks an
international consultancy with experience in relation to the environmental aspects of waste
management sector and in particular the impacts of waste management on migratory birds.
The consultancy will be asked to review international best practice in addressing environmental
issues in solid and liquid waste management, giving particular attention to issues that impact on
migratory birds, and to synthesise best practice in addressing impacts and maximising conservation
outcomes from waste management. The consultant will be required to pay particular attention to
issues that are relevant to the Middle East and North Africa region, and that are of significance in
relation to the regions’ location on the Red Sea –Rift Valley migration flyway. The consultant will be
required to advise on opportunities and approaches to mainstream conservation concerns into the
waste management sector. With particular consideration to the Middle East and North Africa region,
the consultancy will produce the following three reports: (1) a synthesis report on the impacts of
waste management on migratory birds; (2) best practice guidance on addressing migratory bird
conservation in the waste management sector, and (3) opportunities to engage with and
mainstream migratory bird conservation into the waste management sector.
The consultancy will be working with a regional consultant to undertake this assignment, with this
person expected to provide experience and insight from the region.
Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 1
OVERALL OBJECTIVE: ....................................................................................................................................... 2
SCOPE OF WORK .............................................................................................................................................. 2
DELIVERABLES.................................................................................................................................................. 3
ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
IMPLEMENTATION AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE.................................................................................................. 6
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.......................................................................................................................... 7
PAYMENT SCHEDULE ....................................................................................................................................... 8
QUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 8
SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST .................................................................................................... 8
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Introduction
The Rift Valley/Red Sea flyway is the second most important flyway for migratory soaring birds
(raptors, storks, pelicans and some ibis) in the world, with over 1.5 million birds of 37 species,
including 5 globally threatened species, using this corridor between their breeding grounds in
Europe and West Asia and wintering areas in Africa each year. The aim of the Migratory Soaring
Birds project is to mainstream migratory soaring bird considerations into the productive sectors
along the flyway that pose the greatest risk to the safe migration of these birds – principally hunting,
energy, agriculture and waste management – while promoting activities in sectors which could
benefit from these birds, such as ecotourism. The project will pilot a new, innovative and costeffective approach, termed "double-mainstreaming", that seeks to integrate flyway issues into
existing and new national or donor-funded "vehicles" of reform or change management in the key
sectors through the provision of technical tools, content, services and support.
Waste management is considered to an increasing problem along the flyway as human populations
rise and industrialization increases. Waste management can be poor in the region with examples of
solid waste thrown into open pits, burned, or dumped into rivers and lakes, and waste water and
effluents discharged directly into rivers without prior treatment. Municipal rubbish tips can be
poorly managed with large amounts of exposed waste, and issues arising with toxic materials. Open
land-fill sites and waste water treatment plants can attract, injure, and kill migratory soaring birds.
Poorly managed Waste sites with large amounts of exposed waste attract scavenging birds including
soaring raptors. Visiting birds can ingest toxic substances and become entangled in plastic, wire, and
other debris, or injured by metal scrap or fire. Large numbers of birds are known to die at poorly
managed waste water treatment facilities (domestic and industrial) due to drowning, entrapment in
sludge (due to inappropriate pond designs), or through ingestion of contaminated water or food.
Waste sites can pose a particular threat in desert environments where, after crossing the Sahara,
they represent an obvious and attractive source of food and water to migratory birds. Although
efforts have been made to address the waste disposal issue in some countries, it is often only the
aesthetic aspect of the problem that is addressed and ecological impacts can be ignored.
Accidental poisoning of raptors at open rubbish tips from poison baits set to control scavenging
foxes, jackals and feral dogs is a related problem in some areas of the Middle East. Such baits are the
cheapest way to control predators at waste sites and risks to other animals are not recognised by, or
are unimportant to, site managers.
However, where waste sites are designed and managed properly, especially open waste-water
treatment plants, e.g. at Aqaba in Jordan, they can provide important and safe habitat for birds.
There are often opportunities through positive management to create habitat for migratory birds
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within the footprint of waste management sites. Properly managed sewage beds and sustainable
drainage systems utilising reeds to filtrate water can offer valuable habitat for migratory species and
this potential positive management of waste management merits consideration within the scope of
the work. Habitats such as sludge beds can be manipulated to provide feeding resources and
breeding habitats for migratory birds. Management of the buffer zone within land fill sites, can also
provide opportunities for positive management for migratory soaring birds
Systematic and quantitative data relating to the issue on the flyway is again lacking, but a number of
sites have been reported to be a threat to migratory soaring birds including the River Hasbani in
Lebanon, where domestic and industrial waste management are considered major problems; Taiz
solid waste dump and lagoons in Yemen, where cement, pesticide and soap factories and livestock
breeding facilities dispose of their waste and where thousands of storks and raptors feed, and at
Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt where White Storks congregate at rubbish tips. In addition, there are the
numerous tourist resorts along the Red Sea coast, and military camps, e.g. along the coast in Yemen
and Djibouti. In Egypt and Sudan there are unregulated discharges of industrial effluents into the
River Nile, Suez Canal and coastal areas, where much of both countries’ industries are based, such as
a manufacturing and industrial zone and port at Ain Sukhna, Suez, Egypt, which is a very important
bottleneck for migratory soaring birds, with many other areas identified for future industrial
development, e.g. El Qah Plain in Egypt. Consultancy objectives, scope of work and deliverables
Overall objective:
The overall objective of the consultancy is to review international experience in addressing
environmental issues in solid and liquid waste management, giving particular attention to issues that
impact on migratory birds, and to synthesise best practice in addressing impacts and maximising
conservation outcomes from waste management.
Scope of work
The consultant will be required to pay particular attention to issues that are relevant to the Middle
East and North Africa region, and that are of significance in relation to the regions’ location on the
Red Sea –Rift Valley migration flyway. The consultant will be required to advise on opportunities
and approaches to mainstream conservation concerns into the waste management sector. Where
feasible and appropriate the international consultant will work alongside a regional consultant who
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is being hired to provide insight and experience from the Middle East – North Africa region, and this
will require close liaison to minimise any duplication in the review of material.
Deliverables
With particular consideration given to the Middle East and North Africa region, the consultancy will
produce the following three reports:
(1) A synthesis report on the impacts of waste management on migratory birds;
(2) Best practice guidance on addressing migratory bird conservation in the waste management
sector,
(3) Opportunities to engage with and mainstream migratory bird conservation into the waste
management sector
All deliverables shall be delivered on time (schedule outlined below) and in electronic form in
Microsoft Word. Reports should be in English, fully referenced, and should be accompanied by
copies (preferably in pdf format) of relevant reviews and best practice guidance that are of particular
significance.
Activities
Activity 1: Review of the impacts of waste management on migratory birds
The consultancy will search, review and analyse available reports, documents and web-based
content on the waste management sector that are relevant to the objective of the assignment as
outlined above. In undertaking this review they will give particular attention to international
experience and best practice that is relevant to the conservation of migratory birds in the Middle
East – North Africa. The review will, inter alia, consider:
(1) Existing evidence of the potential negative impacts of waste management on migratory
birds;
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(2) Existing evidence of the positive impacts of waste management on migratory birds, e.g. in
relation to habitat creation; or as a feeding resource
(3) Issues relating to the disposal of solid and liquid waste including domestic and industrial
waste including waste arising from tourism development;
(4) Consideration of any indirect aspects of waste management in relation to migratory birds
that need to be considered (e.g. in relation to proximity to airports, drinking water reservoirs
etc.)
(5) Existing standards and best practice in waste management that are being followed by the
industry that are relevant to the conservation of migratory birds;
(6) Existing standards and best practice that are being applied by regulatory authorities in
assessing and avoiding the negative impacts of waste management, e.g. in relation to EIA
frameworks and processes;
(7) Existing standards and best practice that are being applied by financing and donor agencies
in assessing and avoiding the negative impacts of waste management, e.g. through donor
safeguard policies and practices;
(8) Examples (case studies) of good and bad practice that is relevant to the above.
Activity 2: Preparation of best practice guidance on addressing migratory bird conservation in the
waste management sector
Based on the review of material outlined above, and the synthesis report produced, the consultant
will be required to prepare guidance for addressing migratory bird conservation in the waste
management sector in the Middle East. This guidance needs to be tailored and presented for
potential application by:
(1) The industry including private sector and municipal authorities – those parties that are
responsible for waste and its management;
(2) Government regulatory authorities particular agencies responsible for overseeing
environmental aspects of waste management;
(3) Consultancy firms that have a role in assessing and avoiding impacts;
(4) Donors and financial institutions that are providing the financial resources for waste
management in the Middle East and North Africa;
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(5) Other sectors (e.g. tourism) that might indirectly have an influence on waste management
practices
It is expected that as well as minimising the risks apparent within waste management sites for
birds, this guidance will also outline opportunities for the waste management industry to
maximise the potential positive impacts for birds through the management of buffer habitat and
use of sustainable drainage systems, which can, with limited habitat modifications, provide a
valuable habitat for birds.
The guidance should consider the best means of assessment within the EIA process for waste
management sites. Site assessment should consider the neighbouring land use and the likelihood
that Migratory soaring birds will be attracted to the site. Thus sites located next to areas which could
cause conflict with MSB’s should be avoided ( EG: Wind farms, Energy infrastructure)
The guidance should also consider recommendations for operation within the EIA structure: taking
opportunities for positive management, and recommendations for developing a monitoring plan
where required to manage and monitor MSB usage and issues arising during operation.
The guidance should also consider the post-operation restoration process for sites with specific life
spans and how this can practically restore habitat and provide long term positive impacts for MSB’s.
Activity 3: Recommendations on opportunities to engage with and mainstream migratory bird
conservation into the waste management sector
Based on knowledge of the sector, and again with due consideration to the Middle East – North
Africa region, the consultant will identify opportunities that the Migratory Soaring Birds Team might
take to mainstream best practice guidance on addressing migratory bird conservation into the waste
management sector. This will include opportunities to engage with industry forums, associations,
conferences, environmental practitioners, existing and proposed initiatives in the region etc.
Working with the regional consultant, this will also include existing and proposed waste
management projects in the region.
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Implementation and delivery schedule
The Consultant/firm is expected to complete and submit the deliverables specified in the above
section based on the following schedule.
ID
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2
Activity
Activity 1: Review of
the impacts of waste
management on
migratory birds
Activity 2:
Preparation of best
practice guidance on
addressing
migratory bird
conservation in the
waste management
sector
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3
Deliverable
D1.1: Outline of synthesis report for
approval by project team
Nov.
2013
Dec.
2013
D1.2: A draft synthesis report on the
impacts of waste management on
migratory birds for review by the project
team
D2.1: Outline of best practice guidance
for approval by project team
D2.2: Draft of best practice guidance for
review by the project team
Activity 3:
Recommendations
on opportunities to
engage with and
mainstream
migratory bird
conservation into
the waste
management sector
D3.1: Draft recommendations
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Roles and responsibilities
The selected consultant /firm will be contracted by BirdLife international, in close coordination with
the RFF & UNDP-Jordan. The roles of each party are:
BirdLife International
Marcus Kohler (Senior Flyways Programme Manager) at the BirdLife International Secretariat will
supervise and coordinate the work of the Consultant, in close consultation and with the close
involvement of the Regional Flyway Officers in the Middle East and Africa, and will be responsible
for:
-
Direct contract management for the consultancy.
-
Facilitating data provision, collection and communication with project partners for
the Consultant.
-
Coordinate technical delivery of the contract and provide technical assistance when
needed.
-
Supervision and regular follow up on consultancy progress and contract
implementation.
-
Revision and approval of consultancy deliverables and reporting.
-
Manage payments based on approved deliverables and payment arrangement
below.
Consultant
The Consultant will hold the overall accountability to fulfil the timely delivery of the activities and
deliverables specified in this TORs, and will be responsible of:
-
Overall implementation of the contract and delivery of all requirements specified in
this document.
-
Submit regular reports and implementation work plan to BirdLife International on
the below reporting plan.
-
Notify BirdLife in writing, upon the successful completion of each deliverable and
provide all required supporting documentation.
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Payment schedule
A total of US $ 27,000 has been allocated for this consultancy inclusive of all expenses. All payments
will be processed upon approval of deliverables in accordance with the following schedule:
-
US $ 5,000 on presentation of outlines for the review and best practice guidance
-
US $ 17,000 on presentation of draft reports
-
US $ 5,000 on completion of reports subject to reviews from the project team
Qualifications
Consultant / firm (staff) applying for the services described herein should have the following
minimum qualifications:

Advanced university degree in biology, ecology, natural resources management,
environmental sciences, or other directly related fields.

Proven relevant experience in waste management impact assessment mitigation.

Proven extensive experience in environmental sector at the regional level.

High level coordination skills.

Good organizational and planning skills and ability to adhere to deadlines.

Excellent writing skills

Fluency in written and spoken English.
Submission of expressions of interest
Interested parties are requested to submit a detailed expression of interest setting out how the TOR
would be implemented and further details concerning the deliverables that will result from this
work. Expressions of interest should be sent to Marcus.Kohler@birdlife.org
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