Job Title Environmental Impact Assessment Policy Reform Specialist
Initiative Name TAI 50-2023 Enhancing the Environmental Impact Assessment Process for Mining Projects in Climate-Vulnerable and Protected Areas in Philippines under the Technical Assistance Partnership - Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM)
Job type Consultant
Location of Position Canada (remote) with travel to Philippines
Reporting to Project Manager, TAP-EDM
Remuneration Fees are subject to negotiation and shall not exceed established market rates.
Indicative LOE/Time Frame Up to 140 days over12 month period for a consultant or a team of consultants
Citizenship Applicants must be Canadian citizens or have permanent resident status in Canada.
Language Requirements Fluent in English.
Application Deadline September 29, 2023
Application Instructions:
1. We welcome applications from individuals and from governmental, non-governmental and private organizations.
2. A cover letter is mandatory to be considered. Cover letters should detail how you fit the opportunity, your daily fee and current availability.
3. Click the “Apply now” link to upload your cover letter and CV (Curriculum Vitae). Apply Now
4. Only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.
TAP-EDM Description:
The Technical Assistance Partnership - Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) Project provides targeted, short-term (up to 12 months) technical assistance to National Government Entities (NGE) from eligible OECD-DAC countries (https://tap-pat.ca). The Mechanism is expected to deploy over 100 Canadian experts via 70-90 technical assistance initiatives (TAI) designed to resolve capacity gaps to bring about the desired changes of the recipient NGEs. Fully aligned with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Strategy (FIAP), these initiatives will integrate gender equality, climate action/environmental sustainability, human rights and good governance as key objectives. Canadian experts will come from all walks of life, proudly representing world-class technical human resources but also the diversity and multi-culturalism that is Canada.
TAP-EDM is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Alinea International.
Alinea International Ltd.
https://www.alineainternational.com/
About the work
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking to enhance the department’s existing environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for the mining sector and build internal capacity of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Improvements in EIA are required to help the government in identifying vulnerabilities, mitigation measures, and actionable steps to sustainably protect, conserve, and manage natural resources. Special emphasis is required to improve the environmental impact assessment process for mining projects in climate-vulnerable and protected areas in Philippines in a manner that is gender sensitive and protects vulnerable communities in the extractive zone. EIA enhancement must also support the government’s road map to grow the mining sector and help overall business readiness of Philippines in processing applications for mining projects, while ensuring compliance with internationally accepted standards of the mining industry.
The Role
Working in collaboration with the DENR counterpart team, the objectives of this initiative will be to:
- Evaluate the existing EIA checklist/guidelines for mining projects as to their effectiveness in important ecosystems/protected areas (ex. environmental protection and enhancement program; mine rehabilitation and/or decommissioning plans; social development management program; environmental management plans, standards related to the small-scale mining sector).
- Strengthen DENR’s EIA management responses to avoid or minimize the negative impacts of a mining project on ecosystems, biodiversity and communities.
- Identify best practices in other countries, such as Canada, in addressing the challenging issues of mining, ecosystems and biodiversity, climate change and community resilience.
- Recommend improvements in DENR’s process to facilitate the implementation of efficient business transactions that could promote the mining sector’s growth consistent with environmental protection.
- Include gender-sensitive expert advice and staff training to improve current practices, programs, policies, legislation, and implementation of international agreements on biodiversity and climate change, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative process.
- Provide updated information and recommendations on practices and policies relating to the following: climate risk waste/drainage; vulnerability assessment of protected areas, disaster resilience; mineral extraction models with minimal environmental and carbon footprints; technological innovations such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence in the assessment of the new mining projects and monitoring of the mining industry.
In this context, the Canadian expert(s) is expected to:
- Develop a work plan in collaboration with DENR personnel to undertake the project.
- Prepare a needs assessment and baseline analysis of current mining policy framework related to environment impact assessment-include emerging areas of concern such as climate change, resiliency, disaster response.
- Draft policy recommendations on environmental impact assessment process for mining projects in climate-vulnerable and protected areas in the Philippines that reflects current knowledge.
- Use results to increase/update DENR’s internal capacity in environmental impact assessment, sustainable mining practice, emerging technology, and adaptation/mitigation for mining projects in climate-vulnerable and protected areas through workshops and training sessions.
- Facilitate integration of gender equality, governance and human rights and environmental considerations (crosscutting themes) in DENR’s practices.
- Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan to assess improvement in knowledge and skills on environmental impact assessment and its application to mining projects in Philippines.
- Promote the TAP-EDM project and share their experience with assigned Alinea International staff through public diplomacy activities, public engagement, before, during and after the TAI back to Canada.
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, geology, mining engineering, or a related field.
- 10 years of experience related to Environmental Impact Assessment of Mining projects.
- Understanding of international environmental standards, guidelines and best practices related to mining and their application.
- Proficiency in using environmental assessment tools and software with an ability to integrate environmental modeling and risk assessments related to mining activities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement, including local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and mining companies.
- Experience integrating local customs, cultures, and languages, especially in areas with Indigenous communities affected by mining projects into the assessment process.
- Demonstrated capacity to effectively deliver training and mentoring sessions.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Experience working in the Philippines is an advantage/asset.
