CONSULTANCY FOR THE PROVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) TRAINING SERVICES – Uganda

ABOUT US

Fairtrade Africa (FTA) is the umbrella network organization representing Fairtrade-certified Producer Organizations in Africa and the Middle East. It has four (4) regional networks – Eastern & Central Africa; Southern Africa; West Africa; and the Middle East & North Africa. Established in 2005, FTA is a member of Fairtrade International and currently represents 1,354,294 farmers and workers in 660 producer organizations spread across 28 countries in Africa and the Middle East by providing services to them that contribute to the improvement of their livelihoods.

ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT

Fairtrade Africa is seeking the services of consultants, individuals, or firms to conduct a 3 days training workshop for Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers from flower-certified producer organizations in Uganda on Environmental Management Systems. The training is aimed at ensuring the adoption of agricultural and environmentally friendly practices that contribute to sustainable production systems.

Fairtrade Africa (FTA) aims to ensure that all certified flower producers in Uganda use sound agricultural and environmentally friendly practices that encourage increased adoption of agro-ecological and climate change friendly practices, resulting in more sustainable production systems where risks to workers’ health and the environment are minimized. Further, the training is required to adopt an interactive and practice-based adult learning approach where skills and knowledge of Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers at the PO’s level are enhanced on Environmental Management Systems in line with applicable Fairtrade standards and relevant National laws and regulations.

The key focus areas of the training shall include but not be limited to:

• The applicable Environmental laws/Standards.
• Management of soils
• Management of waste and wastewater
• Management of biodiversity
• Management of GMOs and Greenhouse gases.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT.

The key objectives and expected results from this assignment will be:

• Deliver a 3-day training workshop to enable Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers to understand Environmental Management System (EMS) definitions, concepts, and guidelines and support the target group with tools to align the EMS in place to comply with the Environmental development requirements of the Fairtrade Standards, ISO 14001 and relevant National laws and regulations in Uganda.
• Support the Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers to understand the stages of EMS implementation and best practices to apply to ensure total compliance and encourage continuous improvement based on Fairtrade standards (Environmental development chapter) and relevant national laws and regulations in Uganda.
• To enhance the capacity of Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers to identify and effectively mitigate all the non-compliances emanating from Fairtrade standards and Environmental management of the laws of the land.
• To enhance the capacity of Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers to apply this knowledge to practical cases; Identify all waste and develop a clear waste management plan; Develop Environmental management plans with a clear monitoring tool; Implement good practices in water sourcing, water use, water recycling, wastewater treatment and; implement good practices in the handling of fertilizers to reduce pollution in water sources and the wastage of resources.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

• Develop a customized training program on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for the target group. The training will be delivered within 3 days. (Dates to be discussed with the successful consultant).
• Deliver training to at least 15 Environmental Officers and Compliance Managers from Uganda. (Fairtrade will cover costs for mobilizing FT staff to participate in the training).
• Provide case studies and practical exercises as part of the training approach to enrich the learning process.
• Provide a training report and certificates to attendees at the end of the training program.

CONSULTANCY REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant should have at minimum a relevant University Degree. In addition, the Consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Knowledge and relevant academic qualifications in the subject matter. Accreditation by relevant Environmental management authorities will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrable experience in carrying out similar training assignments preferably for the Hired Labour horticultural sector.
• Demonstrable understanding of the Fairtrade Standards context, and the Environmental management issues affecting the flower sector in Uganda.
• Application of practical-oriented and adult learning approaches to communicate with learners from diverse academic backgrounds to impart knowledge and skills during the training will be desirable.
• Good interpersonal skills demonstrated the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Professional and demonstrable experience in working with Fairtrade certified flower producers will be an added advantage.