Terms of Reference For SADA/SAP International Consultant Formulation of an Action Programme for the Integrated Management of the Shared Nubian Aquifer (IAEA UNDP/GEF – Medium Sized Project) Background The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) is one of the largest aquifers in the world covering approximately two million square kilometres of Northeast Africa in Chad, Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. The NSAS is the world’s largest fossil aquifer system with its reserves estimated at 375,000 km3. In the arid desert areas of those countries that share the aquifer, groundwater is a primary source of water for human populations and the indigenous ecosystems. With growing population pressures, and decreasing water available from other sources, there is increasing pressure to enhance the abstraction of this tremendously valuable resource that, under current climatic conditions and based on current knowledge, appears to be only marginally rechargeable. This increased pressure to use these shared groundwater resources, despite unclear knowledge of the transboundary impacts, represents a potential threat to a precious resource that if unchecked, could lead to deterioration of water quality and/or irrational water use with the potential to harm biodiversity, enhance land degradation processes or even lead to transboundary conflict. The NSAS region is characterised by water shortages amidst growing human populations. Destruction of ecosystems is leading to increased desertification and loss of habitat. One challenge in developing an adequate management strategy is the continued lack of sufficient knowledge about the aquifer needed to develop a rational use of the aquifer resources that can benefit the four countries. Further issues include poor management of water currently being exploited from the NSAS including loss of springs due to poor allocation of wells, change in the natural environment including species and habitats, poor understanding of local legislation and water rights, inadequate understanding of interactions between horizons, and impacts of development on the local and regional sustainability of groundwater. In general, there is a lack of a proper database and capacity to synthesize available information as a basis for determining and undertaking future investigations and developing strategies. The GEF has provided funds for the NSAS MSP which is currently implemented by UNDP and executed by the IAEA. The Long-term Goal of the NSAS project is to establish a rational and equitable management of the NSAS for sustainable socio-economic development and the protection of biodiversity and land resources. To achieve this goal, the Immediate Objectives of this MSP project are as follows: i.
Prepare and agree on a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis (SADA) to jointly identify, understand and reach agreement on the priority issues, threats and root causes of the NSAS; ii. Address and fill key methodological, data and capacity gaps needed for strategic planning decisions, using appropriate technical approaches with a focus on isotope techniques and applications under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);
iii. Undertake the preparation of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) to outline the necessary legal, policy and institutional reforms needed to address the priority threats and their root causes as identified in the SADA for the NSAS with a focus on the environmental aspects of aquifer management; iv. iv. Establish a framework for developing an agreed legal and institutional mechanism towards a NSAS convention for joint four-partite management and rational use of the shared NSAS System. A key output of the Nubian Aquifer Project (titled Formulation of an Action Programme for the Integrated Management of the Shared Nubian Aquifer) is to prepare and agree on a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis (SADA), and to undertake the preparation of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) to outline the necessary legal, policy and institutional reforms needed to address the priority threats and their root causes as identified in the SADA. In particular, there is a requirement for a comprehensive scientific and technical fact-finding analysis to scale the relative importance of sources, causes and impacts of transboundary aquifer problems and risks. This analysis should be carried out in a cross sectoral manner, focusing on transboundary problems/risks without ignoring national concerns and priorities. In order to make the analysis more effective and sustainable it should include a detailed governance analysis which considers the local institutional, legal and policy environment. Whereas the NSAS SADA must identify the priority transboundary problems/risks, underlying sectoral causes, and the root causes of the problems, the preliminary SAP needs to identify policy, legal and institutional reforms and investments to resolve the priority problems/risks. An important consideration for SADA and SAP activities is the involvement and full participation of local experts from the region of the NSAS. Such participation will have the collateral effect of creating project ownership, strengthening research capacity and providing exposure to international standards and increasing the familiarity with the GEF. Scope of this TOR This TOR deals specifically with the development of the NSAS SADA and the draft SAP and all outputs pertaining to their development. Services to be provide by the international Consultant The International Consultant will provide key technical support assist the Project Manager, the Project team and IAEA staff to facilitate the SADA/SAP process in accordance with GEF and IAEA principles and guidelines. The IC will assist in the preparation of materials for key SADA/SAP workshops, if appropriate. The IC will draft, edit and review all substantive outputs of the workshops, including the SADA and SAP documents, as appropriate. Qualifications • •
Post graduate qualification in environmental management, environmental economics, international development, or related discipline; Demonstrated understanding of the socio-economic processes that lead to degradation of international waters;
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Demonstrated experience in international water project management and/or project design; Demonstrated experience in the TDA/SAP Processes, including familiarity with methodologies to be employed in multiple analyses and Best Practices of IWLearn; At least five years demonstrated and successful experience in preparing and implementing projects which have successfully conserved water ecosystems, with some of this experience in countries with economies in transition; Demonstrated ability to discuss, negotiate and facilitate inter-governmental consultations in the region; Full knowledge of GEF procedures and structures; and familiarity with UNDP operational procedures;
Tasks:
1. Provide expert advice, assistance and support to Project Manager and project team, including IAEA staff throughout the NSAS SADA/SAP process including 2. 3. 4. 5.
coordination, preparation and follow up of any SADA/SAP consultation meetings Review of technical reports and studies Provide training on to local experts on GEF TDA/SAP approaches and expectations for the preparation of the NSAS SADA/SAP In consultation with the Project Manager and national teams, through obtaining timely information, finalise the regional SADA and submit to IAEA and all relevant organisations; Provide support to incorporate the comments of the governments, IAEA, UNDP/GEF, GEF Secretariat and Council, Steering Committee and other relevant committees into the SADA and SAP
Outputs • • • • •
Workplans, TORs, comments on national experts work; Trained SADA TTT experts according to GEF TDA/SAP ‘best practice’ approaches SADA and SAP workshop preparatory materials and final reports, as appropriate Comprehensive review of SADA and SAP, including drafting of relevant sections Final summary report on lessons learned regarding SADA/SAP methodology and approach to be submitted to GEF
Duty Station: Home office (UK), Vienna, Nubian Aquifer region, and other offices as needed Duration: xx days over xx month period beginning October 1st 2007.