Terms of Reference Consultant

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference Consultant Outline These Terms of Reference (ToR) outline the review and restructuring of the Flash Environmental Assessment Tool (FEAT). The FEAT was developed in 2007 by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Royal Haskoning DHV upon request of the Joint United Nations Environment (UNEP) / United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Environment Unit (JEU). The work will entail a review of the FEAT, and in consultation with stakeholders a proposal for its restructuring and update. The output of the work will be an updated and enhanced tool for addressing chemical and technological hazards as part of disaster response and preparedness. The (JEU) is the United Nations emergency response mechanism that mobilizes and coordinates international assistance to countries facing environmental emergencies and natural disasters with significant environmental impacts. It is a partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Joint Environment Unit is integrated into OCHA s Emergency Services Branch as the Environmental Emergencies Section (EES). The mission of JEU is to mobilise and coordinate a comprehensive response to environmental emergencies to protect lives, livelihoods, ecosystems, and future generations. JEU assists Member States in preparing for and responding to environmental emergencies by coordinating international efforts and mobilizing partners to aid affected countries requesting assistance. By pairing the environmental expertise of UNEP with the humanitarian response network coordinated by OCHA, the JEU ensures an integrated approach in responding to environmental emergencies. JEU can mobilize environmental expertise and mobile laboratories to conduct rapid assessments and to develop appropriate response strategies. The section provides independent, impartial advice and practical solutions, while working to ensure a seamless transition to recovery. JEU also works to ensure that the environmental impacts on humanitarian needs are incorporated during all phases of humanitarian action. Furthermore, the JEU works in a number of ways to increase the preparedness of communities, disaster responders, governments, and industries against the potential risks and impacts of environmental emergencies. The JEU has also developed the Environmental Emergencies Centre (EEC) ( an online tool designed to build the capacity of national preparedness responders to environmental emergencies by strengthening their own mechanisms and drawing on external resources and services for guidance and preparedness, including a number of elearning training modules and workshops. The JEU can also provide assistance in conducting country-level hazard identification assessments. The Flash Environmental Assessment Tool: worldwide first aid for chemical accidents response, preparedness and prevention 1 Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides and fires may result in secondary effects, such as unexpected and substantial emissions of hazardous chemicals. These events are referred to as NaTech incidents, which are natural hazard triggered technological accidents. Such incidents, as well as other environmental and technological accidents can cause serious impacts on human health and the environment, as seen in accidents such as those of Bhopal 1 The text in this section is an adaption from an article (Posthuma et. al) on the FEAT, submitted to the Environment International Special issue: Recent developments in managing the public health impacts of chemical, biological and radio nuclear incidents in 2013.

2 (India, 1984) and Seveso (Italy, 1976). In order to respond efficiently and reduce the impacts of such incidents, they must be identified and assessed early on, as part of overall emergency response. The FEAT was originally designed to assist international disaster teams, such as the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams, in identifying and prioritizing potential impacts from secondary environmental emergencies. The FEAT was developed upon request of the by the Dutch Institute for Environment and Health and Royal Haskoning DHV (consultancy firm). It is a science-based impact assessment tool, whereby a large amount of technical information is presented as an easy-to-use decision tree, and as lookup tables which aim to provide insights into impact types and magnitudes. The decision tree guides the user through a formalized hazard and impact assessment process, and the lookup tables deliver the user insights into impacts which can be expected given a (potential) release of a chemical. Since its development in 2007, the FEAT has been used to develop hazardous installation profiles for around 60 locations worldwide (local as well as national level). It has also been used by environmental experts and UNDAC teams in in affected areas, to assess the situation and prioritize impact reduction activities. Nearly two hundred people have been trained in the use of FEAT so far. FEAT training and application evaluations suggest both the practical usefulness of the tool as well as room for improvements and wider application, technically as well as regarding response procedures. When additionally used for disaster preparedness, the tool may result in safe land-use planning and improved technical design of chemical facilities. The FEAT review will focus on the use of FEAT in A) disaster response and B) as a mapping tool for supporting disaster preparedness. The review will result in an updated tool with two distinct, but mutually supportive, sections FEAT response and FEAT preparedness. A. FEAT use in disaster response Disaster responders have an important role to play in identifying acute environmental impacts, which are defined as those that pose existing or imminent risk to human life and welfare and need to be addressed within the initial response to the disaster. Responders, whether national or international (UNDAC, regional) should pro-actively report on these incidents, ensuring that appropriate steps are taken to mitigate their impacts. Such support from disaster responders is complementary to that of environmental experts, which are involved in specific issues related to the disaster s environmental impacts 2. A review and update of the FEAT should include clear guidelines for its use in a disaster context, and description of its linkages with mechanisms such as the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and guidelines like the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). An adaptation of the FEAT, called the Hazard Identification Tool (HIT), has been developed by the JEU. The review of the FEAT should include a review and update of the HIT, with a clear methodology and guideline of the use of HIT in disaster response. This methodology should be developed in consultation with stakeholders and include links to the Virtual On-site Operations Coordination Centre (V-OSOCC), urban search and rescue, and other mechanisms. B. FEAT use for disaster preparedness In December 2011, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly approved Resolution A/66/L.33, which recognized the importance of applying a multi-hazard approach to preparedness... including giving regard to, inter alia, secondary environmental hazards stemming from industrial and technological accidents. However, the results of a recent study 3 carried out for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UN Environment Programme indicate that environmental emergencies are generally not well addressed in country-level contingency plans. Many developing countries are adopting measures to respond to oil spills, and to a lesser degree, the accidental release of hazardous and noxious substances. However, even if national oil spill contingency plans exist, these are generally not integrated into national emergency management plans. Furthermore, other types of environmental problems that could result in environmental emergencies such as mining activities, and Natechs are often not addressed in national contingency plans. 2 Environmental expertise is also available through the JEU, which is reachable 24/7 through the OCHA response system. 3 Cruz, A., 2013, Integration of Environmental Emergencies in Preparedness and Contingency Planning: A report prepared for OCHA and UNEP upon request of the Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies (AGEE).

3 To address this gap, the JEU has supported countries in industrial hazards mapping with the aim to strengthen the capacity of targeted countries and regional organizations to prepare for and respond to industrial accidents. The FEAT methodology has been used to identify and prioritize the different types of industries. A review and update of the FEAT should include the development of a FEAT preparedness mapping tool. This tool must be adjusted for developing country industry realities (i.e. not assume a certain standard of industrial processes, risk assessments or response measures), and should also include the storage and transportation of chemicals 4. The review should also take into account latest developments in global chemicals policy and legislation, including the Global Harmonized System GHS, critical infrastructure protection) FEAT is to be used for initial hazard mapping, and should be followed up by prioritization of industry sectors, specific locations and concerns, and the development and implementation of appropriate follow-up preparedness action. This can include, among others, the conduction of APELL 5 projects in identified priority hazardous activities locations and/or the development of UNEP Flexible Framework Initiative 6 projects, or the inclusion of industrial hazards into national disaster response and preparedness plans and guidelines. The exact scope of follow-up activities will depend entirely on the country context. Objective The specific objectives of the work provided by the consultant will entail: - Review of FEAT use; outlining the linkages to key disaster response and preparedness tools and guidelines. - Update of FEAT; response and preparedness elements, outlining the linkages and references to other existing emergency response tools and resources, including the connection to an electronic version (previous HIT). - Recommendations to develop a standard format question checklist for FEAT that can be used at the response and preparedness phase - Recommendations and clear outline for the development of an electronic version of the FEAT. The work will be conducted in consultation with relevant stakeholders (from response and preparedness perspectives). As an overall result of the consultant s work, the JEU will be better placed to support national, regional and international disaster responders and national authorities in preparing for, and responding to, chemical and technological accidents. Scope of work The work to be provided by the consultant will include (but not limited by): 1. Review of background documents, including: - Disaster response tools: FEAT 1.0, HIT, UNDAC handbook, INSARAG guidelines (as relevant for chemical and technological hazards) - Chemical hazard mapping and risk assessment tools: Directories used for implementation of European Union Seveso-directive, critical infrastructure protection, Global Harmonized System, OECD chemical accident guidelines, Emergency Response Guidebook 2012, others as applicable - FEAT use and documentation: FEAT article, mission reports, elearning and training evaluations, industrial hazard identification methodologies and mission reports 4 At the same time, FEAT should focus primarily on the big and obvious risks, so any risks related to transportation should focus on large-scale transport and not on community-level. 5 For example, through the UNEP APELL process (Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at the Local Level - A Process for Responding to Technological Accidents) 6 UNEP Flexible Framework for Addressing Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness

4 2. FEAT tool review and update 2.A FEAT response section - Restructuring of tables FT1, FT2, and FT3 into one table (or possibly two tables) with industries listed. The tables should be available in electronic format, with simple look-up format (allowing them to easily be entered into electronic documents, an application, and similar) - Restructuring of the Substance Look-up table into one table with substance-specific information (merging current four parts) - Easy-to-use guidance on FEAT use in disaster situations including information on how to proceed / prioritize / label sites for which data is missing (taking into account UNDAC and INSARAG guidelines and methodologies) - Standard Format questionnaire that can be used by the users at the response and preparedness phase - Separate guidance on possible impact reduction measures developed; grouped under different categories (for example focusing on blocking the pathway or protecting the receptor) - The review should take into account realities in developing countries, and industries listed should reflect current developing country standards 7. - Stronger references to other response tools, including the Emergency Response Guidebook. - A hard copy must be made available for emergency situations and disaster response. 2.B FEAT preparedness section - Restructuring of tables FT1, FT2 and FT3 into one information sheet without prioritization - Easy-to-use update on FEAT methodology for preparedness, including templates and guidance on how to do industrial hazard mapping using the FEAT - The tool should be useful for remote assessment with limited info on the local situation - to be subsequently used for detailed assessment with local input. - Separate guidance on follow-up and next steps after FEAT preparedness; linking to other tools such as the UNEP Flexible Framework, detailed risk assessments, land use planning, etc. - The tool should be designed to consist of several steps- initial general information about hazards would be determined according to industry type, and subsequently detailed according to chemicals, and the type of surroundings 3. Other exact scope to be confirmed 3.A Recommendations and outline of a FEAT electronic version - Outline of key elements and considerations should allow for an interactive tool, linking to chemical hazards databases, and which is to be developed further with a FEAT IT developer, who is to be recruited separately once the outcomes of the FEAT review are complete 3.B Presentation of updated FEAT at workshop (tbc) - Presentation of the new tool for stakeholders (UNEP, OCHA, EU CP, others). - Proposal for FEAT launch and implementation in key disaster response and preparedness frameworks. 3.C Update of FEAT elearning module - Update of FEAT elearning based on the updated FEAT with separate modules for FEAT response and FEAT preparedness. 7 For example, prioritization which assumes a certain type of process control, or a certain type of response procedure commonly available in developed countries, should be adapted to developing country standards. Similarly, the table should include storage of chemicals and other types of industries frequently found in developing countries.

5 Expected results Type of work Review of background documents Outline of work with detailed outputs, consultation schedules and timelines Discussion with JEU and stakeholders First draft of renewed FEAT, containing FEAT preparedness and FEAT response elements, submitted for review Peer review; feedback collected Final FEAT completed Outputs listed under 2 and 3 completed Deadline 15 January 28 February 15 April Reports and other materials should be submitted in English in MS Word (2003 and/or later), single line-spacing, used font: Arial, size: 11. Qualifications, Skills and Competencies The contract will be concluded with an individual contractor / consultant, and not with an institution or organization. Master s degree in natural sciences, engineering, or similar; At least ten years of work experience in the field of environment with experience in chemical hazards, risk assessments and industrial safety Knowledge of chemical hazard databases and risk assessments Knowledge of disaster response and preparedness national as well as international - roles, responsibilities, mandates and guidelines Strong research and analytical skills, proven excellent writing and presentation skills (examples of publications shall be given upon request); Experience in preparation of analytical reports and reviews; Proficiency in English; Experience of working in international organizations/projects is an asset; Duration This will be a lump sum contract, with an expected work amount of 50 days. Travel There is a travel required for this consultancy (one three-day trip to Geneva). The trip will be conducted in February 2014, as part of a peer review and broad consultation on the initial proposal.