estidama

Name of Client

United Nations Development Programme/PAPP

Project Funding

UNDP/PAPP

Project Location

West Bank and Gaza Strip

The overall objective of the consultancy was to design a full programme document titled “Low carbon and climate change resilient development in Occupied Palestinian Territory”. The programme document identified all needed interventions to achieve the above mentioned objectives. The project document was developed in collaboration and consultation with the Ministry of Environment Affairs (MEnA) and other key ministries and local.

Main tasks leading to the formulation of the programme document involved:

1. Review and analyse of the relevant baseline development plans, strategies and investment.

2. Programmes of the public, private and NGO sector in oPt focusing on relevant activities.

3. Review and analyse the existing policy and regulatory frameworks related to climate change.

4. Review and analyse any past, current or planned related activities of other donors, development partners and private sector on climate change.

5. Assess the capacities of stakeholders and establish a stakeholders’ involvement plan.

6. Develop project partnerships and identify co-operation and co-financing possibilities.

7. Identify target areas/sites, pre-feasibility studies and business as appropriate in order to justify the proposed project interventions and to leverage financing for the proposed activities.

8. Work and cooperates with related UNDP staff including Programme analysts, project Managers to ensure cross sectoral integration of UNDP/PAPP work in oPt.

9. Work very closely with Ministry of Environment Affairs (lead partner in this task), and other PA institutions such as (MOPAD, PWA, MoT, PEnRA, MoA), UN agencies, NGOs, CBOs and the private sector to ensure an integrated approach to Climate change issues within oPt.

10. Facilitate stakeholder consultations on project preparation (including national workshops and meetings with national stakeholders, and consultations at community levels).

11. Address any review comments received from UNDP/PAPP and MEnA staff on the submission of the project document, and help revising project document accordingly.

Name of Client

Environment General Authority (EGA)

Project Funding

Government through UN

Project Location

Tripoli, Libya

Environment and sustainable development represents the most significant portfolio at UNDP Libya Country Office in terms of volume of activities and resources. Initiatives focused during the last few years on establishing a replicable model for protected area management, formulating a national strategy for solid and hazardous waste management, and strengthening environmental monitoring systems through the installation of laboratories that meet international standards, geographic information systems, and other modern tools. Following the conflict, the Environment portfolio has been revised and adjusted in accordance with the new pressing priorities of the country.

The aim of the project was to undertake a rapid review to the environment portfolio at UNDP Libya for the Environment General Authority in order to come up with an action plan that responds to the urgent needs of each ongoing project. Based on the review and actions identified, a new project should be developed that will tackle all issues related to training and capacity building that were not covered in the other projects.

Specific tasks are:
• Review all projects documents and information prior to the travel to duty station.
• Meet with EGA management and the national project coordinators;
• Develop a one pager, describing the best way forward to implement the rest of pending activities based on the assessment
• Develop a new project document; this should include the new log-frame, the work plan, the budget, the situation analysis and the strategy sections.

The aim of the project was to assist UNDP Country Office and the Environment General Authority to support the environment portfolio during an important transition period including the proper closure of three old projects within the same portfolio.

The following projects were covered:

EGA Capacity Building Project
• Re-structure the project documents based on EGA’s new vision.
• Reduce the budget to meet the available funds
• Prepare the needed TORs for the project team
• Follow up and prepare the needed documentations for project signature.

GIS Project
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the project. Its activities, achievements, and the level of progress made.
• Conduct capacity assessment of the GIS team; propose a new structure of the GIS directorate.
• Develop a training plan for the GIS team
• Assess the services provided by the international consultants under the project, provide and recommendations and actions for next steps.
• Assess the installed GIS system and a propose plan for improvement if necessary.

NCSA Project
• Review the project documents, reports and progress and propose an action plan to finalize (financial, administrative and human resources needed).

The project was mainly to support UNDP Libya Country office and the Environment Genearl Authority in closing six environmental projects being implemented for the benefit of the Environment General Authority. The tasks includes.

UNDP-Libya is executing, through implementing partners, a programme for the environmental protection and management in Libya. Under this Programme the team of the UNDP Environment and Energy Portfolio has undertaken implementation of several multi-disciplinary projects covering multiple sectors and beneficiaries such as solid waste and hazardous waste management, protected areas development and management, building the capacity by providing the needed laboratories and GIS system, environmental management and so forth.

The contract was to meet the ongoing needs of several of Environment and Energy’s current Multi-Sectoral projects. In particular, the tasks included the following tasks:

• Provide technical and management support the completion and/or closure of ongoing projects within the Environment and Energy Portfolio;
• Support the Environment and Energy Portfolio on closure of a backlog of old projects, including but not limited to the closure of GEF and Government funded projects;
• Provide support and capacity development to the newly recruited national and international consultants during the closure of the projects;
• Provide project management support for the proper completion and closure of the 6 ongoing Projects

Name of Client

World Bank - MNA

Project Funding

World Bank

Project Location

Arab States. Amman, Jordan

The Arab Region is one of the regions that is most vulnerable to climate change, on accounts of for example the highest level of water scarcity in the world, a significant dependence on climate-sensitive agriculture, and the concentration of populations and economic activity in flood-prone urban coastal zones. In this context, the World Bank has launched a Flagship study on climate change in the Arab region in partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS). The study focus is on the impacts of climate change in the Arab region and adaptation measures and policies. The Consultancy aimed at producing a report titled “Climate Change Impacts on Livelihoods and Living Conditions in Urban Areas ” The report forms part of the Flagship Study, which is structured in nine chapters. The consultant developed and produced Chapter 5 , providing a fully professional level analysis on climate change impacts in the urban sector. Technical and policy issues are outlined below:

The chapter aims to address the impacts of climate change on livelihoods and living conditions in urban areas in the Arab countries and to provide a general framework of recommendations for the municipal level implementation of adaptation activities in the urban areas.

The chapter has covered the following topics: Global Urbanization, Urbanization trends in the Arab Countries, Climate Change and Cities, Climate and disaster risk, Floods, Droughts, Salt Water Intrusion, Urban Heat Islands and Heat Waves, Vulnerability of Urban Sector to climate change, Urban Management and Climate Change, Governance and Management, Urban planning, Climate Adaptation Measures in Urban and Coastal Areas, Built Environment, Infrastructure Development and Investment and Conclusion.

In May 18th 2012, ESTIDAMA has organized an official launching of the Report in Jordan, more than 85 representatives form different sectors have attended the event. Prior to the event, ESTIDAMA has translated the English summary of the Report into Arabic.

Name of Client

Varies

Project Funding

Varies

Project Location

Amman, Jordan

Key Staff members were involved in the development and implementation of specific modules of different training programs. The program objective is capacity building for local councilors and planners.

The training modules were prepared to meet the needs of the trainees. The first module was focused on good governance and planning, while the second module focused on smart growth planning. The core objective of the governance and planning course was to introduce local councilors to the various concepts, principles, and skills that instruct the contemporary discourse on city governance and urban planning.

The governance and planning course was built on the following themes: role definition, communication, leadership and urban planning for decision makers.

In the Smart Growth Planning Module, the sessions shed light on various aspects and layers of the “smart” planning process, drawing attention to the following highlights: Comprehensive and strategic planning trends, the Amman plan model, smart urban growth principles, the creative use of GIS in urban plans, population projections, mapping social urban discrepancies, planning as a strategy to protect our urban heritage, and community participation.

Name of Client

Varies

Project Funding

Varies

Project Location

Amman, Jordan

An intensive urban planning training module, that focuses on the unorthodox approach of contemporary planning practice. The core objective of the course is to introduce participants to the various concepts, planning principles, approaches, processes and practices that instruct the contemporary discourse on sustainable smart urban growth.

The course is structured in such a way that it focuses on directing a participant-centered experience that involves interactive sessions, encounters with professionals, academics and decision makers, exposure to hands on exercises, site visits as well as a series of lectures and presentations. The training module consults also to the professional and academic knowledge of practitioners and academics alike pertaining to a spectrum of varied backgrounds. The course takes place over five days that include presentation by speakers, exercises, and site visits.

The course is designed to cater to the needs of civil servants currently involved in the practice of urban planning, urban governance and management, professionals who are intending to participate in the direction of urban development projects, growth strategies and steering of plan implementation processes in addition to students that are related to the profession of city-making in some way or another. The course is fully offered in Arabic.