Consultant to develop Health and Safety Guidelines for Small-Scale Miners in Namibia

Background

Small-scale mining is being considered as one of the strategies to reduce poverty in Namibia. To date, many less advantaged people are engaged in small-scale mining activities in efforts to generate income. Small-scale mining in Namibia is concentrated mainly on semi-precious stones, such as tourmaline, smoky quartz, beryl, amethyst, prehnite, rock crystals and schorl.

Despite the benefits derived from such activities, small-scale mining conditions in Namibia, as in many other countries, are currently not favourable. This is due to a variety of factors including health and safety risks. Health and safety requirements are not presented in a manner that is easy to understand for small scale miner’s majority of whom have nominal formal education. In Namibia, preventative measures are inadequate and not properly enforced against mine accidents and safe work environment. Small-scale miners in Namibia are faced with a myriad of challenges that include harsh working conditions, unsafe or wrong mining methods, and lack of proper mining equipment. In addition, health problems related to inhalation of dust (which causes silicosis, a condition that affect lungs), noise (which causes tinnitus, a condition that affect ears), and extreme heat, are common, as are physical injuries due to rock falls and mine collapses. There are currently no health and safety guidelines to assist small scale miners to operate safely.

Now, there are small-scale miners operating in various mining hotspots in Erongo, Kunene and Karas Regions. However, it has been realized that the health of the small-scale miners is at risk. Against this background, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) require services of a consultant or consultants to develop health and safety guidelines for the small-scale miners.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be expected to develop Health and Safety guidelines for small-scale mining activities, which are simple and easy to understand and implement. The guidelines should contain important information on potential hazards, along with their mitigation measures. The use of pictures/illustrations is recommended where possible.  . In addition, the guideline must include content on applicable policies on health and safety in a working environment in Namibia. He/she will also be expected to deliver the Full Proposal with the timelines agreed with UNDP to allow for review before the deadline for submission. The work may be done through desk research and consultations but must include a field visit to at least one small scale mine preferably Neu-Schwaben SSM just outside Karibib

Competencies

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding the client needs;
• Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
• Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities;
• Ability to develop plans and guidelines.
• Understanding of issues related to environmental management and mining; and
• Excellent English communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualification:

• At least an Honour’s degree preferably in one of the following disciplines: Mining, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Health, Geology or other related disciplines

?Experiences:

•  Extensive knowledge of the mining sector, especially ASM, policy and legislative analysis and a good understanding of the mining governance.
•  Experience in designing and developing guidelines.
• Experience in environmental sector policies and regulations.
• Knowledge of the health sector policies, laws and regulations.
• Experience in environmental stakeholder consultations

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written communications and presentations skills in English.

Recommended Presentation of Offer;

• Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or a P11 Personal History form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment (max 1 page).

Financial proposal:

Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (based on the number of working days mentioned ToR.

Note:

• Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows uploading maximum one document.
• Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.

To view the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and download letter of confirmation of interest and P11 form, please access the UNDP Procurement Notice site on the below link:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=68788

Application process:

Applicants are requested to submit price offers indicating the total cost of the assignment (including daily fees, per diem and travel costs). All application should be done via the online portal and must not be emailed to the Procurement email address.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

Applications will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified above through a desk review.