Expected starting date: As soon as possible
Background:
Temperatures in Yemen are generally very high, particularly in the coastal regions. Rainfall is limited, with variations based on elevation. Yemen is dry in the east and humid in the west. The conflict in northern part of Yemen displaced over 300,000 persons, who have taken refuge in five Governorates, of which Hajjah Governorate is accommodating approximately 38%.
Hajjah is located in the northwest of Yemen with a very hot climate which rises up to 50ºc during summer. The majority of the displaced population live in host communities whilst 15% live in camps. The displaced population depends upon firewood as the primary source of energy for cooking and baking bread. However, trees are scarce. As a result, IDPs (mainly women and girls) travel long distances in search of firewood and are also beginning to cut down saplings (young trees). Tension between the host community and IDPs could potentially increase if the situation continues and already some women and girls have reported fear of harassment in their search to collect firewood. There is also wider humanitarian concern for the protection of women and girls, as well as the environment. UNHCR has started to provide kerosene stoves with fuel for IDPs to cook. However, the continued collection of firewood cannot be ruled out as bread is one of the main staple items of IDPs and some source of energy is needed to bake the bread.
Objective:
The objective of the assignment is to assess the prevailing environmental situation and make recommendations for concrete actions in three IDPs hosting locations: Amran, Sanaa and Hajjah Governorates.
Activities:
In collaboration with the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM)/Shelter/NFIs Cluster and other stakeholders - including other clusters, government, IDPs and host communities – the consultant is expected to carry out the following activities:
• Identify the key environmental protection issues for IDPs and IDP-hosting communities, including natural resources deterioration and social impacts, and determine the degree to which they are linked to the IDP situation and can be addressed within the means available to the humanitarian community;
• Analyse the scope of firewood consumption and other uses of wood in camps and settlements;
• Quantify energy demand and supply in order to design appropriate response measures. This should be based on brief field survey(s) and/or secondary data sources, depending on available time and resources;
• Identify ways to decrease the use of firewood or address other identified environmental issues, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Environment and other actors working on environmental issues.
• Analyse means of implementing the proposed measures, based on knowledge already existing in the country and the cultural and economic situation, and the livelihoods of IDPs and host communities;
• Identify potential implementation partnerships, based on analysis of ongoing initiatives in the country;
• Environment being a cross-cutting issue, recommend appropriate actions to mainstream environment into CCCM and Shelter activities, as well as within wider UNHCR programming in its Yemen operation;
• Recommend at least two Quick Impact Projects that could be implemented in areas hosting IDPs and would have a positive impact on the environment;
Outputs:
• Report outlining the main environmental issues relating to IDP camps and IDP-hosting communities in Amran, Sanaa and Hajjah Governorates;
• Recommendations for mitigation and response measures, with proposed implementation arrangements (“who? where? how?”); focus on issues of cooking energy for IDPs to minimise the collection of firewood and tensions with host communities;
• Report length not more than 25 pages, plus Annexes, outlining background, methodology, findings and recommendations;
• Two or more outline proposals for Quick Impact Projects;
• Guidelines on mainstreaming of environmental concerns into CCCM and Shelter clusters, as well as programming in general;
• Recommendations made to implement two Quick Impact Projects geared towards improving the environment and address demand and supply of energy, based on cost effectiveness, affordability and sustainability.
Qualifications:
Consultant should have at least ten years’ experience in natural resource management in developing countries, including specific skills in the management of domestic energy supply and demand. Experience in refugee/IDP situations is essential.
How to apply
Please send your applications to:Environment Unit
OSTS/DPSM
UNHCR Geneva
Email: ndibalev@unhcr.org or nambu@unhcr.org